Interested in travelling across Australia in a car? Whether you are in search of sunshine, want to avoid the peak season, or are looking for the best car rental deals, then this article is for you. This article provides a season by season overview to assist in the planning of an Aussie road trip.
☀️ Summer (Dec – Feb): Beach Lover’s Paradise
Perfect for: Coastal trips, swimming, and the best season to learn how to surf.
Top picks: The Great Ocean Road, Gold Coast, and Byron Bay.
🚗 Car rental tip: It is always advisable to make bookings early especially if you are planning to travel during the peak season as the prices are tend to increase due to many locals and tourists using the roads at this time. If you are looking to save some money, you should avoid renting a car from the airport as these are usually more expensive than off-airport car rental companies.
🍂 Autumn (Mar – May): The Underrated Sweet Spot
Perfect for: Moderate temperatures, small crowds, and beautiful journeys.
Top picks: The wine areas of Tasmania, the Blue Mountains, Adelaide to Melbourne.
🚗 Car rental tip: Since it is neither peak nor low season, the prices are quite reasonable; hence it is advisable to go for an economical car for long distances. If you wish to avoid paying extra charges, then do not take the car from the airport. Some companies provide free shuttles to their alternative sites.
❄️ Winter (Jun – Aug): Outback & Snow Adventures
Perfect for: Deserts, winter events, and even skiing!
Top picks: Uluru, Great Alpine Road, Snowy Mountains.
🚗 Car rental tip: When travelling to colder areas it is crucial to find out if the rental comes with snow chains or if you need to buy them separately. If you are using airport car rentals, you should also check if it is possible to get better prices and flexibility of the car from off-airport rentals.
🌸 Spring (Sep – Nov): The Best of Everything
Perfect for: Wild flowers, not too hot road trips and with a high chance of seeing wildlife.
Top picks: The wildflower routes in Western Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Grampians.
- 🚗 Car rental tip: It is a popular time for road trips, so it is advisable to check for the rates early and look for discount codes. If you are arriving by air, you may think that renting a car at the airport is the best option but you may be surprised to find that you can save money by renting off-airport.
Australia is a diverse country with beautiful scenery across the different regions and there is always a perfect time to explore the country. So, choose your time, get a car and go! 🚙✨
