16 days | 1,620 km | 21 hr 30 min drive time
This Sydney to Melbourne (or Melbourne to Sydney) drive combines the mountains and the coast, art and culture, food and wine, sweeping plains, wildlife and stunning coastlines.
Day 1: Royal National Park – 12 km | 17 min from the Camperman depot
Day 2: OPTION A - Sea Cliff Bridge, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple, Killalea Beach – 86 km | 1.5 hr
Day 2: OPTION B - Southern Highlands – 142 km | 1 h 45 m
Day 3 & 4: Canberra 177 km | 2 h (from Bowral) or 226 km | 2 h 45 m (from Killalea)
Day 5 & 6: Kosciuszko National Park (Snowy Mountains) – 210 km | 2.5 hr
Day 7: Albury & Wodonga – 234 km | 3 hr 25 min
Day 8: The Alpine Way – 130 km | 2 min
Day 9: Gippsland Lakes – 280 km | 4 hr 20 min
Day 10 & 11: Wilsons Prom – 278 km | 3.5 hr
Day 12 & 13: Phillip Island – 135 km | 2 hr
Day 14 & 15: Mornington Peninsula – 144 km | 1 hr 55 mins
Day 16: Melbourne – 105 km | 1 hr 25 min
Day 1 & 2: Mornington Peninsula 105 km | 1 hr 25 min
Day 3 & 4: :Phillip Island 144 km | 1 hr 55 mins
Day 5 & 6: Wilsons Prom 135 km | 2 hr
Day 7: Gippsland Lakes 278 km | 3.5 hr
Day 8: The Alpine Way 280 km | 4 hr 20 min
Day 9: Albury & Wodonga 130 km | 2 min
Day 10 & 11: Kosciuszko National Park (Snowy Mountains) 234 km | 3 hr 25 min
Day 12 & 13: Canberra 210 km | 2.5 hr
Day 14: Option A - Nan Tien Buddhist Temple and Killalea Beach 226 km | 2 h 45 m
Day 14: Option B - Southern Highlands 177 km | 2 h
Day 15: Royal National Park 142 km | 1 h 45 m (from Bowral) 86 km | 1.5 hr (from Killalea)
Day 16: Sydney - 12 km | 17 min from the Camperman depot
Kosciuszko National Park
Day 1: Royal National Park
The Royal National Park is a nature lovers playground full of coastal hikes, secluded beaches, rental boats for exploring the river, rock pools and a pretty and affordable campground on the water.
Day 2: OPTION A - Sea Cliff Bridge, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple and Killalea Beach Camping
Drive along the famous Sea Cliff Bridge that veers out over the ocean, explore the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere and sample their vegetarian food, then camp at gorgeous Killalea Beach.
Day 2: OPTION B - Southern Highlands
Drive via Sea Cliff Bridge before heading inland to Bowral for grand mansions and gardens, tea shops and antiques, waterfalls and forest walks, tulips in spring, a blaze of color in autumn, and historic pubs and villages.
Southern Highlands
Day 3 & 4: Canberra
Australia's capital city is a cultural hotspot where you can dine on whatever food your heart desires, sample local wines and handcrafted beers and ciders, visit the best museums in the country, learn about our history and political system, hot air balloon, enjoy live music, watch plays, experience a festival or rent a bike and cycle the excellent bike paths.
Day 5 & 6: Kosciuszko National Park (Snowy Mountains)
Summit climbs, spring alpine flowers, twisted ghost gums, horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking, alpine villages and breathtaking views. This route will pass through Cooma and follow the Alpine Way from Jindabyne to the state's largest national park Kosciuszko National Park stopping off in the cute Alpine village of Thredbo, outdoorsy Khancoban, the Yarrangabilly Caves and Thermal Pools, Batlow, Tumut and Tumbarumba before following the Murray River to the riverside towns of Albury and Wadonga. We've listed some great free camping spots.
Day 7: Albury & Wodonga
From Yarrangobilly, drive through Tumut, Laurel Hill and Batlow to reach Albury and Wadonga. These two historic river towns sit side-by-side on the Murray River surrounded by picturesque farmland at the beginning of the Alpine Way.
Day 8 & 9: The Alpine Way
Taste cheese and wine, stroll through pretty historic villages ablaze with color in autumn, enjoy nature at her most dramatic, and cast your eyes across the mountains for as far as you can see. Camp at Mount Buffalo National Park.
Day 10: Gipsland Lakes
Go fishing or enjoy the a local catch at a restaurant, feed the pelicans, explore the towns, and enjoy the serenity and beauty of being on the water.
Day 11 & 12: Wilsons Prom
Stunning landscapes, unforgettable hikes, empty beaches and a thriving population of wildlife including emus, kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and parrots.
Waterloo Bay, Wilsons Prom. Photo: kraftyxx via IG
Day 13 & 14: Phillip Island
Another hotspot for wildlife, especially birdlife and marine life coastal walks, pristine landscapes and the local stars - penguins!
Day 5 & 16: Mornington Peninsula
This is Melbourne's weekender, with white sand beaches and calm turquoise waters, art, cafes, local food, historic mansions, hot springs, golf courses, and wineries.
Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: rachelgrixti via IG
Day 17: Melbourne
Melbourne has a lot to offer so plan to spend a few days here exploring her cultural attractions, live music scene, funky laneways with hole-in-the-wall restaurants and dumpling dens, shopping and art.
Heart of Reef Shuttles, 48-50 Carlo Drive, Cannonvale, Queensland 4802 Phone: 1800 216 223
20 Noble Avenue, North Gate, Queensland 4013
Phone: 1800 216 223
440 Sheridan Street, Cairns,
Queensland 4870 Phone: 1800 216 223
273 Elizabeth Street, Coburg,
Victoria 3058 Phone: 1800 216 223
23-25 Erskine Rd, Caringbah,
Sydney, NSW 2229 Phone: 1800 216 223
