Most Scenic and beautiful Drives in Australia
By: Christy

The Great Ocean Road

PhotoBy tentencents

PhotoBy ScottDavis

The Great Ocean Road is 300km of sweeping asphalt running along the the south-western coast of Victoria, Australia. The start of The Great Ocean Road is ~100km south west of the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

Starting in surfing town of Torquay and twisting it's way through to Warnambool. The road was built by nearly 3000 solders returning from The Great War. The soldiers worked for 14 years to complete the road. It is dedicated to their fallen comrades.

One of the finest scenic drives in the world. It takes in both bathing beaches and surfing beaches, rain forest, waterfalls, cliffs and an assortment of uniquely characterful towns.

Info: http://www.greatoceanroad.com/

Blackall Range Tourist Drive

PhotoBy Davids_ Photography_Au

The Blackall Range is a mountain range in South East Queensland. The first European explorer in the area was Ludwig Leichhardt. It was named after Samuel Blackall, the second Governor of Queensland.

The Blackall Range dominates the hinterland area of the Sunshine Coast, west of Nambour. Maleny, Mapleton, Montville and Flaxton are the main settlements located on the range. The Stanley River rises from the southern slopes. Baroon Pocket Dam is a reservoir on Obi Obi Creek which drains the north west slopes of the range.

Mary Cairncross Reserve marks the site of the first settler's house on the Blackall Range. Curramore Sanctuary, Mapleton Falls National Park and Kondalilla National Park are also located on the range. Numerous lookouts on the range provide excellent views towards the coast. One of the best is located at Howells Knob, a mountain which rises 561 m above sea level. With its spectacular views, natural beauty and an established tourist industry providing accommodation, restaurants, art galleries and specialty shops, the Blackall Range is a popular tourist destination.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Savannah Way Scenic Drive

PhotoBy Leone Fabre

Photo By heidi_K

The Savannah Way is Australia's Adventure Drive, linking Cairns in Tropical North Queensland with the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley, via the natural wonders of Australia’s tropical savannahs and the Northern Territory’s Top End.

The 3700 kilometre route links 15 National Parks and five World Heritage areas. You can explore just a section or cross the continent enjoying its wide horizons, ancient gorges and abundant wildlife, connecting with Aboriginal and pioneer heritage in today’s friendly outback.

Info: http://www.savannahway.com.au/

The Great Tropical Drive

PhotoBy robstephaustralia

The Great Tropical Drive is a self-drive route that will take you from Cairns and Townsville to some amazing places in Tropical Australia - less than a few hours away! Follow the Great Tropical Drive and 13 discovery trails to some of Australia’s best known attractions - the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Hinchinbrook Island and Undara Lava Tubes - and be prepared for many unexpected discoveries along the way.

The Great Tropical Drive passes through six unique regions of North Queensland: Cooktown, Port Douglas and Daintree, Cairns and Beaches, Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast, Tropical Tablelands and Savannah Country, Townsville, Charters Towers & Hinchinbrook.

Info & photos: http://www.greattropicaldrive.com.au/

Flinders Ranges

PhotoBy Chris&Steve

Photo By kabl1992

Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts approximately 200 km north west of Adelaide. The discontinuous ranges stretch for over 430 km from Port Pirie to Lake Callabonna. Its most characteristic landmark is Wilpena Pound, a large, sickle-shaped, natural amphitheatre covering nearly 80 square kilometres, containing the range's highest peak, St Mary Peak (1170m), and adjoining the Flinders Ranges National Park. The northern ranges host the Arkaroola wilderness sanctuary and the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. The southern part of the ranges are notable for the Pichi Richi scenic railway and Mount Remarkable National Park.

Several small areas in the Flinders Ranges are protected as National Parks. These include the Flinders Ranges National Park near Wilpena Pound and the Mount Remarkable National Park in the southern part of the ranges near Melrose. The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is a scenic protected area at the northern end of the ranges. In addition, The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park, west of Quorn, and the Mount Brown Conservation Park, south of Quorn, are protected areas of the ranges. The Heysen Trail and Mawson Trail run for several hundred kilometres along the ranges providing scenic long distance routes for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and drivers.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Kosciuszko Alpine Way

Photos By drayy

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way journey, takes you from Canberra, the nations capital, to picturesque country Victoria.

Meandering through the spectacular Snowy Mountains, this scenic route has it all – charm, dramatic vistas, history and beauty. It includes the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park – a place of contrasts year round, boasting snow covered peaks, deep alpine lakes, giant boulder fields and vibrant displays of blossoming wild flowers.

Wind your way into quaint country villages and towns, visit historic homesteads, enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic Main Range, rest by sparkling rivers, lakes and streams.

Info: http://alpineway.com.au/

Mornington Peninsula

Photoby Lauri Väin on Flickr

Photoby proper dave on Flickr

Cliff-top mansions, lively local markets, grand historic gardens and galleries spilling over with art and antiques create colour and life around our seaside villages.

These bays tempt you with every type of water sport you could wish for, from sailing to scuba diving, fishing to sea kayaking.

You can drive for miles along coastal trails, through national parks and on peaceful country lanes, breathing in ocean-fresh air.

Info: http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org