10 Day Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Itinerary

Great Drive to Sydney
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Welcome to Sydney

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis offers a stunning introduction to Australia.

Sydney Harbour Dining Cruise
Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Harbour tonight and discover Sydney in style. Sparkling wine in hand, enjoy spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you dine.

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Sydney - 1 Night

Sydney
Featuring a swimming pool, fitness centre and a sauna and overlooking beautiful Cockle Bay, Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney, Darling Harbour is located in Sydney CBD and offers self-contained accommodation. Located in Sydney’s entertainment hub of King Street Wharf, Adina Apartment Hotel is less than 3 minutes’ walk from Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World. Chinatown is a 5-minute walk away and Sydney’s city centre is just 10 minutes' walk away.
Adina

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Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb & Jervis Bay

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Experience a fantastic 360 degree panorama of Sydney when you ascend to the bridge's summit. Your knowledgeable guide will entertain you with tales of the bridge's amazing history and construction as you tick a true Sydney must-do off your bucket list.

Drive to Jervis Bay
Hit the road to the bustling coastal city of Wollongong and continue on to beautiful Kiama where the famous Blowhole awaits. Follow the coastline to Gerringong and Gerroa, perched on cliffs high above the ocean, and stop in at Coolangatta Estate to pick up some award-winning wines. Arrive at Jervis Bay and treat yourself to a refreshing swim or surf.

Jervis Bay is also famous for its white sandy beaches, crowned the ‘whitest in the world’ by the Guinness Book of Records!

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 

Accommodation: Jervis Bay - 2 Nights

Jervis Bay
Nestled in a peaceful bush setting on the banks of a tranquil waterway, the camp is just five minutes' drive from the natural wonders of Jervis Bay and is the perfect base from which to explore its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and unspoilt national parks.
Paperbark Camp - Jervis Bay

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Jervis Bay: Whales and Dolphins in the Wild

This marine wonderland is home to a unique mix of tropical and temperate species including the Weedy Sea-Dragon, Eastern Blue Devil Fish, Bottlenose Dolphin, Little Penguin, Fur Seal and the endangered Grey Nurse Shark.

Jervis Bay Whale Watching (May-Nov) or Dolphin Watching (Year Round)
With its spectacular backdrop, Jervis Bay is considered to be the premier whale watching destination in NSW.

The sheltered waters here offer a welcome rest for the whale calves on their long journey home, so this is a great place to see them in their natural habitat. Visit in the summer season and you will also meet Jervis Bay's pod of resident dolphins.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Jervis Bay Whale Watching

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Mallacoota via the Sapphire Coast

Drive along the Sapphire Coast to beautiful Mallacoota. Break your journey for lunch at Ulladulla Harbour where you can enjoy take away fish and chips, sitting on the dock of the bay.

The Sapphire Coast is halfway between Melbourne and Sydney. Stop in at Eden to visit the excellent Killer Whale Museum or swim in the warm turquoise waters. Then continue on across the State Border into Victoria, to Mallacoota and Gipsy Point.

Mallacoota, surrounded by the vast wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park, is a remote fishing village by the Mallacoota Inlet. This peaceful haven is known for its forests, secluded beaches and pristine waterways. With beautiful sunsets and spectacular coastal views, it's the perfect place to unwind.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 425 km | 264 miles   Total Driving Time: 5 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Mallacoota - 1 Night

Sapphire Coast

Located less than 1 km from Bastion Point Beach, Mallacoota Hotel Motel provides an outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, free private parking, restaurant, bar and evening entertainment. Retreat to your room after a delicious meal, refreshing drinks, and lively entertainment. Just a short walk from the beach and scenic walking trails, the Motel offers 26 comfortable motel-style rooms  with air conditioning.

Mallacoota Hotel Motel

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Mallacoota to Lakes Entrance

Drive from Mallacoota to Lakes Entrance, home to one of the world's longest uninterrupted beaches. This Gippsland gem boasts Australia's largest inland waterway network, ideal for seafood lovers—catch your own or enjoy fresh local fare. At Ninety Mile Beach, golden sands separate Gippsland Lakes from Bass Strait, hosting over 850 marine species. Perfect for fishing, swimming, walking, dolphin-spotting, or simply relaxing in the sun.

Approximate Distance: 202 km | 125 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Lakes Entrance - 1 Night

Lakes Entrance
Set on a narrow strip of land between 2 stretches of water at the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, this relaxed resort is a 9-minute walk from the Griffiths Sea Shell Museum & Marine Display. Apartments feature full kitchens, washer/dryers, dining tables and balconies. Guests can enjoy use of the outdoor pool, indoor heated pool and spa pool.
Esplanade Resort & Spa lakes Entrance

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Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory

Make your way south to Victoria's best-loved National Park: Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of mainland Australia.

Known as "The Prom" to the locals, Wilsons Promontory is home to great scenery and abundant wildlife. With over 80km of walking tracks, expansive stretches of beach, hidden bays and secluded coves, leave civilisation behind and embrace the wilderness for the next two nights.

Approximate Distance: 280 km | 177 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Wilsons Promontory - 2 Nights

Wilsons Promontory
Peaceful and quiet Coastal View Cabins offers outstanding accommodation with direct views to Wilsons Promontory. The cabins are set on 10 acres, which include 3 acres of old, growth forest offering sanctuary to a wide array of native flora and fauna. They are certified members of Land Care and Land for Wildlife .
Wilsons Promontory Coastal View Cabins

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Explore Wilsons Promontory at Leisure

There is an incredible number of things to do in Wilsons Prom. Visitors are treated to unspoiled beaches, marvellous coastal views, rainforests, and the beautiful Australian bush. Gorgeous wildflowers grow in the national park too, such as wattle, heathland, and even orchids. There are over 30 self-guided walking tracks ranging from gentle strolls to more difficult multi-day hikes. Sailing, diving and snorkelling are very popular, why not check out the Wilsons Prom Lighthouse or take a wilderness cruise.

Wilsons Promontory

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Phillip Island Penguin Plus Pass

Leaving the Prom behind, take the time to explore the beautiful coastal hamlets along southern Gippsland's coastline before crossing the bridge onto Phillip Island, a popular family holiday destination.

Around 24 kms long and 9 kms wide, visitors flock to this small island for its swimming and surf beaches, unique wildlife and the famous penguins waddling along the beach every evening.

Each night at sunset, the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the sea and waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows. Enjoy up-close encounters with the charming little penguins as they traverse the Penguin Parade's main pathway.

Approximate Distance: 138 km | 86 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Phillip Island - 1 Night 

Phillip Island

Located just a short stroll from the beach, this property offers an outdoor pool, heated spa, surf shower, and BBQ area - perfect for embracing the relaxed Island lifestyle. The spacious 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartments are designed with open-plan living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, private balconies or patios and in-unit laundry facilities.

Phillip Island Apartments

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Melbourne & Guided Lanes & Arcades Tour

Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the final stop on your Australian Road Trip. Explore the hidden secrets of Melbourne's laneways of Melbourne on a guided City Tour.

Melbourne’s arcades and laneways hide many treasures. Today's Hidden Secrets Lanes and Arcades walking tour is the ideal way to discover the inner heart of Melbourne.

Wandering through Melbourne’s signature lanes and arcades with your guide, you'll visit the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, with historical tales of Melbourne along the way.


Approximate Distance: 145 km | 90 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Melbourne - 1 Night

Melbourne Town
Located in Melbourne CBD, Adina Apartment Hotel offers modern self-contained apartments. It features a swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness centre. All air-conditioned apartments feature Italian furniture and large windows with natural light. Each apartment includes a kitchenette or a full kitchen and spacious seating areas.
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne

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Farewell From Melbourne

Say farewell to Melbourne today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 10 Day Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Self Drive Tour and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.

Melbourne

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What Elizabeth says about this tour: "Driving from Sydney to Melbourne takes nine hours along the quicker Inland Route, but quicker isn't always better: this fantastic 10 day coastal journey will convince you of that! Why miss out on secluded seaside towns, a ninety-mile soft sand beach, frolicking whales and dolphins, and the rugged beauty of Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island? Take the road less travelled and you'll soon understand why 85% of Australia's population lives within 50 kilometres of the country's coast."
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