Craving Solitude? These Drives Are Practically Empty

Sometimes, what you really want is to drive—and not see a single soul for a while. No honking, no queues, no pressure to pull over for the perfect photo. Just the road, the landscape, and your own thoughts. Australia has some incredible routes that offer exactly that. They’re not about the big icons or trending spots—they’re about stillness, space, and the simple joy of driving without distraction.

If your idea of a great trip includes long silences, untouched landscapes, and the kind of quiet that sticks with you, this is your list.

What Makes a Drive Feel Empty (In the Best Way)

It’s not just about traffic—or lack of it. A quiet drive is one where:

You go long stretches without passing another car.
There are fewer towns and more nature.
Roadside stops are unplanned and often completely deserted.
Phone signal is spotty (and that’s not a bug—it’s a feature).

It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you, it’s magic.

Why Some Roads Stay Quiet

Some routes don’t attract tourists because they don’t promise a checklist of “must-sees.” They don’t have massive signs, theme parks, or Instagram geotags.

They’re often:

Slightly out of the way
Off major transit routes
Lacking in commercial development (which is the whole point)
Beautiful in subtle, slow ways

These are the roads people drive when they want to think, breathe, or just be alone for a while.

Solitude-Ready Drives Near Sydney

1. Oberon to Jenolan Caves via Edith Road
Most people come up from Katoomba, but this lesser-used route winds through rolling hills and pine forests—and it’s almost always quiet, especially midweek.

2. Putty Road (North of Windsor)
This road used to be more travelled, but these days it feels almost forgotten. Long sections curve through dense bushland with barely a sign of human activity.

3. Bells Line of Road (Very Early or Very Late)
If you drive it outside peak hours, this Blue Mountains alternate route offers deep bush, sweeping escarpment views, and long silent stretches—especially before sunrise.

Remote Routes Worth the Journey in Tasmania

1. Western Explorer Highway (C249)
This one’s for serious solitude seekers. It cuts through the Tarkine, with rainforest, rivers, and very few cars. Some locals joke it’s more of a mindset than a road.

2. Lake Burbury to Queenstown via the Lyell Highway (Early Morning)
Ghostly mist, wide stretches of nothing, and the surreal, almost lunar landscape of Queenstown as your reward.

3. Route C115 through the Central Plateau
It’s high, it’s cold, and it’s often empty. You’ll see more wombats than humans, and the road cuts through vast alpine plains with big-sky views and little else.

What to Pack for a Truly Peaceful Trip

Solitude comes with responsibility—especially if you’re heading off-grid:

Offline maps. Don’t rely on mobile coverage.
Enough fuel and water. Some of these roads have no services for hours.
A warm layer and emergency snacks. Even in summer, Tassie can turn cold fast.
A good playlist or podcast. Not to break the silence—just to ride with it.
Respect for the road. Drive slower, be ready for wildlife, and stay aware.

Final Thoughts: The Road Less Populated

There’s something powerful about being alone on a road that stretches out in front of you with no end in sight. Not lonely—just alone. It’s the kind of quiet that reminds you who you are without saying a word.

So if you’re craving solitude, don’t just stay home. Find a road that matches your mood—and let the silence do the talking.