From crystal clear waters and the world’s largest coral reef to breathtaking vineyards and waterfalls flowing over rugged landscapes, Australia is home to endless sights worthy of discovery. Unfortunately, most of us Aussies never take the opportunity to venture beyond our often idyllic settings to see what the rest of our beautiful nation has to offer. However, thanks to a national highway that circles the entire country and a laundry list of amazing festivals and concerts to experience, 2014 may be the best year ever to pack up and explore Australia’s treasures, having a great time along the way.

Following Highway 1

As a network of highways, Australia’s Highway 1 circumnavigates the entire continent and joins all of the mainland capitals. Spanning 14,500km, Highway 1 is the world’s longest national highway and the perfect road to take you on a life-changing journey around Australia. More than a million Aussies travel the highway every day, but very few take a gap year or a much-needed long holiday to set off and explore it from end to end. 2014 could be the year you break free from the rat race and experience this adventurous trek for yourself.

However, if you’re adventurous and want to take the road trip of a lifetime, you’ll need a decent set of wheels. Since road conditions vary greatly along Highway 1 and you’ll likely want to go off the beaten path to explore places like the wondrous Gibb River, you may want to trade in your car for a ute like the Amarok at Klosters or any other respected dealer.

Sydney to Melbourne: A Coastal Trek to the Future Music Festival

If you’re one of the four million Aussies living in Sydney, you can take the trek west to experience the world-renowned Future Music Festival in Melbourne on March 9. With fall on the horizon, it’s a popular time for music festivals, but this itinerary will allow you to experience some excellent festivals and take the time to explore Australia’s beautiful beaches and scenery along the way. On your way to Melbourne along this magnificent stretch of road in southern Australia, you’ll discover charming seaside towns, solitary white sand beaches, and majestic national parks where wildlife abounds.

Melbourne to Adelaide: The Future or Fringe

If you’re still riding high from a day of jamming at the Future Music Festival in Melbourne, you can put the after burners on and drive through the night to arrive in Adelaide for another day of Pharrel Williams, Macklemore, and a laundry list of other artists. However, chances are you’ll be barely waking up by the time the action gets underway again in Adelaide. Luckily for you, the Adelaide Fringe Festival will still be going on for another six days, so you can sleep in, grab some java, and continue your leisurely stroll down Highway 1 to Adelaide.

Adelaide to Perth: Musical Melodies of Ian Scott Anderson

After a jam-packed week of driving, exploring, and concerts, you can now relax and take your time along Highway 1 to Perth, where Jethro Tull’s talented, iconic leader, Ian Scott Anderson, will be putting on a performance of a lifetime on May 19th. Since you have two months to enjoy the rest of your journey along Australia’s splendid southern coast, you’ll be able to experience the Margaret River wine region of southwestern Australia. Mix in some surf-filled days from the region’s epic surf and you’ll have countless days of fun and relaxation.

Perth to Darwin Festival: The Perfect Reprieve from an Epic Journey

After experiencing the booming city of Perth and grooving out to Ian Scott Anderson, you’ll now be ready to start the longest and most memorable leg of your Australian journey. Along this unspoiled stretch of Western Australia you can swim with dolphins in the azure waters of Monkey Mia, swim with whale sharks along the picturesque Ningaloo Reef, hike through massive gorges and dive into clear pools carved out by ancient waterfalls at Karijini National Park, watch the sunset on the back of a camel at Cable Beach, and experience the Kimberly along the Gibb River Road on your way to the Darwin Festival from August 7-24.

Darwin to Brisbane: Along the Great Barrier Reef to Livid?

After a two-month trek along Australia’s most scenic and under-populated regions, you’ll likely want to stay in Darwin for a while and enjoy weeks of live concerts, arts, food, and fun. However, with the Great Barrier Reef still left to explore and a possible 25th anniversary of the once-famed Livid music festival in Brisbane, you still have plenty left to do and see. Regardless of whether 2014 will see the one-year revival of the Livid Music Festival, your road trip around Australia will be capped off by some of our country’s most beautiful scenery as you make your way down the Gold Coast.

This is a guest post by Andre Smith.  Andre is a Brisbanian who loves exploring Australia and going on exciting road trips with his friends. He also likes to blog about everything related to cars.

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