10 Day Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Self Drive Itinerary

Arrive in Sydney

After planning your personalised journey with one of our Travel Designers, your Sydney to Melbourne adventure begins today. On arrival in Sydney, a private transfer can be arranged to meet you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel so you can settle in comfortably after your flight.

Sydney is 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.

Every First Light Travel itinerary is fully customisable. Speak with one of our expert Travel Designers to tailor this journey to your interests, travel dates and travel style.

Included Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Sydney - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall

Adina Town Hall Sydney is a stunning, fully refurbished apartment hotel centrally located on Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD. Conveniently adjacent to Town Hall Station, it offers easy access to the city’s top attractions. Accommodations include spacious studio and apartment-style options with contemporary design and modern comforts. The hotel also features an on-site gym and indoor swimming pool.

Sydney to Jervis Bay & Stargazing

Depart Sydney this morning and travel south along the scenic coastline toward Jervis Bay, passing rolling countryside and charming coastal towns along the way. On arrival, take in the region’s famous white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, with time to explore local lookouts or relax by the shore. As evening falls, enjoy a guided stargazing experience under some of the clearest night skies in New South Wales. Away from city lights, witness a dazzling display of stars, constellations and the Milky Way, creating a peaceful and unforgettable end to your day in this coastal paradise.

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

Accommodation: Jervis Bay - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Paperbark Camp - 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.

Jervis Bay Dolphin Watching

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

Mallacoota

Drive the Sapphire Coast to Mallacoota. Pause at Ulladulla Harbour for lunch and enjoy fresh takeaway fish and chips beside the water. Midway between Sydney and Melbourne, the Sapphire Coast offers breathtaking scenery, turquoise beaches and charming coastal towns. Stop in Eden to explore the fascinating Killer Whale Museum or take a swim before crossing into Victoria. Continue to Mallacoota and Gipsy Point, surrounded by the wilderness of Croajingolong National Park. This peaceful fishing village is famous for secluded beaches, pristine waterways, forest landscapes, sunsets and coastal views, making it a perfect place to relax

Included Meals: Breakfast

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

Accommodation: Mallacoota - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Mallacoota Hotel Motel

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.

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

Accommodation:

Esplanade Resort & Spa 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.

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

Accommodation:

Wilsons Promontory Coastal View Cabins

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 Ultimate Day Cruise

Discover the wild beauty of South Point, the historic lighthouse, and the untouched beaches of Waterloo Bay. Visit hidden gems like Refuge Cove and take in the peace and seclusion of Sealers Cove. Get up close to local wildlife, including playful seal colonies and the striking Skull Rock. Travel in comfort aboard our exclusive amphibious boats, reaching remote parts of Wilsons Promontory that few ever experience. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Australia’s most stunning national parks. Simple, memorable, and rich in natural beauty - it’s the perfect day out for those seeking adventure and connection with nature.

Included Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch

Phillip Island Penguins Ultimate Adventure Tour

Be one of the select few to venture to a secluded beach away from the Penguin Parade on this fully accredited eco-tour, ideal for nature and adventure lovers. Personal headsets provide clear, informative commentary, while night vision scopes let you observe penguins in the dark. A highlight is the return walk to the Penguin Parade visitor centre through the heart of the colony, offering an intimate encounter with these remarkable birds in their natural habitat. Expert guidance brings their behaviours to life, enhancing every moment with deeper insight, connection, and appreciation of this unique wildlife experience.

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

Accommodation: Phillip Island - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Phillip Island Apartments

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.

Melbourne

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

Accommodation:

Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne

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.

Farewell From Melbourne

Say farewell to Melbourne today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional road trip.

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.

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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