Overview

1380 km/857 miles, about 18 hours

Hit the road and experience the beauty of the coastline between Melbourne and Sydney first hand. Wander through national parks, see native wildlife, and cool off at white sandy beaches. Tempt the tastebuds with seafood straight out of the ocean and savour local wines to match.

Make the most of your trip by travelling at your own pace and choosing what suits you best from our seven-day itinerary. Venture inland on the second leg of your journey and roll along the green hills of West Gippsland, or mix it up and return on the Sydney to Melbourne Heritage Drive.

More info

sydneymelbournetouring.com.au

Need a car?

The routes

Aerial view of Gippsland Lakes, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive – coastal route

Road trips & itineraries
Make your way from Melbourne to Sydney, taking in dramatic landscapes, deserted surf beaches and the pristine waterways of the Gippsland Lakes.
Lush farmland near Yarragon, Gippsland, Victoria

Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive – inland route

Road trips & itineraries
Take the inland route, joining up with the coast after you've had your fill of farm-fresh produce, crisp mountain air, and local gold rush history.

Highlights

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Image: Roberto Seba

Wilsons Promontory

National parks & reserves
Wilsons Promontory National Park sits at the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland, offering visitors stunning scenery and wildlife.
Paringa Estate, Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula wine region

Eat & drink
Sample your way around Peninsula's boutique cellar doors for the region's renowned pinot noir, plus chardonnay, shiraz, pinot gris and pinot grigio.
Gippsland Lakes at Metung, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Gippsland Lakes

Nature & wildlife
Experience the largest inland network of waterways in Australia, the Gippsland Lakes. Go on board a cruiser or enjoy a range of water-based activities.
Hiking in Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Croajingolong National Park

National parks & reserves
Undoubtedly one of Australia's most spectacular parks, Croajingolong's landscapes and ecosystems are a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Penguins at Phillip Island Nature Park, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Penguins

Wildlife
Meet the island's famous penguins and experience that electrifying moment as you spot the first one emerge from the sea and waddle along the beach.
Walhalla, Gippsland. Victoria, Australia

Walhalla

Destinations
Discover Walhalla, once a busy gold mining centre and one of Australia's richest towns, and today an historic township in Gippsland's alpine wilderness.

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Marameo, Mebourne. Photo by Ain Raadik

Eat and drink

Victoria
Find your flavour in Victoria, where cups runneth over with fine restaurants, eclectic cuisines, country pubs, regional produce and wineries galore.
Tour group on the Great Ocean Walk, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Tours

See & do
Jump in a coach, climb on a raft or don your walking shoes and join a tour to let the professionals reveal Melbourne and Victoria's hidden treasures.
Seven Acre Rock, Yarra Valley, Victoria

Outdoor and adventure

See & do
Get the adrenaline pumping while white-water rafting, stroll through forests, play golf, or set up camp for a longer stay in Victoria's outdoors.
Kangaroo joey at Halls Gap in the Grampians

Nature and wildlife

See & do
Get outside and discover abundant nature and wildlife in Victoria's desert landscapes, rugged coastlines, lush alpine outlooks and inland waterways.