Craig Ablitt on top driving routes in California, South Africa, Australia and British Columbia.
Route 66 © COFFY | MOTIONDESIGN
Written by Craig Ablitt
Route 66, Illinois to California
The term ‘road trip’ and Route 66 go hand in hand. Land in Chicago, arrange your car hire and then head out on the journey of a lifetime like no other. The great American states of Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California are all yours to discover, with the possibility for excitement and adventure untold. ‘Route 66’ itself no longer exists, but is in fact made up of several new highways and routes, however a map from the National Historical Route 66 Federation will detail the original roads as they are now plus all the must-do stops and sights along the way.
Coast of South Africa
The Garden Route, South Africa
Around 500km makes up one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions — The Garden Route. The main N2 road runs from Mossel Bay right on to Tsitsikamma National Park, with a plethora of true wonders and sights to behold along the way. Expect spectacular mountain landscapes, magnificent beaches, incredible caves and lakes, amazing wildlife including dolphins, whales, elephants and more, plus an innumerable amount of outdoor pursuits to thrill yourself with; all sitting by the sumptuous ocean coast. Wonders simply do not cease for the duration of this unique voyage.
Byron Bay
Sydney to Cairns, Australia
2,407km is the exact distance between the two points, but the drive between Sydney to Cairns will bombard the senses from start to finish. See the iconic sights of Sydney, arrange your car hire and then ready yourself for the magic that awaits, culminating in Cairns — the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef. Go surfing at the world-famous Byron Bay, ride the ferry across to the wild splendour of Fraser Island, visit the dolphins of Tin Can Bay, laze on the picture-perfect beaches of Whitsunday, lose yourself in the dazzling haze of the culture of Brisbane, or simply crank the music up and head north, hugging one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet.
The Twelve Apostles
The Great Ocean Road, Australia
Australia’s east coast is undoubtedly spectacular, but strong competition when it comes to natural beauty can be found along its south coast on the Great Ocean Road. Begin in Melbourne and head for the brilliant surf beaches of Torquay, where the route begins, taking in the formidable rainforests of Otway Park with it’s spectacular waterfalls. Visit the wreckages of the Shipwreck Coast and gaze at the wonder of the Twelve Apostles rock formations that stand high from the ocean bed. As the route comes to a close at Warrnambool there is still much to be explored in the region, with the dramatic landscape of Tower Hill Reserve just kilometres away, the wine growing region of Coonawara, and even Adelaide — all within hours of the designated route.
The Alaskan Highway
If sheer beauty and escapism are high on your agenda, very few road trips can compare to the famous Alaskan Highway. This is truly about getting away from it all as your journey clambers through the spectacular wilderness of British Columbia, through Yukon and then on to the serene nature of Alaska. It’s not just the small settlements, rugged mountainous landscapes and wide open spaces that will greet you, expect to see elks, sheep, moose, marmots and grizzly bears in their natural habitats as well as whales and dolphins as your journey culminates by the ocean.
Craig Ablitt is a freelance article writer who has travelled extensively around the globe which has given way to his career in writing travel articles. Now living in South of England he writes full time for various companies, newspapers and magazines.
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Beautiful list of road trips! My personal unmissable road trip fave is Oslo to Bergen in Norway.
Oslo to Bergen is a route I’d like to drive myself one day. I bet the Norwegian coast makes for a beautiful drive as well.
Great list. Great Ocean Road takes top marks for me. Would also suggest the Pacific Coast Highway in California, particularly around Half Moon Bay.
I can’t help but start daydreaming whenever I hear of The Pacific Coast Highway. Have wanted to drive it ever since I first learned it existed.
I’ve done a couple of them! Route 66 was really great – no jaw dropping scenery, but great culture!
So which was your favorite sight along Route 66?
Check this road between LA and SF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_1
Thanks for the link. Another route well worth driving!
I think it is the same Pacific Coast Highway.
Vi´s last blog ..Short trails in New Zealand. Key Summit track
Yes, I believe you’re right.
News from the other end of the continent:Thought you might want to know a beautiful road now, also , famous, called RUTA 40
http://www.turismo.gov.ar/esp/atra/ruta/cd/index.html
Wow… RUTA 40 sounds amazing! Thank you for letting us know about it.
those are all great trips! I’ve done part of the route 66 trip and its amazing!
Nomadic Matt´s last blog ..Learning How to Scuba Dive
I can imagine it is! Would love to drive (part of) Route 66 myself eventually.
I’ve got some serious driving to do. Step 1 – Buy a car. Step 2 – Find a map. Step 3 – Let it ride!
Enjoy the drive! I hope we can read about it on your blog in due course.
I’ve never really been on a long, scenic road trip. I’ve been on long drives, but not through areas like the ones you listed. I live in Canada and I’ve always wanted to spend a few weeks driving across the country, but I’ve never done it.
The Route 66 drive would be next on my list.
Rick´s last blog ..Canadian Cottage Regions: Nova Scotia
Then you’re in for a real treat – once you do decide to realize your desire of driving cross-country.
Unlike the guest writer Craig, I haven’t driven through Canada or Alaska, but I can imagine that the drive is very well worth it.
Road trips are a great way to travel – I’ve done several in the US (including 66) and London to Istanbul is also one I’d like to try.
London to Istanbul sounds very appealing. It’s not an especially common route either, which makes it much more interesting.
Great list! I’m with Erica–the one I’ve always dreamt of doing is the Pacific Coastal Highway in CA. I’d need a buddy for that one, though. I hate driving long distances by myself.
Gray´s last blog ..Recommended Reads: January 31, 2010
I’d be more than happy to join you!
Finding a travel buddy for a Pacific Coastal Highway drive is probably pretty easy. So far I haven’t heard about any traveller who doesn’t want to drive it at one point or another.
I would love to get to Alaska some day and a road trip tothere would be great. South Africa would be fun too. I have done the great ocean road trip and would highly recommend it!
I would definitely add PCH in California. one of the best road trips I’ve ever done…just gorgeous scenery.
Hope you’ll get to Alaska eventually! I’ve heard driving there is amazing. Reminds me of a blog post I read over at Almost Fearless last year http://almostfearless.com/2009/10/21/3043-miles-in-28-photos/