Australia’s best road trips with Quest Apartment Hotels

There’s nothing like the freedom and flexibility of a road trip – made all the better with local knowledge.

From the rugged coast to the spiritual centre of the country, Australians are spoilt for choice when it comes to legendary drives. And hitting the road and meeting locals who can share their favourite spots along the way is one of the best ways to get to a destination’s heart.

These six epic road trips are a good place to start, basing yourself at locally run Quest Apartment Hotels to take advantage of insider travel tips and convenience aplenty.

1. Journey along the Murray: Mildura – Echuca – Wodonga

Paddle steamer on the Murray. — Explore the Murray. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Australia’s longest river is dotted with charming towns. In Mildura, a brew from Brother Chris will energise you for a day exploring Mungo National Park, featuring 240,000 hectares of lunar-like landscapes, ending with a restful night at Quest Mildura.

A day cruising with Murray River Paddlesteamers is a must-do. And make sure you visit Two Lads Brewing; Quest Echuca business owner Brendan Du Kamp says its crisp lager “has a wonderful reputation for converting even the most devoted traditional beer lovers". Unwind at the centrally located Quest Echuca.

In Wodonga, Miss Amelie delivers the region’s best gourmet finds, and Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works offers fishing, swimming and picnic spots. End the day on a high note with a night at the spacious Quest Wodonga.

2. Through the heart of Australia: Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin

Stay close to Adelaide's best attractions at Quest on Franklin. — Stay close to Adelaide’s best attractions at Quest on Franklin.

Venturing through Australia’s spiritual heart is an unforgettable experience. Starting in Adelaide, check into Quest on Franklin, a convenient base for discovering the best activities – including Adelaide Central Market and the Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty summit hike.

Further north, Quest Alice Springs owner Sherry Li recommends you “take the time to explore the galleries and cafes, chat with the locals and venture beyond the town centre". The culturally significant Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm) and Alice Springs Desert Park beckon to be explored; afterwards, beat the heat with rooftop cocktails at Quest Alice Springs.

Up north, golden sunsets and barramundi await at Darwin Sailing Club, as does the pet-friendly Quest Palmerston, loved for its outdoor swimming pool and proximity to Palmerston Markets.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

3. Northern explorer: Brisbane – Rockhampton – Mackay – Townsville

Sunrise hike with views of the city below after checking in at Quest Apartment Hotels. — Greet the day from Castle Hill. (Image: Katie Purling)

Head from the city to the tropics, starting with a Brisbane culture fix at the Queensland Cultural Centre before enjoying drinks overlooking the river at Howard Smith Wharves. Sleep over at one of 11 Quest properties conveniently peppered across the city, including Quest Woolloongabba.

After heading north to Rockhampton, explore the Dreamtime Cultural Centre then marvel at Mt Archer National Park and Fitzroy River views from Quest Rockhampton.

Next, venture to Mackay, where the picturesque coast and sugarcane fields are easily accessible from Quest Mackay on Gordon. Even further north, in Townsville, Alison Rayner, business owner of the perfectly placed Quest Townsville on Eyre, recommends enjoying the sunrise from Castle Hill and the ‘Just Feed Me’ menu from Shorehouse.

4. The Western Way: Fremantle – Rockingham – Bunbury

A bartender prepares handcrafted cocktails. — Experience Fremantle’s craft distilling scene. (Image: Tourism WA)

Checking into the pet-friendly Quest Fremantle is key to discovering the port town’s highlights, including the WA Maritime Museum and Republic of Fremantle distillery.

The Boya Kaarla (Cape Peron) Walking Tour, led by Whadjuk guide Steven Jacobs, is a Rockingham highlight, as is an oceanfront burger at Chandlers Kitchen – which is a stone’s throw from Quest Rockingham and its sparkling swimming pool.

Quest Bunbury puts you steps from Bunbury’s Koombana Bay, home to over 100 wild bottlenose dolphins. Make sure to also visit the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG), found inside a historic former convent.

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5. Follow the vines: Griffith – Orange – Singleton

Quest Orange Monty's Restaurant & Bar — Don’t miss the steak frites at Monty’s.

Immerse yourself in the flavours of the Riverina viticulture. In Griffith, sip montepulciano at Calabria Family Wines and the award-winning Noble One Botrytis Semillon at De Bortoli. It’s all easily accessible from Quest Griffith, where modern rooms are flooded with natural light.

Amy van de Ven, Quest Orange business owner, recommends visiting family-owned ChaLou Wines and Printhie Wines in Orange. “Finish with a long lunch or dinner at Quest Orange’s newest onsite restaurant, Monty’s Restaurant & Bar, where the steak frites are hard to beat, and you’ll find arguably the region’s best tiramisu," she says. Make life easy by cocooning yourself at Quest Orange.

In the Hunter Valley, bed down at Quest Singleton, where tasteful rooms feature deep soaking baths and you’re well-placed to sip world-class drops at Brokenwood Wines and dine at two-hatted Muse.

6. Goldfields to Great Ocean Road: Geelong – Ballarat – Warrnambool

Drinks from Little Mallop Street in Geelong. — Taste Geelong’s delights. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This diverse adventure takes you from port city to historic town to rugged coastline. Begin in Geelong, brimming with culinary delights, culture and natural beauty that’s ready to be discovered at Little Malop Street and the rooftop patio at Quest Geelong.

Ballarat’s colourful Gold Rush history can be explored at Sovereign Hill, and the region’s top produce can be sampled at popular spirit and wine bar Roy Hammond. Quest Ballarat Station and its luxe rooms is the perfect place to hole up during your stay.

For an unforgettable Aussie experience, Naomi Slape – owner of Quest Warrnambool – recommends visiting Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, a dormant volcano where you can spot koalas, emus and wallabies in the wild. Quest Warrnambool is just steps from the idyllic McGennans Beach and across the road from the Warrnambool Art Gallery.

Start planning the ultimate road trip, with insider knowledge along the way, at questapartments.com.au.

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

1. Warburton

Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. — Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

2. Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

A highlight is Alowyn Gardens, which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

3. Healesville

One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose. — Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary, where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

4. Olinda

Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties. — Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

5. Emerald

A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park. — Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges, the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au

Insider tips to 6 of Australia’s best road trips

There’s nothing like the freedom and flexibility of a road trip – made all the better with local knowledge.

1. Journey along the Murray: Mildura – Echuca – Wodonga

2. Through the heart of Australia: Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin

3. Northern explorer: Brisbane – Rockhampton – Mackay – Townsville

4. The Western Way: Fremantle – Rockingham – Bunbury

5. Follow the vines: Griffith – Orange – Singleton

6. Goldfields to Great Ocean Road: Geelong – Ballarat – Warrnambool

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The best trails and natural moments around Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

1. Warburton

2. Yarra Glen

3. Healesville

4. Olinda

5. Emerald

There’s nothing like the freedom and flexibility of a road trip – made all the better with local knowledge.

1. Journey along the Murray: Mildura – Echuca – Wodonga

2. Through the heart of Australia: Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin

AI Prompt

3. Northern explorer: Brisbane – Rockhampton – Mackay – Townsville

4. The Western Way: Fremantle – Rockingham – Bunbury

5. Follow the vines: Griffith – Orange – Singleton

6. Goldfields to Great Ocean Road: Geelong – Ballarat – Warrnambool

Forget vitamin D, psychotherapists say rainy holidays are better for your brain

These winery experiences around Australia take you beyond the standard pour

Luxury escapes to Sydney and Melbourne that money can’t buy

6 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

1. Warburton

2. Yarra Glen

3. Healesville

4. Olinda

5. Emerald