There’s something about a good road trip that hits different.

From glistening coastlines to winding mountain roads, Australia's vast landscapes offer up plenty of surprises. Whether it’s a weekend getaway with mates or an epic drive around the country, the ride is often the best part of any adventure.

But which road trips are stealing the spotlight, and which ones are fading into the horizon? And as we head into the cooler months, what are the best options for a winter road trip?

The team at ROLLiN’ were keen to find out. So, we conducted a study on some of Australia’s most iconic road trips to find out which routes are truly the most adored. We analysed 22 popular driving routes across the country, using various metrics to gauge the level of interest and appreciation each has received. From there, we created index scores and rankings to highlight the top picks.

Crank up the playlist as we take you on a ride through Australia’s best road trips, from all-time favourites and crowd-pleasers to the most scenic drives and the top picks for a winter getaway. Buckle in.

The most loved road trips in Australia

Coming in at first place as the most loved road trip is the Great Ocean Road, and it’s a no-brainer. It’s one of the most iconic drives in Australia: 243 km of coastal magic from Torquay to Allansford. With 83,900 monthly searches and over 33 million TikToks, it’s clearly a crowd favourite. Throw in jaw-dropping views like the Twelve Apostles and a solid 4.73 Google rating across its top spots, and it’s no wonder this trip racks up a massive 98.2 score.

In second place is the Grand Pacific Drive, a shorter 140 km trip that still delivers the goods. Winding from the Royal National Park to Shoalhaven, it pulls in 24,200 monthly searches and a top-notch 4.78 rating. Think cliff-hugging roads, sea breeze, and plenty of Insta-worthy stops, it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite.

Taking out the third spot is the Great Beach Drive, a 380 km stretch from Noosa to Hervey Bay that’s all about sun, sand, and serious 4WD vibes. It might not rack up the same search numbers, but with over 620,000 Instagram posts, a strong 4.74 average Google rating across its top three attractions, and highlights like Rainbow Beach and K’gari (Fraser Island), it’s clearly doing something right.

The most scenic road trips in Australia

While some routes draw you in with their iconic landmarks and can't-miss stops, others are all about those jaw-dropping views and Insta-worthy moments. Topping the list once again, the Great Ocean Road remains unbeatable when it comes to scenic drives. With a massive 33 million TikToks and nearly 2 million Instagram posts, it boasts an impressive 146,000 posts per kilometre, proof that this route is a must-see. From dramatic cliffside roads and vibrant rainforests to coastal surf towns and unforgettable wildlife, this drive offers something for everyone.

In second place is the Epicurean Way, a 223 km trail through South Australia’s wine country. It may fly under the radar in search volume, but on Instagram, it's a star, with 537,500 posts and 2,421 social media posts per kilometre. From rolling vineyards to cellar door pit stops, it’s as photogenic as it is delicious.

Rounding out the top 3 again is the Great Beach Drive. Already one of the most loved road trips overall, it’s also a social media favourite, with over 600,000 Instagram posts and 1,691 posts per kilometre. Think long stretches of white sand, coastal national parks, and the occasional dolphin sighting; this one’s made for beach lovers and content creators alike.

The most popular road trips in Australia on TikTok

Shifting gears to explore which road trips are dominating TikTok, here are the ones getting all the love. Unsurprisingly, the Great Ocean Road takes the crown with over 33 million posts, thanks to its epic coastal views and iconic landmarks. The Great Beach Drive follows with more than 20,000 posts, showcasing Queensland’s stunning beach backdrops. And in third, the Grand Pacific Drive racks up over 10,000 posts, with the Sea Cliff Bridge stealing the spotlight.

The most popular road trips in Australia on Instagram

Over on Instagram, the Great Ocean Road is the clear favourite yet again, with more than 1.8 million posts. The Great Beach Drive isn’t far behind, racking up 622,000 posts packed with sunny skies and sandy tracks. In third place, the Epicurean Way makes a surprise appearance with over 537,000 posts, proving food, wine, and road trips are a picture-perfect combo.

The highest-rated road trips in Australia

Looking for the top-rated Aussie road trips? You're in for a ride. Tasmania’s Western Wilds comes out on top with a glowing 4.80 rating, thanks to jaw-dropping stops like the tranquil Gordon River and the stunning Russell Falls. Not far behind is the Great Eastern Drive, sitting at 4.79, featuring bucket-list-worthy destinations like Freycinet National Park and picture-perfect Binalong Bay.

A fan favourite, the Grand Pacific Drive scores a solid 4.78, with highlights like the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge and the dramatic Kiama Blowhole making it a must-do coastal adventure.

Australia's trending road trips

Average monthly Google search volume in Australia

While Australia’s classic road trips will always hold a special place, there are some rising stars now stealing the spotlight. Leading the charge is the Great Barrier Reef Drive, which has seen a remarkable 117% increase in monthly searches over the past year. This Far North Queensland route is turning heads with its stunning coastal views and its proximity to the world-renowned reef.

Following closely is the Grand Pacific Drive, with an 83% jump in searches. Stretching from the Royal National Park to Shoalhaven, this scenic drive is becoming a favourite for those after epic ocean views and dramatic cliffside landscapes.

Meanwhile, Western Australia’s South West Edge has experienced a 33% boost in interest, offering a mix of coastal beauty, wineries, and nature reserves.

Average monthly Google searches from overseas tourists

It’s not just Aussies who are drawn to Australia’s stunning road trips, these beautiful routes are also capturing the attention of travellers worldwide. According to international Google search data, interest in the Great Beach Drive has skyrocketed by an impressive 133%, followed by the South West Edge (+94%) and the Grand Pacific Drive (+80%).

However, not every road trip is enjoying the limelight — some are quietly slipping off travellers’ radars. Based on average monthly Google search volumes in Australia, once-popular routes like Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula and the Heritage Highway have seen noticeable drops in interest, with searches down 30% and 25% respectively. Even the Western Wilds in Tasmania and the iconic Cairns to Cape York drive have experienced declines, suggesting a shift in where Aussies are looking to roam.

This downward trend isn't just local. Globally, interest in several scenic Aussie routes is also fading. Western Australia’s Cape to Cape trail has seen a steep 90% drop in global searches, while Cairns to Cape York has dipped by 89%. Other favourites like the Great Eastern Drive and the Great Barrier Reef Drive have also lost ground, showing that even the most picturesque paths aren’t immune to changing travel trends.

The most loved winter road trips in Australia

No surprises here, the Great Ocean Road takes out the top spot for Australia’s best winter road trip. It racks up a huge 196,600 average monthly winter searches in Australia making it a clear crowd favourite no matter the season. Even when the temps drop, travellers can’t get enough of the winding coastal views, seaside towns, and iconic sights like the Twelve Apostles. Safe to say, it’s a year-round legend, but winter interest alone puts it well ahead of the pack.

Coming in at number two is the Great Beach Drive. While the search volume is much smaller, with 920 winter searches in Australia, its popularity is on the rise. With Queensland’s warm winter days and the novelty of driving along the sand, it’s no wonder more and more people are searching for it this time of year.

Next up, we’ve got two outback favourites, Gibb River Road and Red Centre Way, each pulling in a solid 95,400 winter searches. These routes are all about dramatic landscapes, starry skies, and that feeling of really getting away from it all. Plus, winter’s dry weather and cooler temps make it prime time to hit the red dirt.

And if we’re talking about where interest spikes specifically in winter, The Savannah Way takes the lead, with 39% of its total searches happening during the cooler months. This one's all about vast desert landscapes and sunny inland drives, perfect if you're chasing warmth. Not far behind is the Gibb River Road, with 38% of its searches coming in winter, thanks to its rugged gorges, waterfalls, and epic sense of adventure.

Brendan Griffiths, Executive Manager at ROLLiN’ comments:

“Australia is home to some truly incredible road trips. But, before you hit the road, remember to prepare your car ahead of time. Check your tyres, top up your fluids and pack an emergency kit. Plan your breaks, remembering to stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours. It’s a good idea to double-check that your car insurance is up to date, especially if you’re planning to share the driving, make sure everyone is covered. A quick review now can help keep your road trip smooth and stress-free.”