SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE VIA THE GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE TOUR PACKAGE
Tour Destinations : Sydney – Wollongong – Jervis Bay – Tilba Tilba – Gypsy Point – Metung ‐ Melbourne
Duration - 6 Days | 5 Nights
Experiences
- Drive from Sydney to Wollongong
- Visit Royal National Park
- Visit Bungoona lookout
- Hang glide or para glide at Bald Hill
- Visit the Hindu Temple at Helensburgh
- Visit Flagstaff Hill
- Visit the Nan Tien Temple
- Visit the infamous Kiama Blowhole
- Visit the Colangatta Estate
- Enjoy Dolphin and Whales watching cruise
- Visit Hyams Beach
- Visit the ABC Cheese Factory
- Enjoy Genoa Peak Walk
- Scenic Helicopter Ride
Get a true feel for Australia’s coast by driving it. Travelling from Sydney to Melbourne explore some of the best beaches around, enjoy quaint coastal towns on route with many chances for swimming, boating and relaxing.
Wollongong is the third largest city in New South Wales, offering adventure activities, great beaches and shopping, fantastic restaurants and cafés and a huge mix of accommodation options.
Drive from Sydney to Wollongong
Drive Time : 1 hour 18 minutes | Driving Distance: 85 Kms
- Royal National Park - Located on the southern fringe of metropolitan Sydney, the Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world, offering spectacular scenery from sub‐tropical rainforests and sandstone heathland to dramatic coastal cliffs and unspoilt ocean beaches. * Vehicle entry fee ($11) applies if stopping or parking any time in the national park.
- Visit Bungoona lookout to see the sweeping views of the Port Hacking River (wheelchair accessible).
- Marvel at the dramatic sandstone headlands plunging down to the sandy beaches from the Governor Game lookout.
- Relax at Garie, a popular surf beach also featuring a lawn area for picnics by the ocean.
- Be adventurous and go on a tandem hang glide or para glide at Bald Hill, where early flight pioneer Lawrence Hargrave first took flight.
- Visit the Hindu Temple at Helensburgh or go horse riding nearby at Otford.
- Visit animals from Australia and around the world at Symbio Wildlife Park.
- Take a Harley Davidson or Ferrari joyride along Sea Cliff Bridge and Grand Pacific Drive.
- Surf or swim at the popular Thirroul, Sandon Point or Bulli Beaches.
- Experience the lively city of Wollongong and enjoy some great shopping, restaurants and cafés, art galleries and more!
- Sage Hotel
- INovotel North Beach
- Quality Suites Pioneer Sands
- Best Western City Sands
- Mantra Wollongong
- Adina Apartment Hotel
- Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort
Drive Time : 1 hour 40 minutes | Driving Distance: 115 Kms
Things to do in Wollongong:.- Take in the view of Wollongong from Flagstaff Hill.
- Feel the adrenaline pumping by jumping out of a plane at 14,000ft with Skydive the Beach.
- Sample some local beers at Five Islands Brewery; Australia’s largest microbrewery.
- Visit the Nan Tien Temple (the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere
- Visit the infamous Kiama Blowhole, discovered by George Bass on 6 December 1797. (Hint: Most spectacular when the seas run from the south east)
- Visit Kiama’s Seaside Markets on the third Sunday of each month or the Produce Market on the fourth Saturday of each month.
- Visit the Terrace and Sandstone Walk Shops (circa 1886). These restored timber terraces are the last of their type in NSW and now provide a delightful and unique shopping experience.
- Learn about bush medicine and try some bush foods at the Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio in Gerringong.
- Take a stroll or try a surf lesson at Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa
- Visit the Colangatta Estate
- Visit the Crooked River Winery.
- Bay of Plenty Lodges
- Jervis Bay Motel
- Jervis Bay Dolphin Shores
- Dolphin Sands Huskisson
Drive Time: 3 hours | Driving Distance: 195 Kms
Things to do in Jervis Bay:- Enjoy Dolphin and Whales watching cruise ( seasonal – May to Nov)
- Visit Hyams Beach
- After your lunch at one of the Jervis Bay cafes proceed onwards to Tilba Tilba
- Drive onwards from Jervis Bay to Tilba Tilba ‐ Depart Huskisson and continue south towards Narooma, known for its unspoilt beaches, lakes and fishing. Continue to Tilba Tilba, at the foot of Mount Dromedary, a haven for high quality local arts and crafts.
- The Bryn At Tilba Bed and Breakfast
- Green Gables Bed and Breakfast
Drive Time: 3 hours | Driving Distance: 190 Kms
Things to do in Tilba Tilba:- Visit the ABC Cheese Factory ‐ The ABC Cheese Factory now features cheese making and milk bottling ‐ which can be viewed through large glass windows. There are also cheese tastings, honey tastings, ice creams, cold drinks , quality condiments and conserves and a range of quality gift items. You can also try a milkshake made from our own Tilba Milk ‐ straight from our Jersey herd to you. The ABC Cheese Factory is all about making delicious dairy products from beautiful fresh local milk ‐ and for people to then come and taste and then take home with them.
- Tilba Valley Wines - is magnificently situated on the shores of Lake Corunna under the foothills of Gulaga/Mt Dromedary and just a few minutes drive from Central Tilba and about ten minutes from the holiday resort of Narooma.
- Taste the Wines: Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon ‐ all made in our own winery. Plus delicious Australian‐style Port and Muscat. Cellar Door Sales. Special offers always available.
- Enjoy the Food: Imaginative lunch menu with daily specials, morning coffee, Devonshire teas. Still serving the famous Ploughman’s Lunch!
- Listen to the Music: Live entertainment 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month and regular musical, cultural and artistic events throughout the year events. Or simply relax over a game of bocce or croquet, with a good book or while listening to the bellbirds… on the verandah, by the pond, in the gazebo or by the log fire when it’s cold. Tilba Valley Wines is open for wine tasting, cellar door sales, snacks and lunches.
- For further information about the products, facilities and services offered by Tilba Valley Wines email: enquiries@tilbavalleywines.com or phone: +61 2 44737 308
- Visit the Foxglove Spire Gardens: This absolutely enchanting property encompassing 3.5 acres of exquisite open gardens has been featured on major televisions shows including Burke’s Backyard and Better Homes and Gardens, and is the subject of the book ‘Velvet Pears. The essence of the gardens is one of romance, fairytale like charm, and quaint English style elegance. With each season there are new wonders and floral delights to explore. A large section of the grounds have been extensively and beautifully developed over many years, with water features, a gardened ruin, and the Willow House overlooking the duck pond. The Willow House is an ideal venue, for your next conference, or just a relaxing place to eat your picnic hamper. Come enjoy and experience Foxglove Spires time and time again, the spectacular seasonal transformations, and new highlights of the gardens ensures there is always new visual pleasures.
- The Tilba Sweet Spot is literally an Old Time Lolly Shop ‐ just like they used to be. It features a huge selection of confectionary from around the world and has a reputation for being the shop where lolly‐lovers of all ages can find both that old fashioned classic that they haven’t seen for years but also something new that they didn’t even realise was being made. But beside the old timers there is also a new range of exciting sweet adventures ‐ new flavours, new combinations, and new takes on old classics. There are also chocolates ‐ both old school and new wave ‐ and if you are after something a little cooler, the Sweet Spot is also the place in Tilba to enjoy an icecream on those warmer days. The Tilba Sweet Spot is open every day and the friendly staff look forward to helping you find the perfect sweet next time you visit.
- Mrs. Jamieson’s Tilba Fudge ‐ Mrs. Jamieson has been hand making fudge at Bates Emporium, Central Tilba for 14 years. With 117 different varieties, all created with loving hands, natural ingredients and the famous local butter and cream, Mrs. Jamieson’s Tilba Fudge is simply the best you will ever try!
- Drive onwards to Gipsy Point ‐ Follow the Princes Highway, and along the amazing Sapphire Coast, on the way to the state border of New South Wales and Victoria. Stop at the city of Merimbula before crossing the border into Victoria to Gipsy Point.
- Gipsy Point Lakeside Apartments
- Gipsy Point Lodge
Drive Time: 4 hours | Driving Distance: 225 Kms
Things to do in Gipsy Point:- The Explore Croajingolong - Australia’s Coastal Wilderness‐ Great for water sports such as surfing, swimming, diving, snorkeling and some freshwater fishing. It is also a wonderful place too admire the extraordinary diversity of landscapes, from rocky coastal headlands to pure white sandy beaches or even a just a leisurely walk to see the diverse range of flora and fauna, with more than 1,000 native plants and 300 species of birds
- Genoa Peak Walk ‐ Enjoy the superb views from the top of Genoa Peak overlooking the Croajingolong wilderness coastline. The Hike involves short steep sections, rocky steps and smoother trails at the start. It has a viewing platform about 3/4 of the way up and some ladders to climb. 2HR Return.
- Gipsy Point Wilderness Cruises ‐ The Gipsy Point Wilderness River Cruise operates from the main wharf at Gipsy Point. Departing Tuesday, Fridays and Sunday afternoons at 1.30p.m. Weather dependent and bookings are essential.
- Explore the Waterways, Mallacoota Inlet ‐ Take the leisurely self‐guided heritage walk, taking in the Genoa Heritage Bridge, Historic Genoa Hotel and the 380 million years ago Mid‐Devonian Tetrapod sculpture, Tetrapod Fossil Tracks have been found here. Explore the little river flats by the Genoa River, take a picnic to relax on the river bed or try your hand at some fishing. Learn about the historic 1838 epic cattle drive from Genoa to Adelaide SA which took 6 months.
- Gabo Island ‐ Off the Coast of Victoria ‐ Gabo Island features the only operating lighthouse in Victoria. This island offers expansive views of the wilderness coast within the Croajingolong national Park. It is also home to the world’s largest known colony of Little Penguins and a significant colony of seabirds, such as Shearwaters.
- The Point Walk, Croajingolong National Park ‐ Point Tip Walk in the heart of the Croajingolong National Park at Gipsy Point is a must do. Pack a picnic and bring your camera on this easy bushland track. Explore the small sandy beach while enriching yourself in the serenity of this secluded spot. Follow the road into Gipsy Point until you reach Mattson Street turn off, follow the unsealed road until you reach the car park, the walk starts at the Croajingolong National Park Sign.
- Picnic OR BBQ ‐ Mallacoota Inlet ‐ There are picnic facilities at various points around the inlet and waterways, some of these are only accessible by boat. Picnic areas are also provided on the picturesque Betka River and at Double Creek Nature Trail.
- Drive onwards from Gipsy Point to Metung ‐ Travel along the coast to the lakeside town of Metung, a gateway for water enthusiasts. Gipsy Point and the Mallacoota Inlet are popular destinations for boating enthusiasts and fishermen, but also hikers get their money’s worth here. After returning to the Princess Highway, you continue via Orbost and Lakes Entrance to Metung, where the impressive coastal landscape of the Lakes National Park and the Gippsland Lake Coastal Park awaits you.
- The Moorings at Metung
- McMillans of Metung
- 5knots Resort
- Jetty Road Retreat
- Metung Holiday Villas
- Chestnut Hill Country Retreat
Drive Time: 5 hours | Driving Distance: 312 Kms
Things to do- Lonsdale Eco Cruise ‐ Cruise the Gippsland Lakes in search of the dolphins that frequent the lake system. Your skipper, Tony, is a 4th generation seaman, a local character with a great sense of humour, and extensive knowledge of the Gippsland Lakes and surrounds. Come with us on board the Lonsdale and explore the diverse Flora and Fauna that the Gippsland Lakes has to offer. As well as dolphins, sightings of wallabies, seals and seabirds are an integral part of the Lonsdale’s Lake Cruise. Departing at 1:00 pm, you’ll cruise out of Lakes Entrance heading for Nungurner. Then along to Box’s Creek, Chinaman’s Creek, Metung, Rigby, Fraser and Flanagan islands and then to Barriers Landing. Cruise time will be approximately 3 hours, returning to Lakes Entrance at 4:00 pm.
- Scenic Helicopter Ride ‐ Gippsland Helicopters operate flights over the Gippsland Lakes, Mitchell River National Park, Alpine National Park and Mt Baw Baw. Experience Gippsland at its best, and get the exhilaration and versatility of spectacular panoramic views of this beautiful region from the air, all from the flexibilty of a helicopter. Choose from four scenic flights, or we can arrange a personally tailored flight. With variety and flexible departure times, you’ll be left with a memorable experience that will be sure to have taken your breath away – you’ll have the best seats in Gippsland!
- Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park ‐ Australia’s largest and most beautiful inland waterways, the Gippsland Lakes are a network of lakes, marshes and lagoons covering over 600 square kilometres. The Lakes are separated from the ocean by coastal dunes known as Ninety Mile Beach, from Seaspray to Lakes Entrance. Bird and marine life thrive here, with lake dolphins and pelicans frequenting many locations.
- Choose to drive via Wilsons Promontory and Phillips Island back to Melbourne or through the little towns of the Gippsland area.
