Road Trippin' in the Tropics

THE OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, FLORIDA
Look out for: Alligators
Key Largo: When you think about Florida you most likely think of swamps, over-sized reptiles and old people. But it's also home to a marvel of over-water driving. Key Largo is the place to join Highway 1 for this unique coastal route where you will travel between 100 islands supported by concrete pylons stacked in the coral rock bed. Key Largo has the famous Everglades National Park on one side and North America's only living coral reef on the other. It also calls itself the dive capital of the world and its reefs brim with barracuda, nurse sharks and turtles. A redundant navy ship, Spiegel Grove, was sunk to create an artificial reef and it is now blooming with sponges and coral.

Key West: Key West is as far south as it is possible to venture and still be on US territory, outside of Hawaii. This small island is an eccentric destination where you can lose your inhibitions. A good way to start is with a bet on racing turtles at Turtle Kraals bar and restaurant. If you want to know about the chickens roaming the island, head to the Chicken Store which specialises in chook sponsorship. Key West has a strong Caribbean influence as resident fishermen, Cuban refugees and artists live in the community of pastel coloured houses. Ernest Hemingway also chose to live and write here. His plantation homestead is open to visitors and his most prominent legacy, besides his books, are around 60 six and seven-toed cats.

GREAT TROPICAL DRIVE, AUSTRALIA
Look out for: Cassowaries
Palm Cove: This is a road trip where tropical coast meets tropical rainforest as the Cook Highway bisects the point where two World Heritage sites merge. Start by driving half hour from Cairns to Palm Cove, an idyllic holiday spot. The beauty of this place is that everything you need is situated on one wide, palm-tree lined street. The town is flanked by a stunning turquoise beach on one side and al fresco restaurants, cafes and boutique shops on the other. The hotel that encapsulates it best is the Reef House Resort. If you stay the night be prepared to feel like you are on a desert island. Flames flicker in lanterns along corridors and the four poster beds are shrouded in mosquito netting.

Port Douglas: This quaint tropical town has one main street lined with palms and street-side dining. The most populated you will find it is on Sunday, which is market day, where you can buy straw-pierced coconuts and shell necklaces. Cane toad racing is an institution at the Iron Bar and you can have a punt on the pests most nights. QT Hotel has brought the designer elements more often associated with Sydney and Melbourne to Port Douglas. The floral-shirt wearing staff will guide you to bungalow apartments and hotel rooms with areas named after cocktails. Bazaar restaurant is buffet with a twist. The chefs prepare eggs Benedict and chorizo sausages in front of you, the toast is hacked off artisan bread loaves and mini fruit smoothies change each day.

THE GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
Look out for: Elephants
Mossel Bay: The 200km Garden Route along the Indian Ocean is one of the world's iconic road trips. Mountains, beaches, coast and wine are all accessible via bitumen on this glorious South African drive. Mossel Bay is the start point and it offers 60km of white sand stretches as well as the only north facing beach in South Africa. If you want more adrenalin than a sunbake provides, you can dive off Mossel Bay. But make sure it's within a cage, involves some bleeding fish and some personal mettle as you watch man's most feared predator come gnashing at your metal-shielded face. Let's face it, if you can cage dive, you can tackle most of life's trifles head on.

Knysna: The Garden Route runs along the N2 motorway but don't be tricked by the generic name – this is no black and white roadway. The motorway actually turns into the main street in Knysna, renowned for its historic Victorian houses and foliage clad streets. The warning signs for elephants are slightly misleading though. While elephants were once prolific it would be unlikely for one to cross the road in front of you nowadays. To assuage the disappointment, head to the Knysna Elephant Park where you can interact with the giant mammals. Knysna is situated on a rich lagoon that is heralded for its oysters, hosting a festival dedicated to the delicacy every July. While in Knysna you can also embrace nature with a stay in an up-market tree house at the Phantom Forest Eco Lodge.

DriveAway Holidays offers South African car hire from $21 per day. For more information visit www.driveaway.com.au

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