New South Wales travel

Sydney

attractions:
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Opera House
- Botanic Gardens
- Sydney Tower Centrepoint
- The Rocks, restaurants and markets on weekends
- Art Gallery of NSW - can use camera w/o flash for non-fee exhibitions
- Darling Harbour:
  - Harbourside Shopping Centre, restaurants
  - Chinatown
  - Sydney Aquarium
  - Aust. National Maritime Museum
  - Aust. Motor Vehicle Musuem
  - Matilda Harbour Cruises
  - Powerhouse Museum
  - Monorail train
  - Star City Casino
- Oxford St & Kings Cross precinct
  - Mardi Gras parade
- Manly Beach:
  - surf beach just north of CBD
  - Oceanworld
- Bondi beach:
  - surf beach just south of CBD
- Blue Mountains:
  - Katoomba:
    - The Three Sisters rock formation
    - Scenic Railway & Skyway
    - Katoomba Falls
    - Leura Gardens Festival mid-October
  - Blackheath:
    - Govett's Leap waterfall
  - Hartley historic site
  - Jenolan Caves

Scenic slow coastal drive Sydney to Melbourne

my modifications from a Good Morning Australia post:

Here’s a suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Sydney to Jervis Bay (Approx. 200 km / 2.5 hours)
-Highlights : Begin your journey south by heading through the Royal National Park, where you can stop at the Bald Hill Lookout for panoramic views. Continue along the Sea Cliff Bridge, an iconic coastal drive section.
-Stop: Wollongong for a coffee and beach views.
-Destination: Jervis Bay offers stunning white-sand beaches like Hyams Beach, and you can explore the Booderee National Park.
Day 2: Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay (Approx. 140 km / 1.5 hours)
-Highlights: Drive further south and stop by Huskisson or Vincentia for dolphin or whale watching cruises.
-Stop: Ulladulla, a seaside town known for its beaches and harbor.
-Destination: Batemans Bay, where you can visit nearby Murramarang National Park for kangaroo spotting on the beach or take a stroll along Clyde River.
Day 3: Batemans Bay to Narooma (Approx. 100 km / 1.5 hours)
-Highlights: This leg of the journey offers lush coastal scenery and more beautiful beaches.
-Stop: Moruya for its peaceful riverside setting, or Broulee Island for nature walks.
-Destination: Narooma, famous for the Australia Rock formation, and nearby Montague Island, where you can take a boat trip to see seals and penguins.
Day 4: Narooma to Merimbula (Approx. 110 km / 1.5 hours)
-Highlights: This stretch takes you through some more relaxed seaside towns with pristine environments.
- Stop: Tilba Tilba, a heritage town full of crafts and traditional architecture.
- Destination: Merimbula, which offers lakes, beaches, and bushwalking. Don’t miss Pambula Beach and Ben Boyd National Park for coastal walks.
Day 5: Merimbula to Lakes Entrance (Approx. 270 km / 3.5 hours)
- Highlights: Crossing into Victoria, you'll start to see the Gippsland Lakes region.
- Stop: Eden, where you can learn about the local whaling history and spot whales in season (May-November).
- Side trip Stop: Mallacoota - lovely beaches to explore
- Alternate side trip - explore Erinundra Plateau full day circuit drive
- Alternate side trips - explore the many coastal inlets
- Alternate camp: Cape Conran (booking required) - awesome beaches, goannas
- Destination: Lakes Entrance, known for its extensive lake system and beautiful beaches. A boat trip or a walk along the Ninety Mile Beach is a must.
Day 6: Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory (Approx. 220 km / 3 hours)
- Stop: Sale - historic port town
- Alternate free camp - Golden Beach on the 90 mile beach
- Highlights: Explore the Gippsland coast with stops at quiet fishing villages such as Port Albert
- Destination: camp at Wilsons Promontory National Park (booking required - avoid school hols, weekends), one of Victoria’s best-loved nature reserves, with hiking trails, wildlife (kangaroos, emus, wombats), and breathtaking beaches like Squeaky Beach.
Day 7: Wilsons Promontory to Melbourne (Approx. 220 km / 3 hours)
- Highlights: Enjoy the final stretch, with opportunities for coastal views and countryside scenery.
- Stop: Venus Bay, Inverloch and Cape Patterson for beaches and fishing, or Phillip Island for penguin viewing (if you have extra time).
- Destination: Melbourne, where you can end your journey with the sights and sounds of the city.
Important Tips:
- Best time to travel: Spring (September-November) and Autumn (March-May) are ideal for pleasant weather and wildlife viewing.
- Wildlife : Look out for kangaroos, wombats, and dolphins along the way.
- Accommodation: Options range from holiday parks to motels, and luxury coastal retreats. Pre-book during peak seasons.
This scenic drive is perfect if you enjoy coastal views, wildlife, and charming small towns!