If you need to go faster, any of the stops could be skipped and that days drive would still be manageable. A short visit or overnight? The first option is Berry, an inland town full of heritage buildings and quaint stores and cafes. Walhalla is one of the most intriguing stops on the route from Melbourne to Sydney. For much of the year the weather is incredibly pleasant, and in summer you can enjoy scorching, hot days that are perfect for beach lovers. (CNN) While it's possible to fly from Melbourne and Sydney in an hour and even drive the 878 kilometers in a (long) day, inland via the Hume Highway . (So, its about 300 kilometres longer and six hours more driving than going directly up the Hume Highway.). Photographers should check out Cathedral Rocks, especially if you arrive in the early morning light. They search and compare rental prices from all major rental companies in Australia, so you can rest assured that youre getting the best possible price on your rental car. Bec from Wyld Family Travel is keen for you to make a stop in the beautiful La Trobe Valley. Should you do this drive in one day? Fishing and boating are some of the most popular activities and a local company in Metung called Riviera Nautic offers a couple of options, including a leisurely cruise around the lakes. Highway strip maps. How long does a Sydney to Melbourne road trip take? We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Why visit? Im first in, followed by a Sydney couple taking a dip on her birthday. There is a bit of everything for everyone in the Latrobe Valley, but even a short visit is well rewarded. Morning Leaving Sydney, drive past the Royal National Park (the world's second-oldest national park) via the Princes Highway. Best Places to Stay near Kosciuszko National Park:Alpine Gables | Pure Chalet | Lantern Apartments. Its off the main highway so doesnt get as much traffic as some other towns although its become popular in recent years. This is about 900 kilometres long and will take just over nine hours of driving (without stops). Although its constantly in the shadow of the larger and better-known cities of Melbourne and Sydney, the capital is slowly making a name for itself as a cultural hub. Homemade raspberry pie with cream, East Lynne Store, NSW. How do you determine best? Going deep inside an old gold mine one afternoon and then hiking along the coast by morning. Stopping at Ulladulla, Murramarang, Eden, Lakes Entrance, La Trobe Valley, Raymond Island and Wilsons Promontory. There are a few different routes you could take to get between Melbourne and Sydney. Note: This itinerary is part of a much longer Adelaide to Darwin road trip. The destination for today is the Gippsland Lakes, the largest navigable inland water system in Australia. Another popular drive goes inland between the coast and the Hume Highway, through the Snowy Mountains. Or tkae it more slowly in a kayak or on a stand up paddle board. Dan Scott, CNN Updated 12th March 2019. If youve got a bit of time, you could do for a bushwalk in the Clyde River National Park, or rent a kayak for a paddle up the Clyde River. Why stop here? 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. 2023 Road Affair, LLC. Holiday homes are popular for long stays, but Ill recommend some easier options here. For more information on road safety in Australia check out this article. I know I promised a coastal drive, but you may have noticed the first days destination was Walhalla, which is very much inland. Youll see why its such a popular destination during the school holidays. 0 likes, 0 comments - Bicycle NSW (@bicyclensw) on Instagram: "Important information for bike rides who use the Alexandra Canal shared path. Driving from Melbourne to Sydney by car is not the most scenic route either. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can also calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. 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. Its one of the most interesting natural locations in Australia but, for some reason, gets a limited number of tourists. Yes, there is a train from Melbourne to Sydney that connects the capital cities through stops including Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga, and Goulburn. In busy periods, Driver Reviver areas, which provide free coffee and snacks, are set up along both routes. These are the key places in the region that attract visitors. Lets get going. As you can see on the map above, theres lots of ground to cover. After all, thousands of people road trip around Australia every year. SELECT A MAP Barkly Highway (66) Townsville to Tennant Creek Bruce Highway (1) Brisbane to Rockhampton Bruce Highway (1) Rockhampton to Cairns Dukes/Western Highway Adelaide to Melbourne (Inland) (8) Eyre Highway (1) (Adelaide to Ceduna) Eyre Highway (1) (Ceduna to Norseman) Eyre Highway (1) (Norseman to Perth) Great . An alternate overnight stop is just a short drive away at Murramarang. Please wait until you reach this point to stop the car for photos. How many days should you allow to drive from Sydney to Melbourne? There arent many stops along the way but youll probably want to get to todays destination of Croajingalong National Park early anyway, so you can make the most of your time. Best Places to Stay by the Gippsland Lakes:Allambi Holiday Apartments | Esplanade Resort And Spa | Heyfield Motel and Apartments. You can read my story about swimming with the seals at Montague Island or you can check the availability of the tours. (Although new trains are coming in 2023, which look much better!). However, before we get to our itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. Alivio Tourist Park Canberra is a great overnight stop if you need one. New South Wales and Victoria are both fairly built up states, being the first areas to really be colonized by Europeans. Theres also some diversity in these stops, rather than just going to a nice beach each day. The clearly marked trail is 1.3 km long. Depart this morning and follow the C444 and C446 to the S Gippsland Highway in Foster. This has long been whale-spotting territory and amuseumhere holds the legend and the bones of famed Old Tom, the killer whale that collaborated with whalers by herding baleen whales into Twofold Bay. The town is well-known for its restaurants and bars offering the best of its local cuisine and seafood. The Princes Highway begins at Melbourne and travels through the Gippsland region of Victoria in the east, before crossing the Victoria/New South Wales border and following the coast through the pretty seaside towns of Eden, Kiama and Batemans Bay to reach Sydney through Wollongong and the Royal National Park. RACV Melbourne to Sydney map, including strip maps detailing route and attractions along the Hume and Princes highways ($6 member price at RACV Retail Stores). This is about 900 kilometres long and will take just over nine hours of driving (without stops). Title from title screen. Australia's Highway 1. I would suggest trying to extend for a night or two, though, and spend a whole day in at least one of the stops perhaps Metung, Mallacoota, or Jervis Bay. One of the interesting things to do is to take a local walk around Warden Head Reserve. Enjoy! You can do the drive in a day if you leave early and dont mind the long drive. Highlights on the Inland drive between Sydney and Melbourne. Im assuming that youre doing the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney because you want to see the sights along the way, rather than just get between the two cities. 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. The shortest way to drive from Melbourne to Sydney is up the Hume Highway through Albury and Goulburn. "RACV copyright"--On some stripmaps. #3 Good Guidebook Lonely Planet guidebooks are still our favorites and their Australia edition is very thorough and a must for anybody traveling around Australia. On the Princes Hwy there is no possibility of doing it in one day. If you want to see the best of Queensland, then its definitely worth driving from Brisbane to Cairns. The views are incredible from Limosa Rise, plus this self-contained accommodation has a great design that makes you feel immediately at home. This spectacular destination is home to a vast network of lakes and lagoons that meet with the open ocean. The fastest route along the inland road with only a stop or two for coffee takes 10 hours. 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. There are also rare birds, whales and dolphins waiting to be spotted. Suggested stops Bowral, Goulburn, Canberra, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Beechworth, Glenrowan. An overnight stay or a longer visit? But you can definitely just stay a night or two and you may appreciate the facilities on a long road trip. Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle, most beautiful national parks in Australia, 15 Best Things to Do in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, 15 Reasons Why You Should Hire People Who Love to Travel, 25 Harry Potter Destinations You Can Visit in Real Life. You only need a few hours in Barellan, but I recommend spending a couple of days in the Riverina region. The Murramarang Holiday Park, surrounded by the national park, offers cabins and powered campsites right by the beach. Along the coast to the east of Melbourne are the beautiful landscapes of Wilsons Promontory. Or take a tour of the gaol where Ned, his mother, and Kelly sympathisers were imprisoned. The road is easy to drive but it has enough dips and turns to keep it interesting, and as the sun shines through the treetops, the various lighting effects create some glorious landscapes. A short visit or overnight? Its a small town with a country pub and a museum of local history run by amateur historians, all at volley distance from the oversized racquet. 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. Audrey, who runs the website See Geelong, highlights why Beechworth is a worthy stop. You get wonderful views down the hill to the coast at the large and modern Black Cockatoo Cottages. In Moe, Old Gippstown has been a favourite of the region for decades. The main street is lined with gorgeous buildings and there are plenty of boutique shops with local produce or collections of homewares. You will then enjoy 23km of narrow winding road, so sit back and breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty. From here, the scenic drive oscillates between the coast and the bush, giving you great views of the landscapes. Selected for archiving. Whether you are looking for the fastest or the most scenic from Sydney to Melbourne, we have you covered. 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. and of course, cakes. next trip! Its some way to start a day. #5 Good Reef-Safe Sunscreen Conventional sunscreen damages the reefs, so please make sure to get a good reef-safe sunscreen instead. Where is it? Maps Our suggested itinerary maps appear below. Our go to shoes are Nike Free 5.0. The first is Sale, a former port that has an affluent heritage to it. And there you have it the ultimate road trip itinerary. This is a lovely spot for an overnight stay (or longer) and a good meal in the brasserie or their a la carte restaurant. The last town on the East Coast of NSW is Eden, settled on the hillside overlooking the ocean and a beautiful harbour. If all you want to do is get between Melbourne and Sydney, then flying is both a cheaper and a faster option. 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. You could also hike up to the top of Mount Oberon. (, I Guess Thats Why They Call It the Blues, Elton John. This vast protected area is named for Mount Kosciuszko, which at just over 2,000 meters or 6,562 feet in height is the tallest mountain in Australia. 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. Narooma is a wonderful coastal town and youll immediately see why its such a popular holiday destination. The 15.2m high Big Merino marks the turnoff to Goulburn along the Hume Highway. Its relatively steep but manageable for most people and only takes about an hour from the closest car park. Found just off the southern coast close to Melbourne, Phillip Island is famous for being a haven for local wildlife. If you dont want to drive yourself, there are daily tours departing from Melbourne. Sure is, if you have enough time to stop and smell the roses. In total, this coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney is 1200 kilometres long and will take a total of about 15 hours driving. Road trip checklist for your car before you leave, Heirloom tomato and goats cheese bruschetta, Koonwarra Store, Victoria (. Why stop here? Today, this ghostly place attracts tourists looking for something unique, and locals have even begun to reconstruct many of the old buildings, turning the town into an open-air museum. A short visit or overnight? Ive got more information about all of this in my story about things to do in Croajingalong National Park. If the smokehouse is closed, the fish shop at the wharf also carries their produce. There are loads of opportunities to explore the tracks and back roads either on a guided tour or through independent exploration. With apartments of different sizes, Gowings of Mallacoota is great for families or longer-stay visitors wholl appreciate the amenities. But, if you do want to stick to the coast, then the alternative option for day 1 is to drive down to Wilsons Promontory instead. But your best option is to turn left towards the township of Mallacoota. Which Sydney Airport Hotels Should You Book? Jane and Duncan from To Travel Too have shared why they think you should make a stop in Ulladulla. Just ensure you pack a few extra sweaters and a quality jacket. This road trip is worth devoting a week to there being so much beautiful landscape, gorgeous beaches and cute little towns to visit. 246: 3: 0 |aFrom Melbourne to Sydney via Princes Highway : |bstrip maps and route onformation: 255 |aNot drawn to scale |c(E 1443500--E 1512200/S 335200--S 380800). We bob around, pleased with ourselves, and the sun comes out. Stay on the coast road as far as Gerroa, so you can see Gerringong and the fabulous Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Lookout over Seven Mile Beach. Ulladulla is an Aboriginal name meaning safe harbour. The South Pacific reaches full sapphire at Tathra headland, then the road crosses inlets, estuaries and single-lane wooden bridges, and swoops through the etherealMimosa Rocks National Park, tall pale trees on both sides and at the crest of a hill theyre in front too, so were driving into the trees. Once you arrive on the far South Coast of NSW, you are entering Australias Coastal Wilderness. Travel writer Christina Pfeiffer from Travel2next suggests your first stop out of Sydney should be in Goulburn. The train goes twice a day in each direction. explains why a stop at Eden is always a good idea. Just 3 hours 30 minutes from Sydney or 223.5 km is the coastal town of Ulladulla. The Surf Beach Narooma Holiday Park is comfortable and basic, but its got an incredible location right on the beach. The area is scattered with beautiful small beaches to explore; Myrtle Beach, Cookies Beach, Deport Beach, Pebbly Beach, and Pretty Beach, among others. Have more time to spare? Theres a supermarket in Meeniyan or you could ask Marty at Moos to fix you up a dinner pack to cook on the barbeque (thats what I did). Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive | Routes, Maps & More Discover Somewhere New All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox. You should also try to get out on the water and explore the isolated beaches and bays that cant be reached by car. Now with that out of the way, lets get this Melbourne to Sydney itinerary on the road already (pun intended)! The Koalas can be hard to find as their fur mixes in with the colour of the gum trees. Approximately 1000 kms, about 12 hours. On land: We spot everything from echidnas to kookaburras, and Lisas tortoises might have been freshwater turtles looking for a nesting site in breeding season. Highlights include the Goulburn Courthouse, the Post Office, designed by well-known Colonial architect James Barnet, and two majestic churches with lovely stained-glass windows. We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. Its a great place to end your trip, although of course, you can still carry on up the coast to Queensland if you dont want to stop. (This is the one I'm posting about today) Keep following the coastal road and youll cross the border from Victoria into New South Wales before reaching the town of Eden, a destination thats as blissful as its name suggests. The drive time each day is also quite short in this itinerary, and thats intentional. 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. A month earlier the river mouth was almost closed but recent rain has gifted us this little quirk of time and tide. In this road trip itinerary, the drive goes along the coast. We wander onto the wide wooden deck laden with punters and find what they might be smiling about. Sorry for the confusion. This historic park brings the history of the area to life with twenty-seven original relocated buildings dating from the 1840s through to the 1930s, including a Cobb and Co Inn. We recommend grabbing some food in Paynesville, catching the ferry,having some lunch in the park on the foreshore and then doing some Koala Hunting. Ive split the road trip into six days of driving but you can tailor it to your own needs. With views of the lake from most of the rooms, the Metung Waters Motel is great value for clean and comfortable rooms. Hitting any of these animals can cause you and your vehicle a lot of damage, not to mention the poor creature itself. It is an easy bushwalk and is suitable for all levels of fitness. Our favorite is the Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle. #2 Good Walking Shoes There will be a lot of walking around in Australia, so a good pair of shoes is really essential. It is one of Australias best national parks and a very popular destination for people from Melbourne particularly during school holidays. Stripmaps from Melbourne to Brisbane and Gold Coast via Newell Highway. I wish you a safe journey regardless, BB Report inappropriate content Steve H Melbourne, Australia Level Contributor 19 posts 27 reviews Sydney to Melbourne 7 days From the cosmopolitan splendour of Sydney this ride takes in the intricate New South Wales coast, epic Snowy Mountains, Victoria Highlands, Grampians National Park and ends on a high with a ride along the world famous Great Ocean Road. Princes Freeway is a 159-kilometre (99 mi) Australian freeway, divided into two sections, both located in Victoria, Australia. We think its best to have two drivers if you want to do a non-stop trip. Your camera will get a good workout. Walhalla is a peaceful place and its easy to relax but the town has also retained the charm of its golden era and theres plenty to see. 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.