With Christmas literal moments away and the great summer exodus already beginning, Victorian families are piling into the car, loading up on snacks and SPF, and attempting to keep the peace in the back seat. And now, thanks to new research from the car insurance comparison experts at iSelect, you can take the guesswork out of choosing where to head – because the Great Ocean Road has officially ranked number one in the country for family-friendly road trips.
To determine the best road trips for families in Australia, the research team at iSelect evaluated some of the country’s most popular drives, taking into account everything from the number of family attractions along the route to mobile phone coverage, average rainfall and traffic congestion.
Clocking a standout score of 76.15/100, the 243-kilometre stretch between Torquay and Allansford beat more than 20 contenders thanks to its trifecta of safety, convenience and classic coastal charm. According to the research, it’s got the lot: full mobile coverage (no patchy service when you’re relying on Google Maps or Bluey episodes), the highest number of hospitals and rest stops per 100 kilometres, and a mild summer climate that won’t have you melting into the upholstery before you hit Aireys Inlet.
And for the kids? Koala spotting in Kennett River, rainforest wanders in the Otways and sandy beach stops practically on tap. It’s wholesome, low-stress, and – crucially – distraction-heavy.
Western Australia may have nabbed the remaining podium spots – with Cape to Cape (coming in at number two) and the South West Edge (coming in at number three) – but Victoria still holds its own beyond the big winner. The cross-state Sydney–Melbourne coastal route also made the top ten, landing at number seven and highlighting just how well-serviced and accessible the Victorian portion of that journey is for families chasing beach-hopping, wildlife encounters and a calm(er) carload.
If you’re tempted to go rogue and venture inland or off-grid – say, the Nullarbor Plain or Gibb River Road – iSelect’s findings suggest you might want to save those for adults-only expeditions. They scored significantly lower thanks to limited mobile coverage, sparse infrastructure and extreme weather – dreamy for adventurers, less ideal for anxious parents and snack-dependent five-year-olds.
Adrian Bennett, General Manager of General Insurance at iSelect, puts it simply: if you want a summer road trip that’s beautiful and practical, the stats matter. Rest stops, mobile coverage and hospitals can turn a stressful journey into a smooth one, and Victoria’s most iconic coastal drive delivers all three – with beaches, bakeries and lookouts sprinkled generously along the way.
If you needed a sign that this is the year to finally tackle the Great Ocean Road – this might just be it.
You can check out the full report (and plan your summer road trips accordingly) over here.
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