Kangaroos are the main wild life and can cause some serious damage. In this road trip itinerary, the drive goes along the coast. Or Berrima. As is the open plains zoo at Dubbo. It was a multi-generational road trip, I was about 4 months pregnant and we were meeting my husbands parents on the Gold Coast, where we would all be staying in the same house. About an hour further down the Hume Highway, just south of Wangaratta, is Glenrowan a small town made famous for being the location of the infamous Kelly Gangs made their last stand. Disclaimer: links in this post are an affiliate. Or the last option before you start climbing up the hill is the historic town of Moe, where there are some leisurely bushwalks to stretch your legs. drive for about 3.5 hours, 1:27 pm Katoomba As you can see on the map above, theres lots of ground to cover. We didnt get to see anywhere near all 51, but we did track down the one he wanted to see the most, that koala painted like a tiger, which was located at a KFC at a service centre along with a few others. Although Lakes Entrance is the main tourist centre of this part of Gippsland Lakes, I recommend you stay instead at Metung, which offers a more charming village atmosphere. Ulladulla also has good food options but if youre looking for somewhere to eat around there, I would actually suggest continuing on to Milk Haus near Milton, where youll find a converted farmhouse with excellent coffee and meals. There are a few historical buildings to explore and plenty of green space to walk around and stretch the legs. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:47 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, Rachael asked:Driving from Gold Coast to Melbourne (0 answers), Jay asked:Help me plan my trip (0 answers), Benalla (3 answers) Yes, all in the one (in-adequately sized) car. The roads are OK, and there should be less traffic. All aboard for a ride on Australia's oldest steam railway, through thick forests and lush fern gullies, or travel first class for olden-times romance. At the top, the pier extends out over the edge of the lookout, providing views of the coastline. With views of the lake from most of the rooms, the Metung Waters Motel is great value for clean and comfortable rooms. Thankyou for any advice. You can read my story about swimming with the seals at Montague Island or you can check the availability of the tours. Im assuming that youre doing the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney because you want to see the sights along the way, rather than just get between the two cities. If youre only planning to stay one night, you wont be able to access the areas that need long hikes in. Todays destination is Walhalla, an old gold mining town that was one of the richest places in Australia in the late 1880s. Although there isnt much here, the Pelican Point Coffee Lounge is good for a coffee or a meal. (Although new trains are coming in 2023, which look much better!). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. So why not check out this comprehensive guide that youll find handy if its your first trip to the city. Required fields are marked *. Find the best spots to stop on the Hume Highway, including the towns of Goulburn, Gundagai, Holbrook, Albury and Glenrown. A good place to stop on the drive from Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory is Meeniyan. The Big Banana was one of Australias first big things. You can book your motels online via phone but try and do it by 4 pm once you've made up your mind about which town you'll reasonably get to by tea time or so: I got away with booking at 6 pm or later sometimes on my trip but that was in early November, early January with school holidays might be a different story. If you're planning a road trip to Gold Coast, you can research locations to stop along the way. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. The plan so far is to stop at West Wyalong on the first night and then Moree the second. Just after Moruya, youll reach Mogo Wildlife Park, which is famous for its work in breeding endangered animals. I think this itinerary offers a lovely mix of bush and beach, with national parks, wildlife experiences, and some heritage. From M5 you get onto M7. Could then possibly continue on to Moree by evening and book into one of the motels that have the artisan bore baths. Pretty much 110km/h divided road till . But you can definitely just stay a night or two and you may appreciate the facilities on a long road trip. Rob, you don't go through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Melbourne Attractions absolutely for free. I recommend sticking to the main highways and roads as its easier when driving long distances. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pmdrive for about 2 hours, 6:55 pm Yass We was me, my husband, our almost 3-year-old son and my parents. In fact, the white sand at many of the beaches is one of the main attractions and its easy to just spend your time swimming and hanging out at the coast. If you'd like to make a scenic slow tour of it go the Princes Highway over three days and two nights. Hume Highway, inclusive of the sections now known as Hume Freeway and Hume Motorway, is one of Australia's major inter-city national highways, running for 840 kilometres (520 mi) between Melbourne in the southwest and Sydney in the northeast. It wont feel like youre going any faster, but the clock will notice overall. If you discount the Hume Highway, that leaves you with two main options go along the coast or go inland. . There were way more rest stops than fuel stops. Here you will find the tips and advice to help plan your next adventure and give you enough information to feel comfortable when you arrive. Melbourne to Sydney: The inland drive, via Hume Highway. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Now that its 110kmh most of the way I'm assuming it will be a lot better run.Planning to get to Moree Day 1, then via Warwick, Beaudesert Day 2. Although there are lots of places to stop along the Melbourne to Sydney drive, Ive chosen the ones in this itinerary because they offer some of the most interesting activities, with significant national parks or iconic experiences. Expect a road trip driving time of just over seven hours. Ive got more details in my story about things to do in Jervis Bay. A coastal town with a hippie-chic vibe, Byron Bay is Australias Easternmost town. There are a few different routes you could take to get between Melbourne and Sydney. MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY: Via The Hume Highway (31) The road between Melbourne and Sydney travels for much of the way along the Great Dividing Range. With that in mind, its worth trying to avoid arriving in Sydney during peak hour because the last stretch can get very slow with traffic. If you have the time however, Ned Kellys Last Stand at the Glenrowan Tourist Centre also has ananimatronic display of the gangs last stand as well as a museum documenting the history of the famous bushranger, in particular his final moments. Botanic Gardens, Albury Albury's Gardens might not be as unusual as the other stopping points on this list, but they are a great place to take a breather when driving the Hume Highway. As the countryside opens up, youll be driving through the relatively flat agricultural lands of West Gippsland, known primarily for dairy farming but also for a burgeoning gourmet food scene. And catch the sunset at Whisky Bay, which is only a ten minute drive from Tidal River and really worth the effort. This is about 900 kilometres long and will take just over nine hours of driving (without stops). At Marulan, Gundagai, Yass in NSW. Another popular drive goes inland between the coast and the Hume Highway, through the Snowy Mountains. Driving at 50 km/h on main routes through regional towns in NSW will try a Victorian's patience. Give yourself at least 3 days. Click on any question to see answers from the community! I've normally got 4x4, kids, and a caravan, 10+ hours in the car kills me. Its about 1000 kilometres long and takes about 13 hours of driving. The Big Merino is a concrete Merino ram that stands at 15.2 metres tall. Backpack vs Suitcase | Which Is Better For Your Travels. These roadside toilet stops were frequent in many areas. Tasman Highway Best Places To Stop Between Launceston and Hobart, Bruce Highway Best Places To Stop Between Townsville and Brisbane. 1. Best to go up the Newell. A decommissioned Royal Australian Navy Submarine that had been destined to be turned into scrap metal. Also, its never nice to accidentally injure or kill an animal. Want to take two days. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Gold Coast. Take it easy and dont speed. . Now, before we go on to day 2 of the itinerary, I want to give you an option for a different way to start this drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Approximately 850 kms, about 8 hours. Spoke to my dad and he said we used to drive from Melbourne to Goondiwindi every year then Gold Coast from there. Nearby Merimbula also makes for a lovely rest. So, with all of that introduction out of the way, lets get into the details of this Melbourne to Sydney drive itinerary! If you cant make it that far, for either fuel or caffeine dependancy related reasons, Suttons Forest has a Shell service station and McDonalds about 50ks closer to Sydney. The main area in Wilsons Promontory is Tidal River, where youll find a shop and many of the camping sites (and a few other accommodation options). First night Campbelltown, second night Kempsey. A dusty corner on the internet where you can chew the fat about Australia and Australians. My map says 1698km via the newell and 1713km via the Hume and pacific hwy. Its located at the Shell service (petrol) station and in close proximity to a couple of fast food outlets (McDonalds, Olivers and Subway). It was built in 1964 to draw attention to a small roadside banana stall. Make sure your car is mechanically sound. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. There were a few road side stalls selling fresh fruit along the way and the car parks were full. Your email address will not be published. Guides and resources. Driving between Sydney and Melbourne will take approximately eight to nine hours to cover the 877.6 km . travelers and answer their questions about Melbourne! But its all still beautifully laidback and, with the beaches and cafes, the whole region feels like a constant summer holiday. Todays drive is one of the prettiest of the whole trip, with lush Australian bush along both sides of the road for most of the way, as you cut through national parks and state forests. If anything, avoid being around the central coast heading south on a Sunday afternoon, because that'll be more drama than NorthConnex/M7 likely will. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the I have stopped using M2 & M7 when travelling south because the cost exceeds the time saved on most trips. Sure, you can tackle the 840km, nine-hour drive in one day, but . Just definitely don't stop in Moree when you go via the Newell, lol. RACV Melbourne to Sydney map, including strip maps detailing route and attractions along the Hume and Princes highways ($6 member price at RACV Retail Stores). Youll usually need to book in advance to stay at Tidal River in the national park, but you can check availability here. I live on the Tweed Coast, just south of the Gold Coast and regularly drive to and from Melbourne as my kids and grand-daughter are down there. Built in 1890, Windsor House is one of the last original properties in Walhalla and offers five rooms for B&B accommodation. Driving from Melbourne to Sydney by car is not the most scenic route either. Rhys Vandersyde | August 11, 2022March 27, 2021. Would routinely do family trips to Sunshine coast from melbourne every 2 years. UNESCO has declared the park a World Biosphere Reserve because of the natural diversity it has within it. Cops are like a case of the pox and are everywhere. The cosy rooms at Prom Coast Apartments come with a full kitchenette and are only a few minutes from the beach. Where to find dinosaur footprints in Broome best place, The most amazing Broome Horizontal Falls Day Trip full review, Best Budget Broome itinerary unique things to do in Broome, Ultimate Broome to Darwin Tour find out what to expect, Visiting Etosha National Park, Namibia- a love of wildlife, Camping Baw Baw NP- Crossing the Thompson Dam. Pacific Highway used to be a goat track many years ago and downright dangerous in many sections. Option 3 (Quickest) - 2 to 4 days. This part of the Murray River and Hume Highway could be a destination all of its with plenty to see and do across both Albury and Wodonga. becky from Australia asked:What are fun things to do with a family on Australia's Gold Coast? Recently did Brisbane to Melbourne (via Falls Creek for a week) via the Newell, Then on the way back had to stop through sydney so did Melbourne > Sydney > Brisbane via the Hume/Pacific. Want to know the distances for your google road map? Ive never gone the inland way, only the coastal way though. A softUsvista Inc. venture! Stay overnight somewhere between Orbost and Eden the first night, and between Newcastle and Taree the second night. Thanks all for the feedback, I'm really looking forward to the trip. })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');
. If youre looking for more than just a rest stop on this stretch of the drive, I would recommend heading to Pambula in time for one of Captain Sponges Magical Oyster Tours. road conditions from Melbourne to Gold Coast, Enter a city to drive through, or find all. The largest town in Greater Hume Shire, and one of the most richly diverse rural districts in New South Wales, Holbrook is a favourite stop for most highway travellers for two reasons: the towering decommissioned Australian submarine HMAS Otway, along with a model of the British submarine HMS B11 - and the mighty Holbrook Hotel.