Are you considering driving from Melbourne to Sydney in a car or campervan, and looking for the best things to do and see along the way?
After travelling around Australia in our self-converted campervan for two years, we’re here to give you the best places to see along the Melbourne to Sydney coast to help you build an unforgettable road trip.
From iconic coastal towns to wildlife hotspots and hidden gems you rarely see on Melbourne to Sydney drive itineraries, there’s plenty to see along this stretch of Australia. In all honesty, we could have easily spent a good six months exploring this coastal route!
However, not many people have the time to do that, so we’ve put together this 7 day Melbourne to Sydney road trip itinerary to help you experience some of our favourite places without spending your entire holiday behind the wheel.
👉🏻 Before you set off, download our free Road Trip From Melbourne Starter Kit!
It covers the essential things you need to know before exploring Victoria and beyond by campervan or car, from driving and safety to planning your trip!
Driving From Melbourne to Sydney: Coastal vs Inland Route
There are two main ways to drive from Melbourne to Sydney: along the inland Hume Highway or following the coast via the Princes Highway.
The inland route is considerably quicker, taking around 9 hours without lengthy stops, but if you want to experience some of Australia’s beautiful coastline, national parks and wildlife, we’d recommend taking the longer coastal route.
We’ve driven the inland route a couple of times, and while there’s plenty to see that way, including the city of Canberra, the coastal route is the one we’d recommend if you have time for sightseeing!
| Route | Drive Time | Distance | Recommended Days | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland via Hume Highway | 9 hours | 880 km | 1–2 days | Getting between the cities quickly |
| Coastal via Princes Highway | 15–17 hours | 1,200 km | 5–7 days | Beaches, wildlife and national parks |
← Swipe to see the full table →
*Times and distances are approximate for the main routes, without additional sightseeing detours.
Melbourne to Sydney 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary
This 7 day road trip itinerary can easily be done in reverse, but since we started in Melbourne and ended in Sydney, that’s the way I’ll plot it out here.
Even though we think this is a pretty perfect Melbourne to Sydney drive itinerary, feel free to tweak and adjust it to suit your needs!
Swipe across to see the full itinerary →
| Day | Route | Drive Time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Melbourne → Wilsons Promontory | 3 hours | Wilsons Prom |
| Day 2 | Explore Wilsons Promontory | Local driving | Wilsons Prom |
| Day 3 | Wilsons Prom → 90 Mile Beach → Lakes Entrance | 2.5–3 hours | Lakes Entrance |
| Day 4 | Lakes Entrance → Narooma → Batemans Bay | 5–5.5 hours | Batemans Bay |
| Day 5 | Batemans Bay → Jervis Bay | 1.5–2 hours | Jervis Bay |
| Day 6 | Explore Jervis Bay & Booderee National Park | Local driving | Jervis Bay |
| Day 7 | Jervis Bay → Sea Cliff Bridge → Sydney | 3.5–4 hours | Sydney |
Note: Driving times are approximate and don't include sightseeing stops, walks or meal breaks. Day 4 is the longest driving day, so we'd recommend an early start.
Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Map
Want to make planning this drive even easier?
Our Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Map includes our ready-to-use Google Maps route, additional stops, places we camped and a few of our favourite discoveries along the way.
Rather than spending hours adding everything to your own map, you can open ours and start exploring!
Day 1: Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory National Park
Drive time: Approximately 3 hours
Three hours from Melbourne, your first destination is Wilsons Promontory.
A haven for wildlife, Wilsons Prom is a must-do for nature lovers. If, like us, you’ve yet to see a wild wombat, head over to the Wildlife Walk. Not only is this your perfect opportunity to spot one, but it’s also a beautiful walk and possibly one of our favourite things to see between Melbourne and Sydney.
Once you’ve finished animal spotting, drive a little further to Squeaky Beach and be catapulted back into childhood. As its name would suggest, Squeaky Beach is a beach that comes alive when you step onto it (although better enjoyed with wet feet).
This isn’t a quiet beach when it comes to tourists either; popular with children and adults alike, expect it to be a little crowded.
For us, Wilsons Prom was a great excuse to let our inner child run wild, and shake off the city stresses in the bushlands and squeaky beaches.
Day 2: Exploring Wilsons Promontory
Drive time: Local driving only
Since there are plenty of trails to hike and beaches to relax on as well as Australia’s southernmost point, we’ve added a full day on Wilson’s Prom so you don’t have to feel rushed to leave.
Other things to do at Wilsons Prom for this day include hiking to the top of Mt Oberon (around 2 hours return) to get spectacular views over the coast, wildlife spotting along the walking tracks and visiting the stunning Refuge Cove.
We wish we’d made more time to visit mainland Australia’s most southerly point, so if that’s something you’d like to do, make sure you leave plenty of time!
Since we’ve allowed a full day here, you could choose one of the longer walks, spend some more time wildlife spotting or simply enjoy the beaches without having to worry about getting to the next destination.
Of course, if you’re not a big hiker or you’d rather spend longer somewhere else along the coast, you can easily shorten your stay at Wilsons Prom to one night.
Need Wheels for Your Australian Adventure?
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Day 3: Wilsons Prom to 90 Mile Beach and Lakes Entrance
Drive time: Approximately 2.5–3 hours
Located in the Gippsland Lakes area, 90 Mile Beach runs alongside Australia’s largest network of inland waterways, and the area as a whole offers a host of different water and nature activities, as well as cute lakeside and coastal villages with plenty of great cafes for a spot of breakfast or lunch!
This was our favourite thing to do between Melbourne and Sydney simply because we had this entire beach to ourselves.
Hidden along this 90-mile stretch of beach is a section called Flamingo Beach. If you’re lucky enough, here you’ll be able to grab a slice of this paradise for yourself too.
We spent 2 hours here and didn’t see a single person the entire time so it was easy to imagine we were on a tropical island somewhere (like Fraser Island, perhaps), all alone.
The sheer size of this beach meant we were unable to see from one end to the other, so even if there are other people there when you visit, there’s certainly plenty of space for it to feel like you have it to yourself!
Once you’ve had your fill at the beach, take a short drive and head into the town of Lakes Entrance, where you can hire some fishing gear to try your luck catching crabs from one of the docks!
Day 4: Lakes Entrance to Narooma & Batemans Bay
Drive time: Approximately 5–5.5 hours
Today we’re crossing the border from Victoria into New South Wales and continuing along the coast towards Batemans Bay, with a stop at one of our favourite little coastal towns along the way.
This is the longest driving day of the itinerary, so I’d recommend getting an early start to make sure you’ve got enough time to enjoy the stops without feeling too rushed.
As you leave Lakes Entrance behind, continue along Princes Highway (A1) towards the NSW border, where you can stop for a quick photo at the Welcome to New South Wales sign before continuing north.
Discover More Between Melbourne & Sydney!
We've pinned our favourite stops, scenic detours and hidden gems to one easy-to-use Google Map, including extra places you won't find in our blog guides!
Explore Narooma
Narooma took my breath away.
As you drive off of Princes Highway, and down into this little fishing town, the view you are greeted with is worth the small detour.
Its little harbour filled with boats and the mountain backdrop makes it look straight off a postcard. We had to stop and admire its beauty and watch the locals just going about their daily lives, almost unaware that they live in such a picturesque town.
If you choose to hang around Narooma for a day or two, you won’t be disappointed by what you find.
Wagonga Inlet is a great place to see pelicans and stingrays, hire a kayak or try some local oysters. You could also hire an eBike and visit Australia Rock, a natural rock formation that has become one of Narooma’s most recognisable attractions, or simply relax around Narooma Wharf.
If you fancy a longer day trip, you can join a tour to Montague Island, also known as Barunguba, to explore one of Australia’s most diverse wildlife locations and a sacred land to the local Yuin Aboriginal people.
Depending on the tour you choose, you’ll have the chance to see even more wildlife, visit the historic lighthouse and potentially snorkel with the local seal population!
Narooma was one of our favourite little towns along the Sydney coastal drive and like with most places we visited on our Aussie travels, we just wish we had longer!
Since we’re combining Narooma and Batemans Bay into one day, I’d recommend spending a couple of hours here rather than trying to fit in a longer excursion to Montague Island. That way you’ll still have time to explore Batemans Bay before settling in for the night
Continue to Batemans Bay
As we inch closer to the end of this Melbourne to Sydney drive, let’s take another look at the fantastic rugged coastline of New South Wales and explore Batemans Bay.
If you’re British and missing your fish and chips by this point? (Like we were!) Batemans Bay has some of the best along this stretch of coast.
Or, if you’re more adventurous than me, you could join a kayaking tour to sample fresh local oysters.
We spent a little bit of time just wandering around this cute marina town, with so much personality in the buildings and the locals, we didn’t feel the need to explore further afield, although there’s certainly plenty to choose from if you wanted to!
For us, it made for a perfect rest stop to refuel both us and the camper!
If you’ve been travelling with us a while, you’ll know how much we love a whale watching tour.
Well, at Batemans Bay there’s a company that offers kayak whale watching tours for a really unique experience!
Had it been the season for them, this is something we would definitely have done because it seems like a really amazing experience to have.
Instead, we went whale watching in Sydney so be sure to check out that post for more information about the season etc.
Since today’s been a fairly long driving day, I’d suggest keeping your time in Batemans Bay relaxed. Grab something to eat, explore the marina and enjoy a quieter evening before heading towards Jervis Bay tomorrow.
Day 5: Batemans Bay to Jervis Bay
Drive time: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
The next location on your Melbourne to Sydney road trip, Jervis Bay is a spectacular sheltered bay that is really popular with Aussies and tourists.
With beautiful white sands, clear water and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, it’s easy to understand why so many people include Jervis Bay on their Australian road trip itineraries.
And since it’s only a relatively short drive from Batemans Bay, you’ll have plenty of time to explore without having to spend most of the day behind the wheel!
Explore the Beaches Around Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, so I’d recommend spending your first afternoon exploring some of the coastline.
Hyams Beach is probably the most famous, but there are plenty of other beaches around the bay if you’d rather find somewhere a little quieter.
You could also spend some time around Vincentia or Huskisson, where you’ll find cafes, restaurants and places to relax after a few days on the road.
Jervis Bay is also known for its marine wildlife, with dolphins often seen around the bay and migrating whales passing through during the whale watching season.
If you’re wanting to get out on the water, you could join a wildlife cruise for the chance to see dolphins and, depending on the time of year, whales too.
One thing to add to your evening to-do list is checking for bioluminescence at Plantation Point!
When conditions are right, microscopic organisms can cause the water to glow blue after dark, although sightings are unpredictable and can happen throughout the year rather than during one guaranteed season. Check for recent local sightings before heading out, and if you’re lucky enough to see it, it’ll certainly be a memorable part of your road trip!
We’ve included two nights at Jervis Bay, so you’ve got another evening to try your luck tomorrow if there’s been recent activity.
Day 6: Exploring Jervis Bay & Booderee National Park
Drive time: Local driving only
We’ve given ourselves a full day at Jervis Bay, which means there’s no need to pack everything up and move on just yet!
Today is all about exploring Booderee National Park and enjoying some of the beautiful beaches, coastal walks and wildlife that make this area so popular.
Booderee National Park
Booderee National Park is one of the main attractions around Jervis Bay, with beautiful white-sand beaches, coastal walking tracks and plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Murrays Beach is a popular place to visit, with its sheltered coastline and clear water making it a lovely spot to spend some time.
If you’re travelling between November and March, the area around Murrays Beach is also associated with little penguins, although sightings are far from guaranteed and you shouldn’t expect to see them from the beach.
There are plenty of walking tracks around Booderee too, so if you’ve had enough of relaxing on the sand, you could spend some time exploring the surrounding bushland and coastline.
With a whole day available, you don’t need to rush between locations either. Choose a couple of beaches, enjoy one of the walking tracks and make the most of having a day without a long drive ahead of you.
And if there have been recent reports of bioluminescence around Jervis Bay, you’ve got one more evening to see whether you can spot it!
Discover More Between Melbourne & Sydney!
We've pinned our favourite stops, scenic detours and hidden gems to one easy-to-use Google Map, including extra places you won't find in our blog guides!
Day 7: Jervis Bay to Sydney via Sea Cliff Bridge
Drive time: Approximately 3.5–4 hours
This is the final day of our Melbourne to Sydney road trip itinerary, however, we’re not heading straight into the city just yet!
There are still a couple of places worth visiting along this stretch of coastline, including one of the most iconic bridges in New South Wales.
Sea Cliff Bridge
Possibly the most iconic of the things to do between Melbourne and Sydney, Sea Cliff Bridge is a popular destination for drone owners.
For a unique view of this popular spot, drive over the bridge, park up in the little town and have a walk down towards the coastline.
When we visited, we explored the rocks at low tide to get a different angle of this popular ‘grammable’ spot.
If you decide to explore the shoreline, be careful on the slippery surfaces and watch out for hidden rock pools. Keep clear of exposed rocks when the swell or tide makes access unsafe.
Even if you don’t head down to the rocks, the bridge itself is worth seeing and makes a lovely final coastal stop before reaching Sydney.
Royal National Park
Royal National Park makes for a fun pit stop along the way, or, as a day trip from Sydney if you plan to stay there for an extended time.
We visited Royal National Park specifically because of the great vantage point over the ocean, which made for amazing whale watching (have you spotted the wildlife theme in this itinerary?).
It’s a really popular spot with road trippers and backpackers heading out from the city for a day trip.
Figure 8 Pools are perhaps the most popular thing to do there thanks to their Instagrammable photo opportunities, although accessing them requires a substantial coastal walk and suitable tide and sea conditions.
When we visited, we chose to explore some of the coastal walking tracks towards Wedding Cake Rock and Marley Head before turning back to find the car.
Our goal was to see whales, we weren’t expecting to also see wild echidna too!
It was relatively quiet when we visited, with the boardwalk still being worked on. I’m sure during peak summer season or school holidays it gets much busier than that!
Since you’ve already got a few hours of driving today, I’d recommend choosing a shorter walk or viewpoint if you’re planning to visit Royal National Park before reaching Sydney.
Alternatively, if you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney, you could easily come back and explore the park properly without having to worry about reaching the city before dark.
Once you’ve finished exploring the coastline, it’s time to make your way into Sydney and bring this 7 day Melbourne to Sydney road trip to an end!
Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip FAQs
How far is the drive from Melbourne to Sydney?
The quickest route between Melbourne and Sydney is approximately 880 km along the Hume Highway, taking around 9 hours without extended stops.
However, if you're following our coastal Melbourne to Sydney road trip itinerary, you're looking at roughly 1,200 km before adding in sightseeing detours. It's a much longer journey, but with so many beautiful places to explore along the way, we think it's worth the extra distance!
Is it safe to drive from Melbourne to Sydney?
Yes! Driving from Melbourne to Sydney is generally straightforward, with sealed main roads, regular towns and plenty of places to stop for fuel.
The biggest things to watch out for are wildlife, particularly around dawn and dusk, and changing weather conditions. If you're exploring national parks or smaller coastal roads, it's also worth checking local road conditions before setting off.
Is 7 days enough for a Melbourne to Sydney road trip?
Absolutely! Seven days gives you enough time to explore some of the best places along the Melbourne to Sydney coast, including Wilsons Promontory, 90 Mile Beach, Narooma and Jervis Bay.
You'll still have a couple of longer driving days, but we've planned this itinerary to give you time to enjoy the destinations rather than spending every day behind the wheel. If you've got longer, you could easily spend a few extra days exploring the national parks and smaller coastal towns.
Is it better to drive from Melbourne to Sydney along the coast or inland?
That depends on how much time you've got! If you're simply trying to get from Melbourne to Sydney as quickly as possible, the inland Hume Highway is the better option, taking approximately 9 hours.
However, if you've got 5–7 days to spare, we'd recommend taking the coastal route via Princes Highway. You'll get to explore beautiful beaches, national parks, wildlife spots and little coastal towns that you'd completely miss on the inland drive.
Is the Melbourne to Sydney road trip worth it?
Absolutely yes! After spending two years travelling around Australia in our campervan, we'd happily recommend the Melbourne to Sydney coastal drive, particularly if you're visiting Australia for the first time.
From spotting wombats at Wilsons Prom and having a stretch of 90 Mile Beach entirely to ourselves, to discovering little towns like Narooma and driving across Sea Cliff Bridge, it's a fantastic introduction to just how varied Australia's east coast can be.
Best Time to Road Trip From Melbourne to Sydney
We landed in Melbourne in the middle of winter and did our Melbourne to Sydney road trip towards the start of spring.
This resulted in some glorious weather and very little rain, and the same can be said for travelling at the start of autumn too.
Generally, the best time to road trip from Melbourne to Sydney is spring and autumn to avoid the really hot, and really cold/wet, weather.
I’ll be honest, through winter the weather in Melbourne was awful, so I can’t imagine doing the Melbourne to Sydney drive and being able to enjoy it if it’s constantly raining, especially when most of this road trip itinerary is based on getting out in nature!
Summer is also a popular time for exploring the coast, particularly if you’re wanting to spend more time at the beaches, although you can expect some of the national parks and campsites to be busier during school holidays.
Hiring a Car or Campervan for Your Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip
If you’re visiting Australia on holiday, hiring a car or campervan is probably going to be the easiest way to follow this itinerary, particularly since some of our favourite stops are tucked away in national parks and smaller coastal towns.
We travelled around Australia in our self-converted campervan, and while we loved having the freedom to stop wherever we wanted, you certainly don’t need a campervan to enjoy this route!
A hire car gives you the flexibility to explore during the day and stay in hotels, holiday parks or other accommodation along the way, whereas a campervan combines your transport and accommodation into one.
Which works out cheaper will depend on how you like to travel. Both options come with fuel, tolls and rental costs, but by hiring campervan you can often save money by staying at campsites and cooking your own meals rather than paying for private accommodation and eating out.
On the other hand, if you’re happy sharing hostel rooms or can find affordable accommodation along the route, hiring a car might work out cheaper, especially if campervan rental prices are high during your travel dates.
If you’re planning to hire, I’d recommend comparing the total cost of both options rather than just looking at the daily rental price.
One thing to look out for is one-way rental fees. Since you’re collecting your vehicle in Melbourne and returning it in Sydney, some rental companies may charge extra for dropping it off in a different city.
You’ll also want to check what’s included in the rental, particularly insurance excess, kilometre limits, bedding and cooking equipment if you’re hiring a campervan.
Need Wheels for Your Australian Adventure?
Whether you're exploring for the day or heading off on a longer road trip, find a vehicle that suits your plans.
Some links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Ready to Plan Your Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip?
After spending two years exploring Australia in our campervan, we can safely say that the Melbourne to Sydney coastal drive is one we’d happily recommend, especially if you’re looking for a road trip that combines wildlife, beautiful beaches and little towns you might otherwise drive straight past!
And while we’ve squeezed some of our favourite places into this 7 day itinerary, there’s still so much more to discover along the way.
If you’re ready to start planning your own adventure, our Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Map takes some of the work out of organising your route.
We’ve already plotted the drive in Google Maps, including additional stops, places we camped and a few of our favourite discoveries that didn’t make it into this itinerary.
So rather than spending hours figuring out where everything is and adding stops to your own map, you can spend more time looking forward to the adventure!
Discover More Between Melbourne & Sydney!
We've pinned our favourite stops, scenic detours and hidden gems to one easy-to-use Google Map, including extra places you won't find in our blog guides!
