Linger a little longer in East Gippsland
TAKE THE COASTAL ROADS FROM MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY AND EXTEND YOUR STAY IN EAST GIPPSLAND
ENTIRE JOURNEY 1,171km | 15 hours 35 minutes
Jump in the car and experience the charming coastline between Melbourne and Sydney. Spot native wildlife in national parks and slip-slop-slap at countless golden beaches.
Take a break from the adventure with the freshest of fresh seafood and couple it with a tipple from one the fine wineries dotted along the journey.
This drive offers dramatic landscapes along an unruly coastline leaving beautiful moments that will last a lifetime.
LEG 1: MELBOURNE TO METUNG
310km | 3 hours 50 minutes
Say goodbye to the city and head east. Within an hour of following the M1 you will be driving by vast paddocks with quaint country homesteads. Not long after you will emerge into the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes, Bairnsdale. A commercial centre that manages to retain a laid-back vibe. Set on the tranquil Mitchell River, the town is a launching point for exploring the twinkly lakes and Mitchell River National Park, and offers cultural experiences and leafy parklands. Your journey continues to the idyllic waterside village of Metung. Surrounded almost completely by water, this picture-perfect town is like something out of a story book with sumptuous views in every direction.
Stay a few days. We recommend exploring the stunning Gippsland Lakes, dining on local produce at one of our many restaurants and cafes and exploring the plethora of activities our region has on offer.
Places to explore from Metung include:
Paynesville, Raymond Island and Eagle Point
LEG 2: METUNG TO CAPE CONRAN
109km | 1 hour 30 mins
Soak up Metung’s timeless maritime air with a walk along the boardwalk or potter around the village.
Make the short drive to the next Gippsland Lakes hot spot, Lakes Entrance. Nestled in at the eastern end of Ninety Mile Beach, this lively family-friendly town is located where Australia’s largest inland waterways break through to the Southern Ocean. This popular resort town offers loads of accommodation, perfect for settling in to watch a famous Lakes’ sunset.
From here, it's an hour's drive to Cape Conran Coastal Park, where you can explore the wide sandy beaches flanked by rocky outcrops and impossibly blue waters.
Areas of interest on this leg of the drive include:
LEG 3: CAPE CONRAN TO MALLACOOTA
129km | 1 hour 35 mins
Roughly hitting the halfway mark of the drive, and quite unlike any other experience you will have, make sure you spend some time exploring Croajingolong National Park. The park offers epic hikes, gob-smacking white sand beaches, rocky mountain valleys, rainforest pockets and dizzyingly beautiful campsites.
Its remoteness is part of its charm and if you are able to camp overnight and have some energy to expend, the Wilderness Coast Walk (45km) is a great way to feast on some of the best scenery, from rocky headlands to wide open beaches, river estuaries and coastal heathland.
If you are not a tent-camping type, then spend your last Victorian nights in Mallacoota, a largely undeveloped coastal village, on the fringe of Croajingolong National Park. The town is one of Victoria’s best kept secrets with superb beaches and a chilled out vibe.
Along this stretch of drive, ensure you check out:
LEG 4: MALLACOOTA TO NAROOMA
214km | 2 hours 40 minutes
Say goodbye to this slice of Victorian paradise and cross the border into New South Wales. Journey north along the spectacularly alluring Sapphire Coast.
LEG 5: NAROOMA TO JERVIS BAY
212km | 3 hours
Greet the day with a swim and a quick walk to the ancient rock formations known as the Glasshouse Rocks located at the beach's southern end. Take a break at Batemans Bay or travel a little further along Beach Road to see the rugged turquoise coast.
A short drive onwards gets you to the sparkling beaches of Jervis Bay, a seaside wonderland where you can swim in crystal clear waters and spot ocean wildlife happily entertaining the locals.
LEG 6: JERVIS BAY TO SYDNEY
197km | 3 hours
Soak up the last of the lazy vibes from New South Wales’ twinkling south coast. Enjoy the gorgeous views on the final leg via the Grand Pacific Drive before arriving in beautiful and busy Sydney.