Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip

Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip | Campervan Hire | Indie Campers

Stop 1. Sydney

Where to visit:

Sydney Opera House: World-class performing arts centre.
Sydney Harbour Bridge: Walk or cycle for views across eastern Sydney.
Bondi Beach: Popular beach with stunning coastal views.

Where to eat:

Home Thai: Delicious Thai food, loved by locals.
Ragazzi: Great Italian food with a modern vibe.
Restaurant Hubert: French cuisine with live piano performances.

Where to stay:

NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park: 40 minutes from Sydney with barbecue and laundry facilities.

Start in Sydney

Sydney is an Australian national treasure and a world-renowned city thanks to the famous Opera House and its vibrant city life. The Land Down Under’s most popular city is also the capital of New South Wales and the perfect place to start a road trip along the country’s sunny east coast.

While in Sydney, take time to admire the main attractions, like the harbour-facing Opera House and the amazing Skywalk with 360-degree views of the city. Meanwhile, have fun exploring Bondi, the beachside district with the world-famous Bondi Beach and its legendary surf scene.

Stop 2. Jervis Bay

Where to Visit:

Hyams Beach: Boasts some of the whitest sand in the world and is the most popular beach in Jervis Bay!
Booderee National Park: Known for its distinctive fauna, wildlife and nature trails.
Jervis Bay Maritime Museum: Explore maritime artefacts and souvenirs at this museum.

Where to Eat:

Stonegrill ($$$): A local favourite for delicious steakhouse fare.
5 Little Pigs ($$): Fresh coffee with a coastal view and tasty bites.
Wildginger Huskisson ($$): A mix of Asian-fusion dishes and a sophisticated wine bar.

Enjoy snow-white sand at Jervis Bay

Your first stop on your journey will be Jervis Bay, a coastal paradise in New South Wales. If you’re a beach lover, you won’t want to miss its famously clean, pristine stretches of sand. Paired with crystal-clear, deep-blue waters, it’s the perfect spot for a quick rest and a swim. Jervis Bay is also great for scenic photos — from the beaches themselves to relaxing shots or getting stuck into watersports!

Once you’ve finished soaking up the sun and feeling the soft white sand beneath your feet, pop into Jervis Bay Brewing Co. for a quick drink. Then explore the area’s history at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum before you continue your journey.

Stop 3. Narooma & Montague Island

Where to Visit:

Montague Nature Reserve: Swim with friendly fur seals.
Batemans Marine Park: Enjoy fishing and marine wildlife.
Australia Rock: Scenic seafront photo spot.

Where to Eat:

Ciccios Surfbeach Cafe: Local favourite for burgers, chips and coffee by the waves.
Tilba Valley Winery & Ale House: Wine, ale, and a tasty lunch menu.
Narooma Ice Creamery Cafe ($$): Great food and awesome ice cream.

Where to Stay:

Enjoy Narooma and set off for Montague Island

Your next pit stop will be Narooma, a coastal town on the Sapphire Coast. Narooma’s activities and attractions are along the shoreline. You can do pretty much anything, from fishing and snorkelling to swimming and spotting wildlife.

Fun fact: did you know Narooma is a breeding ground for Australian fur seals? It’s also home to other exotic animals like pelicans and stingrays. You can admire these magnificent creatures and the breathtaking scenery by strolling along the Mill Bay Boardwalk.

Narooma has its own charm, but the real crown jewel for this stop is Montague Island! Montague Island has loads of fun activities and unforgettable sights, such as Australia Rock and Gulaga National Park!

When you’re not snorkelling and marvelling at the colourful underwater world, you’ll be keeping an eye out for the little penguins that gather on the beaches. If you’re lucky, you might see over 1,000 penguins along the shoreline!

Stop 4. Merimbula

Where to Eat:

Bar Beach Kiosk ($): Beach restaurant popular with visitors, known for its vegetarian meals.
Dulcie’s Cottage ($$): Serves some of the best burgers in Australia.
Ritzy Wine & Tapas Bar ($$$): Authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Where to Stay:

Millingandi Station: Waterfront oasis between Pambula & Merimbula; green spaces and easy road access.
Rose Gum Farm: 170 acres of bushland and creeks; great for watching wallabies.
Kanarutha Farm: Green paths and cycling trails; limited Campervan spaces, plan ahead.

Embrace Tranquillity and Nature's Beauty in Merimbula

After saying your farewells to Narooma and Montague Island, you’ll soon find yourself in the coastal retreat of Merimbula. This charming seaside town offers visitors a wide range of activities and attractions to suit everyone. From exploring the primeval Merimbula Lake to kayaking and soaking up the glorious scenery, Merimbula Lake is packed with fun water-based activities.

Fancy landing a big one? You’re in luck — Merimbula is one of the best spots for fishing. Snappers, tailors and Australian flatheads are just daring you to catch them! When you’ve had your fill of fishing and snorkelling, have some fun on land with a round of golf at the Pambula Merimbula Golf Park or by trying out the rides and activities at Magic Mountain Merimbula!

Stop 5. Mallacoota & Croajingolong National Park

Where to Visit:

Bastion Point: Sail the deep blue sea; one of Australia’s safest places to launch a boat.
Gabo Island: Take a trip from the mainland to a historic island home to the Gabo Island Lighthouse.
Croajingolong National Park: Bush walks, lush forests, coastline and wide grasslands.

Where to Eat:

Lucy’s ($$$): Traditional Asian cuisine.
Mallacoota Hotel Motel Family Bistro ($$$): Pub food at Mallacoota’s best family bistro.

Where to Stay:

Catch waves in Mallacoota and Croajingolong National Park

If you love catching and riding the waves, this next stop is for you! Mallacoota is a small but extraordinary coastal town tucked away in Croajingolong National Park. With clean, beautiful beaches and exotic wildlife like kangaroos and Australian water dragons, there’s plenty to see here!

When you’ve finished hanging ten on the surfboard you bought at the Mallacoota Surf Shack, soak up some culture at the Mallacoota Arts Space Art Gallery. Mallacoota and Croajingolong National Park provide a calm, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after hours on the road.

Stop 6. Paynesville

Where to Visit:

Koala Trail: 8 km walk to spot koalas and local wildlife.
Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place: Museum with priceless artefacts and unique cultural displays.
Buchan Caves: Must-see natural caves; Fairy Cave and Royal Cave are standout attractions in Gippsland.

Where to Eat:

Sardine Eatery + Bar ($$): Fish and chips with a good beer.
Alma’s ($$$): Top-quality Australian cuisine.
Waterview Bakery ($): Quick bite before the Koala Trail.

Where to Stay:

Enjoy Lakeside Tranquillity and Culinary Delights in Paynesville

After exploring the plethora of natural wonders of Australia’s south-eastern coast, the final coastal town you’ll explore is Paynesville. Paynesville sits on the shores of Lake King, so you’ll be surrounded by some of the best waterfront views and tranquil scenery.

Visitors are in for one of the most relaxing times of their lives as there are loads of fun activities to enjoy. But we’d be remiss not to mention the dining scene. Paynesville offers a wide range of cuisines such as seafood, Asian, Thai, Italian and Chinese. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Paynesville has you sorted! Sample Italian dishes at Three Double8zero or enjoy Asian flavours at Tham Dynasty!

Stop 7. Melbourne

Where to Visit:

Queen Victoria Market: Over 600 small businesses in a grand shopping centre.
National Gallery of Victoria: Melbourne’s oldest museum with 70,000+ artworks.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: Stroll through the lush gardens and enjoy the blooms.

Where to Eat:

Da Guido La Pasta ($$): Authentic Italian flavours in central Melbourne.
Juicy Bao ($): Shanghai-style bites full of flavour.

Where to Stay:

Discover Parks, Melbourne: Laundry, Wi-Fi, plenty of parking; from AU$119 per night.

Finish the Trip in Melbourne

With your coastal journey coming to a close, the final part of your road trip is to explore the main destination: Melbourne! This almost 200‑year‑old city is the capital of Victoria and lets you explore the extraordinary street art, shop at the historic Queen Victoria Market and experience a unique dining scene.

Enjoy the bustling yet relaxed atmosphere of Melbourne by joining in on a range of activities! Take a hot‑air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley, learn about Australia's history with a tour of the Melbourne Museum and take in the views from the Melbourne Skydeck!