Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive

Drive south along the Princes Highway, connecting white sand bays, a historic whaling town, and the penguin parade

A journey that could be completed in a single day via the inland highway is split into eight days along the coast. The New South Wales section features Jervis Bay and the Sapphire Coast, while the Victorian section takes you into the Gippsland Lakes, Wilsons Promontory, and finally to Phillip Island for the penguins. This route is more streamlined than the tourism board's 9-day version by skipping Mallacoota and Walhalla, reducing detours. Some days require 3 to 4 hours of driving, and a one-way car rental is necessary.

Whale watching is available along the coast from May to October; campsites must be booked months in advance during summer holidays

Day by day

Day 1 · Sea Cliff Bridge to Jervis Bay

Sydney（Sea Cliff Bridge） → Southern Highlands（Kiama Blowhole） → Jervis Bay（Berry）

Drive from Sydney via Sea Cliff Bridge, Kiama, and Berry to Huskisson, covering about 200 km over the full day including stops

Stay: Huskisson

Day 2 · Dolphin Watching & Hyams White Sands

Jervis Bay（Jervis Bay Marine Park、White Sands Walk & Scribbly Gum Track、Hyams Beach）

Take a cruise from Huskisson for about 2 hours, then take a short drive to the beaches on the southern side of the bay in the afternoon

Stay: Huskisson

Day 3 · Booderee to Central Tilba

Jervis Bay（Booderee National Park、Green Patch）

Explore Booderee in the morning, then drive south along the Princes Highway for about 3 hours in the afternoon to stay in the heritage village of Central Tilba

Stay: Central Tilba

Day 4 · Sapphire Coast to Eden

Eden

Drive along the coast via Bermagui and Merimbula to Eden, covering about 160 km in 2.5 hours

September to November is the peak whale watching season in Eden

Stay: Eden

Day 5 · Across the Victorian Border to the Lakes

Lakes Entrance

Drive about 240 km (nearly 3 hours) from Eden to Lakes Entrance, passing through the forested areas of Croajingolong

Mobile signal is weak in the forested areas along the route; download offline maps in advance

Stay: Lakes Entrance

Day 6 · Long Drive to Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory（Squeaky Beach、Tidal River）

Drive about 300 km (3.5 hours) from Lakes Entrance to Tidal River, arriving in the afternoon to walk on the beach

Accommodation inside the park must be booked months in advance; otherwise, stay in Yanakie

Stay: Tidal River Campground

Day 7 · Mount Oberon to the Penguin Parade

Wilsons Promontory（Mount Oberon Summit） → Phillip Island（Phillip Island Penguin Parade）

Hike up the mountain for about 2.5 hours in the morning, then drive about 2.5 hours to Phillip Island in the afternoon

Tickets for the Penguin Parade must be booked in advance; photography is strictly prohibited inside the park

Stay: Cowes

Day 8 · Nobbies Boardwalk to Melbourne

Phillip Island（The Nobbies、Koala Conservation Reserve） → Melbourne（Flinders Street Station & Federation Square）

Explore the coastal boardwalk and see koalas on the island in the morning, then drive about 2 hours to Melbourne in the afternoon