Some mistakes had disastrous consequences
Stretching 240 km (149 mi) between the cities of Torquay and Allansford in Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is another of the world's most scenic coastal drives, snaking as it does along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean.
Connecting Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges, the 8-km (5-mi) Atlantic Ocean Road is one of Norway's national tourist routes.
Named for a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town, Chapman's Peak Drive is 9 km (5.5 mi) in length and affords spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean.
Meandering south out of the Royal National Park near Sydney and encompassing some of the most scenic coastlines in New South Wales, the Grand Pacific Drive weaves its way towards Wollongong and beyond to reach the Sapphire Coast, 140 km (86 mi) away.
One of the world's most celebrated road trip options is to drive the Pacific Coast Highway on America's West Coast. While heading north out of San Diego is a favorite starting point, commencing the journey in San Francisco and motoring south keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. Completing the 950-km (590-mi) route takes around 10 hours.
Leaving Belfast and following the Causeway Coastal Route north towards Derry takes you through the nine Glens of Antrim and past the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Giant's Causeway. The 209-km (130-mi) route is one of the most scenic in the United Kingdom.
A modern wonder, the iconic 181-km (113-mi) Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West in Florida incorporates 42 bridges leapfrogging from key to key over a stunning turquoise and emerald wash.
The corkscrew drive to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor on Majorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands, affords seriously romantic views of the isolated northern tip of this popular tourist destination.
Following the Hana Highway along the northeastern coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui is to embark on a 83-km (51-mi) adventure through tropical jungle while skirting towering sea cliffs.
The drive from the Sorrento peninsula to Salerno in southern Italy is simply breathtaking. Known as the Amalfi Drive, this is one of the most stunning coastal roads in Europe, a 50-km (31-mi) two-lane blacktop hugging the cliffs and coves of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Canada's Nova Scotia province is blessed with the Cabot Trail, a picturesque highway on Cape Breton Island. Effectively a 298-km (185-mi) loop around the northern tip of the island, the road passes along and through the Cape Breton Highlands and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Calanques de Piana is Corsica's greatest natural wonder. To discover this exceptional landscape take the sinewy D81 road, connecting Porto to Piana, and marvel at the beautiful russet colored cliffs sculpted by the wind.
Located 40 km (25 mi) south of Lisbon is the serene Serra da Arrábida, a region that encompasses forested hills, lofty sea cliffs, and beautiful beaches. Traversing the heights of this pristine parkland is the Estrada de Escarpa (N379), the views from which are jaw-dropping.
This short 12-km (7-mi) drive links the town of Rapallo with Portofino, on the Gulf of Tigullio. Every bend showcases the very best of the Italian Riviera, and offers up picture-perfect photo opportunities.
Another unforgettable South Africa tourist route, Clarence Drive (R44) is part mountain pass, part coastal drive. The road goes through the charming seaside towns of Betty's Bay and Pringle Bay, as well as showcasing Gordon's Bay and Rooi-Els—all among the Western Cape's most sought-after visitor attractions.
Also known as the Jadranska Magistrala, this is Croatia's dazzling seafront treat, a highway 650 km (403 mi) in length and one of Europe's most unforgettable journeys. It passes numerous tourist hotspots, including the historic port city of Dubrovnik.
For the ultimate Scotland road trip, follow the challenging North Coast 500. This 800-km (500-mi) route takes in the best of the North Highlands' breathtaking scenery, and offers up some ingenious routes, such as that across the amazing Kylesku Bridge.
The French Riviera is a delight to discover, especially by vehicle along the Corniche roads. There are three of these super scenic routes: the Grande Corniche (pictured), the Moyenne Corniche, and the Corniche Inférieure. Each has its own charm—the Grande Corniche follows the ancient Roman route known as Via Julia Augusta—and all afford enviable views of the sparkling Mediterranean.
As its name suggests, this scene-stealing route circles the beautifully rugged Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland's County Kerry. The 179-km (111-mi) loop encloses one of the most stunning landscapes in the country.
Another memorable French Riviera driving option is to motor along the the D599, which passes several shallow, clear-blue bays. Along the way you'll pass the quaint village of Agay, which is more or less equidistant from Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Stop here and take in the scenery.
Fancy motoring on the wild side? The road from remote Gásadalur to Tórshavn via Sakson in the Faroe Islands takes in some truly awesome landscapes, including Múlafossur, one of the prettiest waterfalls in the world.
The short drive from the historic town of Sagres to Cape St. Vincent perfectly showcases the wild and windy character of the western Algarve. The lighthouse is one of the most famous in Portugal.
The Oregon Coast Highway is a US road trip favorite. This is a world-class route that stretches 584 km (363 mi) along a visually stunning seafront marked by picturesque towns and secluded beaches.
Here's one for the truly adventurous. Chile's Ruta 1 is a dramatic 598-km (371-mi) road that appears as if forged out of a lunar landscape. The highway skirts the South Pacific Ocean while barren mountains provide a forbidding backdrop.
Set between Havelock and Picton on South Island, this 40-km (24-mi) meandering road fringed with lush forest offers one of the most scenic drives you're likely to encounter, not least for the breathtaking views of the iconic Marlborough Sounds.
The wonderfully scenic Slea Head Drive is a gentle loop route beginning and ending at Dingle, in southwest County Kerry. The circular road is 47 km (30 mi) in length, and driving it is the most rewarding way to discover the Dingle Peninsula.
Following the Fv805, located in Flakstadøya, an island in the remote Lofoten archipelago in Nordland county, is to seek solitude with nature. This is one of Scandinavia's most charming and least-driven roads, and is absolutely stunning when illuminated in winter by the northern lights. Just keep one eye on the weather: heavy snowfall is commonplace.
Motoring west out of Lisbon towards the resort town of Cascais affords a pleasant, breezy 30-km (18-mi) drive along the Avenida Marginal, a dual carriageway that skirts the mouth of the Tagus Estuary.
Sources: (BBC)
So named because it was built by the military in the 1860s as part of the defense of the island, Military Road (A3055) on the Isle of Wight in southern England runs much of the length of the west coast of the island.
The lovely road that runs through the Valley of the Rocks in North Devon brings visitors up close and personal with one of the most charming corners of the United Kingdom. The 19-km (12-mi) route begins in Lynton and continues through Martinhoe, along the edge of Exmore National Park.
Thinking about a motoring vacation? Well if your destination of choice features a seafront, then no doubt you'll be eager to embark on a coastal drive at some point. And why not? Some of the most scenic road trips are those taken along routes that skirt the ocean. In fact, a sparkling sea set against towering cliffs or a golden ribbon of sand very often sets the scene for the rest of the holiday. But where in the world can you follow some of the most dramatic and picturesque oceanfront highways?
Click through and coast along these impressive seaside drives.
The most impressive coastal drives in the world
Motor along these fabulous oceanfront freeways
TRAVEL Road trips
Thinking about a motoring vacation? Well if your destination of choice features a seafront, then no doubt you'll be eager to embark on a coastal drive at some point. And why not? Some of the most scenic road trips are those taken along routes that skirt the ocean. In fact, a sparkling sea set against towering cliffs or a golden ribbon of sand very often sets the scene for the rest of the holiday. But where in the world can you follow some of the most dramatic and picturesque oceanfront highways?
Click through and coast along these impressive seaside drives.