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If you wish to get out of the hustle and bustle of Sydney and discover the street much less travelled, it’s excessive time you launched into a South Coast New South Wale street journey.
The South Coast of NSW is understood for having among the finest seashores, unspoiled nationwide parks, historical rainforests, and quiet small cities.
When you can drive from one facet to the opposite in 6 and a half hours, it’s properly value slowing down and exploring this area correctly.
On this information, we share our final South Coast NSW itinerary unfold over a 2 week interval, as a result of there may be a lot to see and do, and that is the minimal period of time you might want to see the highlights.
After spending 5 weeks discovering the south coast, we have been fortunate sufficient to find the fantastic thing about this area and have chosen our favorite spots so that you can get pleasure from.
How lengthy do you want for a South Coast NSW street journey?
Whereas there is no such thing as a set reply for a way lengthy you need to spend street tripping the South Coast of New South Wales, we predict the best period of time to spend exploring this area is two weeks, not together with Sydney.
With Sydney, you’d be taking a look at 2.5 weeks.
You could possibly truly do 5 weeks, like we did, and never get bored, however most individuals typically have a two week interval for journey.
The Final South Coast NSW Itinerary
The South Coast of NSW area begins simply outdoors of Sydney and stretches from the Royal Nationwide Park down in the direction of the city of Eden.
You could possibly do that itinerary in reverse, however since most individuals can be flying in from out of city, you could need to begin in Sydney because it’s a significant metropolis and simpler to select up a rental automobile.
We love this areas of Australia as a result of it’s quieter and extra relaxed than while you enterprise north up the East Coast.
It’s recognized for having gorgeous seashores, unspoiled hinterland, lots of of wild kangaroos hopping round, and quiet environment in comparison with the north coast.
That will help you plan your journey, the above map is of the next South Coast street journey itinerary. It contains every notable cease, surrounding sights, locations to eat and the place to remain.
You may obtain this map onto your telephone or reserve it by clicking the star icon on the prime.
Cease 1: Sydney (2-3 Days)
Sydney is Australia’s glittering harbour metropolis and probably the most well-known cities on the planet! It’s a spot as stunning as it’s thriving, and has a really youthful and vibrant environment.
Residence to iconic landmarks such because the Sydney Opera Home and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it’s the right place to begin a street journey on the South Coast of NSW, because it’s so iconic.
Spend a day or two wandering across the CBD, the energetic Darling Harbour precinct, and The Rocks District, absorbing the artsy vibes and do some world-class purchasing, and spend one other day browsing the waves at Bondi Seaside, or take a ferry to Manly for postcard-worthy coastal views.
Cease 2: Royal Nationwide Park (2 Days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 27.5 km by way of Princes Hwy and A36
- Drive time: 32 minutes
- Notable locations to eat: no eating places, carry your personal meals
Lower than an hour south of Sydney is the gorgeous Royal Nationwide Park, a sprawling coastal wilderness and the second-oldest nationwide park on the planet.
Overlaying over 15,000 hectares, it has a various panorama made up of eucalyptus forests, dramatic cliffs, secluded coves and seashores, and fern-filled gullies.
There are a number of strolling trails in Royal Nationwide Park, however essentially the most well-known is the Coast Observe, which extends for 26 kilometres alongside the rugged shoreline between Bundeena and Otford.
You don’t must stroll the entire monitor, however make sure you stroll a piece of it and cease to admire the gorgeous ocean views and look out for humpback whales (July to November).
Cease on the pure marvel of Determine Eight Swimming pools, discover the plush forest round Uloola Falls, or spend a lazy afternoon swimming and picnicking at Wattamolla Lagoon.
There’s loads of issues to do right here for 2 days, however you would make it a day go to if you wish to scale back your trip time.
Cease 3: Wollongong (2 Days)
Heading south from Royal Nationwide Park, make you approach down the Grand Pacific Drive to our subsequent cease, Wollongong.
Alongside the best way, make a cease at Bald Head Lookout for some stunning views, and the Scarborough Resort for lunch.
After an hour and 45 minutes of driving, you’ll cross over the Sea Cliff Bridge to Wollongong.
Wollongong is a vibrant seaside city with a lot to see and do.
A few of our favourite issues to do in Wollongong are biking on the Wollongong foreshore, and taking part in on North Wollongong Seaside and Seven Mile Seaside.
Among the prime sights to not miss in Wollongong is the Nan Tien Temple, a peaceable Buddhist temple that serves scrumptious vegetarian meals, and the Kiama Blowhole.
You probably have youngsters, they could benefit from the Science Centre & Planetarium, which has fantastic academic packages.
Cease 4: Kangaroo Valley (2 Days)
After spending a few evening’s in Wollongong, it’s time to discover the South Highlands.
Head south from Wollongong and cease within the city of Gerringong for espresso, after which lunch on the Nice Southern Resort in Berry.
After driving for an hour and 10 minutes, you’ll attain Kangaroo Valley, which is understood to be as inexperienced as Eire and with the Australian bush and escarpments framing it.
There’s a lot to see and do right here, it’s actually a reasonably place to spend a couple of days.
A few of our favourite issues to do in Kangaroo Valley are hike to Fitzroy Falls, admiring the Historic Hampden Bridge, and biking (or driving) the Higher Kangaroo River Highway.
For nature lovers, go to see wild wombats at Bendeela Picnic Space, or sit by the Higher Kangaroo River for a picnic or BBQ.
Cease 5: Jervis Bay (3 Days)
Drive from Kangeroo Valley south and you’ll attain our subsequent vacation spot, Jervis Bay.
Jervis Bay is magical and simply one of many finest seaside locations in Australia. I’ve little doubt you can be blown away by the wonder similar to I used to be.
The Jervis Bay space wants most of your consideration, which is why I like to recommend you keep for 4 nights/3 days at a minimal.
There may be a lot to see and do round Jervis Bay, from exploring its lush seashores, taking whale watching cruises or exploring the gorgeous Booderee Nationwide Park, that are arguably the finest seashores in NSW South Coast.
Some standard seashores in Jervis Bay are the well-known Hyams Seaside, which seems as stunning in actual life because the postcards, Inexperienced Patch Seaside, Murrays Seaside, Chinamans Seaside, and Greenfields Seaside.
You may also do the White Sands Stroll, go mountain climbing in Booderee Nationwide Park, and admire the Scottish Rocks. For extra adventures, go kayaking alongside Currambene Creek or go fishing or whale watching.
Cease 6: Murramarang Nationwide Park (2 Days)
Now we’re moving into rural territory, it’s time to ditch know-how and luxuriate in chopping off for a few nights.
The drive between Jervis Bay and Murramarang Nationwide Park is brief, however it would be best to drive slowly and cease off alongside the best way for superb coastal views.
Take a detour over to Milton and the neighbouring cities of Mollymook and Ulladulla on the best way to the nationwide park, which is understood to have superb locations to eat similar to Rick Stein at Bannisters. Make sure to try Cupitt’s Property Vineyard in Ulladulla in case you’re a wine lover.
Murramarang Nationwide Park is a superb place to go tenting, both by pitching a tent or staying at a caravan park close to Batemans Bay or Bermagui.
It’s the most effective locations in Australia to identify japanese gray kangaroos.
You probably have time at your disposal, you may stroll the complete Murramarang South Coast Stroll, which takes 3 days, and takes you thru the parks most stunning websites, from craggy cliffs to grassy headlands.
Another issues to do in Murramarang Nationwide Park and locations to play are Fairly Seaside, Pebbly Seaside (well-known for kangaroos), Depot Seaside and Durras Seaside.
A shorter stroll you are able to do is the Fairly Seaside to Merry Seaside coastal stroll, and there’s additionally Mogo Wildlife Park.
Cease 7: Narooma (2 Days)
- Distance from final cease: 89 km by way of Princes Freeway and A1
- Drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- The place to remain: Horizon Vacation Residence
- Notable locations to eat: The Quarterdeck (cool cafe and bar on the water)
Drive south alongside the Princes Freeway and you’ll attain Narooma.
Narooma is one other sleepy city that’s merely gorgeous. The surroundings is breathtaking and so distinctive, in actual fact, the title Narooma means “blue water” in historical indigenous language, so you may just about anticipate stunning waters right here regardless of while you go to.
I don’t assume I’ve ever seen water that color earlier than in every other place in NSW.
It’s additionally a fantastic place to hire a motorbike and cycle between seashores, try spectacular rock formations, take a ship cruise over to the close by nature reserve, Montague Island, the place you may see native seals and penguins, or you may merely bathtub on the seaside.
Another issues to do in Narooma are cycle The Mill Bay Boardwalk (search for stingrays), calm down on Bar Seaside and admire views from Bar Lookout.
When you get pleasure from bike rides, there’s a 12 km cycle solution to Dalmeny Seaside. You may also take a ship trip to Montague Island Nature Reserve, a panoramic wildlife sanctuary, or drive over to Camel Rock and swim within the blue pool ocean pool.
Don’t miss Australia Rock at dawn, the Central Tilba Markets, and the Bodalla Dairy Shed to find out about Tilba Cheese.
Cease 8: Merimbula (2 Days)
From Narooma, it’s one other quick drive south to our subsequent and remaining cease, Merimbula.
We truly stayed in Eden once we visited Merimbula, however don’t keep in Eden. Merimbula is a nicer city. We make these errors so that you don’t must!
Merimbula is a small city on the Saphire Coast and is understood for having surf breaks over a sandbank on the seaside, so surfers can discover wonderful waves all 12 months spherical.
The close by Brief Level is a superb place to see humpback whales throughout their annual migration (June to November).
Another issues to do in Merimbula are biking the Merimbula Boardwalk, mountain climbing in Ben Boyd Nationwide Park (don’t miss the Pinnacles) and Mimosa Rocks Nationwide Park, and whale watching in Eden.
For seaside lovers, don’t miss Merimbula Bar Seaside and Brief Level Seaside, and if you wish to see native wildlife, head to Potoroo Palace to see wombats, echidnas and kangaroos.
Remaining Ideas
The South West Coast is an underrated area in Australia and one among our favourite elements of New South Wales.
It has among the finest seashores in Aus, unimaginable pure magnificence, and a sleepy small-town environment that means that you can disconnect and recharge your batteries.
I hope that this information gave you some inspiration for how you can plan your South Coast NSW street journey and helped you’re employed out the place to remain and what to do.
Are you planning on visiting the South Coast of NSW? What locations are you most excited to go to from this record? Tell us within the feedback.