The Great Drives of Australia - Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Route

It has to be consider one of the greatest drives in Australia.  Starting in Wollongong you travel via the Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay National Park, St Georges Basin, Ulladulla, Durras, Batemans Bay, Tuross Head, Narooma, Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula, Eden, Lakes Entrance, Metung, Bairnsdale, Sale.

The overall distance varies depending on route taken after you have passed through Sale, but a good estimate is about 1050 km and a good solid 14 hours behind the wheel driving.

There are many good stops along the way, like Bundanoon, it’s the Arthur Boyd property on the Shoalhaven River and is open on Sundays for visitors.

The famous white sands of Hyams Beach on the southern shores of Jervis Bay are said to be among the whitest in the world. Because of the high silicon content they squeak when you walk.  See Natural masterpieces at Murramarang National Park near Durras and Mimosa Rock NP near Tathra.

Kangaroo Valley is beautiful and quirky. Montague Island off Narooma has seals, penguins, seabirds and some of the world’s best scuba diving.

Central Tilba, the National Trust Village, south of Narooma is outstanding in it history lesson.

Umbarra on Wallaga Lake, south of Narooma has Koori guides for indigenous tours. Cowdroy Creek Rainforest Walk is off Box Cutting Rd., 5km north of Narooma. There are great golf courses, take your choice.

Whales, dolphins, fishing and river cruises should be considered. The fishing is world class with many excellent fighting and table species.
Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma are among the most beautiful seaside destinations in NSW.
Eden’s Killer Whale Museum is a legend in itself and well worth the time out to take a tour.
The South Coast drive from Tathra to the Victorian border is one of the nation’s outstanding touring experiences. There is a very Mediterranean feel about Merimbula. The local restaurants and the food underline it with Sydney Rock oyster's farmed locally. The main beach is 5km long and is spatacular.
Dolphins make regular visits to the Pambula River. Tathra Wharf is the only remaining Sea Wharf on the East Coast. Fur seals and Fairy Penguins from the Montague Island colony often drop in and don’t mind people joining them.  Bega, in the hinterland if famous for its cheese, and the wine is good too.

Natural Mallacoota offers pure peace and water activities, access is through Genoa. Lakes Entrance is home to Australia’s biggest fishing fleet. The local Fishermans Co-op sells direct to the public.

In the hinterland Buchan and its famous caves is a true natural national icon.
Just out of Lakes Entrance on the back road to Metung is Nyerimilang Homestead, great spot to see the way the Gippsland Lakes gentry lived from 1890.  Metung, on Bancroft Bay, is an authentic Gippsland Lakes Village with all the mod cons. Bairnsdale is the commercial hub, linked to the Gippsland Lakes Chain by the Mitchell River. St Marys Roman Catholic Church in Main St has interesting murals. It is also the turn off for a Great Australian high.

The Great Alpine Way via Omeo and Mt Hotham to Bright and Wangaratta.
Sale, 214 km south east of Melbourne, is the Wellington Shire’s admin centre. Like Bairnsdale it links to the Gippsland Lakes, which are best appreciated from a boat. From Sale the choices include; The South Gippsland Hwy through coastal and country scenery.

One of Australia’s oldest and most interesting National Parks, Wilsons Promontory can be accessed via Meeniyan or Foster.

Or The Bass Highway Coastal route which leads to remote Venus Bay, popular Inverloch and its sheltered beaches to former coal town Wonthaggi and then offers the further option of Phillip Island and its world famous Little Penguin colony. Part of the drive from Inverloch to Wonthaggi can be compared with the magnificent Great Ocean Road from Anglesea to Port Campbell.

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Common questions

How long does the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive take?

About 1050km and a solid 14 hours behind the wheel, though the distance shifts depending on which route you take after Sale. Starting at Wollongong it runs through the Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Narooma, Merimbula, Eden, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale before reaching Sale.

Why does the sand at Hyams Beach squeak?

The high silicon content. Hyams Beach sits on the southern shores of Jervis Bay and its white sands are said to be among the whitest in the world, and that silicon is what makes them squeak underfoot when you walk along them.

What are the route options once you reach Sale?

Three. The South Gippsland Highway through coastal and country scenery, Wilsons Promontory via Meeniyan or Foster, or the Bass Highway coast past Venus Bay, Inverloch and Wonthaggi, which then opens the option of Phillip Island and its Little Penguin colony. Sale sits 214km south-east of Melbourne.