Every visitor who stays with us for more than a week eventually asks the same thing: what’s the road trip actually worth doing? Here’s what I tell them, based on what people actually come back raving about versus what looks good in a brochure.
Quick answer: From Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive and the Blue Mountains loop are the best short trips. From Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is the classic, but the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley make excellent shorter alternatives if you’re tight on time.
From Sydney
Grand Pacific Drive (2-3 days)
Heading south along the coast toward Kiama and Jervis Bay, this drive includes the Sea Cliff Bridge, one of the more photogenic stretches of coastal road in the country, plus genuinely excellent beaches with far fewer crowds than Sydney’s. Jervis Bay in particular has some of the whitest sand you’ll find anywhere.
Blue Mountains (1-2 days)
Closer and easier if you’re short on time, under two hours from the city. The Three Sisters lookout is the famous photo spot, but the actual bushwalking trails through the valley are where the Blue Mountains earn their reputation. Worth an overnight stay in Katoomba or Leura if you can.
Hunter Valley (1-2 days)
Australia’s oldest wine region, a couple of hours north of Sydney. Less dramatic scenery than the coast or mountains, but a solid choice if wine tasting and a relaxed pace are more your thing than hiking.
From Melbourne
Great Ocean Road (2-4 days)
The classic, and for good reason. The Twelve Apostles are the headline stop, but the whole drive, from Torquay through to Port Campbell, is worth taking slowly rather than rushing to the famous lookout and back. Budget more time than you think, the road is winding and the views are worth stopping for repeatedly.
Mornington Peninsula (1-2 days)
A much shorter alternative if the Great Ocean Road is too far for your timeframe. Beaches, hot springs, and a genuinely good wine region, all under 90 minutes from the city.
Yarra Valley (1 day)
The closest wine region to Melbourne, doable as a day trip. Less about dramatic scenery and more about a relaxed day of tastings, good for a shorter window or a rainy-day backup plan.
A Few Practical Notes
- Book accommodation ahead for the Great Ocean Road and Grand Pacific Drive during school holidays and long weekends, both get busy
- Fuel up before remote stretches. Regional petrol stations can be spaced further apart than you’d expect, and prices are usually higher outside major towns
- Check your rental car’s insurance excess before a longer road trip, and see our guide on car insurance and driving in Australia if you’re driving on an overseas licence
Watch for Wildlife, Especially at Dawn and Dusk
Every route above runs through regional or bushland roads at some point, and wildlife strikes are a genuine, common risk, not just a stereotype. Between 2013 and 2022, NSW recorded 1,423 crashes involving animals, resulting in 25 deaths and 1,592 injuries. Kangaroos and wombats are most active (and hardest to see) around sunrise and sunset, so if you can, plan the longer regional stretches for the middle of the day. If an animal does appear on the road, brake in a controlled manner but don’t swerve, a swerve to avoid an animal causes far more serious crashes than the collision itself would have.
Source: Transport for NSW – Look out for animals on country roads.
A Worked Itinerary: Sydney to Melbourne via the Coast
One popular route is the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive via the Grand Pacific Drive, Jervis Bay, Merimbula, and Lakes Entrance — roughly 1,050km if you take the scenic route rather than the direct inland highway (about 880km). Spread over 4-5 days, a rough daily breakdown looks like: Day 1 Sydney to Jervis Bay (~3hr drive, beach stop), Day 2 Jervis Bay to Merimbula (~4hr), Day 3 Merimbula to Lakes Entrance (~3.5hr, crossing into Victoria), Day 4 Lakes Entrance to Melbourne via Wilsons Promontory detour (~4.5hr), with a spare day for weather or extra stops.
Rough Costs
Fuel for the coastal route (in an average petrol car) runs roughly $150-220 depending on current prices. Budget accommodation (motels/caravan parks) averages $90-150/night, so a 4-night trip lands around $360-600 for lodging. Add food and activities, and a lean coastal road trip budget sits around $700-1,100 per person for the full trip, share-driving with one other person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the coastal route or the inland highway faster?
The inland Hume Highway route is faster (around 9 hours non-stop) but far less scenic. The coastal route trades time for views and small-town stops.
What’s the best time of year for this drive?
Spring and autumn avoid both summer crowds/heat and winter coastal weather — see our Best Time of Year to Visit Australia guide for a season-by-season breakdown.
Do I need a 4WD for this route?
No — the coastal route described here is fully sealed road, suitable for a standard car.
Final Thoughts
If you only have a couple of days and want maximum impact per hour of driving, the Grand Pacific Drive from Sydney and the Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne are hard to beat. If you’ve got more time, the Great Ocean Road and Blue Mountains are the ones people talk about years later, they’re the classics for a reason.
If you’re only in Australia for a limited time and thinking ahead to when you leave, our guide to selling a car before leaving Australia covers what the process actually looks like.