Aerial view of the Sea Cliff Bridge suspended over the ocean in Clifton, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton, New South Wales © Destination NSW

9-day Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive

Follow the coastal highways between Australia’s two biggest cities to discover laidback towns, national parks teeming with wildlife, sandy beaches and incredibly fresh seafood.

Trip overview

9 days

Car, boat

1,475km (916mi)

The must-do experiences

Feast on famously fresh oysters south of Sydney
Explore vast lakes and long beaches in eastern Victoria
Be immersed in nature at Wilsons Promontory

Day 1: Sydney to Jervis Bay

3hrs 199km (124mi)

Start your journey in Sydney, heading south to explore treasures along the New South Wales coast.

Day 2: Jervis Bay to Central Tilba

3.5hrs 230km (143mi)

Continue south from Jervis Bay to the oyster town of Batemans Bay and historic Central Tilba.

Day 3: Tilba to Merimbula

1hrs 93km (58mi)

Buckle up for a day of incredible food, rugged national parks and charming seaside villages on the Sapphire Coast.

Day 4: Merimbula to Mallacoota

1.5hrs 115km (71mi)

Today you’ll drive to Mallacoota, at the eastern end of Victoria’s scenic Gippsland region.

Wilsons Promontory National Park, Gippsland, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Guide to Gippsland

Brimming with incredible nature and culinary experiences, Gippsland guarantees the perfect indulgent escape.

Read time • 4min

Day 5: Mallacoota to Lakes Entrance

2.5hrs 202km (125mi)

Continue deep into Victoria’s Gippsland region, home to pristine beaches and a vast lake system.

Day 6: Lakes Entrance to Walhalla

2.5hrs 196km (122mi)

Head inland from Lakes Entrance to find a history-soaked haven in Victoria.

Day 7: Walhalla to Wilsons Promontory

2.5hrs 189km (117mi)

Rainforests, charming country towns and a striking coastal national park await on this section of the drive.

Day 8: Wilsons Promontory to Phillip Island

1.5hrs 117km (73mi)

Cruise down coastal roads from one stunning destination to the next.

Day 9: Phillip Island to Melbourne

2hrs 141km (88mi)

Linger on Phillip Island before ending your epic journey in cosmopolitan Melbourne.

Explore more nearby

Portsea Pier, Mornington Peninsula, VIC © Mornington Peninsula

Places near Melbourne to visit

The Great Ocean Road, Lorne, VIC © Visit Victoria

Trips and itineraries

Melbourne to Adelaide: A 5-day road trip

A man and woman admiring the distant view of the city from St Kilda Pier, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Trips and itineraries

3 days in Melbourne

Indigenous symbol - Natural Beauty

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

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