Summary
Short description
Explore the stunning coastline between two of Australia's iconic cities
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Highlights
- Enjoy a truly spectacular coastal road trip
- Spot everything from dolphins to kangaroos
- Relax on beaches and hike through national parks
- See two iconic cities – Melbourne and Sydney
- Stay in boutique hotels
In Brief
- 2 Nights Sydney
- 2 Nights Jervis Bay
- 1 Night Tilba Tilba
- 1 Night Gipsy Point
- 1 Night Lakes Entrance
- 2 Nights Wilsons Promontory
- 1 Night Phillip Island
- 1 Night Melbourne
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | City | Food & wine | Honeymoon | Natural world | Self-drive
The coastal route between Australia’s two great cities is one of the world’s greatest drives, tracing gorgeous bays and dipping through rolling hinterlands. Along the way, you’ll pause at seaside hamlets and gold-rush towns, staying in boutique accommodation that ranges from historic hotels to luxury tented camps. Then, alongside plenty of opportunity to relax on the white-sand beaches, gorgeous walks will see you spot everything from whales and dolphins to kangaroos and koalas. The parading penguins of Philip Island are a special favourite.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
Depart UK
After enjoying your complimentary airport lounge access, board your flight out to Australia.
Days
3-4
Sydney
On arrival in Sydney, make your way to your hand-picked accommodation – both of our options are perfectly central and delightfully contemporary. You’ll then have two days to explore Australia’s largest city. Alongside the harbour icons, both bridge and opera house, there’s plenty more to discover. Wander through beautiful botanic gardens, relax on Bondi Beach and explore the historic architecture of the Rocks, today given over to boutiques and cafés.
Stay: Rendezvous Sydney (Standard) or Amora Hotel Jamison (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
5-6
Jervis Bay
Picking up your hire car, you’ll head south along the coast on the Princes Highway, pausing at Kiama to take in its famous blowhole, which shoots water up to 60m in the air. Then, inland waterfalls and Berry’s redbrick will see you on to Jervis Bay. Reputed to have the clearest water and whitest beaches in all Australia, it’s ideal for both white-sands relaxation and exploration; there’s world-class snorkelling and kayaking on offer. Between May and November, keep your eyes out for migrating whales and dolphins. You’ll stay in either a boutique B&B or a luxury tented bush camp, where you’ll be treated to complimentary dinners, bikes and canoes.
Stay: Dolphin Sands B&B (Superior) or Paperbark Camp (Superior)
Meals: B D (Superior)
Day
7
Tilba Tilba
Mapping gorgeous bays and plunging through Budawang National Park’s dense forests, you’ll continue south to Tilba Tilba. It’s a beautifully restored period village that harks back to the 19th-centiry gold-mining boom. It’s also set dramatically at the base of Mt. Dromedary, with views best enjoyed from the walk up to the water tower. After perhaps sampling the local wine, you’ll then bed down in an elegant country house set on eight acres of tranquil, park-like grounds.
Stay: The Bryn at Tilba, Central Tilba (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
8
Gipsy Point
Today you'll ride rolling hills as you cross into the state of Victoria and arrive at Gipsy Point, where you can picnic with kangaroos and look out for sea eagles. There's plenty to do en route, like heading inland to taste the cheeses of Bega or oysters of Pambula. The whale-watching tours from the town of Eden are a particular highlight. Accommodation tonight is in a spacious apartment at Gipsy Point Lakeside, with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of a world biosphere reserve – Croajingolong National Park. Explore with rugged coastline walks or turn inland for rainforest hikes.
Stay: Gipsy Point Lakeside, Gipsy Point (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
9
Lakes Entrance
As you reach Australia’s southeastern remotes, you’ll start to bear west through coastal forests. You’ll arrive at the appropriately named Lakes Entrance, found on the shores of Australia's largest inland water system. It’s close to the spectacular Ninety Mile Beach, along with a handful of fine wineries and the Nyerimilang Heritage Park – a 19th-century clapboard homestead complete with gorgeous grounds. The Superior accommodation for tonight is a special highlight – your very own secluded cottage.
Stay: Comfort Inn & Suites (Standard) or Waverley House Cottages (Superior)
Meals: B (Superior)
Days
10-11
Wilson's Promontory
Continuing on through verdant ranchlands, you’ll arrive at mainland Australia’s southernmost point – Wilson’s Promontory. It’s a national-park wilderness of perfect-blue waters, white sands and carpeted headlands, all animated by the likes of kangaroos and wombats, spotted on fantastic hiking trails. Squeaky Beach is a further highlight, so-called for the distinctive noise made by its quartz sands. You’ll stay right among it all in an en-suite glamping tent with its very own wooden sundeck.
Stay: Wilsons Promontory Wilderness Retreats (Superior)
Day
12
Phillip Island
The wildlife wonders continue today as you cross onto Phillip Island. Among its pristine beaches and verdant interior, you’ll find koalas, kangaroos and its famous little penguins. Each evening at dusk, they set out of from the surf, completely ignoring the tourists that gather to watch their parade. You’ll stay in a beachfront apartment or a boutique lodge.
Stay: The Waves Apartments (Standard) or Oak Tree Lodge (Superior)
Meals: B (Superior)
Day
13
Melbourne
Heading into Melbourne, you’ll end as you began – with a city great. Staying in a heritage hotel in the city centre, you’ll have all of its delights on your doorstep. Indulge with its world-class dining scene, catch up on the local sports or get lost in the centre’s winding laneways to discover unique street art and hip bars. The Royal Botanic Gardens and National Gallery of Victoria are further favourites.
Stay: Batman on Collins (Standard) or The Lindrum (Superior)
Meals: B (Superior)
Days
14-15
Depart for UK
Return your hire car to the airport and board your onward, overnight flight home.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
15-day tailor-made self-drive from £1,855 pp incl. flights
Standard
Low Season
from £1,855 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £2,015 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights between the UK and Sydney/Melbourne
- 11 nights accommodation staying in a mix of 3* (Standard) to 4* (Superior) hotels on mix of room-only and B&B basis
- 10 days medium car hire with max cover
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634
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