We are partial to this part of the coast; its relatively undiscovered by international travellers, a bit of a secret spot that locals want to keep to themselves. The Coastal Route from Sydney to Melbourne. If one runs in your path slow down but dont swerve, while the roo can do serious damage to your car, moving to the wrong side of the road can do much more. Why stop here? Why stop here? Except for wallabies, echidnas, a kookaburra, a hen near Sydney and the two tortoises that Lisa swears she sees while Im looking the other way. The inland route via the M31, the Hume Highway. Homemade raspberry pie with cream, East Lynne Store, NSW. Other interesting buildings include the 1850s Telegraph Station, the Chinese Burning Towers, and the Lunatic Asylum (Yep, thats what its called) that will send chills down your spine. It seals the Hume v Princes argument magnificently. Highway 1 of Australia is with a length of 14,500 km (9,000 mi), the longest national highway in the world. Wherever you decide to stay, Murramarung National Park should be on your list! For greater detail and planning, Google Maps has all the information you need to plan your road trip adventure. Your email address will not be published. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hopefully one day to Melbourne to Sydney too! And between the two, the storied Snowy River is flowing backwards. The road is easy to drive but it has enough dips and turns to keep it interesting, and as the sun shines through the treetops, the various lighting effects create some glorious landscapes. Where do you stop when driving from Sydney to Melbourne? There is, however, a very popular free camping spot. Take a detour here onto the C311 and head to Hanging Rock, renowned for its incredible prehistoric rock formations . A wonderful part of Jervis Bay is Booderee National Park, which is one of just a handful of national parks administered by the Federal Government (like Kakadu National Park). For example, it is 1,040 kilometres (650 mi) from Sydney to Melbourne on Highway 1 as opposed to 870 kilometres (540 mi) on the more direct Hume Highway ( National Highway 31), and 915 kilometres (569 mi) from Melbourne to Adelaide compared to 730 kilometres (450 mi) on the Western and Dukes Highways ( National Highway 8). The 15.2m high Big Merino marks the turnoff to Goulburn along the Hume Highway. Found just off the southern coast close to Melbourne, Phillip Island is famous for being a haven for local wildlife. There are a few different routes you could take to get between Melbourne and Sydney. A road trip from Melbourne to Sydney is the best way to truly appreciate this wonderful part of Australia, but it can be difficult deciding exactly which route to take between the countrys two largest cities. Raymond Island is best accessed from Bairnsdale off the Princes Highway. Follow the signs to Paynesville. Where is it? However, flights can get more expensive in peak time and at the last minute. In this coastal route from Melbourne to Sydney, I am suggesting stops at Walhalla, Metung, Gipsy Point, Narooma, and Jervis Bay. You can read my story about swimming with the seals at Montague Island or you can check the availability of the tours. You will then enjoy 23km of narrow winding road, so sit back and breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty. A short visit or overnight? Our go to shoes are Nike Free 5.0. Audrey, who runs the website See Geelong, highlights why Beechworth is a worthy stop. Melbourne to Sydney: The inland drive, via Hume Highway. Theres an inland highway that is a bit faster, or take the coastal road to see the townships along the way. They search and compare rental prices from all major rental companies in Australia, so you can rest assured that youre getting the best possible price on your rental car. In this road trip itinerary, Ill be taking you along the Melbourne to Sydney coastal drive. What are the best Sydney to Melbourne road trip stops? How do you determine best? For example, this Great Ocean Road tour comes highly recommended. There are long beaches and turquoise waters, and youll learn about the towns former whaling history and their unusual and friendly relationship with orcas at the local museum. Nearby Merimbula also makes for a lovely rest. If youre looking to stay somewhere a little secluded, then Murramarang is the perfect spot to stay a night on your way down the coast from Sydney to Melbourne. Now we head into the Sapphire Coast and with a name like that you know its going to be very pretty. Where is it? Yes, there is a train from Melbourne to Sydney that connects the capital cities through stops including Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga, and Goulburn. Ideally, allow two days for the inland road and three days or more for the coast road. Theres a supermarket in Meeniyan or you could ask Marty at Moos to fix you up a dinner pack to cook on the barbeque (thats what I did). This coastal community is found in undeniably beautiful surroundings, and you can enjoy the best of what is known as the Sapphire Coast. Pop into the visitor information centre for advice on your options. After a long drive and a distance from Melbourne to Sydney of over 1,000 kilometers, you will find yourself in the capital of New South Wales and Australias largest city. Known throughout the state, this delightful bakery has an old-world charm, traditional recipes, and country hospitality. You can pick up cheap camping equipment in Melbourne or Sydney, or you could even rent a campervan to function as both your transport and accommodation when on the road. Best Places to Stay in Melbourne:Atlantis Hotel Melbourne | The Victoria Hotel | Great Southern Hotel Melbourne. Eden itself doesnt offer many exciting overnight options, but just south of Eden at beautiful Twofold Bay, you will find the boutique SeaHorse Inn. For those looking for some retail therapy, Traralgon is the place, with a large retail precinct dominated by the Stockland Shopping Centre. Key highlights on the coastal drive between Sydney and Melbourne. Short stay or longer visit? At a total length of approximately 14,500 km (9,000 mi) it is the longest national highway in the world, surpassing the Trans-Siberian Highway (over 11,000 km or 6,800 mi) and the Trans-Canada Highway (8,030 km or 4,990 mi). Highlights include the Goulburn Courthouse, the Post Office, designed by well-known Colonial architect James Barnet, and two majestic churches with lovely stained-glass windows. Ive driven the Great Ocean Road a long, long time ago but would love to do more. Enjoy! Enjoy coffee and cake or a delicious lunch. Its around here that Lisa spots her second tortoise on theroadso we stop for coffee at theCannRiverCaf,where they dont do runny eggs in their egg and bacon roll, just how we like it. East Lynne Store steak and mushroom pie. Day 1: Melbourne to Walhalla Option: Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory Day 2: Walhalla to Metung Day 3: Metung to Mallacoota Day 4: Mallacoota to Narooma Day 5: Narooma to Jervis Bay Day 6: Jervis Bay to Sydney. Every evening, in whats known as the Penguin Parade, these little critters emerge from the water in large groups and waddle their way onto the island. Ulladulla also has good food options but if youre looking for somewhere to eat around there, I would actually suggest continuing on to Milk Haus near Milton, where youll find a converted farmhouse with excellent coffee and meals. Its some way to start a day. (Although new trains are coming in 2023, which look much better!). Now you are on the home stretch to Melbourne where all the excitement of Australias second-biggest city awaits. If you need a meal or a coffee, make sure you check outMoos at Meeniyan, which does some of the best food in town. Away from the main town, the luxurious villas of Gipsy Point Lakeside offer views across the water and kangaroos grazing on the grass in front. The planned city is easy to travel around, and you can visit the powerful ANZAC Museum to learn more about the countrys involvement in world wars before touring the national parliament and visiting the impressive national museum. The Surf Beach Narooma Holiday Park is comfortable and basic, but its got an incredible location right on the beach. The first part of todays drive will just be getting out of Melbourne, through the citys southeastern suburbs. Cartoscope do a great touring route booklet guide for the Princes Hwy, Melb- Sydney. Three or more is preferable. Tip: For those wanting to rough it, bush camping is also available at a few campsites in the national park itself, try the Pebbly Beach, Pretty Beach or Depot Beach campgrounds. 2023 Road Affair, LLC. Although there isnt much here, the Pelican Point Coffee Lounge is good for a coffee or a meal. We linger a while in Eden, where a line of masts divides the main shopping street, and old sailors have a prime berth in the cemetery across from a perfect beach. This wedge of rugged land extends from the coast out into the ocean, and its full of wildlife and wonderful hiking. Although there are lots of places to stop along the Melbourne to Sydney drive, Ive chosen the ones in this itinerary because they offer some of the most interesting activities, with significant national parks or iconic experiences. What is the best driving route from Sydney to Melbourne? 246: 3: 0 |aFrom Melbourne to Sydney via Princes Highway : |bstrip maps and route onformation: 255 |aNot drawn to scale |c(E 1443500--E 1512200/S 335200--S 380800). He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and loves exploring different parts of Australia. After a night at Marlo we carry on east, rock-hopping atCape Conrans Sailors Grave Beachthen adding a 20-minute leg-stretch around theboardwalkedand swing-bridgedMcKenzie River Rainforest Walk, a little loop of sultry air and screaming cicadas just off the highway. Overnight stops are marked with a star; squares are suggested rest stops or detours. This itinerary is a bit stop and start at the beginning, but these stops are short and very picturesque. The shortest way to drive from Melbourne to Sydney is up the Hume Highway through Albury and Goulburn. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Also, be extra vigilant in areas known for kangaroos, on these drives anywhere south of Ulladulla along the coast route or Canberra on the inland road. And heres where a road trip is defined by the things you dont do. Now with that out of the way, lets get this Melbourne to Sydney itinerary on the road already (pun intended)! Your camera will get a good workout. The first option is Berry, an inland town full of heritage buildings and quaint stores and cafes. The gift shop inside the giant ram is an excellent place to shop for pure Merino clothing and other quality Australian souvenirs. You only need a few hours in Barellan, but I recommend spending a couple of days in the Riverina region. But you can definitely just stay a night or two and you may appreciate the facilities on a long road trip. You can read my story about the Pambula oyster tour. The main street is lined with gorgeous buildings and there are plenty of boutique shops with local produce or collections of homewares. Check this map for the best places to pull over and rest. Now, though, there are less than 20 permanent residents. Historically, Eden was a whaling town, and besides the beaches and natural history, the top tourist attraction is the Eden Killer Whale Museum, which is well worth a visit. We have done Melbourne to Sydney along the coast and reading this has reminded me of some of the things we did. This is about 900 kilometres long and will take just over nine hours of driving (without stops). Just after Moruya, youll reach Mogo Wildlife Park, which is famous for its work in breeding endangered animals. The Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales cover enormous areas of land and are incredibly diverse in their landscapes, towns and cities. While there are plenty of accommodation options along the road between Sydney to Melbourne, you will also find that there are plenty of free and cheap camping options too, which can add a new element to your road trip. The Big Tennis Racquet is a tribute to Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Can you drive from Sydney to Melbourne in one day? Travel writer Christina Pfeiffer from Travel2next suggests your first stop out of Sydney should be in Goulburn. Selected for archiving. Princes Freeway is a 159-kilometre (99 mi) Australian freeway, divided into two sections, both located in Victoria, Australia. Sure is, if you have enough time to stop and smell the roses. The most direct way is to go straight along the Hume Highway, the main road that connects the two. Day one of our three-day road trip from Melbourne to Sydney via (mostly) the Princes Highway is in the bag. The winds here played a vital role in the history of aviation. Youll see why its such a popular destination during the school holidays. The fastest driving route from Sydney to Melbourne is along the Hume Highway, nearly 600 miles of road that cuts through the states of Victoria and New South Wales. Its also worth taking a ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, a charming heritage train that crosses a series of bridges before reaching its destination 20 minutes later, before heading back. This historic park brings the history of the area to life with twenty-seven original relocated buildings dating from the 1840s through to the 1930s, including a Cobb and Co Inn. 58 likes, 19 comments - ADVANCED BODY SCULPTING (@advancedbodysculpting) on Instagram: "At Advanced Body Sculpting, we provide you with a personalised . Lets get going. This is the experience that awaits you atRaymond Island Koala walk-in Gippsland. Dont underestimate how tiring driving long distances can be. Jan Wild from Retiring not Shy! An alternate overnight stop is just a short drive away at Murramarang. The biggest town youll pass through is Warragul, which is full of 19th century heritage and also has an impressive collection of art galleries. Well, we have come up with two different itineraries and have listed suggested brief breaks and overnight stops and even a couple of detours en route. A short visit or overnight? Its incredible to think that most of the passages here were painstakingly cut away by hand. Related: Check out our recent road trip to Canberra for ideas. The scenery along the way is beautiful! Today we answer all your questions about driving between Australias two biggest cities. The monument is an exact replica of her wooden racquet, except its twenty times bigger.