MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY COASTAL DRIVE
1,379km | 18.5 hours
Jump in the car and experience the charming coastline between Melbourne and Sydney. Spot native wildlife in national parks and slip-slop-slap at countless golden beaches.
Take a break from the adventure with the freshest of fresh seafood and couple it with a tipple from one the fine wineries dotted along the journey.
This drive offers a dramatic landscapes whether you chose to follow the unruly coast or journey inland to the handsome hills of inland Gippsland.
COASTAL LEG 1: MELBOURNE TO PHILLIP ISLAND
142km | 2 hours
Phillip Island offers up a smorgasbord of wildlife and is a digestible two hours southeast of Melbourne. Find a chic spot in the area to spend the night and make your way to the very cute nightly penguin parade.

COASTAL LEG 2: PHILLIP ISLAND TO WILSONS PROMONTORY
145km | 2 hours
Grab a delicious breakfast at one of Cowes’ buzzing cafes then hop on the bridge to San Remo. Get your timing right and delight the kids with the free daily pelican feeding at midday, where the locals from the co-op hand feed the gluttonous birds.
An easy 40km further along Bass Hwy is the trendy town of Inverloch. Bask in the easy-going beach town vibes, or indulge in a sumptuous fresh and inspiring feast from one of its high quality eateries. Be sure to pick up your local fresh produce on the way out of town before heading to the world renowned Wilsons Promontory.
Within an hour you will enter one of the most unbelievably beautiful spots on Earth. The untouched beaches are like something out of a movie. There are superb views atop Mt Oberon and more walks than you can poke a gum branch at.
Highlights
COASTAL LEG 3: WILSONS PROMONTORY TO METUNG (GIPPSLAND LAKES)
276km | 3.5 hours

Take the opportunity to stretch the legs before the next drive, on a walk amid the magic of Wilsons Promontory. There is a labyrinth of walking tracks taking you to explore the furthest corners of the national park, from epic panoramic views atop Mt Oberon through dreamy emerald fern gullies and across endless fields of sand dunes.
When you finally peel yourself away from the majesty ‘The Prom’, drive along the picturesque winding roads then stop for a coffee in friendly Foster. Your drive through this area is surrounded by lush, pastured hills with glimpses of the revered South Gippsland coastline.
Skirting the foothills to the north, this section travels parallel to another Gippsland highlight. If you are in need of a leg-stretch, be sure to take a detour to one of the famed beaches along Ninety Mile Beach.
Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes is Bairnsdale, a commercial centre that manages to retain a laid-back vibe. Set on the tranquil Mitchell River, the town is a launching point for exploring the twinkly lakes and Mitchell River National Park, and offers cultural experiences and leafy parklands.
Your journey ends at the idyllic waterside village of Metung. Surrounded almost completely by water, this picture-perfect town is like something out of a story book with sumptuous views in any direction.
Highlights
INLAND LEG: MELBOURNE TO METUNG VIA WALHALLA
374km | 5 hours

Leaving behind the suburbs of Melbourne, you’ll pass through country townships nestled into the area’s iconic green hills, like Yarragon and Warragul. These parts are also blessed with perfect conditions for grape growing, so pop into a couple of stops along the West Gippsland Wine Trail on your way through.
Turning off the Princes Hwy at Moe, the pastured hills turn into heavily forested bushland with dramatic mountainous landscapes.
Step back in time to more-than-a-little-dashing Walhalla, a fantastic base to stay overnight and soak up the tranquility of the surrounds. The lovingly preserved gold rush town is brimming with fascinating history.
Tour the gold mine or take a train ride through glorious Stringers Creek. There are a number of walks around town, including a self guided walk through the town’s centre.
Hit the road for an easy section of driving once you reach the Princes Hwy, taking you to Metung, where you reconnect with the coastal journey (Leg 4 is the next part of this journey).
Highlights
LEG 4: METUNG TO MALLACOOTA
222km | 3 hours

Soak up Metung’s timeless maritime air with a walk along the boardwalk or potter around the village.
Make the short drive to the next Gippsland Lakes hot spot, Lakes Entrance. Nestled in at the eastern end of Ninety Mile Beach, this lively family-friendly town is located where Australia’s largest inland waterways break through to the Southern Ocean. This popular resort town offers loads of accommodation, perfect for settling in to watch a famous Lakes’ sunset.
A detour inland to Buchan takes in the iconic Buchan Caves as well as nearby rocky ridges, mighty rivers (and waterfalls), looming mountains and deep gorges in some of Australia's most unique landscapes. Buchan makes a great base to explore the Snowy River National Park.
Next, head to Cape Conran Coastal Park, where you can explore the wide sandy beaches flanked by rocky outcrops and impossibly blue waters.
Roughly hitting the halfway mark of the drive, and quite unlike any other experience you will have, make sure you spend some time exploring Croajingolong National Park. The park offers epic hikes, gob-smacking white sand beaches, rocky mountain valleys, rainforest pockets and dizzyingly beautiful campsites.
Its remoteness is part of its charm and if you are able to camp overnight and have some energy to expend, the Wilderness Coast Walk (45km) is a great way to feast on some of the best scenery, from rocky headlands to wide open beaches, river estuaries and coastal heathland.
If you are not a tent-camping type, then spend your last Victorian night in Mallacoota, a largely undeveloped coastal village, on the fringe of Croajingolong National Park. The town is one of Victoria’s best kept secrets with superb beaches and a chilled out vibe.
Highlights
LEG 5: MALLACOOTA TO NAROOMA
214km | 2.5 hours
Say goodbye to this slice of Victorian paradise and cross the border into New South Wales. Journey north along the spectacularly alluring Sapphire Coast. This is oyster country so make sure to get your fix, and ask the local fisherfolk for their recommendation for eating this pearl of the sea.
Reach the edge of the sparkling Wagonga Inlet, Narooma is a seaside haven with delightful activities and unforgettable experiences of swimming, snorkelling or diving with a colony of fur seals on Montague Island.
LEG 6: NAROOMA TO JERVIS BAY
187km | 2.5 hours
Greet the day with a swim and a quick walk to the ancient rock formations known as the Glasshouse Rocks located at the beach's southern end. Take a break at Batemans Bay or travel a little further along Beach Road to see the rugged turquoise coast.
A short drive onwards gets you to the sparkling beaches of Jervis Bay, a seaside wonderland where you can swim in crystal clear waters and spot ocean wildlife happily entertaining the locals.
LEG 7: JERVIS BAY TO SYDNEY
196km | 3 hours
Start the day right with walk on some of the whitest sand in the world during a visit to Jervis Bay National Park. Soak up the last of the lazy vibes from New South Wales’ twinkling south coast. Nowra, Kiama and Wollongong are all strong choices to stop and grab a caffeine hit.
Take in the last of the gorgeous views on the final leg via the Grand Pacific Drive. The grand finale of your trip will be the journey along the winding Sea Cliff Bridge, the 665m long icon, that welcomes thousands of trigger-happy tourists annually.
Arrive in beautiful and busy Sydney, finishing up at with the vibrant harbourfront city as your last stop. Make sure to check out the dazzling beaches, and an events calendar to experience the very best of this idyllic city.
