Perth to Melbourne

Set off from Perth and follow the southern edge of Australia on a 23-day shared road trip to Melbourne. This is travel with a good dose of freedom: you’ll share a minibus, camping gear, fuel and the driving with other backpackers, then shape the days around the route’s best swims, hikes, sunsets and side trips. It’s a relaxed, social way to do a big cross-country journey without locking yourself into a rigid tour.

You’ll kick things off in Western Australia’s South West, where turquoise beaches, forest walks and giant trees set the pace. From there, the road stretches across the Nullarbor with its vast limestone plains, the Great Australian Bight, Bunda Cliffs and that famously endless straight stretch of highway. On the other side, you’ll roll into South Australia for seafood, rock pools, coastal national parks and a night in Adelaide before heading through Robe, Mount Gambier, the Grampians and the iconic Great Ocean Road.

Expect plenty of fresh air, shared meals, sandy feet and a few decent hikes along the way. If you’re after a cheaper, more flexible way to travel with a built-in crew, this is a ripper way to do it — jump in, pitch in and start the journey east.

Know before you go: - This is a shared rental, not a guided coach tour, so you’ll be travelling and camping with other backpackers. - The trip runs for 23 days and 22 nights, with set start and finish dates and flexible day-to-day planning in between. - Expect a hands-on camping style: you may need to help pitch tents, cook meals and share driving duties. - The usual traveller age range is 18–35, so the vibe is social and geared toward younger independent travellers. - Pack the basics for a camping road trip, including comfortable clothes, swimwear, a towel, sturdy shoes, a reusable water bottle and anything you like to sleep with. - No check-in details were provided, so make sure you confirm your meeting point and departure time directly with the operator before travel.