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Self Drive - The Coastal Drive - Melbourne to Sydney
This 4 day coastal drive can be shortened or extended or mixed and matched depending on the time available. The itinerary is shown Melbourne to Sydney, but can obviously be taken in the opposite direction. If you would like alternative driving routes between Sydney and Melbourne please ask an Aspire expert. |
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Day 1 - Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Promontory is a two-hour drive from Melbourne, with plenty of things to see and do along the way.
A favourite destination for lovers of Australian wildlife, Phillip Island is home to the Little Penguins that parade up Summerland Beach each night, Australian fur seals cavorting around the Nobbies and a large population of koalas that can be viewed at close range. Explore tranquil wetlands and the imposing granite cliffs and golden beaches of Cape Woolamai, breeding ground of the short-tailed shearwater. Waves roll in on one side of the island, while the other side offers protected bay beaches that suited water sports of all sorts.
Mainland Wonthaggi is home to Victoria’s black coal industry. Don a hard hat and tour an underground working mine at the State Coal Mine. For those who prefer their exploration in the open air, the 16-kilometre Bass Coast Rail Trail from Wonthaggi to Anderson is Victoria’s only coastal rail trail, a highlight for walkers and cyclists.
Farmers throughout the rolling hills of Gippsland
produce high-quality local produce from smoked meats and venison to
world-renowned cheeses and organic fruit and vegetables |
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Day 2 - Wilsons Promontory to Lakes Entrance
Wilsons Promontory is one of the nation’s most picturesque national parks and the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland. Follow one of the many walking tracks through eucalypt forests and wildflowers to secluded coves, stunning white sand beaches and granite mountains. The underwater scenery is just as spectacular, with huge granite formations set among multi-hued seaweed and colourful fish. Set up camp at Tidal River, where there are cabins, toilets, showers and a visitor centre, or at one of the remote sites located throughout the national park.
Nearby Sale is the major centre in the area. This inland port town is a good starting point for a boating trip, and is close to Ninety Mile Beach, the Gippsland Lakes and the high country of the Dargo Plains. Closer to Melbourne is Yarram, notable for its historic architecture and golf course with resident kangaroos.
Paynesville and Metung are gateways to the aquatic wonderland of the Gippsland Lakes. Close to the ocean, this vast expanse of safe, protected inland lakes and rivers is ideal for fishing, boating and exploration. Visit portside towns with pubs, restaurants, public jetties and marinas, and plenty of places to charter a boat or take a cruise around the lakes, such as the Wyanga Park winery cruise. Dramatic scenery, coastal flora and fauna, and plentiful bird life complete the experience. |
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Day 3 - Lakes Entrance to Mallacoota
The route leads on to Lakes Entrance where, as the name suggests, the Gippsland Lakes meet the sea. Cast a line at ocean beaches, rivers and public jetties, or let someone else do the hard work and buy fresh seafood when the daily catch arrives on trawlers, or enjoy a meal at local restaurants where that fresh seafood is always on the menu.
Lakes Entrance is located on one of Victoria’s most remarkable beaches - the Ninety Mile Beach - which stretches as far west as Yarram. Head to this long stretch of sand to find a secluded spot, or the patrolled swimming and a range of water activities around tourist centres.
Further east, Cape Conran Coastal Park is a great camping and bushwalking spot and home to many kangaroos, koalas and emus. The town of Mallacoota is a coastal village surrounded by the Croajingolong National Park, recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, with a diverse ecosystem featuring over 1,000 native plants and more than 300 bird species. In Bass Strait, you can spot seals and dolphins at play. Aside from its natural attractions, Croajingolong
is also a great place for sports like fishing, kayaking, boating,
sailing and cycling |
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Day 4 - Mallacoota to Sydney
On the final leg to Australia’s largest city, take in the New South Wales south coast, an area of significant beauty that includes 10 national and marine parks.
Just over the Victorian border discover Mimosa Rocks National Park, 5,230 hectares of forests, beaches, sea caves, headlands and lagoons. Nearby Central Tilba is a charming village, entirely classified by the National Trust for its historical significance.
The south coast is a great place to see wildlife. Take a dolphin-watching cruise from Jervis Bay or explore the waters surrounding Montague Island Nature Reserve, just off Narooma, a favourite place for seals, dolphins, turtles, and home to a colony of penguins. Further south, Eden, once the whaling capital of Australia, still attracts many whales during their northward migration. Call in at the Killer Whale Museum to discover their importance to the town’s history.
Head to the resort town of Merimbula for great beaches and local seafood and stop off at Berry to browse the art galleries and antique shops. Batemans Bay is a great place for water sports, with a number of beaches suited to surfing, swimming, snorkelling, boating and fishing. The fishing village of Kiama, 90 minutes south of Sydney, is home to the famous blowhole, where the force of waves hitting the cliffs sends a spout of water into the air. |
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