Whilst international borders remain closed, the travel bug amongst Aussies is still alive, with new research revealing 61% of Australians are taking more road trips in 2020. Despite this, almost half of Australians (45%) are bypassing the tourist attractions and detour signs on the road. As a result, the majority of drivers are missing out on discovering some of the country’s best local attractions in their pursuit to get to their destination.
Furthermore, more than 1 in 3 (35%) stated they had never taken a scenic route, tourist drive or detour, with Gen Z (41%) and Baby Boomers (40%) being the most likely to want to get to their destination by the most direct route. Meanwhile, Millennials are the generation who choose to take scenic routes (72%).
Despite a number of travellers bypassing the detour, Subaru revealed taking the road less travelled has its perks. The most common reasons for detours were that travellers had some extra time to enjoy the drive (51%), to visit a tourist attraction or heritage site (49%), to visit a natural site or walking track (42%) or to visit a well known restaurant, food store or winery (23%).
Amanda Leaney, General Manager Marketing Subaru, said “This year has presented a number of challenges in regards to travel plans, however, it has also provided an opportunity to discover what our country, and indeed our own state or territory, has to offer. With scenic route signs placed across Australia, we’re encouraging people to take that turn whilst travelling on the road and enjoy the unexpected moments along the way.”
Unsurprising to some, Queensland was rated as the first state people will travel to when restrictions ease (22%), followed by New South Wales (17%), Tasmania (11%) and South Australia (7%). This was consistent with every state ranking Queensland as their #1 or #2 destinations except Tasmanians with only 9% saying they want to visit QLD.
The campaign coincides with the launch of Subaru’s Great Australian Detour competition encouraging Aussies to get out and share a hidden gem they’ve discovered on an Australian detour. Each week, from 23rd November 2020 until 17th January 2021, Subaru will be giving away a $500 accommodation voucher for those who share their favourite locations to encourage more discovery of backyard.
Additionally, participants can nominate an essential worker who has done something great for the community and deserves a break, to win a $1000 accommodation voucher. To enter or nominate an essential worker visit https://www.subaru.com.au/great-australian-detour
To inspire local detours this summer, Subaru have rounded up the best detour spots across Australia. All it takes is a bit of time on a Sunday arvo to take the road less travelled.
If you’re driving from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, Mossman is the perfect detour. Mossman is a picturesque little town nestled at the foot of the mountains among bright green fields of sugar cane. When visiting the town, you can’t miss the World Heritage listed site, Mossman Gorge. The sacred site, which is home to the Kuku Yalnji people, holds rich cultural heritage and natural beauty as the Mossman River tumbles its way over huge granite boulders, creating freshwater swimming holes.
Crescent Head, New South Wales
This easy going surfside town is just under 5 hours north of Sydney, making it the perfect stop on the way to Coffs Harbour or Byron Bay. Discover beautiful sandy beaches and lush national parks for bushwalking, camping and whale watching. Make sure you check out Killick Beach, which was named one of Australia’s National Surfing Reserves for its long, slow right hand break.
Penguin is a small picturesque seaside town located on the north-west coast of Tasmania. When entering the town you won’t miss the 10-foot fibreglass penguin that resides on the beachfront, which stands as a monument to the feathered friends. The coastal road between Ulverstone and Wynyard is a beautiful scenic drive with sweeping ocean views and great picnic spots.
Bingie is a long stretch of coastline on the south coast of New South Wales, which runs between Moruya and Tuross Heads. Bingie Bingie Point is the perfect spot for scenic views, swimming and fishing, with golden beaches surrounded by untamed bushland and jagged rock formations. There is also a 14 kilometre walking track which passes through different types of coastal habitat and stops for picnics or swimming.
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory
Located south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is possibly the Northern Territory’s best kept secret. The park is filled with stunning waterfalls and cool water holes that are surrounded by walkways and termite mounds. One of the most popular and easily accessible swimming spots in the park is Wangi Falls, which is a sacred waterfall and plunge pool surrounded by lush, monsoonal rainforest. Walker Creek also has its own secluded campsites and private swimming spot.
A detour to Apollo Bay is a particularly impressive stretch of Australia’s famous Great Ocean Road. The scenic drive will offer awesome views of sandy beaches below your clifftop route. To get a panoramic view of the town and the bay, take a drive to Cape Otway Lightstation to see Australia’s most famous lighthouse and Barham River Road for grassy hills and lush rainforest.
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island is the third-largest island off the coast of mainland Australia and is now open to NSW. The scenic drive starts from Adelaide to Cape Jervis and is next level, with brilliant local cuisine, wildlife and adventure experiences. Stretch your legs and get your taste buds buzzing in the world-famous McLaren Vale wine region. With over 17 hikes, quad biking, adventure caving and art galleries there is something to suit everybody.
Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales
Grand Pacific Drive is a 140-kilometre scenic coastal drive through NSW’s South Coast that takes you through the beaches of Wollongong and Shellharbour, and to coastal gems like Shoalhaven. There are hundreds of stunning beaches, nature walks and coastal lagoons to explore. For an epic aerial picture, Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight and an easy detour!
Hobart to Wineglass Bay via Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Follow the Tasman Highway from Hobart north just over an hour to Orford. Home to the three thumbs track, a four-kilometre loop with views over spring bay all the way to Maria Island. From Orford, journey along the East Coast to Swansea for around 1.5 hours and enjoy some of the best scenic coastal views in the country. From Swansea head into Freycinet National Park and hike up to the Wineglass Bay lookout for breathtaking views of secluded beaches, white sand and turquoise blue water across the national park.
Perth to the Pinnacles Desert, Western Australia
To explore the natural beauty of WA, start your journey in Perth to the world-renowned Pinnacles of Nambung National Park, a 190km drive along Indian Ocean Highway that hugs Australia’s Coral Coast. We recommend stopping at Yanchep National Park along the way to see western grey kangaroos, koalas and the incredible underground limestone caves. Try and get to the Pinnacles just before the golden hour to experience a picture-perfect sunset amongst the 30,000-year-old limestone structures.
Photographs by Subaru Australia.