We linger a while in Eden, where a line of masts divides the main shopping street, and old sailors have a prime berth in the cemetery across from a perfect beach. The first part of todays drive will just be getting out of Melbourne, through the citys southeastern suburbs. Although there isnt much here, the Pelican Point Coffee Lounge is good for a coffee or a meal. One of the best things to do in Narooma is a trip to Montague Island, which is home to hundreds of friendly seals. 2023 Road Affair, LLC. Theres also plenty of heritage and cultural attractions on the drive from Brisbane to Cairns, and youre going to miss most of them if you just fly between the two cities, or dont take the time to stop regularly along the way. Why stop here? The coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne, a distance of 1,032 km (640 miles), can be done with an overnight stop within two days, although you could probably take some time and spend at least four days on the road, with a couple of hours at each stop to thoroughly enjoy the South Coast. This part of Australia has four seasons, and the hottest months are November to March. The monument is an exact replica of her wooden racquet, except its twenty times bigger. Ok, so we are now leaving New South Wales and heading into Victoria. Where is it? The final stretch of highway, past the Royal National Park, will be quite fast and there are no convenient places to stop, without doing a detour. This is the experience that awaits you atRaymond Island Koala walk-in Gippsland. Take a detour inland from the coastal road to visit the dramatic surrounding of Kosciuszko National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in Australia. These are the key places in the region that attract visitors. Selected for archiving. You can also hire a little motorboat from them and drive yourself around, pulling into the small bays, powering across the lakes, and stopping at the beach. As the sun sets, you will find that Australias huge array of nocturnal wildlife begins to emerge from the bush, and they wont be worrying about crossing roads. The inland route via the M31, the Hume Highway. Best Places to Stay on Phillip Island:Ramada Resort | North Pier Hotel | Silverwater Resort. The cosy rooms at Prom Coast Apartments come with a full kitchenette and are only a few minutes from the beach. It comprises the largest towns in Gippsland; Traralgon, Moe and Morwell. Melbourne and Sydney are lucky enough to experience some of the most temperate climates in Australia. Our go to shoes are Nike Free 5.0. From here, the scenic drive oscillates between the coast and the bush, giving you great views of the landscapes. Youll even be able to taste a few of the local fresh oysters in a beautiful natural surrounding. Youll usually need to book in advance to stay at Tidal River in the national park, but you can check availability here. If you want to stop for the night in Kiama, its probably wise to book some accommodation before you arrive as its a popular town, particularly on weekends and holidays. The visitors centre is home to Ned Kellys Last Stand, a 40-minute show featuring computerised robots that is not quite high tech, but it is interesting and breaks up the drive. For example, it is 1,040 kilometres (650 mi) from Sydney to Melbourne on Highway 1 as opposed to 870 kilometres (540 mi) on the more direct Hume Highway ( National Highway 31), and 915 kilometres (569 mi) from Melbourne to Adelaide compared to 730 kilometres (450 mi) on the Western and Dukes Highways ( National Highway 8). Fortunes werent to last and the gold ran out and the town was slowly abandoned. Why stop here? For a fuller review, go to racv.com.au/carreviews, Additional photos: Getty Images, Leon Sidik. Hopefully one day to Melbourne to Sydney too! How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Melbourne along the coast? In this coastal route from Melbourne to Sydney, I am suggesting stops at Walhalla, Metung, Gipsy Point, Narooma, and Jervis Bay. I guarantee these will be the most delicious mussels you will ever eat. If you are renting a vehicle, double check you are covered, as you dont want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere. The final day of driving will take you anywhere from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours, depending on the day and the time of the day. Follow the signs to Paynesville. Related: Check out our recent road trip to Canberra for ideas. There are electric car charging stations at the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre at 201 Sloan Street. Raymond Island is best accessed from Bairnsdale off the Princes Highway. The beaches and pools are fantastic for a swim, there are more than a dozen options for good coffee, and you can even do a bit of a hike up the Illawarra Escarpment if you feel like getting sweaty! The NSW Far South Coast is a popular holiday region (although, because its a long drive from Sydney or Melbourne, tends to attract longer stays, rather than weekend visits). There are not a lot of facilities here, certainly no petrol or shops, just a pub. Today we answer all your questions about driving between Australias two biggest cities. One of the best road trips you can do in Australia has to be the Melbourne to Sydney drive, tracing the coastline past stunning beaches and through epic national parks. I would suggest taking this stretch of the drive slowly and dont be afraid to stop a few times along the way for a quick swim, a coffee, or even just a wander around town. They are comfortable, lightweight and sturdy. So from here, you have an easy 150km drive into Melbourne city. Car, plus road, plus company. SafetyWing offers travel insurance for only about $10 a week, making it a no-brainer to get. Highlights on the Inland drive between Sydney and Melbourne. The main area in Wilsons Promontory is Tidal River, where youll find a shop and many of the camping sites (and a few other accommodation options). It has glistening white beaches, high cliffs, and crystal clear water for swimming. Your reference number is. The sprawling pub set on a small hill is chockers, pots bouncing across the bar, raffle tickets flying, a line jostling to the bistro counter and the whole joint alight with end-of-working-week cheer. The road follows the coast at least half of the way as you head south. Its relatively steep but manageable for most people and only takes about an hour from the closest car park. Seaside towns Broulee and South Durras miss the cut, as do the Mogo Zoo and Kiama, and Arthur Boyds artist retreat at Bundanon. Our itinerary will take you through the most iconic towns and cities, the rugged Phillip Island, the small town of Walhalla, the beautiful Wilsons Promontory, and onto the vast Kosciuszko National Park. After all, tap water is drinkable in Australia, plus its free. Your email address will not be published. This is about 900 kilometres long and will take just over nine hours of driving (without stops). It goes inland for short periods, but it is still very scenic. And youll also be able to spend a couple of hours wandering the streets, exploring the bushland around town, and hanging at some of the local businesses. Ive got more information about all of this in my story about things to do in Croajingalong National Park. For Australians, just down the road can be 100 kilometers or 62 miles. You only need a few hours in Barellan, but I recommend spending a couple of days in the Riverina region. Stopping at Ulladulla, Murramarang, Eden, Lakes Entrance, La Trobe Valley, Raymond Island and Wilsons Promontory. For the drive directly from Melbourne to Sydney on the Hume Highway, Albury or Gundagai are good places to stop overnight or just for a bit of a rest. While you can cover the distance in a short time, we recommend taking your time and stopping off at plenty of locations to really enjoy the road trip. Most of the accommodation in Metung is aimed a long stays, with lots of self-contained multi-room options. A sticky note tells us to head for the ocean here, but beds and flathead fillets are beckoning from Bermagui and they join the list for next time. The trip is best enjoyed over 4-5 days, although you could do it in 3 at a push or easily spread it over a week or longer to make the most of the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. Melbourne to Sydney: The inland drive, via Hume Highway. The charming decor of Anchors Aweigh sets the scene for this quirky guesthouse where youll instantly feel right at home. Its also home to the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in the country. Most of the accommodation is in Mallacoota, but youll find a much quieter community nearby at Gipsy Point. We visited Beechworth on a weekend getaway from our hometownGeelong. There is a safe viewing area on the southern side of the bridge. Only you can decide that, but we can help by showing you what you can see, do and eat on the road between these two capital cities to help you make your choice. If you have the capacity to keep some food cold, you might like to see if the boats are in and selling mussels off their decks. This is Kelly Country making Beechworth the perfect stop for anyone interested in Australian history and folklore. Recommendation: One day trip definitely worth doing is to the Blue Mountains. Cost Go! I would recommend you walk to Squeaky Beach, which got its name because of the sound the sand makes when you walk on it. But its all still beautifully laidback and, with the beaches and cafes, the whole region feels like a constant summer holiday. Australia's Highway 1. With apartments of different sizes, Gowings of Mallacoota is great for families or longer-stay visitors wholl appreciate the amenities. Learn how your comment data is processed. Why stop here? You can read my story about swimming with the seals at Montague Island or you can check the availability of the tours. (, I Guess Thats Why They Call It the Blues, Elton John. Pop into the visitor information centre for advice on your options. Where is it? Known throughout the state, this delightful bakery has an old-world charm, traditional recipes, and country hospitality. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. At a high point we glimpse our destination, the harbour city herself glinting late-afternoon blue. And, just before you get to Narooma, hop out at Tilba Tilba to explore this gorgeous heritage town. Its around here that Lisa spots her second tortoise on theroadso we stop for coffee at theCannRiverCaf,where they dont do runny eggs in their egg and bacon roll, just how we like it. The Koala walk is signposted, and you can also pick up a small guidebook for a gold coin donation. melbourne to mansfield via hume highway. Barellan is 1.5 hours northwest of Wagga Wagga; 2.5 hours north of Albury. Title from title screen. Now with that out of the way, lets get this Melbourne to Sydney itinerary on the road already (pun intended)! I would recommend a tour into Long Gully Extended Gold Mine, to get a sense of what it would have been like for the workers. Its a beautiful drive from Melbourne to Sydney by car and we are confident youll love it as much as we did. Our favorite is the Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Youll see why its such a popular destination during the school holidays. Murramarang National Park is located mid-way down the NSW South Coast, about 20 kilometres north of Batemans Bay, and 270 kilometres south of Sydney. Required fields are marked *. You were pretty lucky really, he says. Dont underestimate how tiring driving long distances can be. UNESCO has declared the park a World Biosphere Reserve because of the natural diversity it has within it. If you are taking a road trip around Australia, then check out Jans tips on organising your caravan. Is it worth driving from Sydney to Melbourne? The town is well-known for its restaurants and bars offering the best of its local cuisine and seafood. You may also need to pick up some supplies here in Meeniyan for your overnight stay in the national park because Wilsons Promontory has a shop thats open during the day where you can get food, but theres nothing available in the evening. The fastest route along the inland road with only a stop or two for coffee takes 10 hours. After visiting the Museum, continue on down the road to the wharves. The coastal route via the Princes Highway and Grand Pacific Drive (A1) is the slowest route from Sydney to Melbourne by car but is the most scenic. I want emails from Road Affair with travel updates and marketing. Its about 1000 kilometres long and takes about 13 hours of driving. The main town in Croajingalong National Park is Mallacoota, and youll find accommodation and restaurants there. Best Places to Stay in Walhalla:Walhallas Star Hotel | Walhalla Wild Cherry | Walhalla Coach House. He was spot on. As I mentioned, there arent many obvious places to stop along the way because this stretch of the road is the least populated of the road trip. The routes we took: Sydney to Melbourne: The coastal drive via the Princes Highway. You will also find an extensive collection of farm machinery, trucks and cars from all over Gippsland on display. This website uses cookies to improve the user experience. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can also calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. If you have time, take a boat across to Montague Island, a few miles off the shore, where you can find penguins and seals thriving in this protected area. We bob around, pleased with ourselves, and the sun comes out. You can do the drive in a day if you leave early and dont mind the long drive. If one runs in your path slow down but dont swerve, while the roo can do serious damage to your car, moving to the wrong side of the road can do much more. The Big Merino is not just for show. Treat yourself to the best vanilla slice ever! Particularly if you are driving on the opposite side of the road that you are used to. melbourne to mansfield via hume highway. Your coastal drive map is wrong it is the inland map. You can order from their website, cost $6 http://www.cartoscope.com.au/ However many visitor information centres have the booklets for free. If you were to drive, the cost of petrol would be at least double that. Tip: One of our favourite restaurants for Brunch is Native, with views over the pretty harbour. Narooma is a wonderful coastal town and youll immediately see why its such a popular holiday destination. The Raymond Island Koala walk is one of the most popular attractions in Gippsland, and its free! Why stop here? Josh Shephard, who blogs at The Lost Passport shares one of our favourite spots along this route, Murramarang. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. Distance Melbourne To Sydney : 878 km This is most direct route to take. This road trip is worth devoting a week to there being so much beautiful landscape, gorgeous beaches and cute little towns to visit. Gippsland's Port Albert. Mallacoota is blessed not just with the lake system but also with beautiful beaches, visit the Main Beach at Bastion Point but also take a drive out to walk on Betka Beach, Quarry Beach or Secret Beach. Driving from Melbourne to Sydney by car is not the most scenic route either. Sydney to Melbourne (2 days), Time in Melbourne (2 days), Melbourne to Sydney (2 days) The routes we took Sydney to Melbourne: The coastal drive via the Princes Highway. But I also think its got a fantastic amount of diversity big cities and small towns, the beach and the bush, relaxation and adventure, nature and culture. For those wanting to stretch their legs, Victory Park is on the Princes Highway while the popular Gippsland Rail Trail bike path starts in Traralgon. Its possible to explore a few of the main sights in two to three hours, but if youre keen on Australian history, an overnight stay will allow more time to explore. You can also take a trip to Gibraltar Falls from Canberra if you decide to stop in Canberra for a while. You can relax on the sand or go hiking for hours (or even days). enable JavaScript in your browser. And fuel. Down the side streets, the chocolate shop and the tea shop are both very popular. If you can manage an extended visit, Neil has a rundown on the best walks in the area. Be extra careful during holiday periods where fines and demerit points are doubled. The 15.2m high Big Merino marks the turnoff to Goulburn along the Hume Highway. Best Places to Stay by the Gippsland Lakes:Allambi Holiday Apartments | Esplanade Resort And Spa | Heyfield Motel and Apartments. We do not recommend trying to do the coastal route to Melbourne in one day. Found just off the southern coast close to Melbourne, Phillip Island is famous for being a haven for local wildlife. Winter can be much colder and there can be a lot of rainfall, however, it wont keep you from enjoying the road trip unless you are looking to camp out along the way every night. There are quite a few longer-stay holiday homes in Narooma, but if youre looking for somewhere easier for a night or two, these are my top suggestions. Photo: Lisa Luscombe. We have done Melbourne to Sydney along the coast and reading this has reminded me of some of the things we did. Theres also some diversity in these stops, rather than just going to a nice beach each day. But it makes an excellent stopover for those on a road trip travelling the Hume Hwy between Melbourne and Sydney. St Saviours Anglican Cathedral is home to an 1884 Fosters & Andrews organ and an attraction not to be missed is the 1883 Appleby beam engine, which is housed in the Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum by the banks of the Wollondilly River. A month earlier the river mouth was almost closed but recent rain has gifted us this little quirk of time and tide. The fastest driving route from Sydney to Melbourne is along the Hume Highway, nearly 600 miles of road that cuts through the states of Victoria and New South Wales. The road follows the coast at least half of the way as you head south. As well as thousands of penguins, there are huge populations of seals to be found sunning themselves on the rocks. What is the best driving route from Sydney to Melbourne? Once you arrive on the far South Coast of NSW, you are entering Australias Coastal Wilderness. There are also rare birds, whales and dolphins waiting to be spotted. In fact, the white sand at many of the beaches is one of the main attractions and its easy to just spend your time swimming and hanging out at the coast. Kangaroos often run into the traffic at these times of the day. Regardless, this is a wonderful way to see this part of Australia and the beautiful southeastern coast. Sydney -Eden is half way at 6 hours driving (look at google maps) Report inappropriate content. There are loads of opportunities to explore the tracks and back roads either on a guided tour or through independent exploration. Tips? A short 10 kilometres away along the highway is Morwell. But soon youll reach the southern edge of Sydney and begin to make your way through the suburbs. Now, before we go on to day 2 of the itinerary, I want to give you an option for a different way to start this drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Nearby Merimbula also makes for a lovely rest. Follow the S Gippsland Highway to the Princes Highway in Lakes Entrance. The last town on the East Coast of NSW is Eden, settled on the hillside overlooking the ocean and a beautiful harbour. As well as the spacious apartments of different sizes, the Moorings at Metung also offer swimming pools, a tennis court, and private marina. "RACV copyright"--On some stripmaps. The coastline is quite spectacular and you can access its beaches from quite a few places off Betka Road, just south of Mallacoota. Crossing the border today, youll now be in New South Wales for the second half of this Melbourne to Sydney drive. Although I think the quieter community of Gipsy Point is actually a nicer place to stay, if youre looking for something less busy. To help you plan your journey from Melbourne to Sydney by car, heres our guide to this ultimate road trip. As the countryside opens up, youll be driving through the relatively flat agricultural lands of West Gippsland, known primarily for dairy farming but also for a burgeoning gourmet food scene. A short visit or overnight? At many times in the year, you might just find that you are the only person on the beach. Found in the Victorian countryside, this small town was once a booming gold mining settlement in the middle of the 19th century. However, flights can get more expensive in peak time and at the last minute. The flight will take only an hour and, even with transport to and from the airport, its probably only about a two hour trip, compared to nine hours of driving. Should you do this drive in one day? However, before we get to our itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. Best Places to Stay in Canberra:Little National Hotel | Crowne Plaza Canberra | Canberra Rex Hotel. The Bean Scene has great coffee, or you can pick up some supplies at Stellas Pantry. For example, this Great Ocean Road tour comes highly recommended. New South Wales and Victoria are both fairly built up states, being the first areas to really be colonized by Europeans. Wander the streets searching for street art, visit the many museums and art galleries to soak in a bit of culture then head down to St Kilda to enjoy the beach life and soak up some sun on the coast. If you want to see the best of Queensland, then its definitely worth driving from Brisbane to Cairns.

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