Your Itinerary
Seven scenic legs, each with plenty of time for beaches, villages, wildlife and local food and wine.
A
Leg 1: Sydney – Jervis Bay
2 hrs 45 mins drive · 182 km
Hit the road to the bustling city of Wollongong. Continue on to Kiama where the famous Blowhole awaits. Follow the coastline to Gerringong and Gerroa, perched on the cliffs overlooking Seven Mile Beach. Follow the tourist drive alongside the Crookhaven River, stopping at Coolangatta Estate to pick up some award-winning wines. Buy supplies in Nowra then take the turn off to Jervis Bay in time for a swim or surf.
B
Leg 2: Jervis Bay – Central Tilba
2 hrs 30 mins drive · 190 km
Jervis Bay is known for its resident dolphin population, which can be seen on a morning cruise with Dolphin Watch. The local beaches are famous for their white sand and turquoise waters – Hyams Beach is reputed to have the whitest sand in the world. Travel south stopping for lunch at Ulladulla Harbour. Further on visit the villages of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba and shop local arts and crafts.
C
Leg 3: Central Tilba – Mallacoota
2 hrs 40 mins drive · 206 km
Get up early to visit the Umbarra Cultural Centre and take a 4WD tour to the sacred sites of Gulaga to gain insight into Aboriginal traditions and customs. Continue to Bermagui and travel along the beach road to Mimosa Rocks National Park for a picnic lunch and swim in the lagoons or continue on to surf Tathra beach. Stop off at Wheelers Oyster Barn in Pambula for fresh oysters. Visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum then continue on into Victoria, to Mallacoota and Gipsy Point. Hire a boat and tie up at one of the barbecue jetties in the Croajingolong National Park.
D
Leg 4: Mallacoota – Metung
2 hrs 50 mins drive · 227 km
Feed the sea eagles on a morning boat trip from Gipsy Point. Travel south to Cape Conran Coastal Park for a picnic lunch. Continue towards Lakes Entrance and along the way take a break and watch a glassblower and silversmith at work. Arrive at the stylish village of Metung in time for a late afternoon sail or motor yacht cruise around Australia’s largest inland waterway. Enjoy dinner at one of the town’s fine restaurants.
E
Leg 5: Metung – Wilsons Promontory
3 hrs 40 mins drive · 288 km
Breakfast early and call in at Yarram for lunch on the way to Wilsons Promontory National Park. At Tidal River book a cabin or pitch a tent and set out on one of the park’s many walks. Spend the day following the many walking tracks through eucalypt forests, white sand beaches and granite mountains. Stay overnight at Tidal River or in the nearby town of Yanakie.
E
Leg 6: Wilsons Promontory – Phillip Island
2 hrs 40 mins drive · 182 km
Stop for coffee at quirky Fish Creek, a tiny township alive with arts, crafts and cafes. Or stop at one of the restaurants in Inverloch for lunch. Cross the bridge onto Phillip Island, a popular family holiday destination. Visit the Grand Prix circuit, solve puzzles at A Maze ‘N Things or experience early pioneer life on Churchill Island, a working heritage farm. See koalas and Australia’s second largest fur seal colony at The Nobbies Centre and don’t miss the daily dusk parade of little penguins.
E
Leg 7: Phillip Island – Melbourne
1 hr 50 mins drive · 140 km
Visit the Koala Conservation Centre before making your way back across the bridge to San Remo and onto the highway towards Melbourne. Warrook Cattle Farm is a great place to stop for afternoon tea at the historic homestead. From there it’s an easy one-hour drive into the centre of 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
Start of the journey
B
182 km
Jervis Bay
2 hrs 45 mins drive
C
190 km
Central Tilba
2 hrs 30 mins drive
D
206 km
Mallacoota
2 hrs 40 mins drive
E
227 km
Metung
2 hrs 50 mins drive
F
288 km
Wilsons Promontory
3 hrs 40 mins drive
G
182 km
Phillip Island
2 hrs 40 mins drive
H
140 km
Melbourne
1 hr 50 mins drive
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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)