Discover the South East - Sydney to Adelaide Self Drive

Leaving Sydney you will drive south along the Coast line to the beautiful Jervis Bay.

Travel south of Sydney through the Royal National Park and onto the Grand Pacific Drive with spectacular coastal scenery. Travel across the impressive Sea Cliff Bridge and through rainforests and quaint coastal villages to reach Wollongong.

Take the turnoff for Huskisson and Jervis Bay. Nearby Hyams Beach, is known to have the whitest sand in the world. Jervis Bay is well known for its resident dolphin population and a dolphin cruise is a must.

Standard Hotel: Dolphin Sands Bed & Breakfast, Garden*
Superior Hotel: Paperbark Camp, Original Safari Tent* includes Dinner and Breakfast

Today you will continue your voyage south to Merimbula. For the majority of the drive you’ll have National Park views to your
West, and stunning coast line views to your East. ‘The Bay’ is well located for driving, trekking or undemanding walks in the
Clyde Valley and the spectacular surrounding mountainous national parks. Following the Princes Highway you’ll drive through
many towns and beautiful forests, pass through Tilba Tilba, and then drive along the amazing Sapphire Coast to the city of
Merimbula where lagoons, lakes and ocean are separated by white sand, and fringed by unspoilt bushland stretching up into
the mountains.

Standard Hotel: Comfort Inn Merimbula, Standard Twin*
Superior Hotel: Best Western Fairway Motor Inn, Deluxe Queen

Following the Princes Highway you’ll drive through many towns and beautiful forests on your way to the state border of New South Wales and Victoria. 

You’ll drive along the amazing Sapphire Coast to the town of Merimbula where lagoon, lakes and ocean are separated by white sand, and fringed by unspoilt bushland stretching up into the mountains. Travel through Eden and explore the Ben Boyd National Park and Eden Whaling Museum before continuing further. Driving
south on the Princes Highway, you will pass Cann River and Orbost, situated on the banks of the Snowy River, before travelling on to Lakes Entrance.

Lakes Entrance is a unique area with rivers, lakes and lagoons joining 90 Mile Beach.

Standard Hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites Emmanuel, Standard Queen*
Superior Hotel: Lakes Entrance Waverley House Cottage, 1 Bedroom*

From Lakes Entrance travel on south to Sale, a supply and residential centre for the Bass Strait oil fields.
Pass through Morwell, Moe, Warragul and Drouin as you travel along the Princes Highway to Melbourne.
Take some time this afternoon to explore the hidden laneways and cafes of Melbourne’s vibrant city centre.

Standard Hotel: Aria Hotel Apartments Southbank, One Bedroom Apartment*    
Superior Hotel: Aria Hotel Apartments Melbourne, One Bedroom Apartment*   

On leaving Melbourne, cross the West Gate Bridge and take the Princes Highway to Geelong, the largest provincial city in Victoria. From Geelong travel to Torquay, the start of the Great Ocean Road, and recognised as the surfing capital of Australia. After Torquay follow the coast road through Anglesea to the picturesque town of Lorne.
Take time to see the beautiful Erskine Falls, and then travel the scenic coastline from Lorne to Apollo Bay. This
has been described as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the world.

Standard Hotel: Comfort Inn The International, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Captain's at the Bay, Terrace* includes Full Breakfast

Continue exploring the Great Ocean Road today, travelling this morning through the Otway National Park.
As the road joins the coast again, see the amazing rock formations of the Twelve Apostles, which are huge stone pillars sticking out of the surf, carved over time by the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean. Travelling on past Port Campbell you will see London Bridge the broken arch.
Continuing the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ begins, from Port Campbell and onto Warrnambool.

Standard Hotel: Best Western Olde Maritime, Standard
Superior Hotel: Quality Suites Deep Blue, Studio*

Travel via Penhurst to Dunkeld, and then from Dunkeld a scenic drive will take you through the Grampians National Park and onto Halls Gap.
Highlights within the Grampians include McKenzie Falls, Reids Lookout and the Balconies, and there are walks of varying length and difficulties to reach some of these points.

Standard Hotel: D'Altons Resort, Standard Studio*
Superior Hotel: DULC Cabins, 1 Bedroom Cabin*

Explore the spectacular scenery that is the Grampians National Park. Take one of the many walks and remember your camera.

Standard Hotel: D'Altons Resort, Standard Studio*
Superior Hotel: DULC Cabins, 1 Bedroom Cabin*

From Halls Gap return to Dunkeld and travel through the towns of Hamilton, Coleraine, Casterton before reaching Mt Gambier, in South Australia where you can visit the surrounding crater lakes and the Sunken Garden.

Standard Hotel: Quality Inn Presidential, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Barn Accommodation, Deluxe King Suite*

From Mount Gambier, travel on through the coastal ports of Robe and Kingston. As you head towards Adelaide, travelling along the Coorong National Park skirting Lake Albert and Lake Alexandria. Travel to the towns of Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge. From Murray Bridge take the freeway directly into the heart of Adelaide.

Standard Hotel: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Majestic Balcony Room*

Return your vehicle at Adelaide Airport and take the flight to Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island. On arrival collect another vehicle.

Kangaroo Island is the largest island off the South Australian coast and shows nature at its wildest and most majestic in a magical combination of sun and sea, native flora and fauna.
The coastline of the island changes from the attractive curve d beach at Emu Bay
to the rugged cliffs and roaring surf of the south. On the west are two of the island’s natural wonders; Admirals Arch, a huge arch where stalactites are silhouetted against the after noon sun, a magnificent sight.  The other is  Remarkable Rocks, huge unusually shaped granite boulders.

Standard Hotel: Kangaroo Island Seafront Hotel, Sorrento
Superior Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, 1 Bedroom*

There is a never ending list of things to do and see on Kangaroo Island and today you have time to explore the natural beauty of this island and discover Australian wildlife – in the wild!

Highlights include Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Caves, the “Koala Walk” and the seals at Seal Bay.

Standard Hotel: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat
Superior Hotel: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, SCourtyard Suite*

More time to explore the Island before dropping the vehicle off at Kingscote Airport before the return flight to Adelaide.