If you’re considering taking to the roads of Australia, listen closely: driving along the coast between Melbourne and Sydney is honestly one of the most amazing drives I’ve ever done. It’s got all of Australia’s best bits all together in one trip—beaches, mountains, woods, national parks, super-adorable little coastal towns, and loads of odd but awesome animals (I’m still trying to get my head around that wombat who nearly grabbed my snacks).
Most people simply jump on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney and ignore all the cool stuff in between. If you’ve got time, though—this road trip is like the ultimate Oz adventure. I traveled roundabout for 10 days, arrived back in Melbourne sunburnt, feeling fantastic, and with loads of tales to tell.
So here’s the insider info on how to plan your ultimate road trip from Melbourne to Sydney, and I assure you, it’s got oceans, mountains, and—wait for it—some seriously bizarre creatures.
Why drive rather than taking flight?
You can absolutely complete it in 90. But in all honesty, the best part is in the ride, not reaching the endpoint.
The drive is a great way to get up close and personal with the amazing, diverse landscapes of southeastern Australia. You can wake up in these adorable beach towns, walk through dense rainforests, snack on freshly shucked oysters right off the boat, and pull over for those spontaneous wildlife encounters. It’s the kind of trip where you can completely wing it, take tiny detours, and enjoy every moment.
Seriously, who wouldn’t want to brag about traveling from Melbourne to Sydney like a complete adventurer?
How long should you take?
The inland direct drive is about 9 hours. But if you’re doing the coastal scenic drive, plan on having at least 7 days, and in my opinion, 10 days is much better. I traveled in 10 days, and I still felt like I needed more time in certain spots.
If you’re short on time, you can completely omit some stops or divide the drive into two segments. However, if you want to experience beaches, mountains, laid-back fishing villages, and national parks, go slow. Australia’s coastline is all about rewarding the patient.
Starting off in Melbourne – where urban energy meets coffee nirvana!
Melbourne is literally my favorite city in the whole world, and it’s absolutely the place to start your road trip. I relaxed there for a few days before setting off on the road, taking it easy among the Fitzroy laneways, consuming too much of that hipster coffee, and searching out those trendy pastries in Carlton.
If you like art, cuisine, or any and all things indie and alternative, Melbourne is absolutely your scene. You have to visit Hosier Lane to see the street art, visit Queen Victoria Market to get some awesome supplies, and grab breakfast from Hardware Société before you leave.
Then: engine on, GPS set, playlist ready. Let the road trip begin.
Stop 1: Wilsons Promontory – Breathtaking nature and some very cheeky wombats!
There’s this really cool place, about 3 hours to the southeast of Melbourne, called Wilsons Promontory National Park, or “The Prom” to locals. You absolutely need to visit. There’s granite bluffs, enormous beaches, dense bushland, and absolutely loads of wildlife!
I camped two nights in Tidal River, and on the first night, this wombat came strolling by my tent. It was like a cross between a teddy bear and a small bulldozer. Adorable—until it was wandering towards my trail mix!
Look at these best stuff:
- Hike Mount Oberon for panoramic coastal views
- Swim or chill at Squeaky Beach (the sand actually squeaks!)
- Look for kangaroos, emus, echidnas, and yeah—more wombats!
Bring hiking boots, bug spray, and a full camera battery.
Stop 2: Lakes Entrance – Really relaxed atmosphere and the 90 Mile Beach
We’re off to Lakes Entrance, about a four hour drive from Wilsons Prom. It’s this great town where the enormous Gippsland Lakes flow out to the sea, and it’s got such a relaxed atmosphere with such incredible vistas.
I kayaked the lakes (totally relaxed), walked along the world-renowned 90 Mile Beach (it’s like, so, super long), and bought some of the freshest fish and chips from the marina. There’s just this great feeling about this place—not crowded whatsoever, no hassle, nothing but waves and gulls.
This is the best place to visit on a dolphin cruise or try paddleboarding if you are into water sports.
Stop 3: Eden – Whales, history, and absolutely stunning views
From Lakes Entrance, you want to drive about 5 hours northeast to this town named Eden on the Sapphire Coast. If you’re there during whale migration season (May-November), you’re in for a treat. I was hanging out near Twofold Bay and witnessed this humpback whale completely freak out of the water—like, tail splash and all. It was pretty incredible.
Even if you don’t spot any whales, Eden’s really adorable. Visit the Killer Whale Museum (no joke), walk those insane coastal cliffs, and visit Ben Boyd National Park, where I spotted a wallaby just hanging out on the beach. Maybe I was dreaming, maybe it was real. Who knows?
If you enjoy nature and those dramatic coastlines, Eden is where the entire trip begins to get quite enchanting.
Stop 4: Bermagui – all about art, surfing, and that great rock pool
Just north of Eden by an hour and a half is Bermagui, this adorable little coastal town you didn’t even know you needed. It’s small, artsy, and simply breathtaking.
The Blue Pool is this incredible natural swimming hole that’s ocean water and cut into the rock, and it’s hands down the highlight. I woke up really early, walked down the cliff stairs, and jumped in just after sunrise. It was icy cold, but seriously, one of the most relaxing moments I’ve ever experienced.
There’s always some great local artwork, relaxed cafes, and live music to be found around here, particularly on the weekends. It’s really an artsy community, but it’s also super relaxed.
Stop 5: Narooma and Montague Island – Penguins, seals, and great coastal atmosphere!
Take a quick north-bound drive and you’ll get to Narooma, which is totally awesome. It’s well-known for having ultra-clear waters and lots of sea life, and it’s also near Montague Island, this protected nature area where seals relax and sometimes penguins come to visit.
I took this really cool boat tour to the island, and it was completely unforgettable. Seals were lounging like royalty on the rocks, and we saw these little penguins (the smallest in the world) waddling along the beach at sunset.
Other highlights in Narooma:
- The Boardwalk Trail sort of winds along the mangroves and hugs the water.
- Tasting oysters straight from the local farmers (trust me on this).
- Snorkeling or attempting stand-up paddleboarding if you feel adventurous!
Stop 6: Jervis Bay – Beaches out of this world
If I only had time to visit one beach on this entire trip, I’d definitely choose Jervis Bay. It’s a three-hour drive from Narooma, approximately, and it’s really well known for Hyams Beach, which has the whitest sand in the world. (No, seriously, it actually makes a squeaking sound when you step on it.)
I spent time in Huskisson, and it has this really relaxed atmosphere with beachy restaurants, breweries, and boat tours. I did a dolphin cruise and saw these dolphins racing alongside the boat like they were in a competition or something.
Don’t miss:
- Booderee National Park: Hike through eucalyptus forests and Indigenous heritage sites
- Green Patch Beach: Extremely clear and generally deserted.
- Sunset at Plantation Point: Absolutely fantastic and uberserene.
Optional Detour: Kangaroo Valley – Rainforest Meets Countryside
Before the final stretch into Sydney, consider detouring inland to Kangaroo Valley. It’s only about an hour from Jervis Bay but feels like another world. Think green hills, foggy mornings, and fern-filled forests.
I slept in this terrific cabin farmstay and woke to the cows mooing and the kookaburras laughing. Canoeing along the river was by far the highlight of the entire trip.
If you’re into waterfalls, you’ve got to visit Fitzroy Falls nearby. The short walk is absolutely well worth it.
Final destination: Royal National Park and Grand Pacific Drive
When you are nearing Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive is absolutely the best part. It’s a gorgeous highway that wraps around the cliffs and brings you over the Sea Cliff Bridge, where the road literally bends right out over the water.
Stop for some photos—it’s beautiful!
You need to visit Royal National Park—it’s the second-oldest national park in existence! I walked on the Figure 8 Pools track, spotted some wild cockatoos, and quite literally felt like I was walking into a prehistoric rainforest.
Then, cruise into Sydney, where the Opera House, Bondi Beach, and urban buzz await.
Some Useful Tips for Melbourne to Sydney Drive
It is not hard to drive by any stretch, but I’ve got some advice to make your trip more enjoyable and easier to manage.
1. Fuel Up Regularly
Some stretches between towns are remote and petrol stations are scarce. I always topped off the tank if I was below half.
2. Watch out for wildlife!
Kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies are ultra active at sunset and sunrise. They’re so adorable, but they just don’t understand cars. So, drive more slowly in the country at these times.
3. Feel Comfortable
Australia’s southeast coast can go from sunny beach weather to chilly bush conditions quickly. Bring everything from shorts to rain jackets.
4. Get some snacks and some water
Particularly those national parks and drives between towns. I packed a cooler and stocked it with snacks from the markets in town.
5. Book Accommodations Ahead
When the Aussie school holidays arrive, particularly in the case of summertime, Jervis Bay and Lakes Entrance are absolutely jam-packed.
6. Offline maps are really convenient!
Reception drops in many national parks and rural stretches. Download Google Maps offline, or use a GPS that doesn’t rely on mobile data.
7. Bring Binoculars and a Camera
There are so many things to see here, including whales and wedge-tailed eagles. Binoculars really made watching whales from the beach that much better.
8. Respect Wildlife
Don’t feed or handle the animals, and please don’t leave anything outside your tent unless you don’t mind a wombat “borrowing” it.
Last Word: It’s all about the ride!
It’s a drive where you can really sense the world transform around you—like from city life to cliff edges, mist-shrouded mountain roads to the invigorating sea breeze. Driving between Melbourne and Sydney is not merely about reaching from here to there. It’s diving into an amazing sensory blast of all that makes Australia really unforgettable.
Relax, dude. Roll with it.
Enjoy those off-road detours, midnight swimming adventures, oddball museums, and kangaroo staring competitions. And don’t forget to roll down the windows and bring in Australia!