International travel has increased in price in recent years, with sky-high airfares and cost-of-living dampening travel plans.

Despite this, there are numerous Australian locations to visit on a road trip or after making the most of cheap domestic flight deals.

Great Ocean Road

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road stretches from Torquay to Allansford and features picturesque coastline and beach towns along the way.

The road is the world’s biggest war memorial, after being built by returning soldiers between the two World Wars.

Along the winding coastal drive, natural formations like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch are popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s most famous tourist destinations. Photo: Shutterstock

Popular beach towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Anglesea are perfect for a day trip, providing a wide variety of activities and places to explore along the way.

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains in New South Wales is a World Heritage region west of Sydney renowned for its hiking trails and natural beauty.

Its best-known landmark is the Three Sisters rock formation, near the town of Katoomba.

Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo are each about 900 metres tall and were formed about 200 million years ago when sandstone was eroded by wind and rain.

They are an important cultural location for the Gundungurra people.

There are also 26 towns scattered throughout the Blue Mountains, offering food, accommodation and so much more.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is one the world’s most famous tourist destinations, but domestic travellers shouldn’t write it off either.

Beyond being the Gold Coast’s entertainment and tourism centre with plenty of bustling nightlife, there are also numerous events and markets that run through the area.

It is the perfect jumping point for kayaking day trips, waterfall tours and river cruises, while nature and wildlife are never far away.

Mornington Peninsula

Australia is blessed with several regions producing top-notch wine, but Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has a coastline to make the experience even better.

The Mornington Peninsula in Victoria offers wineries and beaches. Photo: iStock

Packed full of wineries, beachside towns, spa resorts and tourist destinations, the peninsula is one of the most varied and exciting locations in Australia.

If you’re lucky, you may even see a dolphin swimming across the coast, or you can pay to head out to the ocean and try to find one.

Hobart

Probably the coldest destination on this list, Hobart – and Tasmania as a whole – is known for its beautiful and pristine scenery.

Another side to the city is its rich First Nations history, and people can undertake walking tours to understand the Palawa and Muwinina cultures.

Hobart also has a bustling food and bar scene, and it makes the perfect jumping-off point to do day trips to surrounding mountains and beaches.

Tasmania – and Hobart – is known for its beautiful scenery. Photo: AAP

It is also home to the Museum of Old and New Art, or Mona, which offers a revolving door of eclectic art and exhibitions.

Perth

Western Australia’s capital city is full to the brim with culture and things to do, including the world-famous Rottnest Island, which is home to the photogenic quokkas.

The historic city of Fremantle, home to Australia’s oldest jail, is another destination worth spending a day or two at, and the city is home to an excellent selection of restaurants and nightlife.

Mandurah is also a short trip from Perth. Photo: Getty

Margaret River (one of Australia’s famous wine regions) and award-winning tourist town Mandurah aren’t far from the city either.

Barossa Valley

South Australia’s wine region is north-east of Adelaide, and its many wineries offer tours and cellar door tastings.

Specialising in shiraz grapes, the area was settled by German settlers in the 19th century, who built the Barossa’s picturesque stone cottages and churches.