9-day Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive

Starting your journey in Sydney, drive south to the oceanside Royal National Park, Australia’s first-ever national park. After picturesque hikes and waterfall swims, stop at Symbio Wildlife Park to say g'day to the resident koalas and kangaroos.

Follow the other-worldly Grand Pacific Drive, tracing the coastline from the Royal National Park over the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge and soaking in the ocean views right outside your window.

Visit the seaside town of Kiama to watch the famous Kiama Blowhole spray seawater 30 metres (almost 100 feet) into the air below a handsome 19th-century lighthouse. Wander further along the coastline to see the smaller Little Blowhole.

Wander down the quaint main street of Berry, a town loved by its locals. Browse curious stores selling homewares and antiques, sample gourmet treats and sip coffee made with care by friendly baristas.

Stop in at chic cellar doors throughout the Shoalhaven Coast wine region to taste semillon, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grown in fertile soils. You’ll find a touch of laid-back luxury on a lawn overlooking the vineyard at Cupitt’s Estate.

Spend a night in Jervis Bay, a coastal oasis with a string of sandy beaches. Choose between Callala Beach, Hare Bay, Chinamans Beach, Murrays Beach and – the most famous of them all – Hyams Beach.

Take an exhilarating cruise on Jervis Bay from the coastal town of Huskisson to spot resident dolphins, friendly seals and even humpback whales during their migration season from May to November.

Rest and recharge with a stop in the stylish town of Milton. You’ll find several local cafés to choose from, including Milk Haus, which offers indulgent meals in a rustic setting using ingredients fresh from the property’s garden.

Take a break in Batemans Bay in the heart of oyster country. Relish the rich flavours of the delicious molluscs at oyster bars in town or join an Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour to indulge in oysters from the Clyde River.

Extend your stay with the two-night Yuin Retreat or organise a tailored private experience with Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness in Narooma for a profound insight into the local Yuin Aboriginal culture.

Climb aboard a thrilling seaplane flight over the coast, taking off from Narooma to soar above sandy beaches and mountains. Alternatively, fly over Montague Island Nature Reserve, a wildlife wonderland just off the coast.

Enjoy a dip at the glorious beach at Mystery Bay before spending the night at your accommodation around Central Tilba, a heritage-listed village nestled into a rugged hinterland range.

Start the day browsing timber-clad stores full of local art and crafts, antiques and gourmet produce on the main street of Central Tilba. Then visit the enchanting Foxglove Gardens in the nearby village of Tilba Tilba.

Stop to enjoy the scenery at Wallaga Lake, the largest lake in the region, and view the distinctive Camel Rock and Horse Head Rock from an elevated walking track on the neighbouring coastal headland.

Enjoy a dip at the Blue Pool, a stunning man-made rock swimming pool in the fishing village of Bermagui, and devour freshly caught seafood from the restaurants at Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf.

Dive under the waves at the beach in the coastal town of Tathra before visiting the heritage-listed Tathra Wharf, a prime spot to watch the whale migration in spring (September to November).

End the day’s journey in Merimbula. Swim at Spencer Park Beach on the edge of Merimbula Lake, or take a stroll past mangroves and oyster farms along the lakeside Merimbula Boardwalk.

Take off from Merimbula Airport for a thrilling scenic flight that reveals the striking natural beauty of the Sapphire Coast, from untouched beaches to windswept islands and lush green headlands.

Join a Magical Oyster Tour with ‘Captain Sponge’ to visit his oyster farm. Walk into the water to shuck and taste Sydney rock oysters straight from Pambula Lake, a pristine waterway south of Merimbula.

Savour fresh oysters and eccentric ales at Pambula’s locally owned Longstocking Brewery and Oyster Bar. Pay a visit to the beloved brewery to hear local artists perform, sip apple and rhubarb cider and dine on plump local seafood.

Stop in at the former whaling town of Eden to learn about orcas at the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Drive along the Killer Whale Trail to another four popular whale-watching spots around Twofold Bay and Beowa National Park.

Push on from Eden, crossing the state border from New South Wales into Victoria to explore the state’s rugged, beautiful East Gippsland region. Spend the night at Gipsy Point or the nearby beachfront town of Mallacoota.

Gabo Island is home to large colonies of seabirds and seals. Join a charter tour from Mallacoota to spot dolphins and stingrays from Santa Barbara Bay jetty and tour a 19th-century lighthouse made from pink granite.

Spend the morning tackling one of the spectacular walking tracks through the ancient bushland and sheltered waterways of Croajingolong National Park, an ecologically significant coastal reserve.

Take a side trip away from the coast to see the astonishing limestone formations inside Buchan Caves, one of the 11 Aboriginal sites of significance on the Bataluk Cultural Trail through East Gippsland.

Hire a boat or kayak or join a cruise from popular towns such as Lakes Entrance, Metung or Paynesville to explore the lagoons and rivers of Gippsland Lakes, then enjoy a waterfront meal at the likes of Sodafish.

Take a short ferry ride from the town of Paynesville to explore Raymond Island. This natural wonderland is famous for its large wild koala population, as well as echidnas and colourful native birds.

Watch the sunset over the dunes and feel the golden sand between your toes on Ninety Mile Beach before returning to the holiday hotspot of Lakes Entrance for a memorable meal of fresh seafood.

Take some time to rest and recharge in the enriching waters of Metung Hot Springs. From shared pools with stunning views to personal barrel baths, each picturesque spring is infused with nourishing natural minerals that will leave you feeling utterly refreshed.

Gippsland is full of charming towns. Explore lush wetland trails, extensive botanic gardens and heritage architecture in the enchanting town of Sale, the westernmost port on the Gippsland Lakes.

Stop for lunch at one of the sidewalk cafés and restaurants lining the leafy streets of Traralgon, Gippsland’s largest city. Food Co. on Franklin makes the perfect place to settle into the shade on a warm summer’s day.

Embrace the charm of the gold-rush village of Walhalla, once one of the wealthiest towns in the country. Follow the tramline walk to enjoy postcard-worthy views, or ride the scenic Goldfields Railway.

Pull on your hard hat and embark on a tour of Walhalla’s Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine. Learn the history of the tunnel’s construction and its significance to the town as you stand among history in the depths of the earth.

Spend a night in the historic Windsor House, a gorgeous monument to the gold mining origins of Walhalla. Made from 90,000 hand made bricks, the main building on the property exudes heritage charm and sits among a manicured garden that feels plucked from a storybook.

Explore Tarra-Bulga National Park, one of Australia’s southernmost temperate rainforests. Find countless ferns, towering trees, mountain streams and waterfalls on the Fern Gully Nature Walk or Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk.

Meander throughout the farming district town of Yarram to marvel at historic buildings and view the stunning Heesco murals – more than 20 large-scale works by world-renowned street artist Heesco Khosnaran – adorning buildings through the town.

Explore the rugged beauty of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Affectionately known to locals as “The Prom,” this untouched region is renowned for incredible walking tracks and trails, gorgeous beaches and plentiful wildlife.

Climb to the summit of Mt Oberon for a 360-degree vista of Wilsons Promontory, follow a wildlife walk to say hello to kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats, or wander through the bush from Tidal River to Squeaky Beach.

Spot raucous Australian fur seal colonies and majestic sea eagles as you sail past the rugged coastline on a cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. Marvel at gigantic granite boulders and the famous Skull Rock.

Bed down for the night in a river hut, cabin or one-bedroom unit managed by Parks Victoria at Wilsons Promontory National Park’s Tidal River visitor hub. Or, meet fellow travellers and wake up to the sounds of local birds at the park’s relaxed campsites.

Take the inland highway through the lush, hilly terrain of South Gippsland and pop into local wineries and breweries for cellar door tastings and a delicious lunch at Burra Brewing Company.

Follow the coastal road and enjoy seaside walking trails, like the Screw Creek Nature Walk through salt marsh and mangroves in the town of Inverloch, or stroll along the sheltered beach at nearby Anderson Inlet.

Lace up your hiking boots and follow a section of the George Bass Coastal Walk at San Remo, near Phillip Island. Soak up stunning ocean views from the cliff-top trail as you keep an eye out for the wild kangaroos.

Get your adrenaline kicks at Phillip Island’s Grand Prix Circuit, which hosts major racing events throughout the year. Get in on the action by racing at the adjacent Phillip Island Go Karts track, which replicates the famous circuit.

Get out on the water with Wildlife Coast Cruises. See one of Australia’s largest wild fur seal colonies, spot the abundant bird life around Cape Woolamai or sail on a catamaran as the sun sets.

Take a scenic helicopter flight to view Phillip Island from above, flying over one of the best surf beaches in Australia at Cape Woolamai, the fur seals at Seal Rocks and the island’s Grand Prix Circuit.

Watch hundreds of little penguins waddle ashore during Phillip Island's Penguin Parade. You can see this spectacle every evening as the penguins return at sunset, and quiet rooms are available for travellers with sensory sensitivities.

Follow the tree-top boardwalks at Phillip Island’s Koala Conservation Reserve to see these unique furry creatures up close in their natural habitat. You can also spot wallabies, echidnas and native birds throughout the reserve.

Halfway between Phillip Island and Melbourne, stop in at Moonlit Sanctuary to meet Australian animals in a natural bushland setting. Choose between a visit during the day or take the sanctuary’s magical evening walks.

Take a short detour to explore the wineries of Mornington Peninsula, where more than 50 cellar doors, including Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, showcase elegant pinot noir and chardonnay grown across around 200 small vineyards.

Soak in geothermal, mineral-rich waters at Mornington Peninsula hot springs. Here, you can bathe in private, take a dip in outdoor pools or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment – all while surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking views.

Continue up Mornington Peninsula to the centre of Melbourne, a city that celebrates café culture by day and sophisticated dining by night. Base yourself at The Langham and spend days exploring the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene.