Trending for 2026: Solo Road Trips
Ready to try something new? This edit of the best solo road trip destinations in Australia is a great place to start.
Solo travel is on the rise, and it’s a travel trend we love to see. When the group chat gets too manic and the stress of competing agendas feels paralysing, a solo trip might be just the ticket. And the proof is in the pudding! Recent reports have found that 76% of Gen Z and Millennial Travellers are planning on embarking on a solo trip in the next year.
Whilst solo destinations are dotted across Australia, it’s a little trickier to determine which road trips are best for solo travel. Luckily for us, iSelect has done a little digging. After analysing a number of criteria, including phone coverage, rest stops, solo attraction score and solo accommodation options, iSelect have uncovered the ten best Aussie road trips for solo travel — and what a scenic edit it is!
Legendary Pacific Coast
If you’re a bit of the all-or-nothing sort, why not consider embarking on one of Australia’s most epic road trips? Take in some of the East Coast’s favourite holiday spots, all in one trip. With 100% phone coverage and plenty of solo attractions, this 1000km drive will take you from Sydney to Brisbane. Leave around 9-10 days to get the most of your journey, stopping off to swim with dolphins in Port Stephens, sip wine in the Hunter Valley, surf in Byron Bay and taste your way through the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Taking out top spot on iSelect’s list, this route has plenty of solo accommodation options, full phoe coverage and lots of solo attractions.
Distance: 1000km
Time: 9-10 days
Great Ocean Road
Perhaps Australia’s most iconic road trip, the Great Ocean Road is a great shout for solo travellers looking for a little adventure. There are plenty of solo attractions dotted along the 243km stretch of coast, as well as 100% phone coverage and plenty of well-trodden paths.
Whether you fancy treating yourself to a few indulgent experiences (try SANA Recovery in Anglesea), would prefer to head off on some wildlife encounters in Apollo Bay (don’t miss a kayak out to the seals) or would like to do a little bit of waterfall chasing, a couple of days exploring this magnificent stretch of road will leave you with plenty of treasured memories.
Distance: 243km
Time: 3 days
Cape to Cape
Often embarked on foot, the Cape to Cape road trip is a great way to see a selection of Western coast gems in just a day or two. Trailing through the breathtaking Margaret River region, you’ll start in Cape Naturaliste and make your way to Cape Leeuwin, travelling past Meelup Beach, Ngilgi Cave and Boranup Karri Forest, too. Whilst you can easily cover the distance in a day, we recommend stretching it out to 2 or 3 to allow you to fully immerse yourself at each stop. You’ll have an easy go of it with full mobile coverage and plenty of rest stops along the way.
Distance: 135km
Time: 1-3 days
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Coral Coast Highway
Coming in at number 4 on the best solo road trips list is the Coral Coast Highway, running between Perth and Exmouth. This spectacular journey is considered one of the best road trips in the world, filled as it is with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences, stacks of fresh seafood, glistening turquoise seas, decadent wines and craft beers. With vibrant landscapes in every shade and two Heritage listed sites — Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef, the route lacks for nothing.
With some of the highest scores for solo accommodation availability and solo attractions, you’re well catered for.
Sitchu Tip: This coastal road trip offers up animal encounters galore, including swimming with whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays and sea lions. Just be sure to book ahead!
Distance: 1250km
Time: 8-11 days
Sydney to Melbourne via the Coast
The coastal route between Australia’s two largest cities is dotted with rewarding wildlife encounters, seafood plucked straight from the sea and hundreds of opportunities for an unforgettable dip in the sea. With the highest score on iSelect’s solo attractions criteria (8.53), the lone traveller is well catered for. Kick off your drive in Sydney, making your way along the pristine South Coast. Stop off for Jervis Bay’s glistening white sand beaches, craft breweries and a hearty dose of nature from the surrounding national parks.
Up next is the Sapphire Coast, home to holiday favourites Merimbula, Narooma and Bermagui, where you’ll want to envelop yourself in crystal clear waters and survive on the abundance of fresh oysters and local seafood. As you wind your way further towards Melbourne, stop at Wilson’s Promontory for a hike or two and Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade, before arriving in Melbourne for a well-deserved celebration meal.
Distance: 1475km
Time: 9 days
South West Edge
This two-week road trip along Australia’s west coast will have you audibly gasping at staggering scenery, illuminated by colours you can hardly comprehend. Scoring a 7.65 on solo travel attractions and an 89.6% phone coverage, you’ll feel a world away with the benefit of all the amenities. Just a small selection of highlights will have you living out a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Say g’day to the friendly furry residents on Rottnest Island, sip your way through the Margaret River, Swim with dolphins in Bunbury, sample a slice of paradise whilst exploring Denmark’s glistening beaches, before winding up in Esperance for never-ending beach days.
Distance: 1407km
Time: 12 days
Grand Pacific Drive
If you’re new to the solo travel game and are looking for a nice and easy entry point, the Grand Pacific Drive will do quite nicely. Whilst the drive can technically be done in one day, it’s recommended to set aside at least a few to make the most of the natural attractions along the way. You’ll kick off in Sydney Royal National Park, packed to the rafters with beginner-friendly hikes, before travelling on to Wollongong, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and into Kiama. With a solo attraction score of 7.58/10 you won’t be short of things to do!
Distance: 140km
Time: 1-3 days
Epicurean Way
As the name suggests, this delicious road trip is perfect for the foodies out there. Ticking off four of Australia’s most beloved wine regions, you’ll kick off your journey in McLaren Vale where farmers’ markets and wineries beckon. From there, it’s off to Adelaide Hills for more wine, strawberry picking at Beerenberg Farm and distillery hopping. Maggie Beer’s farm shop awaits in the Barossa Valley (alongside a smorgasbord of bold reds), after which Clare Valley will round out your trip with the cream of the Resiling crop.
Distance: 223km
Time: 4 to 5 days
Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula
With decent phone coverage (82.9%) and one of the highest scores on the solo attraction metric (7.75), this scenic journey is a top contender. You can tailor this trip depending on how much time you have available, but you’ll want to include Port Lincoln (check out our guide here), Coffin Bay and Port Augusta. There are plenty of wildlife encounters on offer along the way, including swimming with sea lions and cuttlefish, and fresh oysters to slurp by the dozen.
Distance: Varies
Time: Leave around 5 to 9 days
Heritage Highway
Hellllloo, history buffs! This 176km road trip will take you from Hobart to Launceston, as you trace the road built by convict road gangs in the 19th century. Take your time, stopping off at landmarks as you go that range from historic bridges to convict history interest sites like the Ross Female Factory Historic Site. If you’re new to the solo travel world, this mini road trip is a great jumping-off point.
Distance: 176km
Time: 2-3 hours
Loved this guide to the best solo road trips and looking for more solo adventure inspo? Try this edit of our favourite destinations here, as well as our favourite restaurants for a solo meal in Melbourne and Sydney.