The cost of living is rising, but you don’t need to break the bank to have a good holiday right here in Australia.
There are a host of amazing road trips to do and holiday experiences to be had in Australia, from apple picking to surfing, and the best bit is they are all within an easy drive from the nation's biggest urban centres. Here are five affordable road trips which are just a scenic drive away from major cities.
The mountains are not just for crackling fireplaces and winter mornings. Head there in the warmer months to experience clear, stunning vistas and wonderful bushwalks.
Head up the M4 from Sydney, taking the Great Western Highway stopping at leisure at villages including Leura, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.
Head to Megalong Valley Tearooms for a warm reuben toastie ($16) or traditional scones with jam and cream ($15). For dinner, head to the Leura Garage, where you can get shared plates, including a large shared serving of a Moroccan vegetable hot pot for $40.
Check out the Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, then ride the steepest passenger railway formation in the world at Scenic World ($50), which includes other attractions like the Cableway and access to the valley floor. Loop back down through Bells Line Road for seasonal fruit picking in Bilpin.
The Blue Mountains YHA in Katoomba has excellent shared and private rooms with ensuite. There is a large shared kitchen, and it is walking distance to the high street.
Toss your surfboard in the car, pick up food fresh from the farm gate, and take in a breath of fresh island air on Phillip Island. Outside of the occasional international motor event, there are plenty of chances to see wildlife including koalas, seals and the island’s iconic penguins.
Take the Monash Freeway to the South Gippsland Highway, and then turn onto the Bass Highway – a journey of around two hours.
Newly opened coffee and sandwich shop G’day Tiger in Cowes slings fresh sandwiches (from $14) and coffee ($4.50); at night, head to Ocean Reach Brewery, which has a food van serving up American-style burgers (from $20).
For a buzz, head to Phillip Island Go Karts (from $40 per person), which is located on a replica track right next to the southern bend of the official Grand Prix track. Of course, you can’t go to Phillip Island without gathering with the masses to watch the penguin parade at dusk.
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park has self-contained cabins that sleep four from $128 per night.
While there’s much (deserved) fuss made about the nearby Margaret River, Ferguson Valley wine region boasts not just a dozen wineries, but its very own Gnomesville, home to over 5000 garden gnomes.
Located two hours south of Perth, take the Kwinana Freeway and State Forrest Highway before turning into Boyanup-Picton Road from Bunbury.
Grab an award-winning stone-baked pizza at Ferguson Falls Wines Cafe (from $25.50).
While most people come to Ferguson Valley to visit its wineries, don’t miss Wellington National Park with 40 kilometres of mountain biking trails, wild swimming at Honeymoon Pool and the world’s largest dam mural, painted on the walls of the Wellington Dam.
Couples can stay in The Cottage at Glen Mervyn Lodge in Preston Valley at $180 per night.
A favourite with motorcyclists, outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, the Scenic Rim offers visitors six national parks, an incredible food scene and plenty of free natural attractions for the budget-conscious to explore.
From Brisbane, head south on Pacific Motorway, turn onto the Logan Motorway, then left onto Beaudesert Rd. From the Gold Coast, it's 45 minutes up the Pacific Highway.
Wet your whistle at the Scenic Rim Brewery in Mount Alford, where you can sample their Wurst German sausage share platter ($40). If you’re self-catering, order a Scenic Rim Farm Box filled with your choice of ready meals, pastries and local produce delivered to your accommodation.
Head to Lamington National Park to take in waterfalls and hike through rainforest. Over at Tamborine Mountain, head deeper underground with a glow worm caves tour, an ethical tour option that allows you to experience the rainforest’s tiniest glowing members without disturbing their habitat ($23).
Sleep among the treetops at Binna Burra Lodge, where compact safari tents sleep up to three people from $75.
From the pink salt flats at Lake Bumbunga to the giant painted silos, boutique galleries and artist’s studios along the Clare Valley Art Trail, there’s more to Clare Valley than just the riesling.
Head north from Adelaide on the Northern Expressway, joining the Horrocks Highway after the Gawler bypass, around 90 minutes.
For an authentic country pub experience, head to Sevenhill Hotel, where you can pick up a house made chicken schnitty with slaw and fries for $23.
Hire a bike for around $35 and follow the 35-kilometre Riesling Trail, which runs along an old railway corridor between Clare and Auburn. For a little history, head to the Burra Mines heritage area.
With a sandstone heritage facade, Bentleys Hotel sits on the main street in Clare and has rooms starting at $145.
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