Ways to Pass Time During Long Drives Across Australia (That Are Not Just Audiobooks)
Long drives across Australia hit different. The roads go on forever, the radio cuts out, and there are stretches where even the kangaroos look bored. Audiobooks and podcasts can only take you so far. Sometimes, you need something fresh to keep your brain switched on.
Whether you are crossing the Nullarbor or just tackling the coast from Cairns to Melbourne, here are a few surprisingly fun ways to stay entertained behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, no headphones required.
Yes, “I spy” still works. But there are better versions out there now.
Roadtrip bingo apps can track real-world things you spot: old windmills, speed cameras, weird road signs. There are even multiplayer options, so the whole car can compete for points. It feels like the old days, just digitised.
License plate games have evolved, too. There are sites and mobile apps where you can enter plates and look up where they are from, or try spotting rare ones. Great for kids, but honestly fun for anyone looking to kill an hour.
These mini-games give your eyes something to do that is not just staring straight ahead.
Mobile gaming has come a long way. Some Aussie drivers (well, passengers!) pass the time on long drives by checking out online slots, table games, or scratchies during breaks.
For those who know how to set limits and treat it like entertainment, playing at fast-paying casinos is one way to mix a bit of excitement into downtime. Since mobile data works in more remote spots now, you are not stuck waiting for Wi-Fi to load your game.
If that sounds appealing, there are plenty of options to try an instant withdrawal casino Australia real money platform without long delays or complicated signup steps. Most offer mobile-optimised games that load fast and let you cash out on the go.
Of course, gambling is not for everyone, but if you already enjoy a punt, finding fast-payout sites means you can actually access your winnings before the next roadhouse.
Ever tried a sound bath while driving? Not literally—but some apps let you load nature soundscapes like rainforest rain, crackling fire, or desert winds. These ambient tracks can turn the cabin of your car into something oddly meditative.
They are perfect when everyone is tired of talking. Not distracting like music. Not story-driven like audiobooks. Just chill background sounds that match the vibe of the terrain.
You can even pair different effects—ocean waves plus instrumental guitar, for example, and layer them how you like. It is not something most people try, but once you do, it becomes oddly addictive.
Australia has some weirdly good local radio if you catch it at the right moment. Tiny town stations will play a mix of country hits, church updates, and 1980s pub rock—sometimes all in the same segment.
Make a game of it. Hit scan every 30 minutes. Listen for one full song, no matter what. Bonus points if it is a call-in show and someone is ranting about weather balloons or footy umpires.
This is one of those old-school joys that modern playlists can never replace.
Instead of writing a journal, use your phone’s voice recorder to document thoughts, funny stories, or weird things you spot on the drive. Let each passenger take a turn.
You will be shocked at how fun it is to listen back later—especially if you turn it into a travel podcast just for your family or friends. Add segments, theme music, even fake ads if you are feeling creative.
Voice memos are light on data, and it keeps the brain active while also capturing the real vibe of your trip.
Create a trivia playlist before the trip—or let one person act as the quizmaster using online question banks.
You can theme it by Australian history, music, animals, or sports. Make it competitive with a tally on the dashboard. First to ten gets to pick the next lunch stop.
Tip: keep the questions light and short. Long-winded quizzes tend to fade out by the third hour of the drive.
We already touched on mobile casinos, but if you enjoy the thrill of the spin, slots designed for small screens are better than ever. Fast load times. Instant spins. Big themes, from outback animals to European football.
Many new Aussie online casinos also offer scratchcard-style games. You can tap, swipe, and reveal symbols just like the real thing—but without the mess of silver dust all over your lap.
Best of all, withdrawals can now be near-instant at top-rated mobile sites. That means you can cash out your winnings while waiting for your flat white at the servo.
Apps like Duolingo, Wordle, and trivia battle games offer daily mini-challenges that are quick and satisfying.
If you are on a multi-day drive, try starting a challenge streak: one new language lesson per day. One puzzle per town. One trivia battle between cities.
Even five minutes a day makes the drive feel a little more like progress—and gives you something to do during stops.
You do not need a whole karaoke machine setup. Just a speaker and a willing singer. Play instrumental tracks or lyric videos from YouTube. Let everyone pick a song.
Yes, it is cheesy. But it breaks the silence, wakes everyone up, and you would be surprised how quickly the car becomes a concert hall once the second verse hits.
You can even rate performances. Or duet. Or battle. Anything to get the energy up before the next stretch of nothingness.
Use your phone to tag strange or interesting sights along the way—burnt trees, giant bananas, forgotten statues, or weirdly named towns.
Apps like Google Maps let you create custom pins and notes. Or use travel journal apps to collect these “Australia only” moments.
Later, you can turn them into a custom road map or print a memory book of your roadtrip.
It turns a long drive into a scavenger hunt, even when the landscape seems endless.
Remember those little game books from childhood? Crosswords, dot-to-dot, code-breakers, mazes?
They are still around. Pick one up from a servo or order one before you go. Works for kids and adults. Especially on long, flat stretches where the phone has no reception anyway.
Sometimes, low-tech is the most satisfying way to pass time.
Australia is big. Really big. And the long drives are part of the adventure—but they can get boring fast without the right mix of distractions.
Music and audiobooks help, but trying something new—like mobile slots, trivia games, travel logs, or ambient soundscapes—can turn hours of road into something you actually look forward to.
You do not need to rely on data-heavy apps or noisy gadgets either. A bit of planning, a sense of humour, and the right car companions go a long way.