The 5 Best Spotify Playlists for an Australian Road Trip
The 5 Best Spotify Playlists for an Australian Road Trip
Soundtrack Your Journey from Sydney to Hobart and Beyond
There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with the perfect playlist to set the mood. Whether you’re cruising along the coast near Sydney or winding through Tasmania’s countryside from Hobart, your music can elevate the entire experience.
To help you soundtrack your next escape, we’ve rounded up five of the best Spotify playlists for any kind of Australian road trip. And when you hire a car with YesDrive, you’ll be travelling in comfort with built-in audio systems and USB connections—perfect for streaming your favourite tunes as you go.
Table of Contents
Coastal Cruising Australia
Outback Driving Songs
Australia’s Hottest 100 Hits
Chilled Aussie Indie Vibes
Family Road Trip Favourites
Why Music Matters on a Road Trip
Road trips are all about the journey—and the right music transforms long drives into unforgettable memories. Whether you’re watching the sunrise from a lookout near Hobart or zipping across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a great playlist adds rhythm and emotion to every kilometre.
1. Coastal Cruising Australia
Vibe: Laid-back, sunny, and easygoing
Perfect For: Beach drives, scenic lookouts, and relaxed weekend getaways
This playlist is built for winding coastal roads and sunny skies. Expect smooth acoustic beats, surf rock, and mellow pop from artists like Jack Johnson, Lime Cordiale, and The Teskey Brothers.
Top Tracks:
“Cool Change” – Little River Band
“Ocean Alley” – Confidence
“Youngblood” – 5 Seconds of Summer
📍 Try it on: Grand Pacific Drive (Sydney to Jervis Bay) or Hobart to Orford coastal loop.
2. Outback Driving Songs
Vibe: Rugged, classic, and all-Aussie
Perfect For: Longer inland journeys, mountain routes, or desert adventures
Think dusty roads, windows down, and timeless Aussie rock. This playlist features legends like Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, and Cold Chisel—along with country and pub favourites.
Top Tracks:
“Beds Are Burning” – Midnight Oil
“To Her Door” – Paul Kelly
“Flame Trees” – Cold Chisel
📍 Try it on: Hobart to Lake St Clair or Sydney to the Snowy Mountains.
3. Australia’s Hottest 100 Hits
Vibe: Energetic, upbeat, and current
Perfect For: Group road trips, festival weekends, or keeping the energy high
Triple J’s annual Hottest 100 countdown is a rite of passage for Aussie music lovers. This playlist features the best tracks from recent years—great for singing along or discovering new artists.
Top Tracks:
“The Less I Know The Better” – Tame Impala
“Booster Seat” – Spacey Jane
“Riptide” – Vance Joy
📍 Try it on: Hobart to Bruny Island or a beach day along Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
4. Chilled Aussie Indie Vibes
Vibe: Thoughtful, mellow, and reflective
Perfect For: Early mornings, quiet moments, solo drives
With gentle melodies, indie folk, and soothing vocals, this playlist is ideal for when you want a peaceful drive. Great for foggy Tasmanian mornings or twilight coastal views.
Top Tracks:
“Big Smoke” – Angie McMahon
“Coming Down” – Ball Park Music
“Holocene” – Bon Iver (okay, not Aussie, but it fits)
📍 Try it on: Mount Wellington at sunrise or a misty forest drive in Mount Field National Park.
5. Family Road Trip Favourites
Vibe: Fun, safe, and sing-along ready
Perfect For: Travelling with kids or multiple generations
Keep everyone entertained with a mix of upbeat pop, movie favourites, and classic Aussie hits that appeal across ages.
Top Tracks:
“Shotgun” – George Ezra
“You’re the Voice” – John Farnham
“Happy” – Pharrell Williams
📍 Try it on: Sydney to the Blue Mountains or Hobart to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
How to Stream Your Playlist on the Road
When you hire a car from YesDrive, most vehicles come with modern features like:
✅ USB charging ports
✅ Bluetooth or AUX connectivity
✅ Smartphone holders for safe streaming
✅ Spacious interiors for maximum comfort while you jam out
Pro Tip: Download playlists offline in the Spotify app before you hit remote regions with patchy signal—especially in Tasmania’s national parks or NSW’s inland highways.
Hit the Road with YesDrive
No matter your destination or your soundtrack, YesDrive has the right vehicle to get you there. With convenient pick-up locations in Sydney and Hobart, flexible hire options, and well-maintained cars perfect for road trips, we’ll help make your adventure unforgettable.
👉 Book your next car hire with YesDrive today at yesdrive.com.au and start planning your perfect road trip playlist.
