Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip
The Sydney to Melbourne road trip is a thrilling journey through diverse landscapes. Travel along the stunning coastline, passing pristine beaches, charming coastal towns, and iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles. Immerse yourself in nature, indulge in delicious food and wine, and create unforgettable memories on this epic adventure.
Sections
THINGS TO DO
TRANSPORT
COSTS
TIPS
5-day itinerary
- Day 1: Sydney to Jervis Bay
- Day 2: Jervis Bay
- Day 3: Jervis Bay to Merimbula
- Day 4: Merimbula to Sale
- Day 5: Sale to Melbourne
Day 1: Sydney to Jervis Bay
Sea cliff bridge
The drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay takes approximately 3 hours but be sure to take the route that passes by the Sea Cliff Bridge.
The suspended bridge along the Grand Pacific Drive winds around the tall cliffs on one side and looks out into the Pacific Ocean on the other. Enjoy the first sight of the ocean in this road trip (there will be more to come) and pull over at stops along the Sea Cliff Bridge to snap some photos!
Jervis Bay
We made the next 1.5 to 2-hour drive to Jervis Bay at a single go but there are plenty of places to stop by to explore:
- Wollongong
- Port Kembla
- Lake Illawarra
- Budderoo National Park
Day 2: Jervis Bay
Spend the day at Jervis Bay and experience the stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life.
Day 3: Jervis Bay to Merimbula
Batemans Bay
Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay takes about 1.5 hours. We made a short detour to Holmes Lookout overlooking Batemans Bay and Clyde River, just before arriving at Batemans Bay for lunch.
Take a peaceful stroll along the marina before refueling for the next stretch of driving at The Boatshed (it had the best fish-and-chips and prawns we ate in this entire trip).
Merimbula
Continuing the journey to Merimbula, look out for the grasslands that stretches beyond what the eye can see, with sheep and cattle dotting the vast hills. Personally, it was one of my favorite parts of the drive.
Of course, this 2.5-hour drive might require a rest stop or two. Fortunately, the A1, Princes Highway, passes through the towns of Narooma and Bega that are perfect for getting a coffee and stretching your legs.
It was challenging to figure out where to stop for the night but we chose Merimbula. Much to our delight, there were many hidden gems to explore when we arrived in the late afternoon.
What to do in Merimbula
- Hike to Long Point Lookout
- Take an evening stroll along the Merimbula Boardwalk
- Enjoy an ice cream at a local ice creamery
Day 4
Have breakfast at one of the quaint cafes in the heart of Merimbula then head to Lake’s Entrance.
Pinnacles Walking Track
A 30-minute drive away from Merimbula is the Pinnacles loop walking track, an easy 1-kilometer trek to view the Pinnacles rock formation. There is even a path leading down to access the beach where you can get closer to these cliffs with distinct layers of white sand and red gravel clay which formed 65 million years ago!
Lake's Entrance
Say goodbye to New South Wales as you enter the state of Victoria during this 3-hour drive to Lake’s Entrance! Of course, no road trip is complete without a snack and drink at a rest stop. We had ours at Cann River, a small town along the Princes Highway, and bit into our first, of many to come, beef pies at Wild Rye’s.
Lake’s Entrance has become a central hub for Fish and Chips lovers, with numerous stores lined up on the main street. Get one each from a few stores and sit by the marina for a taste test. Be wary of the flocks of seagulls; we had a few eyeing for our fish and chips, waiting for a chance to swoop in for a bite!
Sale
The last stop for the night before reaching Melbourne would be Sale as it was the halfway point between Merimbula and Melbourne. Other places we considered stopping for the night were Bairnsdale and Morwell.
Day 5
Phillip Island
Before ending the 5-day road trip in Melbourne, make a detour to Phillip’s Island or Wilson’s Promontory! The drive to Phillip Island is a rather long one (3 hours) but this is a must-see stop for nature- and animal-lovers.
What to do in Phillip Island
- Penguin Parade where penguins, native to Australia, make their way to the beach at sunset every evening
- Take a stroll through the tree-tops to spot koalas in the Koala Conservation Reserve
- Feed the free-roaming kangeroos at Philip Island Wildlife Park
- Drive up to The Nobbies for a chance at sighting a fur seal
Melbourne
Finally, make the 2 hour drive to Melbourne and atlas, a 1,000-kilometer Sydney to Melbourne road trip in 5 days. Experience all the vibrant city of Melbourne has to offer or explore the surrounding region with some fun day trips!
Transport
Rent your car from Sydney city or the airport before beginning your road trip to Melbourne. Most car rentals allow you to return your car in Melbourne for a fee.
We rented a compact car from Jucy Rentals with free cancellation and add on insurance packages.
Costs
Car Rental: $50-120
Parking: $3-8
Petrol: $1-1.80/litre
Accommodation: $100-150
*daily average (in USD)
Tips
Making the trip in winter
The coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne might be best done in the summer seasons but can be done during the winter months as well! It might be too chilly for sunbathing on the beach or surfing in the ocean but the crowds are likely to be fewer and you would probably have many of the locations mentioned above, all to yourself. There are also some activities like whale and dolphin watching (eg. in Jervis Bay) that are best done during the start of the winter months in June/July.
We made the trip at the end of June and the temperature ranged from 8 degrees – 20 degrees, although it felt much colder than 8 degrees when there was a cold gust of wind. Sydney had cloudless blue skies and with the sun out, a thick sweater usually sufficed. Closer to the south of Australia and to Melbourne, there was less sun and slightly more chance of rainfall. Fog was an unexpected part of some mornings which made driving seem more daunting but it usually cleared up by the late morning/early afternoon.
Driving in winter
Personally, my LEAST favourite thing about winter months would be the shorter days which means that there is less daylight for driving and you might not be able to cover as much ground. Especially in the smaller towns, there might not be as many street lamps be ready to rely heavily on your car’s headlights while driving in the dark. Animals are also more likely to be roaming during the night so be on high alert! (We had a kangaroo hop right in front of our car and took us by surprise!)
Ultimately, the weather was not too cold for us to explore, there was minimal rainfall and we still had many activities to fill our days with
This article is published by Postcards with Coffee. Last updated: 18th July 2023
