Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive: A Fly Drive Holiday
Sydney and Melbourne, two of the biggest cities in Australia, have fantastic scenery between them, especially if you take the coastal route. The roads are modern and you can drive through from one city to the other in a couple of hours, but make sure to allot six to seven days to fully enjoy the wonders you will come across along the way.
When driving from Sydney to Melbourne, you will come across idyllic seaside towns, amazing national parks, and breathtakingly beautiful beaches—the ingredients for a perfect and truly memorable fly-drive holiday.
Flying In
You can fly in to Sydney International Airport—this airport has flights to and from hundreds of different destinations all over the world, and most major airlines offer flights to Sydney.
Starting your Journey
From Sydney, you will have to drive south to get to Nowra. You will pass through the Royal National Park on the way to Grand Pacific Drive, and the national park should be your first stopover of the journey. The Stanwell Tops is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists, but it’s also the perfect vantage point to enjoy sweeping coastal views. After enjoying the sights, you can drive through the Sea Cliff Bridge (pictured above), situated over 400 metres above the ocean, to get to Wollongong. You can spend an idyllic afternoon exploring the city, or going straight to Berry, a picturesque town that brings back the charm of old Australia. Nowra offers quaint cafés, pubs, and antique shops for an evening of exploration.
From Nowra, you can head to Jervis Bay (pictured right), where there is plenty of sun, surf, and sand to be had. Hyams Beach is a must-see destination, with its turquoise waters and powdery white sand. Lovers of the great outdoors will definitely enjoy Booderee National Park, with its vast expanses of forest and beach where you can enjoy a day of swimming, birdwatching, or bushwalking. Batemans Bay is up next, a holiday town where fresh seafood—especially oysters—is always served for hungry guests. From Batemans Bay, you can drive to Mogo, a destination that will take you back to the 19th century. This mining village has all the trappings of life during the Australian gold rush, and is a wonderful experience to discover while driving between two of Australia’s most modern cities.
After Mogo, you can head over to Eden, then to Bairnsdale, which is like going into another country. Bairnsdale is very close to Australia’s “alpine” region, and will be a refreshing change from all the sand and sea. Then it’s off to Wilsons Promontory, home of an eponymous national park, where you can enjoy nature by hiking and camping in the park grounds. Phillip Island is the next stop, where you will find plenty of local wildlife (including pelicans and koalas) and fast cars (the local Grand Prix Circuit is a must-visit for car lovers and speed junkies).
Ending the Journey
After Philip Island, you can make a last stopover at Mornington Peninsula, with its charming beaches, lush golf course, and excellent wineries. The cosmopolitan Mornington is a great preparation for your drive back to modern civilization in Melbourne.
