The road (trip) less travelled: undiscovered Aussie gems for Easter long weekend

To help Australians avoid the crowds, Explore asked the experts to reveal the country's most underrated road trip destinations.

Rollin' executive manager Brendan Griffiths told Explore there was a "shift toward quieter, more intentional travel".

"Concepts like 'quietcations' and anti-algorithm travel are becoming more popular, with Australians looking to protect their downtime and avoid overcrowded hotspots," he said.

"Road trips continue to appeal because they offer flexibility, a sense of freedom and the ability to explore at your own pace, particularly when it comes to regional and lesser-known destinations."

The car insurance provider analysed hundreds of regional towns and coastal locations, nominating Dangar Island on Sydney's Hawkesbury River as Australia's top hidden gem for 2026.

The island is a car-free island and can only be accessed by a short ferry ride, keeping it well off the influencer radar.

Once there, visitors can walk the entire island, which is covered with towering heritage-listed blackbutt trees and sweeping views of the Hawkesbury River, in one hour.

Bradley's Beach on the island's southern side offers shallow water ideal for swimming or picnics, while the Dangar Island Depot cafe near the ferry wharf serves as the social hub where visitors can grab coffee, burgers and watch boats glide past.

Further north, Killcare on the NSW central coast also ranked highly according to Rollin', offering beaches, coastal walks and local cafes.

In South Australia's Clare Valley wine region, the neighbouring towns of Mintaro and Watervale make an ideal road-trip pairing, just 15 minutes apart, said Mr Griffiths.

Mintaro was the first entire town in South Australia to be listed as a State Heritage Area and is reminiscent of a 19th-century English village. Visitors can spend a day exploring the historic Martindale Hall before cycling the scenic Riesling Trail from Watervale the following morning.

In Western Australia, Dawesville ranked fifth nationally for hidden gems according to Rollin'.

Located just over one hour south of Perth, it remains overlooked by travellers heading further south to Busselton or Margaret River. Nearby Lake Clifton is home to the largest thrombolite reef in the Southern Hemisphere - ancient rock-like formations created by microorganisms over billions of years.

Ben Whitmore, chief marketing officer of East Coast Car Rentals, nominated the Great Ocean Road from Geelong to Port Campbell and Warrnambool as favourites.

The Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenong Ranges also piqued his interest.

Mr Whitmore said travellers should prioritise safety during busy holiday periods.

"Driver fatigue is a big issue, especially during busy afternoon travel periods," he said.

"Travellers should check road conditions, weather forecasts, fuel stops and vehicle safety before setting off, and make sure they have a charged phone or backup navigation in case plans change," he said.

Nick Baker, chief executive of Reflections Holidays, said destinations like Burrinjuck Waters located one and a half hours from Canberra and Wilderluxe Lake Keepit in the Yass Valley in southern NSW were his picks.

"Burrinjuck Waters offers beautiful lakeside camping and boating, and nearby Wee Jasper is well worth exploring," Mr Baker said.

"Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is another hidden gem, with great nearby stops like Graze Willow Tree for coffee or a meal along the way. Tumut is also fantastic for outdoor adventures such as cycling and hiking."

Mr Baker said flexibility is key when planning a road trip.

"Some of the best experiences happen when you pull over in a small town, discover a quiet beach or stop at a local cafe you hadn't planned on visiting," he said.

"It's also worth booking accommodation early if you can, as the Easter long weekend is always popular."

Planning ahead can also help keep costs down, he added.

"Packing an esky with snacks, bringing reusable water bottles, planning fuel stops with apps like Fuel Watch and choosing accommodation where you can cook or barbecue can all make a big difference to your budget," he said.