Guardian Australia readers prove the journey is just as important as the destination. They share roadside eateries, welcoming country pubs, lovely rural towns and “epic” playgrounds in their picks of the best places to stop on a road trip.
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
Canberra to Merimbula: Pipers lookout, South East Forest national park
“The view is beautiful. The trees are awe-inspiring. The air is clean. It’s refreshing and relaxing,” Gary writes about a beauty spot between Nimmitabel and Bemboka on the Snowy Mountains Highway. You’ll also find toilets, a picnic area and a 500-metre boardwalk leading to two more viewpoints.
Sydney to Melbourne: Long Track Pantry, Riverside Drive, Jugiong
A whopping nine readers and one staff member recommend this culinary pit stop when driving the Hume Highway. “I always stop for morning tea or lunch when I drive from Melbourne to Sydney,” Christopher writes. “When I was a child, it was the general store for the village. My aunts and uncles would do their shopping there.” The owners, Huw and Juliet Robb, produce their own jams, marmalades, chutneys and sauces. A reader, Kerry, stops in to “have lunch under the vine-covered verandah, then stock up on relishes, chutneys, jams and marmalades”. Adam rates its pleasant sheltered outdoor dining areas, along with “prompt service and generous portions”.
Sydney and Canberra to Melbourne: the Niagara cafe, Sheridan Street, Gundagai
A few readers mentioned this longstanding Gundagai cafe. “New owners have renovated and restored the Niagara, bringing back the vaulted ceiling destroyed in a fire (then covered over for decades),” Andrew writes. “I have been stopping here for Australia’s best chocolate milkshake for more than 30 years.” Anthony has been visiting for even longer: “For over 50 years I’ve made The Niagara a food and coffee stop. Travelling with friends on BMW motorcycles between NSW and Victoria in the late 1970s, we would always stop for a big cafe meal and coffee.”
Northern Territory
Darwin to Alice Springs: Bitter Springs, Martin Road, Mataranka
A Parkinson likes to wash off the long drive at this natural thermal pool: “My favourite is always Bitter Springs. It’s the perfect place for a float and bonus: there are two petrol stations here so you can refresh and refuel not just yourself but the car too, at a competitive price.”
Queensland
Saint George to Mitchell: Maranoa riverside, south-west Queensland
“There is a magnificent river red gum leaning over the bank down towards the river. I stop there, boil the billy and have a sandwich,” writes Ian, who likes to spend time listening to the birds, including galahs and sulphur-crested cockatoos, at this beauty spot. “One time I was sitting enjoying a cup of tea and I watched a pee wee fly past up the river and then back again a few minutes later … She must have been building a nest down river and had a good source of mud near where I was sitting. Beautiful!”
Brisbane to Bundaberg: Farmer & Sun, Southside Town Centre, Gympie
“It’s a real treat to eat fresh local food that is healthy!” writes Anna, who recommends pulling into the Southside Town Centre for its grocery. “Isn’t a road trip all about connecting with the land and regional communities?”
Brisbane to Hervey Bay: Tiaro, Fraser coast
Robyne likes to stop at this “very friendly little village” when driving the Bruce Highway: “The whole town is lovely, and it has the best butcher shop in Australia. I love the little shop for gifts, and there’s also a Christmas shop 100m down the road.”
South Australia
Adelaide to Melbourne: the Keith playground train, Don Moseley park, Keith
Anne stops at the SA town of Keith on trips between Adelaide and Melbourne, as it has an old-school mini train that’s always free for kids (of all ages) to play with. “The train is so much fun. Everyone has a go. It’s fast and makes lots of noise! There’s space to have a picnic and toilets in the park too.”
Waffles and Jaffles, Dukes Highway, Coonalpyn
“Good coffee, waffles and jaffles and nice outdoor seating – perfectly placed two hours out of Adelaide, right when you need a break,” says Petra, a Guardian Australia staffer.
Adelaide to Perth: Ceduna Oyster Barn, Eyre Highway, Ceduna
There’s a little shack selling seafood on the side of the Eyre Highway that one reader, Steph, recommends visiting before or after driving the Nullarbor: “Get oysters!! Whichever direction you’re driving in, it’s exciting to have a bit of luxury when you’re in quite a deserted area.” If oysters aren’t your thing, it also sells fish and chips, sushi, burritos, loaded fries and burgers.
Tasmania
Hobart to Launceston: Ross
A small, peaceful town halfway between Hobart and Launceston is home to “the best sausage rolls, scallop pies and vanilla slices this side of Oatlands”, writes Adam, who loves the overall feel of the place. Adam recommends a trip to the Tasmanian Wool Centre, the 1830s-built bridge and its “King of Iceland” stone carving. “Plus a female factory that housed female convicts, a cemetery, and a tribute to the 42° latitude that passes through the town. Never a dull visit.”
Hobart to west coast: the Possum Shed cafe, Gordon River Road, Westerway
“Old-world charm in a beautiful part of the world, homemade scones and cakes, good coffee and a beautiful place to sit and hang out,” Maximo writes about this roadside cafe that backs on to the Tyenna River – where it’s common to spot platypus.
Victoria
Melbourne to Adelaide: Mr Le, Nelson Street, Nhill
This Vietnamese eatery received shout-outs from three readers who travel between Adelaide and Melbourne. Bek times journeys to coincide with Me Le’s opening times and has “gone very much out of the way” to visit at other times. The “Snickers brownie is to die for”, they write. It also serves rice paper rolls, bao, curries, pies, Vietnamese pancakes and pastries. Another reader, Matt, writes: “You can get fresh banh mi including vegetarian options that will make you question if you have left Footscray yet.”
Melbourne to Canberra: Benalla ceramic mural, Mair Street, Benalla
An intriguing ceramic sculpture on the bank of Lake Benalla, a short distance from the M31, is a picturesque stop that doubles as kids’ entertainment. “It’s very cool and unique, right next to a splash park and lake,” Brigit writes. The mural was created by more than 1,500 artists, students and volunteers. It’s always open and free to access. “It’s a good place for a picnic and for the kids to get the wiggles out … We get pictures of our kids there every time we go and now have pictures through the years of them getting bigger each time.”
Melbourne to Bright: Milawa Bakery cafe, Snow Road, Milawa
“This cafe has no pretensions to be anything other than a time-honoured, old-school country bakery,” Steve writes, and it “absolutely nails the mid-90s interior design aesthetic”. He adds: “It has the best sausage rolls and pies you’ll find. Fight me!”
Western Australia
Perth to South West Capes: the Crooked Carrot, Forrest Highway, Myalup
This Forrest Highway cafe has a sandpit, restored Melbourne trams, climbing frames and veggie patches to explore. It’s “a paradise for kids of all ages”, writes Pippy. “The only problem is you can’t just do a quick wee, you’ll be there for an hour.” Deb agrees: “Fantastic food, lovely place to sit outside, cool playground for the kids.”
Perth to Albany: Cuballing Tavern, Alton Street, Cuballing
“It’s just a small diversion off the main Albany Highway to pass through this Wheatbelt township, a dozen kilometres north of Narrogin. Here you will find this exceptionally friendly country pub,” write Kate and Nick, a retired couple. Caravans and campervans can also park at the back of the pub, free of charge, for up to three nights (no electricity provided). Kate and Nick add: “Great pub food and excellent ale, all at sensible prices. What more do we need?”
Riverside Roadhouse, Albany Highway, Bannister
“I had the best sausage roll of my life here,” writes Alfonso, who first visited the roadhouse 15 years ago and “many dozens of times” since. “It was alarmingly good, so good that after scoffing it on the road I turned around and bought another one.” Alfonso stops in on drives between Albany and Perth, and says: “When I last visited, the roadhouse was typical of those in rural WA; vending machine coffee and teabag tea in white styrofoam cups, shelves full of eclectic items like fishing rods and comic books, toilets that are apocalyptically flyblown in summer, a few green slab park benches and some shade.” Riverside Roadhouse now serves barista-made hot drinks (the vending machine has been retired) and there are alpacas on site for bonus animal spotting.
