The South East Coast in Australia links Sydney to Melbourne with astounding landscape and beaches. However it is often overlooked by international travellers who prefer to spend their time in other destinations. While flying between the two major Australian cities may be convenient on a tight schedule, if you can plan at least 5 days it is really worth adding the South East Coast to your Australia Itinerary.
The Sout East Coast in Australia boasts the most varied coastal landscape with forests, national parks, abundant wildlife, walking tracks, surf beaches, picturesque villages and magnificient lookouts over the ocean.
Bombo Beach Lookout
Recently I went on a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney and explored new places along the South East Coast. Here is a list of some stunning places along the coast, travelling by car from Melbourne to Sydney.
Eden and Merimbula – not only whale watching
Eden and Merimbula (means two lakes) are the first coastal towns that you will be driving through after crossing the border between Victoria and NSW. They are very popular among the locals for whale watching, fishing, golfing, surfing, or just a relaxing holiday on the school holidays.
Merimbula is nestled on soft hills, lakes and ocean inlets, with a varied landscape, it has long sandy beaches, a rugged coast as well as sheltered tranquil beaches in the bay.
Red Rocks at Short Point Merimbula
There is lots to do and see here, but for a short visit, go to Short Point to view the red rocks, soak in the ocean breeze and marvel at the glowing red rocks (at sunset).
Middle Beach Merimbula
From Short Point walk or drive to Middle Beach for a walk on the beach and take in a very pristine environment. This is also a good vantage point for spotting whales and dolphins. In Merimbula I stayed at the Sapphire Motor In.
Tathra picturesque wharf
Tathra is the next location you pass through, after leaving Merimbula. Tathra has a lovely picturesque wharf overlooking the rugged coastline and a few lookouts along the coast. Don’t miss out on the Michael Lerner Lookout just before arriving in Tathra on your right hand side. Walk the rocky path down a few steep cliffs to take photos.
Tathra Warf
Bermagui – The blue pool
Bermagui (means canoe with paddles) Blue Pool is the pearl of this small coastal town. Built on the edge of a cliff with a smaller pool for children and a few banks and benches to chill out it creates a safe swimning area with a hint of adventure (beware of the waves crashing into the pool). It was not really the right weather for a dip (cold + windy) however the sunny day with the rough sea made it to a picture perfect scenery.
Bermagui Blue Pool
Narooma – the idyllic place
Narooma is a fascinating little town with a beautiful mountain backdrop. There are two main lookouts the Glasshouse Lookout and the Bar Rock lookout from which you can view the Australia shape carved into the rocks by low tide and the tranquil sandy beaches of the bay. Don’t miss out on the soldier crabs beach to view hundreds of little silber crabs marching onto the beach.
Narooma South East Coast Australia
Batemans Bay – Surf, Swim and Sunset
Batemans Bay lies on the South East Coast between Narooma and Jervis Bay and it is very popular among camping lovers. The town stretches along large coastal national parks, and the Clyde River inlets. Batemans Bay is also known for its walking tracks in the forest, Pebbly Beach with grazing kangaroos on the beach. I haven’t been able to see this again, since my first visit in 2004, but was happy to discover new places like Surf Beach on the southern part, a popular beach for a stroll and a swim. I stayed overnight in Batemans Bay at the BeachHouse Resort and was rewarded with this ocean view at sunset colours.
Batemans Bay Sunset
Jervis Bay – White sandy beaches
Jervis Bay is a real jewel of the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive. It has some very pretty beaches, pure air and beautiful walking tracks in the coastal national parks. This is not a place for a touch-and-go visit, to do justice to this place you need at least 3-4 days. Last year I spent a few days there on a solo road trip to Jervis Bay.
Kiama – The Blowhole
Most known for the Kiama Blowhole and the lighthouse, this little township is perfect for a day out from Sydney to see the Sunday Market. The blowhole is the main attraction but it is often over crowded and I prefer the Bombo Headland, which I discovered on this trip, just out of town towards Wollongong. The view is simply magnificient.
Bombo Headland Lookout – South East Coast
Wollongong – The old and new Lighthouse
Only 90km south of Sydney lies Wollongong, the largest town on the south east coast and the last stop of this road trip. It’s popular among the locals but less known about international travellers. It hosts interesting events and has a very nice boardwalk along the coast to the Marina, encompassing the old and new lighthouse, worth a stop and a photo or two! More info about Wollongong here.
Wollongong Marina
This is only a taste of the best places to visit on the South East Coast in Australia. There is much more to explore inland and along the coast.
If you have been road tripping this coastal area of Australia, please share with us the best places you have visited on the South East Coast by leaving your comment here below. Thanks!
If you are planning to explore Australia by car read this post about the best 8 road trips to add to your Australian bucket list.
The post Road Tripping the South East Coast Australia – A Photo essay appeared first on Rocky Travel.