From breathtaking mountain views to the whitest sand in Australia
Planning a Melbourne to Sydney road trip? Heading straight up the Hume Highway is one way to do it. But why do so when you could head towards the coast and cruise along rocky cliffs, explore secluded beaches and stop in cosy towns with must-try cafes?
There’s plenty to see and do between Australia’s two largest cities. Imagine starting your morning with a scenic hike and ending your day watching the sunset from a boat on a clear water bay. No two days behind the wheel need be the same, and this itinerary will take you where you need to go to embrace nature’s best.
Stops
1. Wilsons Promontory National Park
2. Lakes Entrance
3. Merimbula
4. Narooma
5. Jervis Bay
6. Sydney
Info at a glance
- 10 days of travel
- Type of route: Nature
- 6 stops along the route
- 826 miles (1,330 km) of driving
Highlights
- Hike to the top of Mt. Oberon for views of Wilsons Promontory
- Eat fresh seafood at Lakes Entrance
- Bring binoculars for whale watching
- Take a picture of Australia Rock
- Go to Darling Harbour in Sydney
Getting to the start
Your adventure starts in Melbourne, the perfect place to grab a coffee for the first leg of your road trip. By plane, you can touch down at Tullamarine and rent a car at Melbourne Airport before heading onto the M1.
Or, if you’re already in Melbourne, catch a train or tram to Southern Cross Station and rent a car from Melbourne city. You can take the M1 from here or go via the A440 – both are toll roads, but the M1 is generally faster.
What to pack
This coastal road trip offers great views year-round, but if you want to take advantage of the crystal blue beaches you’ll come across (or camp at your stops), spring and summer is the best time of year to do so.
Make sure to pack a few swimsuits, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a picnic blanket for impromptu stops when the scenery demands it. There are also plenty of walking trails (from beginner to pro), so take a good pair of shoes if you’re up for trying a few.
Driving tips
The main tolls you’ll hit on this road trip will be coming out of Melbourne on the M1 or A440. Depending on your destination in Sydney, you may come across some upon entering too.
The roads between the two major cities are free of tolls and can slow to speeds of 80-100 km rather than the set 110 km of the Hume Highway. Be careful when entering small towns where the speed will often slow to 50 km.
What to know about the route
Now that we’ve got all the basics out of the way, you’re almost ready to hit the road. The great news is this road trip itinerary allows you to soak up some of the best nature Australia has to offer without having to head down any dirt roads or tackle rough terrain.
Throughout Victoria, you’ll be cruising along the South Gippsland Highway before switching to the Princes Highway in New South Wales. Both are smooth and well-maintained roads, so your choice of vehicle can be left to your personal preference.
A real highlight of this trip is the scenery you’ll spot simply by looking out the window. From the huge granite mountains of Wilson’s Promontory National Park to the sparkling waters of the Sapphire Coast, nature lovers will find a new slice of paradise at every turn.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
“The Prom” is a must-visit in Victoria. As the southernmost point of Australia, Wilsons Promontory National Park has a unique blend of landscapes, featuring forest, beaches, granite mountains and rock formations.
On your way in, pick up some supplies in Meeniyan, so you don’t get stuck if the stores are closed when you arrive. Tidal River is the main area (and a completely nature playground) where you’ll find plenty of camping and accommodation options, as well as easy access to some of the best spots in the park.
From here, we highly recommend walking to Squeaky Beach, a name that accurately describes the sound the sand makes when you walk on it. The view from the top of Mount Oberon is also breathtaking and allows you to look out over most of The Prom. It can be steep in parts, but most people seem to manage the 6.8-km (4.2-mile) return hike, with chairs placed for rest along the way. The path is a wide-graded road for the most part and well worth getting an early start if you’re looking for a place to take in a good sunrise.
When it’s time to leave The Prom, ease your sadness by stopping in Sale for a bite to eat or go via Agness Falls to see the tallest waterfall in Gippsland.
Sixt Insider Tip
For those who prefer a sunset, Whisky Bay is the place to go. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Tidal River, where surrounding islands are silhouetted with a golden glow as the sun reaches the ends of the earth.
From Wilsons Promontory to Lakes Entrance 272 km (169 miles)
Lakes Entrance
Known as a destination for seafood, Lakes Entrance is surrounded by vast waterways, from the calm surface of lakes to the picturesque Ninety Mile Beach.
Take your pick when it comes to water activities; head out on a boat to explore marine life with the locals, or rent your own kayak or stand-up paddle board and slowly cruise into all the different bays yourself.
There’s also a bike path, stretching 4.5 km (2.8 miles) one way or 9 km (5.6 miles) round trip. Start at Kalimna Jetty Road and follow the Esplanade along the shore, stopping just before Short Street in Lakes Entrance.
Of course, you’d also be remiss not to try any of the fresh seafood restaurants while you’re in town. Wild Catch Fish & Chips is a crowd favorite, but you can hardly go wrong in this coastal town. Better yet, catch your own dinner and cook it straight from the sea on a campsite BBQ.
It’s a great place to rest and recuperate before hitting the road again, where you’ll coast over the border into New South Wales, passing the Ben Boyd National Park and through the charming town of Eden to reach our next destination.
Sixt Insider Tip
Lakes Entrance can be quite a tourist attraction in summer, so if you prefer the quiet life, you could also stay in the neighboring town of Metung for some tranquility. From there, you’ll still have access to boating and fishing activities, as well as plenty of scenic walks to choose from.
From Lakes Entrance to Merimbula (166 miles)
Merimbula
The blend of lakes and ocean continues once you make it to the coastal paradise of Merimbula. It’s the perfect place to get in some beach time, whether you want to surf, sunbathe or test out your photography skills. There are even dog-friendly stretches of sand for those who’ve brought their furry friend along for the ride.
Merimbula is also a whale-watching hot spot, so if you’re visiting in the peak window of early September to November, grab some binoculars and keep an eye out. Or get even closer to the largest sea mammal via an organised whale watching charter.
The best free activity by far is to stroll along the Merimbula Boardwalk, which hugs the shores of the lake and winds through mangrove forests and eucalyptus canopies. It’s a 2.1-mile (3.4-km) return trip and takes about an hour and a half to complete at a leisurely pace.
Sixt Insider Tip
Being surrounded by water, Merimbula is another great place to get a seafood fix. But if you’re after something different, head to Dulcie’s Cottage for burgers and beers in the beer garden. There are plenty of locally sourced ingredients on the menu, and on some nights there’s live music to enjoy. With the shortest drive of the trip coming up next, you can afford to stay out a little later.
From Merimbula to Narooma (70 miles)
Narooma
Narooma offers the ideal mix of dramatic coastline and quaint small-town charm, with a long list of activities to choose from. The first thing you’ll be welcomed by is the emerald-blue water that contrasts spectacularly with the rocky surroundings.
Speaking of rocks, no visit to Narooma is complete without a snap of Australia Rock – an eroded section of headland with an Australia-shaped hole right through its middle. See it at its absolute best by heading there at sunrise or sunset.
Narooma is thought to be derived from the Aboriginal word meaning “clear blue waters”, and the destination is rich in Indigenous history. The Montague Island Nature Reserve is a sacred site known as Barunguba by the local Yuin Aboriginal people. It’s also home to hundreds of friendly seals, which you can watch frolicking from the deck of a boat or jump in the water (via a tour) to swim and snorkel with them.
Sixt Insider Tip
After a day of adventuring or relaxing (the choice is yours), head to Quarterdeck for a tiki-style banana daiquiri and watch the sun go down over the inlet.
From Narooma to Jervis Bay (131 miles)
Jervis Bay
Just as you start to think the coastline on this trip couldn’t get any better, Jervis Bay appears on the horizon. Located in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast, Jervis Bay is home to the whitest sand beaches in the world.
Be dazzled by the sparkling aqua blue waters of the famous Hyams Beach before comparing it with other local favorites such as Murrays Beach and Blenheim Beach. The beauty of having a car is you can flit between them to find your perfect stretch of sand.
We highly recommend getting an early start when in this region, particularly on the weekends before the Sydney crowd arrives. 5 Little Pigs in Huskisson has one of the best breakfast menus in the area, and the coffee is well worth sacrificing sleep for.
Once you’re plenty salt and sun-soaked, there are some incredible pit stops to make on the final leg towards Sydney. Don’t miss ducking into the charming town of Berry to pick up local gifts and grab a hot donut from the famous Berry Donut Van (make sure to eat it while it’s still warm).
Sixt Insider Tip
If the timing is right, book yourself a table for lunch at The Scarborough Hotel. This buzzy pub is perched on a cliff edge with incredible views.
From Jervis Bay to Sydney (117 miles)
Sydney
You’ve made it to the final destination of this Melbourne to Sydney road trip! Sydney has plenty of restaurants, bars and activities to explore.
If you want to continue your coastal tour, head east to complete the Coogee to Bondi walk or keep driving north to explore the beaches of Manly. Even though it’s a city, there’s always plenty of nature to experience if you know where to look (and drive).
If your journey ends here, you can return your rental car in Sydney or start the itinerary from this destination and do the road trip the other way around, from north to south.
Sixt Insider Tip
Since Sydney is on the water, sometimes the fastest way to get somewhere is to take a ferry. The city has a robust ferry system as part of its public transportation, so it’s an affordable way to see some sights on the water.
