Drive holidays seem have been forgotten in the frenzy by Australians to fly to their destination, either here or overseas.

But the reality is that, despite the lack of hype, road trips are far from dead with Tourism Research Australia estimating that 71 per cent of domestic overnight trips still involve a car.

So fair to say that getting in the car and driving somewhere is at the very heart of the Australian regional tourism economy. Yet road trips and drive holidays are undergoing rapid change.

Better cars and roads allow people to get where they are going faster and with fewer stops.

And this is having is a significant impact on many towns and villages that depend on travelers for their economic survival.

Let me explain by way of personal example

For me the road trip was part of growing up, a series of the best memories I've ever had: dad, brother, car, dog, catamaran, surfboard, bikes, Pacific Highway…

The trip inevitably started in heavy traffic and it seemed like hours before we even reached Sydney's northern edge.

Then there was the ritual stop at a milk bar we called ‘stack ‘em up Joe's" thanks to the towering towers of Violet Crumbles and Polly Waffles created by the Greek proprietor.

We always took two days to reach the Gold Coast and stayed in a motel en-route somewhere like Kempsey or Coffs Harbour, muffling the dog while breakfast came on a tray in through the hatch.

Full story:

www.traveltrends.biz/ttn555-still-driving-australias-tourism-economy-but-times-changing