Road Less Travelled
The unsealed Oodnadatta Track stretching across flat outback country

Road Less Travelled

Off-the-beaten-track Australia

Beyond the cities and the famous postcards lies most of Australia. This guide is for travellers who want the long straight roads, the quiet ranges and the islands few people reach, and who want to do it safely.

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Photo: GoldenRing, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Start exploring

Where to start

Interactive tool

Compare Australia's great outback drives

From the sealed Nullarbor to the rough Gibb River Road, each remote route needs a different vehicle, season and level of preparation. Pick a route to compare.

Route compare

Which outback route suits you?

Distance
About 1,660 km, Port Augusta to Norseman
Road surface
Sealed highway
Best season
Year-round; spring and autumn are most comfortable
Vehicle
2WD car, campervan or caravan

Long distances between roadhouses, road trains and wildlife at dawn and dusk. A crossing usually takes several days.

Read the route guide

A general comparison from state road authority and tourism information. Conditions change with weather and season: always check official road reports before you set out.

From 2007, this domain hosted a travel blog of tales and photos from off the beaten track. Road Less Travelled keeps that spirit but takes a new direction. It is an independent, practical guide to remote and lesser-known Australia, written from official sources.

The great outback drives

Australia's long-distance routes are journeys in their own right.

  • The Nullarbor: around 1,660 kilometres of sealed highway across the treeless plain between Port Augusta and Norseman, with sea cliffs and whale watching on the Great Australian Bight.
  • The Oodnadatta Track: an unsealed outback road of about 614 kilometres past Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, mound springs and the ruins of the old Ghan railway.
  • The Gibb River Road: a rugged dry-season route through the Kimberley, with gorges, waterfalls and river crossings.
  • The Savannah Way: about 3,500 kilometres across the top of Australia from Cairns to Broome.

Compare them with the route tool below, or read the road trips hub.

Hidden places

Some of Australia's most rewarding places are not remote, just overlooked.

  • The Flinders Ranges: ancient ranges in South Australia with Wilpena Pound (Ikara) and some of the oldest evidence of animal life on Earth.
  • Lord Howe Island: a World Heritage-listed island in the Tasman Sea, where visitor numbers are limited.
  • Kangaroo Island: Australia's third-largest island, with wildlife, wild coastline and Flinders Chase National Park.

Browse the hidden places hub.

Travel skills

Off-the-beaten-track travel rewards preparation. Our travel skills hub covers remote travel safety, from water and fuel planning to emergency beacons, and night sky photography for the dark skies of the outback.

Travel with respect

Much of remote Australia is Aboriginal land, managed by Traditional Owners. Some areas need permits, and some sites are sacred. Follow local signs and advice, camp only where permitted, take your rubbish with you and leave places as you found them.

Plan your season

The right season is everything. The south and centre are best in the cooler months, while the tropical north is a dry-season destination, as many roads close in the wet. Use our route compare to check which months suit each drive.

About us

Read about Road Less Travelled and our editorial policy. Spotted a change on the road? Let us know.

In-depth guides

Guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the best outback road trip for a first-timer?

The Nullarbor crossing on the sealed Eyre Highway is a good first long-distance outback drive, as it can be done in a 2WD vehicle. Unsealed routes such as the Oodnadatta Track and Gibb River Road need more experience and a suitable vehicle.

Do I need a 4WD to explore outback Australia?

Not always. Many outback highways are sealed. Unsealed tracks, river crossings and remote areas generally need a high-clearance 4WD, and many hire agreements do not allow 2WD vehicles on unsealed roads.

When is the best time for outback travel?

In the south and centre, the cooler months from about April to October are most comfortable. In the tropical north, travel in the dry season, roughly May to October, as many roads close in the wet.

Is it safe to travel in remote Australia?

With good preparation, yes. Carry plenty of water, fuel and a way to call for help, check road conditions, tell someone your plans and stay with your vehicle if you break down.

Is this the old Road Less Travelled blog?

No. Road Less Travelled is a new, independent guide. We are not connected with the previous blog on this domain or any business with a similar name.

Sources and further reading

Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.

  1. Eyre Highway — Wikipedia
  2. Outback road warnings — South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport
  3. Road conditions — Main Roads Western Australia
  4. Beacons — Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Spotted something out of date?

Local knowledge keeps this guide useful. Send a correction, a tip or a question and we’ll check it against official sources.

Contact the editors