A month in Australia allows you to see exceptional and very different landscapes in a short time. However, you won’t have to count the kilometers because it is a vast country that requires long journeys from one remarkable site to another. This trip deserves to be thought about if you are not used to traveling . You will also have to accept living as a nomad and be satisfied with minimal comfort .
Traveling by 4×4 in Australia
Once you’ve mastered the concept of traveling in a 4×4 in remote areas , nothing will stop you. Also, depending on the length of your stay, you’ll choose certain geographic areas over others in this vast country. If you’re more city-oriented, move on. In fact, in this article, I’m talking about nature, the still-wild national parks of the Northern Territory , and the pure Australian Outback .
This road trip in Australia will take you on the most beautiful tracks in the world , at the foot of ancestral waterfalls , between salt lakes and sand dunes, in the heart of primary jungles and on almost virgin beaches. You will go back in time and discover in Australia the origin of the World.
A 1-month family trip to Australia
The three of us left. It was new to take a family trip to the other side of the world . And there we were starting strong. Going to Australia to the most remote corners with a 4×4 for 1 month, that was our project. Was it a crazy bet? Would we manage to enjoy and live the adventure we wanted with a 9-year-old child? Yes 200%. And without hesitation, from now on, I will go on a family trip to the other side of the planet with peace of mind.
Preparing for a trip to Australia from France
Beforehand, we had to prepare a little for the trip to Australia, including mandatory visa administrative matters and taking out Chapka insurance , which would cover us for any unforeseen events. But if you follow me, you know that I often go on adventures and that I’m starting to know how to handle problems.
Moreover, Olivier had already tried to cross the Simpson Desert a few years ago. It was even his third trip to the continent. He knew the area around Darwin and the Red Centre quite well. So our only real research had been on Google Earth. Virtually covering all those kilometers of tracks . Fingers had lingered on some large national parks, unknown cities and after a little heated debate, we had written a rough itinerary , a sort of common thread.
Experience adventure in Australia
And a few months later, we were there. After many hours of fortunately peaceful flying, we landed in Darwin. Our month-long adventure in Australia could begin.
Visa application for Australia: why we avoid traditional procedures
To travel to Australia and elsewhere, there’s no need for appointments or letters: everything is done online, in just a few clicks. We always use a simple and reliable platform that handles visa applications without any hassle. It’s fast, efficient, and we’ve always received the documents on time. A much more relaxed way to prepare for such a big trip.
Road Trip in Australia / 1 month of travel:
Outbound flight Marseille Provence / Darwin +
- 2 days in Darwin
- 2 days in Litchfield National Park
- 1 day in Kakadu National Park
- 2 days in Nitmiluk National Park
- 1 day in Kings Canyon
- 2 days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta
- 5 days on the Oodnadatta Track
- 3 days in the Simpson Desert
- 1 day on Atherton Tablelands
- 1 day in Kuranda National Park
- 3 days in Daintree National Park
- 2 days in Cairns
+ Return flight Cairns / Marseille Provence
Good to know: We traveled in our own way, that is, at a steady pace. However, the long journeys, interspersed with hikes or sightseeing, were less difficult. On some trails like the Oodnadatta, there are very few roadhouses, so don’t hesitate to take a break as soon as you see one. Stop to get going again.
Before you leave, consider buying a complete guide to the country!
Our bedside book throughout this trip was Lonely Planet Australia , a tome of over 1000 pages that braved the red dust of the Northern Territories and the humidity of the primary forest. It really saved our butt when we were looking for somewhere to stay in the city. The advice and addresses of diving facilities are also useful. Maps by region and ideas for tours are offered, in short, a good travel guide for Australia. But above all, one of the only ones since, oh disappointment, the best of the Guides only exists for one part of the country: Routard Australia East Coast . So not comprehensive enough in our opinion.
Transport and travel time for 1 month in Australia
To give you an idea of travel times in the Northern Territory:
- On the other hand, I was disappointed with the journey on board the Lufthansa, which was rather poorly equipped on the flight between Australia and Singapore.
- Darwin / Litchfield 140 km and approximately 2.5 hours of driving in a 4×4, tarmac road alternating with dusty but decent tracks leaving the Stuart Highway via the Cox Peninsula Road.
- Litchfield / Pine Creek (last town before entering Kakadu National Park) approximately 200km and 3 hours by 4×4 on tarmac.
- Pine Creek / Jim Jim Falls Campground 220 km in 4 hours on mostly paved road, last kilometers on a wide but stony track (strong vibrations in the cabin).
- Campground / Jim Jim Falls Parking 10 km in 2 hours very damaged track with water crossings, 4×4 only.
Road conditions and organization of the 1 month trip to Australia
I’m giving you these few notions of time and distances covered so that you understand that depending on the state of the roads , you will progress more or less quickly. Thus, we can see that it took us the same time to cover 110 km of road and 10 km of track. Certainly, the Jim Jim Falls track is the one that gave us the most trouble, it is also often closed in wet weather. However, it is a parameter to integrate into the organization of your road trip in Australian lands .
// The perfect 1-month itinerary in Australia, in the heart of nature and unexpected landscapes. //
Below you will discover a detailed itinerary for a 1-month vacation in Australia .
A 30-day 2.0 travel diary summarized in 12 stages to get a good general idea of this trip.
Far from the big Australian cities, this 1-month journey will take you across Australia from North to Central . In the wildest parts of the country, between the Northern Territory and the primary forest of Queensland.
The 12 stages of the trip to Australia: 1 month itinerary
Step 1. Get equipped in Darwin in the North Territory for 1 month in Australia
Day 1 and 2 Darwin:
You should allow 1 to 2 days upon arrival in the country to prepare your shipment to Australia .
The 4×4 rental company will keep you for a while, in order to load your future vehicle in front of you so that you can check with him that nothing is missing. But also, to show you how the car works, understand how to unfold the roof tent . And all the smallest details that will allow you to make this trip without problems. Don’t hesitate to ask him questions, it’s now or never. On this subject, here is a complete guide to 4×4 travel in Australia to give you the basics of nomadism.
1 month preparation day in Australia
Apart from the surprise effect of discovering Australian residential areas and their exotic vegetation, Darwin is not sexy, don’t linger, it’s of no interest. But it is nevertheless an essential stopover for visiting the Northern Territory . On the one hand, it is the closest airport to Kakadu and Litchfield . On the other hand, it is a big enough city to find 4×4 rental companies and large shopping areas to do your shopping before you set off on the road. So put Darwin number 1 on your list, that’s where it all starts.
Step 2. Litchfield NP Waterfalls and Termite Mounds
A first step on the Australian trails. To evoke Litchfield Park , I would use two terms: waterfalls and giant termite mounds . Indeed, just 200 km southwest of Darwin, the scenery is already changing. The vegetation is subject to more drought, it takes on the air of a savannah.
Where to see magnetic termite mounds in Australia?
Litchfield National Park offers an incredible landscape: the gray, flat, dolmen-like magnetic termite mound fields and the giant ochre termite mounds. Driving along the only road in Litchfield National Park, you can admire these unique termite mounds, which are oriented according to the sun in order to capture only its benefits. This is where you’ll find the largest number of large termite mounds in the Northern Territory. You’ll see many elsewhere on this journey, but much smaller ones.
Litchfield Falls
The area is crisscrossed by rivers and there are many magnificent waterfalls. Almost at every creek crossed, we come across a sign indicating a waterfall. The Aboriginal names ring joyfully in our ears: Tjaetaba Waterfall, Wangi Falls… The most visited are the famous Florence Falls but you will certainly have to rub shoulders with many tourists since tour operators are organized on this destination precisely. For the rest, Litchfield, often shunned by the French, is a very good choice. I would even say an essential trip to Northern Australia .
Step 3. Kakadu National Park and its crocodiles
We continue on the other side of the Stuart Highway , southeast of Darwin with the immense Kakadu Park . A national park so vast and wild that it would be necessary to dedicate an entire trip to it. Having made a quick incursion there, we really think of returning there one day if we can afford it. Kilometers of nature and tracks. Here, the views are breathtaking and the waterfalls are worth it. Between the accesses mixing arduous tracks and intense walks, the points of interest are all the more beautiful and preserved.
If you have the chance to experience Jim Jim Falls with your own eyes , you will understand my opinion on the subject. Kakadu is the highlight of our trip to Australia and of course the greatest frustration of having only spent 2 days there.
Where to see crocodiles in Australia?
One of the park’s special features is the presence of crocodiles. It has the highest concentration of crocodiles in Australia , so you’ll need to be very careful. To see them, we recommend taking one of the park’s boat trips, hoping you don’t encounter any while hiking.
Step 4. Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk Park
Further south, Nitmiluk Park has a nice surprise in store with its narrow canyons made of red and ochre rocks. The boat tour in Katherine Gorge is the most beautiful approach to this wonderful park. Not a fan of group tours, I maintain that you cannot avoid this peaceful ride on the Katherine River. It is also an opportunity to see crocodiles in their natural habitat . On the other hand, the surroundings of Katherine Canyon are worth doing, even if it is only for a short free hike from the Katherine Gorge Campground in Nitmiluk NP.
Step 5. From Alice Springs to Kings Canyon: Enter the Red Center
Alice Springs is located some 1,200 km south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway. Here, breaks are essential.
The town of Alice Springs, like Darwin, allows you to stock up on groceries for the rest of your trip . We passed through quickly, but I find it has even less charm than Darwin. To say…
How do I access the Red Centre parks by 4×4?
To reach the Red Center natural parks , there are two solutions. Either you continue down Stuart Highway to Erldunda and turn off onto Lasseter Highway towards Uluru . Or if you have a taste for adventure and in Alice Springs, you take Larapinta Drive . Be careful, it will take you about 8 hours to reach Kings Canyon if you don’t have any problems with a careless kangaroo or any other road accident. It was on this section of road that we had our first engine breakdown. 200 km from everything, it gives a strange feeling. But that’s also what a road trip in Australia is all about.
Why should you go to Kings Canyon on a trip to Australia?
Kings Canyon in Warrtaka National Park is somewhat overlooked in favor of Uluru. This is a mistake, as it is a remarkable tourist site . The dry gorges give way to abundant vegetation in their heart. The must-see hike is the one that circles the canyon from the top. A dizzying and majestic journey.
Step 6. The famous Uluru Kata Tjuta in the Red Centre
A trip to Australia’s Northern Territory wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Uluru, a truly remarkable landmark . This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve . These incredibly shaped rock formations rise above a desert horizon. The red color of the sand and rock adds to the beauty of the landscape.
It’s an unforgettable experience to drive the roads between Uluru and Kata Tjuta or even hike around Ayers Rock and the Olgas . If you had to shorten this long journey, you should keep Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park as a key stop.
Stage 7. Crossing the real Outback via Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks
The Oodnadatta Track is truly a stage, although strictly speaking, we are always moving on these long hours of tracks. I had to dedicate a paragraph to it since we spend several days there throughout this 1 month itinerary in Australia . This road allows you to cross the Australian Outback from Marla to Maree.
Oodnadatta travel information and Lake Eyre visit:
The distance between Marla and Maree is approximately 730 km for a 16-hour journey including the round trip to Lake Eyre (note that access to Lake Eyre is quite long but it is worth it).
Driving conditions on the Oodnadatta Track:
The track is in good condition and very wide. There are some tarmacked sections. You will find a very good roadhouse where you can take a break and spend the night: the Pink Roadhouse .
Then, to avoid going down to Adelaide, you will take the Birdsville Track , just as long and isolated as the Oodnadatta. You will follow the Simpson Desert , so it goes without saying that around here, the inhabitants are rare. You will live the real Bush experience . Absolutely stop in Maree to do 2 races before starting the remaining 500 km to reach Birdsville. That’s another 11 hours of track.
On your way, Mungerannie Hotel is sure to please you. Perhaps for its Mad Max-esque decor, but especially for the boss and his wife, Phil and Debby. Fantastic and fascinating characters that we would have liked to know better.
Why go via the Oodnadatta Track and Birdsville Track?
You have to go through the Oodnadatta Track or Birdsville to experience the real Australian Outback. With this multi-day expedition, we enter the deep Australia . Gas stations in the middle of the desert, herds of cows in the middle of the road, dust sweeping everything, the endless road and solitude. It’s also colorful roadhouses and lively pubs, incredible and varied natural expanses, hot springs and encounters with rustic and fascinating Australians.
Stage 8. Alone in the Simpson Desert in a 4×4
In the heart of Australia, the Simpson Desert covers more than 200,000 km² and is not crossed by any paved road. It is bordered by the Birdsville Track and can only be entered by off-road vehicle via the French Line (the most famous and direct) at Birdsville or to the east via Purni Bore . There are many other tracks such as the Colson Track , the WAA or the Yelpawaralina (YLP) Track .
Adventure and outback camping enthusiasts can cross the Simpson Desert in a 4×4, provided they follow certain survival rules and have a permit to enter the park. This desert is characterized by long, striped dunes sometimes hundreds of kilometers long, hence the importance of mastering driving on sand and slopes.
Access to Big Red or Nappanerica in Simpson
Near Birdsville, Nappanerica or The Big Red is one of the highest dunes, only about thirty meters high. It is accessible by 4×4 from Birdsville and gives a glimpse of this vast desert.
Birdsville and its birds
Birdsville is aptly named. Birds come to enjoy this wide creek, which still has water during the dry season. It’s a veritable parade of pink and white parrots, parakeets, black kites, ducks, pelicans, herons, and many others whose existence we discover here. However, you’ll have to deal with the flies, which are very present.
From the Northern Territory to Queensland
We leave the Northern Territory for Queensland. Very quickly, in just a few hundred kilometers, the red earth will be covered with greenery and palm trees will appear out of nowhere. The pleasure of a long stay in Australia, radical changes in landscape from one day to the next.
Stage 9. Atherton Tablelands
As we head south from Cairns , the landscape changes dramatically. From the dry, red earth, lush green meadows emerge . Nature becomes green and luscious on the Atherton Tableland . It begins to undulate to the rhythm of chaotic little hills. Cows no longer need to walk for miles to feed; they rest peacefully in the lush grass of the Tablelands . From time to time, palm trees and primary ferns remind us that we are not in Switzerland but in North Queensland .
Arriving in the Northern Rainforest of Australia
The flora is suddenly so lush because water is everywhere here. Rivers transform into voluminous waterfalls , and all around is nothing but jungle or crops. The tropical climate of this region shows its benefits, and entering the rainforest is fascinating.
How long does it take to get from Cairns to Malanda Falls in the Tablelands?
From Cairns, it’ll take you just over an hour by car to reach the Malanda Falls in the Tablelands and take a dip. The Milaa Milaa Falls Circuit near Palmerston Highway also offers a beautiful walk. A short 17km loop of paved road leads you to several beautiful natural waterfalls.
Where to swim without crocodiles around Cairns?
On weekends or during school holidays, Australians come to spend quality time in the Tablelands. You’ll certainly be surrounded by people, but the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. Even bring your beach towel to lounge on the grass. Authorized swimming areas are always indicated on a sign, or you’ll find a more or less strict ban.
Crater Lakes Picnic and Walk
In the Wet Tropics , the walk in Crater Lakes National Park is ideal for a picnic. Indeed, on the shores of Lake Eacham , barbecues are available and eating there with this view is priceless! The digestive walk around the lake allows you to observe birds, freshwater turtles and many other animals. Lake Barrine , larger, is just equipped with a pontoon trail that goes around it. Wilder and more preserved , it is a first step into the tropical forest .
Stage 10. Kuranda and Barron Falls
The Kuranda Train and Skyrail connect you to the tourist village of Kuranda , where you’ll find a bustling market selling local crafts. There’s also a butterfly sanctuary and a small wildlife reserve showcasing Australian wildlife. A boat trip on the Barron River offers a chance to spot crocodiles. A path along the river was enough for us to spot one on the other bank…
Where can you see Barron Falls?
Kuranda’s main activity is a cable car ride . In fact, large lookouts offer panoramic views of the mighty Barron Falls.
In short, the monumental Barron Falls can be enjoyed from the Skyrail and the Kuranda Tourist Train. The waterfalls are not visible from the village of Kuranda. Access to the village can also be made by road from Cairns.
To sum up, I find the stop in Kuranda interesting but very popular due to its ease of access, so too touristy for my taste.
Stage 11. Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Forest
After several weeks in the arid desert, searching the primary forest for a secret beach was the culmination of this trip. After a dive on the Great Barrier Reef off Port Douglas , we gladly left the overly touristy aspect of these sought-after activities for an immersion in the jungle.
Between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation
The road from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation snakes through the vegetation. We’re heading to the end of the world, the Daintree Rainforest.
Where to see the most beautiful wild beaches in Queensland?
In this vast tropical rainforest area on Queensland’s northeast coast, numerous beaches are hidden behind a few kilometers of palm trees and mangroves. They are not suitable for swimming, as saltwater crocodiles ensure the preservation of this paradise, but without risking yourself in the water, you can at least admire the idyllic landscape. The beauty of the Daintree Forest is breathtaking.
The rivers of the Daintree Forest
Further inland, we pass many rivers, freshwater crocodiles are also present in these areas. The watchword is Vigilance! But what a stunning landscape, an authentic jungle and deserted beaches .
Stage 12. Cairns, the last stage of this trip to Australia
Day 29 and 30 Cairns:
It’s time to go home. The last few days spent in Cairns allow us to get back to civilization and organize our return to France .
Before returning the 4×4 to the rental company , a mandatory stop at the car wash. We dispose of our supplies and donate the equipment purchased on site. It’s a difficult time, but we have to part with our traveling companion . Goodbye to our 4×4 tent and hello to the motel!
Cairns Marina and Yacht Harbour
To take a break from all the tedious and demoralizing tasks at the end of your trip, strolls around Cairns are a must. The Cairns Marina has small restaurants with terraces where you can eat delicious shellfish and fresh fish. A stroll along the seaside can follow, sheltered by enormous century-old trees. The Cairns Esplanade is very popular with locals who come to relax on the grass, enjoy the barbecues available, and swim in the artificial lagoon without the risk of getting bitten.
