Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive (Self drive)

Australia Itineraries: AU27

Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive (Self drive)

Day 01: Sydney - Nowra

Arrive at Sydney Airport and pickup vehicle from car rental agency. Drive south out of Sydney and through the Royal National Park to begin the cliff-hugging Grand Pacific Drive. Overlook the cliffs of Seven Mile Beach. Drive alongside it to Shoalhaven Heads, a popular spot for swimming. Short scenic drive to the antique shops, galleries and green pasturelands of Kangaroo Valley Finish your first day in Nowra, which offers pretty antique shops and cafes and find a rustic pub to sleep the night. Overnight in Nowra.

Day 02: Nowra - Batemans Bay

Today check out from Hotel. Head to Huskisson in Jervis Bay, where you can cruise next to dolphin pods or burrow your feet in some of the world’s whitest sand at Hyams Beach. You can picnic at Hammerhead Point near Currarong and Red Point near Callala. Hire a sea kayak and paddle round Honeymoon Bay and swim off Murrays Beach, where the waters are sheltered by Bowen Island. Drive south and stop at Ulladulla for fish and chips on the harbour. Learn about local Aboriginal history on the ‘One Track For All' walk along the northern headland or swim at Pebbly Beach with resident kangaroos. Take in the rugged coastline of Murramarang National Park and the lakes and beaches of South Durras. End your day in the vibrant holiday town of Batemans Bay, where you can cruise the Clyde River and feast on fresh oysters.Overnight in Batemans Bay.

Day 03: Batemans Bay - Eden

Today check out from Hotel. Enroute to Eden stopping via places like Mogo, village of Central Tilba, Umbarra Cultural centre, Mimosa Rocks National Park.Head inland to sample the cheeses of Bega or taste the famous oysters of Pambula. Pull in to the whale watching town of Eden, where you can watch majestic southern right and humpback whales make their annual migration between May and November. Bushwalk through wildflowers, beaches and eucalypts in Ben Boyd National Park before retiring for the night. Overnight in Eden.

Day 04: Eden - Bairnsdale

Today check out from Hotel .Continue on across the Victorian border to the pretty coastal town of Mallacoota, on the tranquil, shimmering lakes of Mallacoota Inlet. Steer a boat or paddle a canoe up the Genoa or Wallagaraugh rivers to Gipsy Point.See one of the world’s largest known colonies of little penguins at Gabo Island. Explore Croajingolong National Park. You can camp here between and later can sail or cruise the Gippsland Lakes, Australia’s largest inland waterway. Overnight in Bairnsdale.

Day 05: Bairnsdale - Walhalla

Today check out from Hotel. Set off early and travel through beautiful rural scenery. Stop at the Sale Wetlands to stroll the boardwalk and see plentiful wildlife. Take a Port of Sale Heritage Cruise along the Thomson River on a 1912 wooden boat. Drive through extensive dairy country of Maffra’s historic main street. Stop for lunch at the Tinamba Hotel, a classic Aussie pub serving a food and wine menu that’s a gastronomic cut above. Head to the gold rush village of Walhalla, ringed by romantic forest on the southern edge of the Victorian Alps. Venture deep underground on a mine tour and stay overnight at the Star Hotel’s historic accommodation that tells of the town’s gold rush past. Overnight in Walhalla.

Day 06: Walhalla - Foster

Today check out from Hotel. Start the day exploring Walhalla’s historic valley. Baw Baw National Park, popular for bushwalks, scenic drives and picnics. From there, drive to Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park and set out on one of the park’s many walks. Follow the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk through heathland, eucalypt forest and rainforest or walk to Squeaky Beach to see its pure white sand. Optional trek to the top of Mt Oberon. Overnight in Foster.

Day 07: Foster - Philip Island

Today check out from Hotel . Drive through the fishing and pelican haven of San Remo and over the bridge to Phillip Island. See koalas and waterbirds in the wild at Rhyll and watch fairy penguins waddle home at dusk on Summerland Beach. Visit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) and V8 Supercar 500. Cruise past Australia’s largest seal colony of fur seals at Seal Rocks and see thousands of short-tailed shearwaters on the rugged bluffs of Cape Woolamai. Spend the night in Cowes or the sheltered port of Rhyll. Overnight in Philip Island

Day 08: Philip Island - Mornington Peninsula

check out from Hotel. Stroll along the treetop boardwalk and watch koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre in Cowes before taking the scenic route around Western Port Bay and the Mornington Peninsula. Discover the beaches, wineries and golf course of Flinders, then cross the peninsula to Sorrento to walk the cliffs past million-dollar mansions in Portsea. You can also pick your own berries and visit wineries and galleries in Red Hill. Finish the day with a relaxing soak at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Alternatively take an evening tour at Moonlit Sanctuary to view Australia’s nocturnal wildlife. Overnight in Mornington Peninsula.

Day 09: Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne

Today check out from Hotel. Continue exploring the Peninsula, or take a cruise to see the dolphins. (November – April). Depart on the Peninsula Searoad Ferry to Queenscliff. Meander through the villages of the Bellarine Peninsula such as Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads, or take in the views over lunch at Jack Rabbit Winery. Stop in at Advance Mussel Supply (weekends and holidays) and pick up a bag of super-fresh mussels from Port Phillip Bay.Follow the Bellarine Taste Trail for fresh fruit and vegetables, olives, seafood and cheese before heading back to Melbourne.

Day 10: Melbourne - Homeward Bound

Today check out from Hotel and drive to Melbourne Airport. Drop your vehicle to car rental agency at the airport and fly out.