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Australia is the sixth-largest country by area in the world, and it is full of things to see and do. In Australia, distances are huge and the vast majority of the country is uninhabited or sparsely inhabited. Australia has the longest highway in the world that circumnavigates the country. To go all the way around Australia by road, one really needs at least three months. Circumnavigating Australia is sometimes called doing the "big lap". So how long would it take to go all the way around Australia?

There are many superb road trips that one can take in the United States, and just like the USA, Australia is ideal for ultimate road trips. Like in America, the Australians have a tradition of exploring the country with an RV (called a "caravan" Downunder).

Australia's Highway 1 - The Longest Highway In The World

Australia is largely circumnavigated by Highway 1 - a massive network of highways that join all the state capitals (excluding the national capital Canberra, but including the island capital Hobart).

Highway 1 is the longest national highway in the world - longer than the Trans-Siberian Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway. It is not, however, the longest road in the world.

  • Longest: National Highway In The World

According to the Guinness World Book of Records, the longest "motorable" road in the world is the Pan-American Highway at 24,140km (15,000 miles) in length - although other sources claim it to be as long as 19,000 miles or 30,000 kilometers.

  • Pan-American Highway: 24,140km (15,000 miles)
  • Australia's Highway 1: 14,500 km (9,000 miles)
  • Trans-Siberian Highway: 11,000 km (6,800 miles)
  • Trans-Canada Highway: 8,030 km (4,990 miles)

Related: How Long Would It Take To Drive The Pan American Highway?

Add The Stuart Highway

If one is willing to make the trip even longer, then include the Stuart Highway. It runs right through the center of the country (it is the only major road in Australia going through the middle of the country). The Stuart Highway runs from Darwin in the northern top of Australia south through Alice Springs (nearish Ayer's Rock / Ururu) in the middle of the country to Port Augusta just south of Adelaide.

  • Length: 2,720 km (1,690 mi)
  • Route: Darwin to Adelaide via Alice Springs
  • Named: After Scottish Explorer John McDouall Stuart (The First European To Cross South To North In Australia)

Doing The "Big Lap" Of Australia

It is very common in Australia for Australians to retire and buy a caravan (RV) and set out on Australia's "Big Lap" circumnavigating the continent. They are so common that there is a name for them - they are colloquially dubbed the "grey nomads."

These people enjoying the natural wonders of their vast country are in no hurry, but how long does it take to complete the "Big Lap?" The world record to lap around Australia was set in 2017 and took 6 days, 8 hours, and 52 minutes (according to Aventuretourism).

If one is planning to go to Australia and do the lap, one is not likely to have the years that the Grey Nomads do, nor is one likely keen on the idea of driving non-stop for a week. It normally takes at least 3 months to complete the Big Lap, but it is recommended to spend a year doing it if possible.

How Long To Complete The Big Lap:

  • World Record: 6 days, 8 hours, and 52 minutes
  • Minimum (Enjoyable): 3 Months
  • Recommended: 1 Year

Related: 10 Road Trip Destinations On The West Coast That Are Perfect For BFFs

What To Know About Driving In Australia

Australia is one of the world's mostly sparely populated countries with the vast bulk of the population living on the East Coast between Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane. Other than that, there are only what really amount to larger towns around the whole coastline (except for the city of Perth on the far side of the continent).

  • Side Of Road: Australia Drives On The Left

There are thousands of miles with very few population centers and very little infrastructure.

Australia has plenty of camping locations and a huge amount of biodiversity (although most of the land one will see is arid scrubland). One will see everything from sunbaked deserted to one of the world's most ancient rainforests (Daintree Rainforest).

  • See: Deserts To Rainforests

It is important to check one's car insurance that it covers remote places in Australia and to have the tools needed for breakdowns (like spare tires etc.). The Highway is completely sealed, so the trip can be made in a 2WD.