Duration
2 days (express), 3 days (weekender), 5 days (explorer), 7 days (the full coast)
Best Time
Mar–May for prawning + fewer crowds, Dec–Feb for swimming (book ahead), Sep–Nov for whale watching
Budget
$60–100/day (camping) to $250–500/day (cabins + dining)
Getting Around
Own car, hire car, campervan
Distance
1,040 km via Princes Hwy — plus coastal detours
The full coastal route — 1,040 km of coastline from Sydney to Melbourne
Look, you can fly Sydney to Melbourne in an hour. But if you do that, you're missing one of the best road trips in the country. The coastal route — down through the south coast of NSW, across the border into East Gippsland, and along past the lakes to Melbourne — is 1,040 km of coastline that'll make you wonder why you ever bothered with the Hume.
This isn't a highway drive. It's beach towns with fish and chips you eat on the harbour wall. It's prawning at Malacoota with a headlamp while the kids are running around with their nets squealing every time they catch one. It's buying a kilo of king prawns straight off the trawler at Bermagui and cooking them at your campsite. It's standing inside Buchan Caves looking at rock formations that are 350 million years old thinking "how is this even real."
I've done this drive more times than I can count — with the family, without the family, in a packed-out summer and in the dead of winter when we had entire beaches to ourselves. Malacoota is my favourite spot on the whole coast. The clifftop camping at Betka Beach, the prawning in the inlet, the complete lack of phone signal — it's magic. But the whole route is studded with stops that'll have you saying "let's just stay another night."
I've broken this into four itineraries: a 2-day express if you're just passing through, a 3-day weekender, the 5-day explorer (my recommendation), and a full 7-day trip where you actually get to relax and do everything properly.
The Route & Getting Around
The Princes Highway (A1/M1) runs the entire way from Sydney to Melbourne via the coast. It's sealed, well-signed, and a standard 2WD handles everything on the main route. The coastal detours (Malacoota, Jervis Bay, some national parks) add distance but are worth every kilometre.
Key Route Sections
Fuel Strategy
Fuel is available in every major town but prices climb south of Nowra. Fill up cheap at Wollongong, Batemans Bay, and Bairnsdale. The longest stretch without fuel is Cann River to Orbost (about 100 km) — don't skip the bowser at Cann River.
2-day route: Sydney → Merimbula → Melbourne
2-Day Itinerary — The Express
Day 1: Sydney → Merimbula | Day 2: Merimbula → Melbourne | Total: ~1,040 km
Two days is the minimum to drive the coast without it feeling like a chore. You'll still spend a lot of time in the car, but you get to see the highlights and sleep somewhere nice in between. This works well as a weekend trip if you leave Sydney early Friday and arrive Melbourne Sunday evening.
Day 1 — Sydney to Merimbula (480 km, 6 hours driving)
- 7:00 AM — Leave Sydney via the M1 south. Through the Royal National Park and down the Grand Pacific Drive past the Sea Cliff Bridge if you want the scenic start (adds 20 min)
- Kiama (1.5 hr) — Quick stop at the Blowhole. When the swell is right, it shoots 25 metres into the air. There's a smaller one called the Little Blowhole that's less crowded. Grab a coffee at Kiama Harbour
- Berry (15 min past Kiama) — If you need breakfast, the Berry Sourdough Bakery is excellent. Skip this if you're tight on time
- Batemans Bay (lunch stop) — Fish and chips at the waterfront, or oysters at the Original Gold Creek Oyster Bar on the highway just north of town. Good toilets at the visitor centre
- Narooma (1 hr past Batemans) — Drive over the famous blue water of Wagonga Inlet. If you have 30 min, walk out to Bar Rock Lookout for the view and look for the Australia-shaped rock in the water below
- Bermagui (30 min off highway) — Worth the detour if you want fresh prawns. The wharf sells direct from the boats. Horseshoe Bay has gorgeous blue water
- Merimbula (arrive ~5 PM) — Your overnight stop. Walk the boardwalk, swim at Main Beach, eat at the Waterfront Cafe or Wheelers Oyster Bar
Public toilets at the visitor centre, Corrigans Beach, and Batemans Bay waterfront. Wheelchair accessible at visitor centre.
Where to Stay — Night 1 (Merimbula)
Budget: NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort (powered sites from $40, cabins from $120). Mid-range: Coast Motel Merimbula. Splurge: Merimbula Lake Apartments — water views, balcony, walk to everything.
Day 2 — Merimbula to Melbourne (560 km, 6.5 hours driving)
- 8:00 AM — Eden (20 min south) — Quick stop at the Killer Whale Museum if it's open, or walk the Rotary Park Lookout for views across Twofold Bay. Historically a whaling town — now whale watching
- Cross into Victoria — The border is at Genoa. From here the road runs through thick eucalypt forest
- Cann River — Fuel stop. Not much else here but it's the gateway to Croajingolong National Park
- Orbost / Marlo — If you have time, detour to Marlo at the mouth of the Snowy River. Otherwise keep driving
- Lakes Entrance (lunch) — Walk along the Esplanade, fish and chips at the waterfront, or grab fresh seafood at the Fisherman's Co-op. This is Australia's largest inland waterway system
- Bairnsdale → Sale → M1 to Melbourne — The last 3 hours is mostly freeway. Arrive Melbourne by ~6:30 PM
Multiple public toilets along the Esplanade, at the footbridge, and at Cunninghame Arm. Good facilities.
Kiama Blowhole — 25 metres of seawater straight up
Merimbula boardwalk — your overnight stop on the express route
3-day route: Sydney → Batemans Bay → Eden → Melbourne
3-Day Itinerary — The Weekender
Day 1: Sydney → Batemans Bay | Day 2: Batemans Bay → Eden | Day 3: Eden → Lakes Entrance → Melbourne
Three days gives you breathing room. You can actually stop at the beaches, eat properly, and not feel like you're racing the whole time. Good for a long weekend or as part of a one-way trip.
Day 1 — Sydney to Batemans Bay (280 km, 3.5 hours)
- Grand Pacific Drive — Take the scenic route through Royal National Park and over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Stop at Stanwell Tops lookout
- Kiama Blowhole — 15 min stop. Walk along the harbour while you're there
- Jervis Bay detour (add 1 hr) — Hyams Beach has the whitest sand in Australia (genuinely). Swim at Greenfield Beach if Hyams is too busy. Navy heritage museum at HMAS Creswell if you're into that
- Ulladulla — Quick stop for a pie from the bakery (award-winning) or fish from the harbour. Milton village next door has great cafes and antique shops
- Pebbly Beach, Murramarang NP (15 min detour) — Kangaroos literally on the beach. Kids love it. The camping here is also brilliant
- Batemans Bay — Arrive mid-afternoon. Swim at Malua Bay or Surf Beach, oysters for dinner
Where to Stay — Night 1 (Batemans Bay area)
Budget: Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort (cabins from $90 or camp from $30). Mid-range: Comfort Inn Batemans Bay. Splurge: The Esplanade Apartments — waterfront with balcony.
Day 2 — Batemans Bay to Eden (250 km, 3 hours)
- Moruya — Weekly farmers market (Saturday mornings) if your timing works. Good coffee at River Mouth cafe
- Narooma — Australia Rock lookout (the rock formation shaped like Australia), Montague Island seal and penguin tours if you have time (2.5 hr trip, book ahead)
- Mystery Bay (10 min off highway) — Weird rock formations, great snorkelling, basic camping. Unusual geology worth a look
- Bermagui — Fresh fish and prawns direct from the wharf. Blue Pool (ocean rock pool). Walk to Camel Rock
- Tathra Wharf — One of the last remaining timber wharves in Australia. Good photos. Small museum
- Merimbula — Aquarium and boardwalk. Oyster tastings at Wheelers
- Eden — Arrive mid-afternoon. Killer Whale Museum ($15 adult, kids love it). Walk Rotary Park. Whale watching in season (Sep–Nov). Fresh fish from the wharf
Where to Stay — Night 2 (Eden)
Budget: Eden Gateway Holiday Park (cabins + powered sites). Mid-range: Crown & Anchor Inn (historic pub, right in town). Camping: Ben Boyd National Park — Bittangabee Bay ($12/car, basic but stunning).
Day 3 — Eden to Melbourne (530 km, 6 hours)
- Ben Boyd National Park (15 min from Eden) — Quick walk to Boyd's Tower (old lighthouse, never lit) or the Pinnacles (red and white sand cliffs). 30 min
- Cross into Victoria at Genoa — Dense forest section begins
- Cann River — Fuel up. This is a good point to decide: detour to Malacoota (add 2 hours return) or continue on the highway
- Orbost — Snowy River country. Quick coffee stop
- Lakes Entrance (lunch) — The Fisherman's Co-op for fresh seafood. Walk the footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach
- Continue to Melbourne via Bairnsdale, Sale, and the M1. Arrive ~6 PM
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay — whitest sand in the world
Pebbly Beach — kangaroos on the sand, only in Australia
5-day route: Sydney → Ulladulla → Bermagui → Malacoota → Buchan Caves → Lakes Entrance → Melbourne
5-Day Itinerary — The Explorer
Take your time. This is where the trip gets really good.
Five days is the sweet spot for this drive. You get to spend time in Jervis Bay, explore the sapphire coast properly, detour to Malacoota for prawning, and still have a relaxed day at Lakes Entrance and Metung before rolling into Melbourne.
5-Day Overview
Day 1 — Sydney to Ulladulla (230 km)
- Grand Pacific Drive & Sea Cliff Bridge — The scenic way out of Sydney. Stop at Bald Hill lookout for hang glider watching
- Kiama — The Blowhole, Little Blowhole, Kiama Farmers Market (Wednesday). Cathedral Rocks at nearby Bombo Beach — amazing columnar basalt formations you can walk right up to
- Berry — Gorgeous little town. Berry Sourdough Bakery, antique shops on the main street, Berry Markets (1st Sunday of month). The Treat Factory has free tastings of fudge, licorice, and local preserves
- Jervis Bay (detour, add 40 min) — Hyams Beach for the whitest sand. Greenfield Beach for swimming with kids (protected). Booderee National Park ($13 entry) for walks and wildlife. Dolphin cruises from Huskisson
- Ulladulla — Arrive late afternoon. The harbour has a great fish market. Walk to Ulladulla Lighthouse for sunset views. Milton village (5 min away) has excellent restaurants and galleries
Where to Stay — Night 1 (Ulladulla/Milton)
Budget: Ulladulla Headland Holiday Haven (powered sites $40, cabins from $100). Mid-range: Bannisters by the Sea (rooms from $180). Boutique: The Hideaway Milton — converted dairy, beautiful grounds.
Day 2 — Ulladulla to Bermagui (200 km)
- Pebbly Beach (15 min detour) — Kangaroos on the sand. Bring the camera. Best early morning
- Batemans Bay — Oysters at the Gold Creek Oyster Bar (you shuck them yourself). Clyde River cruise if you have time
- Mogo (5 min south of Batemans) — Heritage gold mining village turned antique/craft town. Mogo Zoo is surprisingly good for a small-town zoo. Gold panning for kids ($15)
- Moruya — Granite quarry (the granite from the Sydney Harbour pylons came from here). Farmers market on Saturdays
- Narooma — Walk to Bar Rock Lookout and find Australia Rock. The bridge over Wagonga Inlet is stunning blue water. Montague Island boat trip (penguins + seals) if you booked ahead
- Mystery Bay — Unusual geology stop. Strange rock formations the local Aboriginal people have stories about. Good snorkelling. Basic camping
- Bermagui — Your overnight stop. Fresh prawns and fish direct from the wharf (get there when boats come in, usually late morning). Walk to Blue Pool, then Camel Rock for sunset
Where to Stay — Night 2 (Bermagui)
Budget: Zane Grey Tourist Park (powered sites + cabins). Mid-range: Bermagui Beach Hotel (ocean views, bistro downstairs). Self-contained: Blue Sapphire holiday units — walk to everything.
Day 3 — Bermagui to Malacoota (230 km)
- Tathra — Heritage timber wharf (one of the last in Australia). Small museum telling the local history. Good coffee at the wharf cafe
- Merimbula — Walk the boardwalk around the lake. Wheelers Oyster Farm for a tasting ($20, learn how they grow them)
- Pambula — Rivermouth Markets (long weekends). Panboola Wetlands walk for bird watching
- Eden — The Killer Whale Museum ($15 adult, $5 kids) is genuinely fascinating — tells the story of orca whales that herded baleen whales into the bay for whalers. Walk the foreshore. Fresh fish off the trawlers at the wharf
- Ben Boyd National Park — The Pinnacles (red and white clay cliffs, 10 min walk), Boyd's Tower (20 min walk, great views), and Green Cape Lighthouse (keep driving to the end of the road)
- Malacoota (1 hr east off the highway) — Cross into Victoria. This is one of Australia's most remote and beautiful coastal towns. Arrive late afternoon. Walk the inlet foreshore. Set up camp or check into a cabin. Tonight you go prawning.
Where to Stay — Night 3 (Malacoota)
Cabins: Malacoota Foreshore Holiday Park — right on the inlet, walking distance to prawning spots. Also try Karbeethong Lodge for something more upmarket with bushland setting. Camping: The clifftop sites at Betka Beach are incredible — ocean views from your tent, and it's a short walk down to the prawning flats. Book early in summer. Captain Creek camping area in Croajingolong NP is more remote.
Day 4 — Malacoota to Lakes Entrance (230 km)
- Morning in Malacoota — Walk to the wharf for sunrise over the inlet. If you prawned the night before, cook them for breakfast. Walk Betka Beach. Visit the art gallery and the general store
- Drive back to Princes Hwy via Genoa
- Cann River — Fuel stop. The Cann River Rainforest Walk (10 min loop) is a quick stretch if you've been driving
- Buchan Caves (40 min detour north from Orbost/Nowa Nowa) — This is a must. Two main caves: Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. The limestone formations are millions of years old — stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools, and calcite columns. Tours run several times daily ($27 adult, $13 child). The drive up through Snowy River country is beautiful — river gorge, tall eucalypts, and almost no traffic
- Nowa Nowa — The trestle bridge walk (old railway bridge through forest). Quick 20 min stop
- Lakes Entrance — Arrive late afternoon. Walk the footbridge to the ocean beach (Ninety Mile Beach starts here). Fresh fish at the Fisherman's Co-op. Sunset over the lakes from the Esplanade
Where to Stay — Night 4 (Lakes Entrance)
Budget: Lakes Entrance Tourist Park (lakeside powered sites from $40). Mid-range: The Esplanade Resort & Spa. On the water: Kalimna Woods Cottages — bushland setting, walk to town. Houseboats available on the lakes ($300-600/night for 2-6 berth) if you want to do something different.
Day 5 — Lakes Entrance to Melbourne via Metung (320 km)
- Metung (15 min from Lakes Entrance) — Quiet, upmarket village on Bancroft Bay. Walk the boardwalk, coffee at the Metung Hotel on the waterfront. Boat hire available. This is a prawning spot too — the channels around Metung and into Lake King are productive in season
- Bairnsdale — The painted St Mary's Church (Italian-painted ceiling murals, free entry, remarkable). Quick stop, 15 min
- Stratford — If it's open, the Shakespeare on the River complex is quirky. Otherwise it's a fuel and toilet stop
- Traralgon / Moe — Latrobe Valley section. Not scenic but it goes quickly
- Warragul / Drouin — Gippsland food region. Neerim Cheese Factory, Gippsland Jersey dairy, local wineries if you have time. Weekend farmers market at Warragul
- Melbourne — Arrive ~3-4 PM via the M1
Malacoota Inlet at sunset — this is why you do the 7-day trip
7-day route: every stop, every detour, every beach
7-Day Itinerary — The Full Coast
Every stop, every beach, every detour. This is the definitive road trip.
Seven days means you don't have to choose. You can spend a full day at Jervis Bay, another prawning and relaxing at Malacoota, take the Buchan Caves detour without it feeling rushed, and still have time to explore Metung, the Gippsland Lakes, and the food region of west Gippsland. This is a holiday, not a drive.
7-Day Overview
Malacoota from above — inlet on the left, ocean beach on the right, prawning flats in between
Day 5 — Full Day in Malacoota
This is why you came. A full day in one of Australia's most beautiful and remote coastal towns. No phone signal, no rush, just the water and the bush and whatever you catch for dinner.
- Morning — Walk Betka Beach at low tide (look for eagle rays in the shallows). Or hire a kayak and paddle up the top arm of the inlet — this is also great prawn territory at night
- Mid-morning — Drive to Gabo Island lighthouse viewpoint, or walk the Malacoota Coastal Walk (3.5 km loop through coastal banksia forest to secret beaches)
- Lunch — The Malacoota pub does good meals. Or buy fresh fish from whoever's selling at the wharf and BBQ it at the foreshore park
- Afternoon — Swim at the main beach, explore the inlet by tinny (hire from the caravan park), or just read a book under the banksias
- Evening — This is prawning time. Head to the top arm of the inlet after dark with a headlamp and scoop net. The prawns come into the shallows on the incoming tide. The cliff camping area at Betka is a short walk back to your tent after you're done
Prawning Tips — Malacoota
The top arm of Malacoota Inlet (upstream from the camping ground) is prime prawning territory. Season runs late November to March — best on warm, still nights with an incoming tide.
You'll need: a hand-held scoop net (available from the Malacoota general store), a bucket, a headlamp, and a Victorian recreational fishing licence ($10 for 3 days from any tackle shop or online).
Walk the shallows after dark — the prawns' eyes glow orange in your headlamp beam. Scoop towards them (they shoot backwards). A good night you'll fill a bucket in an hour. Cook them straight away for the best feed of your life.
Paddling the top arm — this is where the prawns are at night
Clifftop camping at Betka — wake up to this view
Day 6 — Malacoota to Metung via Buchan Caves (280 km)
- Leave Malacoota mid-morning after a final beach walk
- Drive to Buchan via Orbost (about 2 hours from Malacoota). The road north from Nowa Nowa/Orbost to Buchan follows the river valleys — stunning driving through tall mountain ash forest
- Buchan Caves Reserve — Two show caves: Royal Cave (the bigger one, dramatic calcite-rimmed pools) and Fairy Cave (more delicate formations, stalactites). Tours run at 10 AM, 11:15 AM, 1 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:30 PM. Allow 1.5 hours for a cave + the reserve (picnic area, spring-fed pool in summer, short walks). $27 adult, $13.50 child
- Drive south to Lakes Entrance via Nowa Nowa (1.5 hr)
- Metung — Arrive late afternoon. This quiet waterfront village on Bancroft Bay is the antidote to busy Lakes Entrance. Walk the boardwalk, beer at the Metung Hotel watching the boats come in. Hire a tinny and explore the channels
Where to Stay — Night 6 (Metung)
Mid-range: Metung Hot Springs (natural thermal pools + accommodation — opened 2023, excellent). Self-contained: Moorings at Metung — apartments on the water. Pub stay: The Metung Hotel has rooms upstairs with water views. Camping: Shady Gully Caravan Park.
Day 7 — Metung to Melbourne via the Food Trail (320 km)
- Morning in Metung — Swim, kayak, or hire a boat for a couple of hours on the Gippsland Lakes. Last chance for prawning if the season's right — the channels near Metung produce well
- Bairnsdale — St Mary's Church (painted Italian murals on the ceiling, free, 10 min stop)
- Lindenow — Gippsland Wine Company for tastings if you're into wine
- Walhalla (1 hr detour north from Moe — optional) — Abandoned gold mining town in a deep valley. Heritage railway, long tunnel mine tour. Fascinating but adds time
- Warragul farmers market (Saturday mornings) — Excellent produce, local cheese, baked goods
- Neerim South — Tarago River Cheese Company (free tastings of their handmade cheese)
- Drouin / Longwarry — Gippsland Jersey dairy country. Ice cream stops
- Melbourne — Arrive mid-afternoon via the M1
Prawning the top arm of Malacoota Inlet — headlamp and scoop net is all you need
A good night's work — fresh prawns cooked five minutes after catching
Prawning & Fishing
Alright, this is the section I get most excited about. The coast between Sydney and Melbourne has some of the best recreational prawning in south-east Australia. The season runs from late November to late March — peak is January and February on warm, still nights when the water's like glass. There's nothing quite like wading through the shallows at 10 PM with a headlamp, watching prawn eyes light up orange, and knowing you're cooking them in fifteen minutes.
Malacoota Inlet
Best spot: Top arm, upstream from the camping ground
When: After dark, incoming tide, warm nights (Dec–Mar)
Method: Hand scoop net + headlamp in the shallows
Licence: VIC recreational fishing licence ($10/3 days)
Lake Tyers
Best spot: Foreshore near Lake Tyers Beach township
When: Dec–Mar, after dark on still nights
Method: Scoop net in shallows, or set a prawn trap (check regs)
Licence: VIC recreational fishing licence
Gippsland Lakes / Metung
Best spot: Channels around Metung, Lake King, and Tambo River mouth
When: Nov–Mar, peak Jan–Feb
Method: Scoop net from a tinny or wading in shallows at night
Licence: VIC recreational fishing licence
Sussex Inlet / St Georges Basin (NSW)
Best spot: Sussex Inlet channel and southern arm of St Georges Basin
When: Dec–Mar, incoming tide after dark
Method: Scoop net, or running prawn net (max 4m in NSW)
Licence: NSW recreational fishing fee ($7/3 days)
Prawning Season & Licences
Season is late November to late March. You need a fishing licence in both states: NSW Recreational Fishing Fee ($7 for 3 days, available at tackle shops or online at service.nsw.gov.au) and VIC Recreational Fishing Licence ($10 for 3 days or $30 for 28 days at any tackle shop or vfa.vic.gov.au). Keep under your bag limit — check current regs before you go.
Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf — fresh prawns and tuna straight off the boats
Fresh Seafood Off the Boats
This is one of the best things about this drive and I reckon most people don't even know you can do it. You rock up to the wharf mid-morning when the boats come in, and you buy fish and prawns direct from the bloke who caught them three hours ago. No supermarket markup, no middleman — just ridiculously fresh seafood that's still cold from the ocean. Get there early because the locals know and they sell out fast.
Ulladulla Fish Market
Right at the harbour. Fresh tuna, swordfish, prawns, and whatever else came in that morning. They also do takeaway fish and chips. Best selection early morning.
Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf
The jewel of the south coast. The fleet lands tuna, prawns, and reef fish daily. Buy direct from the co-op building on the wharf. The king prawns here are some of the best you'll eat in Australia. Get there mid-morning when boats come in.
Eden Wharf
The trawler fleet sells direct from the dock. Prawns, flathead, and whatever's in season. Smaller operation than Bermagui but good quality. Ask at the wharf when boats are due back.
Lakes Entrance Fisherman's Co-op
Right on the waterfront along the Esplanade. The largest fishing fleet in Victoria — fresh flathead, flake, prawns, and calamari. They do cooked and raw. Eat in at the tables outside or buy a kilo of prawns for the road.
Narooma Oysters / Wagonga Inlet
Pacific oysters farmed right in the inlet. Buy them shucked or unshucked from the oyster shed on the southern shore. Also try the inlet for flathead fishing off the bridge.
Malacoota Wharf
Small operation but whatever's caught locally goes on sale at the wharf. Ask around — sometimes it's a bloke with an esky rather than a shop front. Abalone, flathead, and sometimes crayfish in season.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermagui — that water is real, not photoshopped
Betka Beach, Malacoota — clifftop camping above, prawning flats below
Best Beaches Along the Route
This coastline has hundreds of beaches and honestly I could list fifty. But these are the ones I'd actually pull over for — from protected bays where the kids can swim without you having a heart attack, to wild empty stretches where you won't see another soul.
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay
Officially some of the whitest sand in the world. Crystal-clear water. Gets very busy in summer — go early or try Greenfield Beach next door.
Pebbly Beach, Murramarang NP
Kangaroos on the sand. Seriously. They graze on the grass behind the beach and wander down to the water's edge. Best early morning. Great camping too.
Broulee Beach
Between Batemans Bay and Moruya. Long beach, good surf, protected rock pools at the southern end for kids. Walk to Broulee Island at low tide.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermagui
Sheltered cove with brilliant blue water. Safe swimming, good snorkelling around the rocks. Blue Pool (ocean rock pool) is next door.
Pambula Beach
Long, uncrowded beach backed by dunes. Good surf at the southern end. The river mouth is calm for kids and great for a paddle.
Betka Beach, Malacoota
Wild ocean beach with banksia forest behind. The camping sites on the cliff above are some of the best in Victoria. Walk south along the sand for total solitude.
Ninety Mile Beach, Lakes Entrance
Starts at the footbridge in Lakes Entrance and goes... for ninety miles. Pristine, empty, wild. Walk the footbridge from town and turn left. You'll have it to yourself within 500m.
Mystery Bay
Rocky coves, unusual rock formations, sheltered snorkelling. Not a sand beach — it's a geological oddity with clear water between sandstone platforms.
Cathedral Rocks, Bombo — like the Giant's Causeway but nobody knows about it
Inside Buchan Caves — 350 million years of limestone formations
Unusual Geology & Natural Wonders
If you're into rocks and weird natural formations — and honestly, even if you think you're not — this coast will surprise you. From volcanic hexagonal columns you can walk right up to, to underground cave systems that are older than most things on earth, there's some genuinely jaw-dropping stuff along this route.
Bombo Quarry / Cathedral Rocks, Kiama
Columnar basalt formations — hexagonal rock columns created by ancient lava cooling. Walk right up to them. Incredibly photogenic. Similar to the Giant's Causeway in Ireland but nobody knows about this one. 5 minutes off the highway at Bombo Beach.
Kiama Blowhole
Volcanic basalt has eroded into a tube that shoots seawater 25 metres into the air when the swell is right. The whole ground shakes. Best at high tide with a south-easterly swell. The Little Blowhole nearby is more consistent and less crowded.
Australia Rock, Narooma
A natural rock formation with a hole eroded into the exact shape of Australia. Walk out to Bar Rock Lookout and look down — it's in the rock shelf below. Good photos from the viewing platform.
Mystery Bay Rock Formations
Unusual sandstone platforms and rock pools with strange layered formations. Local Aboriginal stories tell of the rocks being created by ancestral beings. The rock colours change dramatically — red, orange, and grey layers in the same cliff face. Free access.
The Pinnacles, Ben Boyd National Park
Red and white sand/clay cliffs eroded into dramatic formations. The colour contrast is striking — ancient red sand deposits layered over white clay. Short 10-minute walk from the car park. Near Eden.
Buchan Caves
Devonian-era limestone caves — 350+ million years old. Underground rivers have carved out cathedral-sized chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, calcite-rimmed pools, shawl formations, and flowstone curtains. Two show caves: Royal Cave (the grand one) and Fairy Cave (more delicate). Guided tours daily. $27 adult, $13.50 child.
Camel Rock, Bermagui
A massive rock formation on the headland that looks exactly like a camel sitting down. Walk the track from Horseshoe Bay. Best light in the afternoon.
Old Tom's skeleton at the Killer Whale Museum — the true story is stranger than fiction
Museums & Heritage
Every town on this coast has a story — from whaling to shipwrecks to gold mining. These are the museums worth your time.
Killer Whale Museum, Eden
$15 adult, $5 child. The skeleton of "Old Tom" — a killer whale that helped whalers herd baleen whales into the bay for decades. Fascinating story. Kids love it. Allow 1 hour.
Pilots Cottage Museum, Kiama
Free. Small heritage cottage near the harbour with local history. Quick stop, 20 minutes.
Mogo Historic Gold Mining Village
Not exactly a museum — the whole main street is heritage buildings turned into craft shops, antique dealers, and a gold-panning experience ($15, kids love it). Mogo Zoo is next door (excellent small zoo).
Lady Denman Maritime Museum, Huskisson
$12 adult. The restored 1911 Manly ferry and local maritime history. Nice setting on Jervis Bay. Good if you're spending time in Jervis Bay area.
Tathra Wharf Heritage Centre
Free entry. One of the last timber-pile wharves in Australia. Small display about the local shipping history. The wharf itself is the attraction — beautiful structure, great photos.
St Mary's Church, Bairnsdale
Free. Italian-painted ceiling murals commissioned in the 1930s. The detail is remarkable — completely unexpected in a country Victorian town. 10 minutes, right off the main street.
Berry Markets — 1st Sunday of the month, get there early
Oyster tasting at Wheelers, Merimbula — grown right in the lake
Markets & Food Tastings
The coast is dotted with farmers markets, food producers, and tasting rooms. Time your stops right and you'll eat like a king.
Berry Markets
When: 1st Sunday of each month, 8 AM–2 PM. What: Local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts. The whole town gets involved. Worth planning around.
The Treat Factory, Berry
When: Open daily. What: Free tastings of handmade fudge, licorice, nut brittles, and local preserves. The kids will go nuts (literally). Great souvenir stop.
Kiama Farmers Market
When: Every Wednesday, 3 PM–5 PM (Surf Beach). What: Local produce, artisan cheese, smallgoods, baked goods. Casual afternoon market on the beachfront.
Moruya Country Markets
When: Every Saturday, 7:30 AM–12:30 PM. What: One of the biggest regional markets on the south coast. Local produce, plants, baked goods, crafts. Big community atmosphere.
Wheelers Oyster Farm, Merimbula
When: Open daily for tastings and sales. What: $20 for a tasting plate. Learn how they farm Pacific oysters right in the lake. Buy a dozen to take away. Incredibly fresh.
Tilba Tilba & Central Tilba
When: Shops open daily. Easter Festival is huge. What: Heritage villages near Narooma. ABC Cheese Factory (free tasting), Tilba Winery, leather goods, woodwork. The whole village is National Trust listed — genuinely charming, not kitschy.
Warragul Farmers Market
When: 3rd Saturday of month, 7:30 AM–12:30 PM. What: Gippsland's best farmers market. Local cheese, smallgoods, vegetables, baked goods. Excellent quality.
Neerim South — Tarago River Cheese
When: Open daily for free tastings. What: Award-winning handmade cheeses — the Gippsland Blue and Shadows of Blue are excellent. Buy a wheel for the road. Between Lakes Entrance and Melbourne.
Family Stops & Activities
This drive is brilliant for families. Here's a breakdown of the best kid-friendly stops along the route — things that keep them engaged rather than just another lookout.
Kiama Blowhole & Rock Pools
Kids love the blowhole (dramatic, loud, gets you wet). The rock pools at nearby Bombo Beach are full of crabs, starfish, and anemones for investigating. Ages: all
Jervis Bay — Dolphins & Beaches
Dolphin watching cruises from Huskisson (2 hr, from $35/adult $20/child). Shallow, crystal-clear water at Greenfield Beach — perfect for little ones. Stingray snorkelling at Plantation Point. Ages: all
Pebbly Beach — Kangaroos on the Sand
Wild kangaroos literally on the beach. No fences, no entry fee. Bring a camera. Best early morning or late afternoon. Ages: all
Mogo Gold Panning & Zoo
Gold panning experience ($15, you keep what you find). Mogo Zoo next door has white lions, giraffes, and red pandas. Good for a half-day. Ages: 4+
Montague Island Boat Trip, Narooma
See fur seals, little penguins, and humpback whales (in season). 2.5 hour trip from Narooma Marina. Book ahead — sells out in summer. Ages: 6+
Killer Whale Museum, Eden
Real killer whale skeleton, whaling artefacts, and the incredible true story of orcas cooperating with humans. Kids are fascinated. Allow 1 hour. Ages: 5+
Prawning at Malacoota
Give kids a headlamp and a net and they'll be prawning all night. It's basically a treasure hunt in the water. Shallow, safe (sandy bottom), and they get to cook and eat what they catch. Ages: 5+
Buchan Caves
Underground adventure — stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools. The guides are good with kids and tell stories about the cave formations. The reserve has a swimming pool in summer. Ages: 5+
Lakes Entrance — Footbridge & Paddleboats
Walk the long footbridge to the ocean beach. Paddleboat and kayak hire on the lake. Mini golf and amusement arcade in town. Fish and chips on the Esplanade. Ages: all
Lakes Entrance footbridge — cross it and you're on Ninety Mile Beach
Metung — quiet waterfront village, great prawning in the channels
Where to Stay — Every Stop
Every town on this route has accommodation from basic camping to nice apartments. In summer (December–February), book ahead — these coastal towns are small and they fill up fast, especially over Christmas and school holidays.
| Town | Camping ($20-50) | Mid-Range ($100-200) | Splurge ($200+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiama | Surf Beach Holiday Park | Kiama Shores Motel | The Sebel Kiama |
| Jervis Bay | Booderee NP campground | Huskisson Bayside Resort | Paperbark Camp |
| Ulladulla | Headland Holiday Haven | Bannisters by the Sea | Bannisters Pavilion |
| Batemans Bay | Murramarang NP | Comfort Inn | The Esplanade Apartments |
| Narooma | NRMA Narooma | Whale Motor Inn | Mystery Bay Cottages |
| Bermagui | Zane Grey Tourist Park | Bermagui Beach Hotel | Blue Sapphire units |
| Merimbula | NRMA Merimbula Beach | Coast Motel | Merimbula Lake Apts |
| Eden | Ben Boyd NP (Bittangabee) | Crown & Anchor Inn | Cocora Cottage |
| Malacoota | Betka Beach clifftop camp | Foreshore Holiday Park cabins | Karbeethong Lodge |
| Lakes Entrance | Lakes Tourist Park | Esplanade Resort & Spa | Houseboat hire |
| Metung | Shady Gully Caravan Park | Metung Hot Springs | Moorings at Metung |
Malacoota Cabins — Our Pick
If you're not camping, the Malacoota Foreshore Holiday Park has cabins right on the inlet — walk out your door and you're at the water. The Karbeethong Lodge is more upmarket with a bushland setting and kayak hire. Both are walking distance to the prawning spots on the top arm. Book well ahead for December–March — Malacoota is small and fills up fast.
Every Toilet Stop on the Route
This is why Dunny Dash exists. Every town along the route where you'll find a public loo, with links to the full facility details.
Multiple facilities along foreshore
Blowhole, harbour, Surf Beach
Gateway to Jervis Bay
Harbour & lighthouse reserve
Waterfront, visitor centre, beaches
Town centre, Bar Rock, marina
Wharf, Horseshoe Bay, Blue Pool
Boardwalk, Main Beach, town
Wharf, Rotary Park, Aslings Beach
Foreshore, wharf, Betka Beach
Esplanade, footbridge, Cunninghame
Main St, Mitchell River park
Longest Gaps Without Facilities
Eden → Cann River: About 1.5 hours through forest with minimal services. Use the facilities at Eden or Genoa before this stretch.
Cann River → Orbost: About 1 hour. Fuel and toilet at Cann River — don't skip it. The Malacoota turn-off has no facilities.
Local Tips
Best Time
March–May is the sweet spot. Warm enough to swim, prawning season still on, and the summer crowds have gone. School holidays (Dec–Jan) means everything is booked and prices spike 30-50%.
Fuel
Fill up at Wollongong (cheapest), Batemans Bay, and Bairnsdale. Fuel at small coastal towns is 15-25c/L more. Don't pass Cann River without filling — the next bowser is Orbost (100 km).
Driving
The highway is 100-110 km/h with 50-60 through towns. Watch for wildlife at dawn/dusk — kangaroos and wombats are common on the road, especially between Eden and Lakes Entrance. The East Gippsland section is winding — allow extra time.
Phone Signal
Patchy between Eden and Lakes Entrance, especially the Cann River section. Telstra is best, Optus/Vodafone can drop out for 30+ minutes. Download offline maps before you leave.
Photography
Sunrise at Betka Beach (Malacoota), Cathedral Rocks at Bombo (morning light), Bar Rock Lookout Narooma (any time), and sunset from the Lakes Entrance footbridge. The Pinnacles at Ben Boyd NP are best in afternoon golden hour.
Fishing Licences
NSW: $7 for 3 days (service.nsw.gov.au or any tackle shop). VIC: $10 for 3 days or $30 for 28 days (vfa.vic.gov.au). You need separate licences for each state. Kids under 18 are free in both states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive take?
If you drove straight through without stopping, it's about 12 hours via the Princes Highway (1,040 km). But nobody should do that — this is one of Australia's best road trips. Two days is the bare minimum, three days is comfortable, five days lets you explore properly, and seven days means you can prawn, fish, swim, and actually relax at every stop.
Where can you go prawning between Sydney and Melbourne?
The best prawning spots are at Malacoota Inlet (the top arm near the camping ground is prime territory), Lake Tyers near Lakes Entrance, and the Gippsland Lakes around Metung. Season runs from late November through March — you'll need a Victorian recreational fishing licence ($10 for 3 days or $30 for 28 days from any tackle shop). Use a hand-held scoop net at night with a headlamp — the prawns come into the shallows after dark.
Is the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive sealed the whole way?
Yes. The Princes Highway is sealed and well-maintained the entire way. The only unsealed sections are optional detours — like the road into some camping grounds or the access track at Croajingolong National Park. A standard 2WD car handles the whole route easily.
Where can you buy fresh fish and prawns straight off the boats?
The best spots for fresh-off-the-boat seafood are: Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf (best prawns and tuna on the south coast), Eden wharf (they sell direct from the trawlers), Lakes Entrance Fisherman's Co-op (right on the waterfront), and the Mallacoota wharf when boats come in. Narooma and Ulladulla also have good co-ops. Get there early — they sell out fast, especially in summer.
What is the best time of year to do the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive?
March to May (autumn) is ideal — warm enough to swim, fewer crowds than summer, and prawning season is still on until late March. Summer (Dec–Feb) has the best weather but everything is booked out and the coast is packed. Spring (Sep–Nov) is good for whale watching at Eden and wildflowers. Winter is quiet and cheap but expect rain, cold water, and some coastal towns are half-shut.
Can you camp along the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive?
Absolutely — some of the best camping in Australia is along this stretch. Highlights include the clifftop sites at Malacoota (Betka Beach area), Croajingolong National Park (remote, no facilities), Ben Boyd National Park near Eden, Mystery Bay, and Pretty Beach near Murramarang. Most National Park campgrounds are $10-25/night per car — book online through NSW NPWS or Parks Victoria.
Where are the public toilets on the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive?
Every town along the Princes Highway has public toilets — Wollongong, Kiama, Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Narooma, Bermagui, Merimbula, Eden, Mallacoota (off the highway), Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale, and Sale. The longest gaps without facilities are between Eden and the Mallacoota turn-off (about 45 min) and through the remote section of East Gippsland (Cann River to Orbost). Dunny Dash maps every public toilet along the route.
More Australian Travel Guides
Planning a longer trip? Check out our other itineraries.
Driven the coast road?
Got a prawning spot I've missed? Know a beach that deserves to be here? Let me know and I'll update this guide.