With the June long weekend edging closer, we've got travel on the mind. What better way to spend a cool-weather vacation day than with a local sojourn of the road trip variety. A way to rediscover the plethora of delights our hometown areas offer, the humble road trip is a uniquely special way to travel. Rolling hills, red outback and big skies, the country side you see along the way is almost better than the destination itself.
Of course, there are more than a few 'wish you were here' locales on our list. From the picturesque beauty of Great Ocean Road to the salty quiet of Yamba, it's hard to pick a favourite - but we tried. For inspirational purposes, we're sharing our dream road trips and the cars we'd love to take for the ride.
Phoebe Holden
Designer
Where... Carter Were, an author, cook and creative I have followed for many years moved from my hometown in New Zealand to Australia and set up an Air Bnb called The Banana Shed. It is in Federal, near Byron Bay and I have always been desperate to spend a weekend there.
Driving... I’d love to take a little vintage Fiat 500 for a spin, I might not make it to Italy for European summer but I can still look the part, no?
Bringing... My Ray-Ban’s, this outrageous Laila Gohar apron, a good book - I’d like to reread ‘Just Kids’ by Patti Smith and a slow weekend away feels like the perfect opportunity to do so. I’d pack togs for swimming in the ocean, my Baina towel and a great jumper for afterwards, along with the rest of Sydney I have my eye on the ‘Tulips, Roses’ knit from Alix Higgins Resort 25 collection.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Where... My dream road trip right now would be to the Barossa Valley. I’ve been trying to get down there for about three years, but things keep coming up and I have to cancel. I recently had a small taste when I went on a half-day press trip, and it’s only made my desire to go even stronger. The beautiful buildings and picturesque wineries would be long-weekend heaven!
Driving... My ultimate drive would be the new Volvo EX30. It’s the newest all-electric model and the little sister to the XC40. It’s supremely comfortable and with the driver assistance features, it’s the perfect car to take on a long drive.
Bringing... Sturdy boots in case the wineries are muddy, a cosy coat to keep the chill off, a suitcase big enough to take back all the wine I’m going to buy. Then of course a dressy jumper, some comfy jeans and a statement bag.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Where... A dream of mine would be to return home to New Zealand and make a one-way road trip down the length of the south island. I would start at Nelson and make my way to Invercargill via Christchurch and Queenstown (which is possible on a long weekend). I imagine it taking place at the end of Winter, when Spring is around the corner but the snow remains on the mountains in the South Island.
Driving... Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo. I have a deep love for cars and driving in general – so it would be no surprise that I would choose a Porsche. A sports car that looks this good and goes as hard as it does while being kind to the planet should be illegal. I’ve always appreciated a wagon shaped vehicle – the more exaggerated and stretched out the better. The stance on the Taycan is also nice and low but I do appreciate the extra clearance on the Cross Turismo for those moments where Gravel mode is needed. I could yap all day about this, so I will stop right here, after I say “eat my dust”!
Bringing... I’d want to feel sophisticated in a Porsche, so I will keep a blazer in the back but I doubt I’d use it. I’ve learnt that comfort is key when partaking in long road trips, so with that in mind, I’d wear my (aptly named) Venroy Speedracer Trackpants with a white tee and comfortable sneakers. I saw Content Director Elyssa rep Onitsuka’s at fashion week so naturally, I want a pair. I’d be sure to have a bag of snacks within arms reach (think popcorn, snake lollies and some salt and vinegar chips) and my stanley cup would have to find its home somewhere.
Lastly, I can’t even go down the driveway without ensuring I have my Aesop hand cream, Jo Malone cologne and my Loewe sunglasses, so they will be front and centre. I guess my hubbie can come too… He can take charge of all things navigation and I suppose he can pick the music.
Talisa Sutton
Brand Art Director
Where... I would love to do a big drive up North, making stopovers along the way in Bellingen and Yamba, before ending up in the Northern Rivers, and driving through the beautiful hinterland. I would also love to stay at the recently opened Sun Ranch, and maybe catch a night or two at Raes by the beach.
Driving... All-Electric Lexus UX.
Bringing... Denim and an oversized V&W knit to pair back with my favourite sneakers or boots. A Deji knit set for cosy evenings in, comfy PJs, a good book, face mask, and a trusty Rylan tote bag to pack it all in.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Production Editor
Where... Great Ocean Road.
Driving... I’m pretty obsessed with my own car – a Mazda CX3 – which is the perfect in-between size that is small enough to manoeuvre around the city, but big enough to still host a full five people and baggage.
Bringing... I’m a fairly light packer, but some essentials of course are sunscreen (I really like the MECCA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen), hand sanitiser (if we’re feeling bougie, I would get the AESOP Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist), a good all-purpose tote bag (Dos Ombre Bengali Bag 062 is my dream iteration), and of course a good book – I’d pick something like The Best of A. A. Gill or Sunbathing by Isobel Beech.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager
Where... Culburra Beach for the perfect weekend away.
Driving... Cupra’s Born range is super interesting to me because I love small zippy cars and also want to venture into the electric vehicle space, so would love to take it for a test drive down the coast.
Bringing... A fun hoodie, my big Akubra, a picnic lunch and my little chihuahua. Comfort over chic sometimes is good for the soul.
Karen Leong
Art & Culture Writer
Where... Kangaroo Valley is calling my name. I’m looking for a weekend getaway to the wild-life rich rainforests, waterfalls, and suspension bridges that populate all of the Shoalhaven municipal. Hopefully I’ll be able to make time for a country pie along the way.
Driving... I am a fabled passenger princess, always have, always will be. However, a girl a can dream. My dashing chauffeur will be whizzing me around in a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet – you can’t take the city girl out of the city without a sleek vehicle.
Bringing... My new Glossier lipbalm (courtesy of Cassandra), a chic pair of face-shielders like this Balenciaga cat-eye pair, and my copy of Eve’s Hollywood. Don’t forget your sunscreen and your joie de vivre.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor in Chief
Where... I would love to drive to Bowral for a winter weekend getaway. The beautiful gardens, and weather this time of the year would make it so cosy and beautiful to slowly drive around the streets.
Driving... 1000% I would love to drive in my dream car. A Mini Cooper John Cooper Works, in racing British green.
Bringing... A Hermès headscarf, Chanel sunglasses, the roof down, and my dog. The roof will be down and we will be driving around Bowral in style- this is of course my dream getaway.
