Melbourne to Sydney: The Ultimate 4 Day Campervan Itinerary

Melbourne and Sydney are not only the two biggest cities in Australia but also world-famous. The stretch between the two along the Gippsland and Southern New South Wales Coast is by far not as famous as the main cities. Having driven this stretch as part of our 18-day campervan road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane, I will present you a 4-day itinerary with the highlights along the coast. Be prepared - you are in for a real treat!

This article covers days 4-7 of our 18-day road trip itinerary along the southern East Coast of Australia. Click on the yellow 'Show Entire Route' tab on the top left, to view our in-depth guides to each stop for an even greater insight for your own road trip through Australia.

How many days should you plan for the Melbourne to Sydney Coastal drive

As always, with travel, you never have enough time to cover everything. You could spend two weeks alone between the two cities to really discover everything in depth. However, you should plan with a minimum of four days to enjoy your stops and not just rush through.

So here we go!

Day 1 - Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory → 3.5 hours (233 km / 145 miles)

• St. Kilda
• Brighton Beach

Day 2 - Wilsons Promontory to Lakes Entrance → 4 hours (332 km / 206 miles)

• 90 Mile Beach
• Raymond Island

Day 3 - Lakes Entrance to Pebbly Beach → 6 hours (460 km / 286 miles)

• Eden

Day 4 - Pebbly Beach to Sydney → 4.5 hours (293 km / 182 miles)

• Jervis Bay
• Kiama
• Royal National Park
• Southern Sydney

Total time and distance driving → 18 hours - 1,318 km / 819 miles

Melbourne - the European Charmer

There is an ongoing battle between Melbourne and Sydney in terms of the favorite and most liveable city for locals and foreigners alike. Well lucky you, as you will get to experience both during this road trip. Let us know afterward in the comments, which city stole your heart!

Melbourne is the more European city, with tons of small laneways full of restaurants and street art. It also is the more athletic one, hosting multiple major sports events, such as the F1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open in tennis, just to name two.

Melbourne is not located directly at the ocean; however, it has the Yarra River passing by the city center and a lot of waterfront boardwalks with restaurants. The city center is rather compact and very walkable. If you have an extra day before you start your road trip, use it to explore this city on foot.

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St. Kilda & Brighton Beach - The City Getaways

Why is St. Kilda & Brighton Beach worth a stop? To experience a different side of Melbourne and visit the cute colorful beach huts at Brighton Beach.

It is time to pick up your campervan if you haven't already and hit the road. Should you have questions regarding which campervan to rent, go ahead and read our article 'A Curated Comparison of 4 Campervan Rentals in Melbourne'.

Your first stop will be just outside the city, heading towards the Port Phillip Bay. Take a stroll along the St. Kilda promenade and the Brighton Beach to experience a different vibe of Melbourne. The colorful beach huts at Brighton Beach are a local favorite for a quick city escape and a great photo opportunity for you.

The beaches are not spectacular, so don't waste any time here to take a swim.

Wilsons Promontory - Nature's Paradise

Why is the Wilsons Promontory National Park worth a stop? Fantastic untouched nature, wildlife, beaches, and hiking possibilities.

Your final destination for the first day is the Tidal River Campground in the Wilsons Promontory National Park - the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. While entering this National Park, also called 'The Prom', you will arrive in nature's paradise. Be ready to spot tons of wildlife, get active with some hikes, and marvel at the pristine empty beaches.

Don't miss the absolute highlight the next day: watching the sunrise from the summit of Mount Oberon!

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90 Mile Beach - Golden Bliss

Why is the 90 Mile Beach worth a stop? It's one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the world. Stretch your legs on the empty golden sand.

Once you leave The Prom peninsula with those views and that sunrise in your mind, it is time to hit the road again entering the Gippsland area on the Gippsland Highway, where the 90 Mile Beach along the Eastern Coast will start.

The 90 Mile Beach starts from one of the small islands near Port Albert in the south and runs until the actual entrance to the inland Gippsland Lakes in Lakes Entrance. Literally 90 miles (145 km) of one straight golden beach. That makes it one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the world. It divides the inland Gippsland Lakes from the Bass Strait.

Be sure to make a stop at this magnificent stretch of gold. I recommend you to do so at Woodside Beach, only a 10 mins detour from the Gippsland Highway each way.

If you would like an even more in-depth experience of the 90 Mile Beach, take a longer detour of about an hour via the Honeysuckles and Golden Beach. I absolutely recommend this drive when you are traveling during Daylight Savings Time. Should you be traveling outside of Daylight Savings Time, you might rather use that hour for activities in Lakes Entrance, your final destination for the day.

Raymond Island - the Koala Island

Why is Raymond Island worth a stop? The best spot in Australia to see wild koalas in their natural habitat.

This is a real gem, which you will not find in many other articles. Raymond Island is located within the Gippsland Lakes accessed via ferry from Paynesville. The ferry ride takes five minutes and is free for pedestrians. You can easily park your car in Paynesville close to the ferry, as you will not need it on Raymond Island.

Now, what is all the fuss about?! Raymond Island is probably one of the best-kept secrets and hidden gems in Australia, as it is home to about 250-300 koalas. As the island is only 6 km / 3.7 miles long and 2 km / 1.5 miles wide, your chances of spotting wild koalas have never been better.

The island became the home of a large number of koalas, to protect them from becoming extinct in the 1950s. With very few threats, the population multiplied to up to 600. Too many for the amount of available food and inhabitants. Over the years, koalas have gotten relocated to other areas across Victoria, to keep the balance and prevent koalas from suffering from starvation.

Once you walk off the ferry, you will directly see the sign for the start of the Koala Walk, taking you on a 1.2 km / 0.75 miles walking loop. Plan 30-45 minutes to stroll along the Koala Walk.

You will pass through residential areas, as well as parks and boardwalks along the waterfront. The key while strolling along is to look up to spot those grey furry balls sleeping in the trees. And I am not talking about one or two, like in the Great Otway National Park, but you will see 10 to 20 koalas, barely five to ten meters above you. Sometimes they literally sleep on a tree right above a private house.

At the end of the trail, you will hit the waterfront and will be amazed again. Seeing the Gippsland Lakes alive, with sailing crews racing (if you're lucky), black swans and pelicans on the shorelines, and the glittering sun on the calm water will allow you an entirely new perspective of Australia.

Our experience

We were amazed by the co-existence of wildlife and humans on this small island, and recommend anyone to visit spots like these over any zoo. Not only the koalas were one of our highlights, but also the entire setting of Raymond Island in the Gippsland Lakes. A road trip along the southern East Coast of Australia is not complete without a visit to Raymond Island!

Lakes Entrance - Surrounded by Waterways

Why is Lakes Entrance worth a stop? Coastal town flair, fresh seafood, and endless access to waterways.

After leaving Raymond Island, it will take you approx. Forty-five minutes to reach Lakes Entrance. Your final destination for day 2. Lakes Entrance marks the end of the 90 Mile Beach and offers the only water entrance to the inland Gippsland Lakes, hence the name. The entrance was built by man, to allow ocean access to the Bass Strait for the lakes system, which is considered the largest inland lake system in Australia.

Lakes Entrance is a seaside resort, popular with locals and travelers alike, as well as a fishing port in eastern Victoria. Depending on the time you arrive, take an early evening walk or morning run across the footbridge to the Lakes Entrance Beach, the continuation of the 90 Mile Beach. Follow the Entrance Walk along Lake Cunningham until the entrance and return via the beach.

My sister and her husband did the full walk, as unlike us, they traveled during daylight savings time and had longer days. Thus, the following lines are written by my sister Miriam:

If you have around 1.5 to 2 hours (the entire walk is about 5 km / 3.1 miles), you can do the full Entrance Walk. It starts at the footbridge, following along the Lake Cunningham through a small forest with bushes and trees until you reach the man-built entrance to the lakes. At the entrance, you have the chance to watch seals or even dolphins playing in the water with the waves and strong current. We took a little break directly at the tip, sitting on the stones of the fort, drinking a beer, and spotting the animals in the water. Take your way back along the Lakes Entrance Beach until you reach the footbridge again. We did the walk in the early evening, having the sun set directly behind us. It was a fantastic scenery.

If you are into shrimp, this is your best shot at getting a fresh catch straight from the fisher's boat. Make sure you reach Lakes Entrance before 4 pm and stop by the Esplanade of Princess Highway. You will find a pier with fisher boats just after passing by Mc Donalds.

Look for the signs for fresh seafood and fresh prawns on the boats and get yourself your fresh dinner. The shrimp are usually cooked already and tastes even better when you extra grill them.

Conveniently, your campground for the night is just around the corner. We recommend you to stay at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve. A campground on the grounds of the local rugby field. Prices vary between AU$25 in offseason to AU$50 in high season. We had reserved our spot in advance and had a prime location right next to the water.

The location is perfect, set right on the North Arm, where you can go for a dip if you like or watch the locals at rugby practice. Also, within walking distance, you will find a Woolworth and Liquor Store to stock up your supplies.

In case you are campfire lovers like us, this will be your chance to light a fire if permitted at your time of visit.

For us, it was permitted, and for the first time in Australia, we enjoyed a gorgeous campfire after we had devoured our shrimp, right next to the water with a beautiful sunset. You can rent the campfire pit and wood from the campground.

The following day is mainly a driving day, with a total of six hours. If you haven't crossed the footbridge yet, it is your chance to do so at sunrise before you hit the road.

Eden - the Whale-Watching Mecca

Why is Eden worth a stop? Fisherman's town, with great views over the bay and a nice picnic spot.

Welcome to New South Wales! After three hours of driving, it is time to take a break in Eden. It is a small coastal town on the South Coast of New South Wales with beautiful views over Twofold Bay. Should you pass by in winter, this is the best spot for a whale-watching tour.

On this itinerary, we will only stop for stretching our legs at the Eden Lookout and Rotary Park. If you like to prepare your own food on a campervan road trip like us, this is the perfect spot for making and enjoying some sandwiches. Should you prefer to eat out, head back down the hill to park at the Eden Wharf with multiple restaurants and cafes.

Pebbly Beach - the Untouched Kangaroo Beach

Why is Pebbly Beach worth a stop? The best chance to observe wild kangaroos in its natural habitat (on the beach!) and spend a night off-grid on a remote campground.

After about another three hour drive, you will leave the Princess Highway to the right and enter the Murramarang National Park. The further into the forest you drive, the smaller the road will get. Continue the road all the way down to the shore, where you will reach the Pebbly Beach campground.

Together with Raymond Island, this will be your absolute highlight on this road trip! Again, you will not find this information on many travel blogs, so we are proud to share this gem with you.

Pebbly Beach is known for its natural population of wild kangaroos. Yes, you have read that right, kangaroos living on the beach! In summer, we got told, they even take a dip into the ocean sometimes!

Be sure to book your spot at Pebbly Beach Campground in advance as there is no reception or check-in and only 23 total campsites. You will find a piece of paper with your reservation on the number pole for your campsite. There is a large amount of tent only campsites and a few for campervans. We don't recommend large RVs to stay here, as the road itself is quite narrow, and the campsites are quite small as well.

This campground is off-grid, so be sure to bring everything you need with you. I am talking about water, drinks, and food. You will also have no cell or internet reception. Also, be sure not to leave any food outside or unattended as you are surrounded by wildlife. The fee is AU$24 for two people per night, and there is an extra AU$8 National Park entry fee, which you should pay on-site at a coin machine.

After parking your campervan, head down to the beach to spot the kangaroos eating in peace on the grassy areas. In the early evening hours, you will only have a few other campers with you on the beach, making it a very private experience. Observe this unique animal in its natural habitat. Some might be curious and hop closer to you. Watch out though, as their claws are 2-5 cm long and could potentially harm you, so respect them and don't provoke or feed them.

Be prepared for a cozy night surrounded by the forest and no external light source. Campfires are not allowed in National Parks in Australia. So it is the perfect evening for some games and storytelling. Head to bed early, to wake up before sunrise, and join the resident kangaroos again on their beach to observe them waking up, scratching themselves, and maybe getting into a friendly fistfight. 😆

Instead of having your breakfast next to your van, consider having it on the wooden plateau overlooking the beach, to take in the views, peacefulness, and serenity.

After breakfast, it is time to say good-bye to your new friends and head back up to the Princess Highway.

Jervis Bay - White Beaches anyone?

Why is Jervis Bay worth a stop? The whites beaches on the entire East Coast and great seafood for lunch.

Start your day with a 1.5-hour drive to Jervis Bay, a 102 square-kilometer (39 sq mi) oceanic bay, with several towns on its coast. On this itinerary, you will be visiting two of them, Hyams Beach and Huskisson.

You will first stop at Hyams Beach in the southern section of Jervis Bay. In case you had no clue so far - Hyams Beach is supposed to be the beach with the whitest sand in the world! Don't believe it? Visit it! We can confirm that compared to all other beaches along the southern East Coast of Australia, this one is whiiiite! Complemented with pristine turquoise water, this is a picture and dip perfect stop.

The mentioned store is the Hyams Beach Store & Cafe along the main road, selling delicious coffee, light food, and souvenirs.

Hyams Beach is very popular for vacation homes and mansions for richies from Sydney and equivalent. Its actual population in 2016 was only counted with 112 people!

Hyams Beach is the largest beach in southern Jervis Bay, followed by some smaller, but also very nice beaches heading north (Chinamans, Greenfield, Blenheim, and Nelsons Beach). They are all connected and you can do a small walk (the White Sands Walk) to discover all or some of them. The trail between the beaches will take you through some beautiful forests with a few lookouts, and it is fascinating to see the little differences between the beaches.

Huskisson, also called Huski is a 15-minute drive north along Jervis Bay and is equally famous for its white beaches, although not as fine as at Hyams Beach. This coastal town is bustling a lot more than the smaller Hyams Beach. Find a parking spot along Hawke Street and take a stroll along Hawke and Owen Street. You will find surf & beach shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Have a snack at the World Famous Fish N Chips. You can pick your favorite seafood, and they prepare it for you. Yummy!

Kiama - the Ocean Blowhole Town

Why is Kiama worth a stop? Watch and feel nature splurge up 25m (82 ft) fountains at the largest blowhole in the world.

Your next stop, Kiama, is an hour's drive further up north, and it is famous for its blowholes. Natural rock formations that great strong vertical water blows, once the strong waves crash into them.

The large blowhole is located on a small peninsula behind a cute lighthouse. The entire peninsula is worth a stroll, and you will also pass by its lighthouse and one of the many famous rock pools along the East Coast of Australia. Since the blowholes are dependent on the force of nature, there is no guarantee to witness them. We were unlucky, as the day we passed by had relatively small waves.

Other than the blowhole, the town of Kiama is also absolutely worth a visit, especially its wooden terraces on Collins Street. They are two blocks of wooden houses from the 1870 and 1880 that have been registered as New South Wales State Heritage. They host cute shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Royal National Park - the Oldest Australian National Park

Why is the Royal National Park worth a drive? The road itself, the nature surrounding it, makes it simply a gorgeous drive - way better than the highway.

Keep heading north along the coastal road, as you pass through more coastal towns and cross the famous Sea Cliff Bridge between the towns of Clifton and Coalcliff. You will find the best viewpoint after crossing the bridge and passing Stanwell Park at the Bald Hill Lookout.

Next, keep heading for the Royal National Park, Australia's oldest National Park and a favorite day-trip or weekend escape for Sydneysiders (people living in Sydney), just one hour south of Sydney.

On this itinerary, you, unfortunately, won't have the time for a hike through the lush forest or a dip at the famous Figure 8 pools. However, you have the chance to grasp the beauty of this National Park by driving through it.

It will only take you 20 minutes longer than taking the highway towards southern Sydney. And believe me, it is worth the drive. It will provide you 40 minutes of road tripping bliss along narrow winding roads through lush forest, past different landscapes, crossing rivers, and creeks. Turn off the music for this stretch and listen to the sounds of the forest.

During summer, public holidays, and weekends there will be more traffic, though, so be sure to check Google Maps or www.livetraffic.com.

Southern Sydney - the Unknown Surprise

Why is Southern Sydney worth a stop? Convenient location with less expensive accommodation. Discover not so famous, yet cute areas of the city.

Just a ten-minute drive from the exit of the Royal National Park, you will find the Sydney Tourist Park, your campground for the night. I know I know - Tourist Park - seriously? Well, accommodation in Sydney is expensive, and you will not find campgrounds of any sort in the city center, which is why we rented an Airbnb in the city center and spent the night before our city escape in the suburbs. One night at the Tourist Park is AU$52.

The experience was a lot better than it sounds. Well, don't expect much from the Tourist Caravan Park, it is like a trailer park and really just use it for sleeping there. After checking in, head back out to the Cronulla peninsula and take a stroll through its park and past its rock pool. Take in the hip atmosphere by walking through the neighborhood center lined with restaurants and shops.

It is time to skip self-made campervan meals and treat yourself to dining out. We can recommend C C Babcoq, a delicious rotisserie shop & bar with outside dining.

That's it - 4 days of road tripping between Melbourne and Sydney, discovering the Gippsland and southern New South Wales Coast. Should you be on a longer road trip, take some time to explore Sydney next. Below I will give you a short introduction.

Sydney - The Breathtaking Allrounder

Sydney is the largest city in Australia and world-famous for its Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and its Harbour in general. The city alone has over 70 beaches, which are sparkling clean, more than any other city in the world.

Due to its many peninsulas, coves, and smaller harbors, it is by far not as walkable as Melbourne. That being said, you can easily navigate the area around the Royal Botanic Garden, the Opera House, and one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods The Rocks. Here you will also find laneways with the oldest pubs of Sydney with live music and small galleries.

There is so much to do and see in Sydney, that we have dedicated three full days on our road trip to explore this marvelous city.

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What stop do you look forward to the most? Let us know your questions in the comments, we are happy to help you plan.