Sydney to Melbourne coastal route

This is the coastal alternative to the Hume Highway, roughly 1,040 km along the Princes Highway. It passes Wollongong, Kiama, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Narooma and Eden, then crosses into Victoria and follows Gippsland to Melbourne. Plan on four to seven days and plenty of beach stops.

The stops

1. Start

   Sydney

2. Viewpoint

   Kiama Blowhole

   Sea spout best on a rough swell day

3. Beach

   Jervis Bay

   Hyams Beach and clear water

4. Town

   Batemans Bay

   Fresh oysters and river mouth

5. Town

   Narooma

   Montague Island seal and penguin tours

6. Town · Overnight

   Merimbula

   Calm lakes and a long wharf

7. Town

   Eden

   Whale-watching port; Killer Whale Museum

8. Town

   Lakes Entrance

   Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes

9. Park

   Wilsons Promontory

   Short detour for beaches and walks

10. City

    Melbourne

    End of the road

11. Finish

    Melbourne

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Kiama

  Kiama Harbour Cabins

• Night 2

  Batemans Bay

  Holiday parks along the river

• Night 3

  Merimbula

  Holiday parks near the lake

• Night 4

  Lakes Entrance

  Holiday parks along the lakes

When to go

Spring and autumn; summer school holidays are busy; whales Sep to Nov at Eden

On the road

Mostly two-lane highway, with bushfire closures after 2019-20 in places. Check Live Traffic NSW and VicTraffic.