Enjoy this drive through South Australia at your own pace.
DAY 1 Sydney to Canberra (184 miles)
Leave Sydney and travel on the Hume Highway to Australia’s capital city, Canberra. On the way pass through lush cattle-grazing country and a number of typical Australian country towns, such as Goulburn, and then continue on the Hume Highway into Canberra, situated in the Australian Capital Territory. Canberra is home to many embassy buildings and the artificially created Lake Burley Griffin.
DAY 2 Canberra to Merimbula (217 miles)
Leave Canberra and travel to Queanbeyan and then the historical village of Braidwood. Continue on through the small township of Nelligen and onto Batemans Bay, a picturesque coastal village known for its crayfish and oysters. Travel south from Batemans Bay on Highway One to Narooma, a popular fishing resort, then pass the towns of Tilba Tilba, Cobargo, Bega and on to Merimbula.
DAY 3 Merimbula to Lakes Entrance (164 miles)
Travel through Eden and explore the Ben Boyd National Park and Eden Whaling Museum before continuing further. Driving along Princes Highway, you will pass Cann River and Orbost, situated on the banks of the Snowy River, before traveling on to Lakes Entrance. Lakes Entrance is a unique area with rivers, lakes and lagoons joining 90 Mile Beach.
DAY 4 Lakes Entrance to Philip Island (231 miles)
From Lakes Entrance travel south to Sale, a supply and residential centre for the Bass Strait oil fields. Pass through Morwell, Leongatha, Inverloch and Wonthaggi. This will take you through lush pastoral hills of Gippsland. From Wonthaggi the scenery is once again coastal all the way to Phillip Island, home to Australia’s famous Fairy Penguins. The famous `Penguin Parade’ occurs each evening at sunset and should not be missed.
DAY 5 Philip Island to Melbourne (86 miles)
Leave Phillip Island today and take the short journey into the city of Melbourne. It’s only a two hour drive to Melbourne this morning and your journey will take you across the Eastern suburbs of the city. Note your car is booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off at the city or airport by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1, to avoid any additional charges.