Struggling with ideas this winter? These road trips will keep you occupied and cosy in the colder months.

From Melbourne

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria's most iconic drives, and this time-tested route will take you on an adventure through lush rainforest to clifftops beaches. The journey starts in Melbourne where it’s about 100 kilometers to Torquay - the unofficial start point.

From here continue through quaint coastal towns like Lorne or Anglesea before stopping at popular photo spots including The Twelve Apostles and Port Fairy, which has a great sampling of 1800s architecture.

Phillip Island

Home to a couple of hundred penguins, Phillip Island lies just off Australia’s southern coast.

It's about 148 kilometres from Melbourne and if you're lucky enough to be there for the annual Penguin Parade then this small island will feel like your own personal beach with these adorable creatures strolling along next door!

From Sydney

Blue Mountains

The Greater Blue Mountains is one of New South Wales’ most celebrated and exciting journeys. With over 1200 kilometres of connecting roads that encompass epic valleys, historic towns, incredible food, native wildlife, and sandstone cliffs, it's the perfect wintertime escape

Classic like Scenic World and the Three Sisters alongside 140 walking trails also means there's a route suitable for everyone.

Jervis Bay

If time is tight, but you're still desperate to get away from it all - the drive to Jervis Bay perfect.

The three-hour journey will showcase some stunning scenery including the driving over Sea Cliff Bridge and into the Royal National Park where you can stop at the popular coastal village of Kiama – home (among other things) to a natural blowhole phenomenon.

From Brisbane

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains are an hour from Brisbane, Australia. This distinctive National Park includes 12 ancient volcanic peaks that rise up at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast.

It features a nice range of hikes, some with paths you can walk up easily such as Wild Horse Mountain and others require climbing expertise.

North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island is an unspoilt paradise just a 25-minute ferry ride from Moreton Bay. It's home to many unique species and landscapes, including wonderful beaches where you can pretty much surf all year round. 

Going in winter also allows for some epic whale and wildlife watching opportunities, with dolphins and sea turtles regularly roaming the shores.