A compendium of Heather's favourite road trips around Australia, revealing towns and communities outside the mainstream - and the colourful inhabitants whose grit and humour will uplift and inspire you. There's no better way to see this vast country of ours than by hitting roads along the coastline, or heading inland to the mountains, deserts and wide, open plains. As host of ABC TV's Back Roads, Heather Ewart has travelled thousands of kilometres over a multitude of routes - some bitumen, some little more than rough dirt tracks - to bring a taste of life beyond the cities to viewers.

At a time when Australians are embracing the country they live in and wanting to explore our richly diverse landscapes more than ever, Heather has some fabulous suggestions to get you started. From the dusty Oodnadatta Track to the spectacular Great Alpine Road to byways along the sparkling and pristine topaz waters around Esperance, Heather's road trips reflect her own distinct experience and come with personal tips on getting the best out of your journey.

You'll learn what sites are a must-see, where to find the town characters, when the festivals and big events are on and what preparations she considers essential. While no selection can do justice to the glorious uniqueness of Australia, Heather's recommendations, across all our states, showcase some absolute ripper road trips, along with some well-kept secrets.

So what are you waiting for? Get planning and get cracking. Pack your bags and your swags. Load your vans, fuel up, and let Heather take you across the country to discover the jewels she knows about and ones the locals wouldn't want you to miss.