Five vehicle experiences driving Aussies wild

While most of us have heard about adventure, leisure, and cultural tourism, there’s another category that may have slipped under the radar (for some of us at least): car, or vehicle tourism.

Whether it’s an appreciation of motoring history or manufacturing, a need for speed, or the admiration of a racing hero, car tourism can come in many forms.

But perhaps one that takes the motoring cake is car and driving experiences. Not only do many of these allow the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat but to push the accelerator to the floor, run laps around iconic race circuits, and feel the purr of cars and bikes of our dreams.

Here are just some of the most unique, fun, and adrenalin-pumping driving experiences to wet your whistle…or oil your dipstick. They also make great gift ideas for rev-heads.

If supercars are your jam, why not try driving one?

Fastrack Experiences hosts events in four Australian states (Vic, NSW, SA, and NT) so you can get behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of V8 Holdens and Fords, or a host of performance cars from the likes of Lamborghini, Ford, Lotus, and Ferrari.

Not only can you drive the car of your dreams, but you can do it around some of Australia’s most famous race tracks including Hidden Valley Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Bathurst, Mallala Motorsport Park and Sandown Raceway.

With a variety of experiences to choose from there is a range of durations, experiences, and prices for everyone.

Visit the Fastrack Experiences website for more information.

If a dash of romance, luxury and extravagance are on the cards, then look no further than luxury driving tours.

The tours are offered by a range of companies throughout Australia and in many stunning locations from Byron Bay, NSW, to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.

Prancing Horse offers self-drive experiences that are guided by a lead vehicle providing personal instruction via two-way radios. This more private, yet still guided experience takes you to dining, scenic and accommodation destinations in your chosen location.

Another company, Prestige Rentals, offer less structured options – where drivers choose a luxury car, motorbike or even a yacht, to hire (and enjoy) for specific periods.

If you have a real need for speed, Formula 1 racing experiences could be perfect for you!

There are a wide variety of businesses and experience gift sites that offer these specific high-adrenalin experiences at different racetracks around Australia including Eastern Creek, Wodonga, Tailem Bend, and Perth.

There are various package options including professional driver-led laps reaching speeds of up to 250km/h, self-drive packages, or even F1 simulators (where younger drivers or those not wanting to spend as much can take the virtual wheel).

For this experience, loving cars isn’t essential but making a difference is.

The Shitbox Rally charity drive challenges participants to purchase a car for $1,500 or less and then drive their bombs across Australia, all while raising money for an important cause.

There are three seasonal routes available - winter (Melbourne- Alice Springs), spring (Bendigo – Townsville) and autumn (Canberra to Townsville) - which travel along some formidable Aussie roads to raise money and awareness for the Cancer Council.

Four wheels or two? It doesn’t matter; motorcycle lovers, specifically Harley Davidson lovers, there are loads of options for you, too!

Tour company, Wild Ride Motorcycle Tours in Sydney, offers tours in and around the city, as well as the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast, NSW.

There are options to customise your tour so you can tailor the experience to your interests.

If you'd rather be a passenger, you can do that too, with joy ride experiences (where the bike is ridden by an expert) offered in Melbourne and the nearby city, Geelong by Harley Trike Tours.

Related: Five stunt driving courses across Australia to try

Related: Australian vehicle museums that'll rev your engine