As a way to get to know a new country, a road trip really can’t be beat. What other form of travel allows you to so intimately explore the little towns and get to know the people along your route? Among Australia’s many fantastic scenic drives is the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, a fourteen hour tour along Australia’s southern coast.
The first leg of the journey goes from Sydney to Jervis Bay. The road here follows high cliffs overlooking the ocean and provides stunning scenery. In Jervis Bay enjoy the pristine beaches and take advantage of the ample sea life by taking a dolphin-watching cruise. Next, travel to the town of Mallacoota. Along the way, you’ll want to stop in the village of Central Tilba to shop for wine, food, and local arts and crafts. In Narooma be sure to check out the Montague Island Nature Reserve, where fur seals, dolphins, turtles, and penguins are a common sight. If antique shops and art galleries are for you, then be sure to stop in Berry for some shopping. Eden was once Australia’s whaling capital, and killer whales can often still be seen here. Visit the Killer Whale Museum to discover more about these incredible creatures.
From Mallacoota, head to Wilson’s Promontory, the southernmost point of Australia’s mainland. On this part of the trip you’ll pass Ninety Mile Beach and the town of Lakes Entrance, where local restaurants serve up delicious seafood. Wilson’s Promontory is a beautiful national park that encompasses sandy beaches, eucalyptus forests, and granite mountains. The final portion of the trip will take you through the delightful Phillip Island where you can easily view fur seals, koalas, and the penguins that make a nightly trek up the beach. It is a short drive from Phillip Island to Melbourne, where the coastal drive ends and big city fun begins.
