Hitting the road with girlfriends is an excellent way to defuse and destress from daily life. But before you embark on a trip of a lifetime, you should accomplish step one: know where you’re going.

Fortunately, if your starting point is anywhere in the Australian mainland, you have a load of destination options that lay before you.

From soaring cliffs in coastal drives to ochre-coloured dirt tracks in the Outback, Australia is home to some of the best road trip destinations anywhere on the planet.

Ladies, here are seven Australian road trip routes that can ignite the flame of adventure for you and your gal pals! And fear not, silly boys and irate bosses are not included.

1. Great Ocean Road, VIC

One of Australia’s most iconic and popular road trip journeys is the Great Ocean Road—and for good reason. It has some of the most stunning views of natural limestone formations anywhere in the country.

Just a short 2-hour drive from Melbourne, the start point of this journey in Torquay allows you to see the stunning coastal views of Victoria for miles on end. Along the way, you’ll also pass by many coastal towns with their own distinct charm and food culture.

There’s a bit of everything in this 243-kilometre road trip. It’s short enough for you to keep it as a long day trip, but you can extend the road trip to two or more days if you want to see all that this part of the country has to offer.

Some of the top spots in the area include the Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles, the London Arch, and the Grotto. You can also venture into some rainforests and come across towering redwood trees and pristine waterfalls.

You and your gal pals are sure to have a pleasant time during this road trip, no matter if you’re soaking up the sun, going on rainforest trails, or getting some IG-worthy shots of Australia’s best natural tourist destinations.

2. Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

Another spectacular road trip journey for you and your girlfriends is the Grand Pacific Drive. Starting from Sydney, this route takes you along the Royal National Park and into the southern portion of New South Wales.

Wollongong, Shellharbour, and Kiama are some of the coastal towns that you’re likely to drive through along this route — and each town has its distinct charm and allure.

Furthermore, the Royal National Park has some of the nicest beaches and coastal trails found anywhere in NSW, such as Wattamolla and the Wedding Cake Rock trail.

Besides that, there are many other tourist destinations that you can drop by. A few include Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach and Symbio Wildlife Park. There’s also a tonne of cultural and gastronomic stops along the towns, such as the Kiama Harbour.

The Bald Hill Lookout is also a nice stop to get unobstructed views of the iconic Grand Pacific Drive road, particularly the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Considering its proximity to Sydney and relatively short 163-kilometre route, this road trip is one of the more popular road trip destinations for Sydneysiders or people flying into Sydney. So, if you and your girlfriends want to explore someplace accessible, this is a good choice!

3. The Red Centre Way, NT

About 70 per cent of Australia’s land is covered by semi-arid, arid, or desert-like conditions. Despite that, not many urbanite Australians find themselves exploring deep into the massive expanse of Outback territory.

If you and your girlfriends would like a change of pace, you can consider undertaking the Red Centre Way as your next girls’ trip. This road trip destination takes you from Alice Springs to various geological and picturesque wonders found nowhere else in the world.

Some of these destinations include the Standley Chasm, a breathtakingly beautiful trail with rich Aboriginal significance; the West Macdonnell National Park, Curtin Springs, and the King’s Canyon in Watarrka National Park.

Of course, no journey traversing through the Northern Territory is complete without paying a visit to Australia’s most iconic sandstone monolith, Uluru or Ayers Rock.

This road trip may require you to rent a car, so be sure that you have the appropriate car insurance coverage, like a Nissan car insurance, in case you encounter some hiccups along the way. 

4. The Gibb River Road, WA

Western Australia doesn’t get as much attention as its eastern counterparts, but trading off city life for pristine and untouched wilderness makes road trip journeys in this state all the more wilder.

The Gibb River Road is a long 660-kilometre route that spans from Western Australia to Queensland. It starts at Derby, a small town in the northwestern part of the country, and ends in Purnululu National Park.

In the middle of the journey, you’ll pass through Windjana Gorge National Park, Bell Gorge,  Mitchell River National Park, Lake Argyle, and Kununurra.

This road trip takes you to ancient reef systems,  prehistoric forests, national parks, gorges, man-made lakes, and places rich with Aboriginal culture.

A whole road trip here can take up to 12 days, so be sure that you and your friends have enough calendar days crossed out before embarking on this long journey.

5. Great Barrier Reef Drive, QLD

If you’d rather have a more digestible road trip, then the 140-kilometre long Great Barrier Reef Drive in Queensland may be more up your alley.

This coastal driving route allows you to pass through not just one, but two world-class tourist destinations. Starting from Cairns, which has a fair amount of buzz on its own, you venture towards the Great Barrier Reef on a vehicle.

Along the way, you’ll pass by Palm Cove and the luxurious Port Douglas. Port Douglas has many boat rentals that allow people to board and snorkel and dive in the reef, so don’t miss out on that opportunity with your girlfriends. Feel free to visit the many sights and restaurants in town as well.

After spending a day in Port Douglas, venture further until you reach the Mossman Gorge, the gateway to the 135 million-year-old Daintree Rainforest. Consider going on a guided walking trail along this rainforest. You can even take a dip in the rock pools around the area.

Once you’re done exploring the ancient rainforest, have a taste of quiet paradise in Cape Tribulation. Then, head back to Cairns and relive the journey through camera shots and memories!

6. Lap of Tasmania, TAS

A lot of people overlook Tasmania as a road trip destination, but it’s in a league of its own when it comes to its bountiful tourist attractions.

The lap of Tasmania typically takes two weeks, but it can be adjusted to one to three weeks, depending on your availability. This itinerary features a tourist route of the island from east to west.

Starting at either Hobart or Launceston, head out west or east to visit some of the coolest destinations on the island.

Some highlights in the area include Freycinet on the eastern coast, where you can enjoy beach views and camp along untouched wilderness. The Bay of Fires along the eastern edge also features marvellous white sandy beaches and unique rock formations.

Other must-visit natural sites when in Tasmania include Wineglass Bay, Mount Wellington, Port Arthur, and Cradle Mountain. Be sure to spend a day or two in the cities as well, as they all hold some historic charm that can’t be found anywhere else in Australia.

7. Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

A short drive south of Adelaide lies the enchanting Fleurieu Peninsula, a picturesque destination that passes through wine regions, rugged coastlines, and beautiful beaches.

This road trip destination is perfect for a girls’ trip due to the sheer amount of things to add to your itinerary. Want to sample a wide range of wines? You can do so in the McVale wine region.

Want to swim in waterfalls and enjoy natural sights? Many national parks along the area can capture your eye, like Deep Creek and Cox Scrub Conservation Park.

Simply want to visit the beach? There are many white, sandy beaches you can opt for, including Rapid Bay, Second Valley, and Normanville.

Besides that, there’s plenty of wetlands and wildlife to see around this region. So, if you happen to find yourself in the southern part of the continent, definitely visit this place.

And consider going on a cruise to Kangaroo Island as well – an Instagrammable island off the coast of the mainland brimming with wildlife like kangaroos and penguins.