Your Itinerary
Seven scenic legs, each with plenty of time for national parks, historic towns, wineries and fresh local seafood.
A
Leg 1: Sydney – Kangaroo Valley
2 hrs 15 mins drive · 156 km
Start your drive at the Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world. Continue along Grand Pacific Drive to Bald Hill lookout at Stanwell Tops, across the cliff hugging Sea Cliff Bridge and through the coastal villages of Scarborough, Austinmer and Thirroul into the bustling city of Wollongong and to the seaside villages of Shellharbour and Kiama. Visit the nearby Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk on the Illawarra Escarpment then stop off in Berry for a cleansing ale at the Berry Pub. On arrival at Kangaroo Valley, explore the nearby national parks or browse the shops for that special gift.
B
Leg 2: Kangaroo Valley – Batemans Bay
1 hr 50 mins drive · 138 km
Start the morning with a canoe safari or bushwalk to the nearby waterholes in Kangaroo Valley. Travel via Cambewarra Mountain to Nowra and continue south to Mollymook and Ulladulla. Ulladulla is home to a commercial fishing fleet. Take the bushwalk from Bawley Point to Kioala through the Murramarang Aboriginal Area, a rocky headland protecting middens and other evidence of Aboriginal occupation. See kangaroos on the beach and witness one of their occasional swims in the surf at Pebbly Beach. Enjoy fresh seafood at one of the excellent restaurants in Batemans Bay overlooking the Clyde River or take a guided kayaking paddle up the Clyde and discover the oyster farms and sample their succulent produce.
C
Leg 3: Tilba Tilba / Bermagui – Gipsy Point
2 hrs drive · 149 km
Travel via the historic town of Braidwood on the Kings Highway to Canberra. The national capital has an outstanding collection of national treasures including Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian War Memorial and much more. Hire a bike to ride around Lake Burley Griffin in the city or take a hot air balloon ride for something different. Canberra is also known for its fine restaurants and cool climate wineries.
D
Leg 4: Canberra – Batemans Bay – Merimbula
3 hrs 50 mins drive · 329 km
Travel back to Batemans Bay before heading south again. En route, stop off in Narooma and visit Montague Island Nature Reserve, famous for its seals, penguins and rich bird life. Travel inland to Bega, a heritage town that is famous for its cheese production. Head back out to the coast to Merimbula, to its lively esplanade lined with great cafes and restaurants as well as coastal walks, wreck diving and dolphin cruises. Pick up some freshly shucked oysters from Wheelers Oyster Barn and enjoy with a sunset drink.
E
Leg 5: Merimbula – Lakes Entrance
3 hrs drive · 269 km
Visit the Killer Whale Museum at Eden on the way through or take a whale-watching cruise in spring. If you are lucky you will catch the Eden Whale Festival. Lakes Entrance is known as the seafood capital of Australia. Cross the footbridge and explore Ninety Mile Beach or take a lake cruise and winery tour before enjoying a meal of fresh seafood.
E
Leg 6: Lakes Entrance – Walhalla
2 hrs 40 mins drive · 202 km
Travel through Bairnsdale and Sale before reaching the rolling hills of West Gippsland. Take the turnoff to Walhalla to ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway or venture deep into the mountain on a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine.
E
Leg 7: Walhalla – Melbourne
2 hrs 10 mins drive · 182 km
On the final leg savour the fresh air and fresh produce of the countryside, meet local vignerons at cellar doors on the way into Melbourne.
Distances Between Cities (km)
Handy for planning longer Australian road trips.
| Distance /km | Adelaide | Brisbane | Cairns | Canberra | Darwin | Hobart | Melbourne | Perth | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | – | 2127 | 2845 | 1212 | 3225 | 1007 | 755 | 2713 | 1422 |
| Alice Springs | 1693 | 3064 | 2435 | 2905 | 1532 | 2700 | 2448 | 3772 | 2960 |
| Brisbane | 2127 | – | 1826 | 1331 | 3582 | 1927 | 1675 | 4427 | 1027 |
| Cairns | 2845 | 1826 | – | 3157 | 2953 | 3753 | 3501 | 4727 | 2853 |
| Canberra | 1212 | 1331 | 3157 | – | 4233 | 903 | 651 | 3925 | 304 |
| Darwin | 3225 | 3582 | 2953 | 4233 | – | 4232 | 3580 | 4283 | 4095 |
| Hobart | 1007 | 1927 | 3753 | 903 | 4232 | – | 252 | 3720 | 1145 |
| Melbourne | 755 | 1675 | 3501 | 651 | 3580 | 252 | – | 3468 | 893 |
| Perth | 2713 | 4427 | 4727 | 3925 | 4283 | 3720 | 3468 | – | 4135 |
| Sydney | 1422 | 1027 | 2853 | 304 | 4095 | 1145 | 893 | 4135 | – |
A
Sydney
Royal National Park & Grand Pacific Drive
B
156 km
Kangaroo Valley
2 hrs 15 mins drive
C
138 km
Batemans Bay
1 hr 50 mins drive
D
149 km
Canberra
2 hrs drive
E
329 km
Merimbula
3 hrs 50 mins drive (via Batemans Bay)
F
269 km
Lakes Entrance
3 hrs drive
G
202 km
Walhalla
2 hrs 40 mins drive
H
182 km
Melbourne
2 hrs 10 mins drive
The Hume
3 - 4 Berth
From
$110
/day
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The Riverina
3 – 4 Berth
From
$100
/day
★★★★★
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The Princes
2 – 3 Berth
From
$90
/day
★★★★★
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The Sturt
2 – 3 Berth
From
$80
/day
★★★★★
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Things you need to know
Australians drive on the left . However, it does take only a small amount of time to adjust – just remember, passenger on the kerb side! Observe the law and drive safely
You must be licensed and carry your licence with you when you are driving in Australia, or you will incur an on-the-spot fi ne. If your licence is not in English, you must carry an English translation.
All passengers must use seatbelts at all times. Baby capsules or child restraints must be used for all children.
You must not drive at a speed over the posted limit (check signs along the roads). In most towns the limit is 50 km per hour and on freeways it will vary between 60-110km.
For fully licensed car drivers the legal limit is 0.05 g/100ml. Australian Police are authorised to stop any vehicle and breath test the driver at any time
It is illegal to drive or ride a vehicle while using a hand-held mobile phone. It is also illegal to perform these activities when your vehicle is stopped but not parked, such as when you are waiting at traffi c lights. Th e penalty is a signifi cant fi ne.
It is recommended that for every two hours of driving you stop and rest for 15 minutes – distances between towns and cities may be far greaterthan you are accustomed.
Constantly be on the alert for dangerous situations and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. Watch for:
- Potholes and rough surfaces
- Soft or broken road edges
- Single lane bridges
- Road surfaces changing without notice
- Livestock or wildlife crossing the road (particularly near sunrise or near sunset)
- Very large trucks (road trains)