THE BEST AUSSIE ROAD TRIPS FOR MUSIC LOVERS AND CULTURE SEEKERS

Music can shape a journey

Australia is famous for its wide-open roads and dramatic landscapes, but a new trend is reshaping the way we travel. Increasingly, it’s not just the scenery that makes a road trip memorable; it’s the soundtrack.

Live music, buskers, and community performances are becoming highlights for travellers and culture seekers and a connection along the way.

Three-quarters of Australians say they would stop and explore a community if they noticed live music or street performers, while more than half would plan an entire road trip around towns known for local acts.

It’s proof that culture and the arts are no longer an afterthought – they’re driving itineraries.

Ben Whitmore, Chief Marketing Officer at East Coast Car Rentals, says, “Everyone says it’s about the journey, not the destination, and in this case, it’s true.

With road trip season approaching, journeys are defined by the experiences along the way.

Gen Z Aussies place a high value on discovering local arts and music, with many planning trips around towns known for their buskers or live performances.

It’s clear that music and culture are shaping the way people explore the country in 2025.”

Byron Bay to Newcastle

Byron Bay has long been synonymous with music, and its streets still hum with unexpected performances.

Travellers heading inland to Nimbin stumble upon café gigs and community jams, while the markets of Coffs Harbour provide a stage for local acts.

The journey south is less about the destination and more about the rhythm picked up along the way.

Hobart to Launceston

Tasmania’s creativity spills onto the streets, starting with Salamanca Place markets in Hobart, where folk musicians and buskers set the weekend tone.

Driving north through the Midlands Highway, small pubs and community halls host live acts that give each stop a distinctly local feel.

Melbourne to Daylesford is a culture seeker's favourite

Melbourne’s laneways are legendary for their underground gigs and intimate busking spots. Head north and the Macedon Ranges reveal towns alive with performances in galleries, cafés, and public squares.

Daylesford caps it off with a cultural mix of live acts, markets, and art – a town that rewards travellers who linger.

Brisbane to Noosa

Fortitude Valley’s music scene sets the stage before travellers even leave Brisbane. The Sunshine Coast carries the beat, with buskers scattered through Noosa, Mooloolaba, and waterfront markets.

Festivals and weekend events keep the trip buzzing, making it easy to stop and soak in the atmosphere.

Darwin to Katherine

Along the Stuart Highway, travellers encounter a deeper connection with place. From Darwin’s pubs to community gatherings in Katherine, Indigenous music and regional festivals enrich the journey.

Every stop is a chance to experience the Territory’s cultural heartbeat.

Music Shapes the Journey

Road trips in Australia are no longer just about long drives and pit stops. They’re about cultural immersion. Live performances, impromptu gigs, and street musicians bring communities to life, adding layers of memory to the miles travelled.

Every town has its rhythm, and for today’s travellers, following the music is the ultimate way to explore.