Imagine exploring a country at your own pace, driving through spectacular landscapes with your favourite songs playing in the background. Stopping where and when you choose comfortable in the knowledge that your accommodation is pre-booked. A well-planned self-drive is one of the most enjoyable ways to see a destination, combining the freedom of the road with scenic and cultural highlights.
More than just the means of getting from A to B, we’ve picked some truly great drives in Iceland, Canada, Norway, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, from one-day classics to multi-day touring routes. These are road trips not to be missed.
Iceland’s Road 1
Picture looking ahead to an empty road as a lava field stretches out in front of you. Imagine cresting a rise to be met with the sight of a shimmering icecap or meandering along a twisting coastline with only the spectacular views for company. Iceland’s ring road runs 1,300km full circle around the island on one of the world’s classic drives. It’s also riddled with shorter circuits and intriguing detours to really get under the skin of this compelling country. See a multitude of highlights as you cruise along the south shore, through the East Fjords and across the north. A detour onto the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in west Iceland is well worth the extra kilometres.
We recommend: Around Iceland
Cabot Trail, Canada
The Cabot Trail is a 298km coastal route that is as much a cultural journey as a scenic one. Joining the dots between fishing villages, you can sample delicious seafood, visit historic sights and hike in Cape Breton Highlands National Park with 26 trailheads to choose from. Watch out for marine life offshore and you might even be able to time your visit to coincide with a music festival or ceilidh.
We recommend: Atlantic Discovery
Thermal Explorer Highway, New Zealand
New Zealand is peppered with themed touring routes from the Twin Coast Discovery to the Southern Scenic Route. The Thermal Explorer Highway is perhaps one of the most iconic taking in the colourful mud pools and geysers around Rotorua, giant redwood forests, volcanic desert, Australasia’s largest lake, Taupo, and abundant Maori heritage. There’s also plenty in the way of adventure when you’re not behind the wheel, be that cycling along forest trails or jet boating in the raging turquoise waters of Huka Falls.
We recommend: North Island Classic
The Atlantic Road, Norway
Though just over 8km in length, the Atlantic Road is an extraordinary coastal stretch of road with horizons seemingly launching skyward. Connecting Averoy with the mainland over a series of eight bridges, it fits in perfectly as part of a road trip around the northern fjord region from the art nouveau town of Alesund. This iconic road was a scene-stealing extra in the 2021 Bond film No Time to Die.
We recommend: Drive the Atlantic Road
Arctic Coast Way, Iceland
Iceland’s first official touring route – the Arctic Coast Way – winds 900km across the north coast taking in some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Discover wild peninsulas, teeming bird cliffs, picturesque villages and marine life offshore as you explore off the beaten track on a compelling self drive. Though open year round, the long hours of daylight during summer allow longer to explore and indulge in a host of experiences along the way. Choose to take a dip in the unusual baths at Beer Spa, head out whale watching from Husavik aboard an electric schooner and uncover Viking mythology.
We recommend: Arctic Coast Way – North Coast Highlights
Great Ocean Road, Australia
This Aussie classic stretches for around 240km from the coastal town of Torquay, southwest of Melbourne. It is famed for the mighty Twelve Apostles – striking limestone sea stack that stand sentinel just offshore. At turns hugging the scenic coast, at others traversing lush rainforest, take in iconic rock formations such as London Bridge and Elephant Rock, encounter wildlife and delve into the seafaring heritage.
We recommend: Great Ocean Road Discovery
Icefields Parkway, Canada
A contender for ‘World’s Best Drive’, the Icefields Parkway snakes just over 230km through an alpine wilderness of soaring peaks, turquoise lakes, ancient glaciers and thick pine forest from Jasper to Lake Louise. It provides an opportunity to spot elk and black bear, but the real star is the Columbia Icefield and its most accessible glacier, Athabasca, which you can explore on foot or by ice truck. The distance is easily manageable in a day, but do not underestimate how many scenic stops you’ll want to make en route!
We recommend: Rocky Mountains in Depth
Senja Island, Norway
Sitting above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway, beautiful Senja is the country’s second largest island. Boasting beaches and mountains, the striking scenery and unspoiled nature make it one of the most scenic islands along the Norwegian coast. This is Norway in a nutshell and driving here is an absolute pleasure, while many well-marked hiking paths make it easy to get close to nature.
We recommend: Norway Drive and Hike on Senja Island
Top of the World Highway, Canada & USA
Meandering along ridges far above the treeline, the views from this gravel highway from Dawson City in Canada’s Yukon to Tok in Alaska, seem to go on forever. Encounters with caribou and even grizzly bears are not uncommon, while remote settlements like Chicken are rich in gold rush history. Only open during summer, the highway is particularly dazzling in late August and early September when colours burnish the hillsides.
We recommend: Alaska and Yukon Highlights
Feeling inspired?
Our expertly-designed itineraries ensure you get the very best from your self-drive holiday − be that a week-long odyssey through Iceland or Scandinavia or a once-in-a-lifetime journey Down Under. Each itinerary can also be fully tailored to you, ensuring you tick off everything on your travel wishlist and include authentic experiences along the way.
Get in touch with our Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250, or send an enquiry to start discussing your options.
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