Enjoy a substantial breakfast near your Canberra departure point — cafés generally open from 7:00am; grab coffee, eggs or a takeaway for the road. A solid breakfast helps for the long first drive.
Depart Canberra and follow the Monaro and Princes Highways into Gippsland; expect about 5–6 hours driving including short comfort stops. Plan fuel and quick photo stops every 1.5–2 hours.
Have lunch at a waterfront fish-and-chip shop or café in Lakes Entrance — most eateries open from 11:00am. It’s a great spot to stretch legs and see the Gippsland Lakes and Ninety Mile Beach.
Visit the Lakes Entrance lookout and walk part of Ninety Mile Beach or the entrance boardwalk; beaches are open dawn–dusk and lookouts accessible year-round. Easy short walk for coastal views and photos.
Check in at a nearby caravan park (NRMA Eastern Beach or Lakes Entrance Holiday Park recommended) — office hours usually extend into early evening but book ahead in December. Set up camp and use facilities to freshen up.
Choose a relaxed dinner at a local pub (dinner service typically from 5:30pm) or self-cook at the campsite using camp kitchens. December is busy — check pub opening times and book a table if needed.
Grab pastries and coffee from a Lakes Entrance bakery (many open ~7:00am) to eat on the drive or at a picnic stop. An early start suits the Prom’s short walks later in the day.
Drive south toward Wilsons Promontory/Tidal River — allow about 2.5–3.5 hours depending on route and traffic. Fuel and water are essential; mobile reception is patchy in parts.
Stop at the Wilsons Prom visitor centre for maps and track advice — centre hours are typically ~9:00am–5:00pm but check seasonal times; then do a short walk such as Squeaky Beach or Lilly Pilly Gully (beach access dawn–dusk).
Enjoy a picnic lunch at a day-use area or on the beach — there are BBQs and picnic tables but bring your own food for Christmas Eve. Shops at Tidal River have limited supplies and seasonal hours.
Check in and set up at Tidal River campground (bookings essential in December). Campground facilities are good but expect very busy conditions over the holiday period.
Walk to Norman Beach or Whisky Bay for a sunset stroll — beaches are prime at dusk and accessible via short tracks (dawn–dusk). Perfect gentle end to the day before Christmas.
Cook at your campsite or, if available, pre-book a meal from the camp shop or nearby provider — note on-site dining options are limited on holidays and many services reduce hours on Christmas Eve. Bring extra supplies just in case.
Enjoy a relaxed campsite breakfast — visitor centre and shops are often closed or on reduced hours on Christmas Day, so prepare food in advance. Self-catering is the most reliable option on public holidays.
Do short family-friendly walks from Tidal River like Lilly Pilly Gully or the Squeaky Beach circuit; the park is open but ranger services may be minimal on Christmas Day. Beaches and tracks are accessible dawn–dusk — avoid cliff edges and follow signage.
Have a festive picnic on the beach or at a sheltered picnic area — bring prepared salads, cold meats and Christmas treats as local shops will be closed or have very limited supplies. Enjoy wildlife viewing (kangaroos and birds) from a respectful distance.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at the campsite, exploring nearby short tracks or visiting the Prom’s quieter beaches; many visitor services are closed but the natural attractions remain open. Take care with sun and hydration in summer.
Cook a Christmas dinner at your campsite — camp kitchens and BBQ facilities are available but book a campsite with suitable facilities ahead of time. Expect a busy campground with limited shop access.
Have an early breakfast at camp or a quick takeaway if the camp shop is open — Boxing Day (26 Dec) often sees many places open but busy; check hours. Early departure helps beat peak holiday traffic.
Head west along the coast via Foster and South Gippsland toward Port Fairy — expect around 4–5 hours with scenic stops. Boxing Day traffic can be heavy near popular lookouts so allow extra time.
Stop in Foster or another coastal town for lunch; many cafés and pubs operate on Boxing Day but can be busy — reservations or takeaway recommended. Use this stop to rest and refill supplies.
Arrive in Port Fairy and stroll the historic wharf, Griffiths Island and lighthouse — public areas are open and enjoyable in the late afternoon. The town is compact and great for a relaxed wander after a long drive.
Check in to Port Fairy Holiday Park or beachfront caravan park — camps fill fast over holiday week so pre-book. Setup and cool down after the day’s drive.
Dine at a local bistro or fish-and-chip shop in Port Fairy — many places will be open but busy on Boxing Week so book ahead where possible. Enjoy fresh local seafood or a classic pub meal.
Have breakfast at a Port Fairy café (many open from ~7:00–8:00am) and prepare for a coastal morning along the Great Ocean Road. A cooked breakfast sets you up for walking and viewpoint stops.
Depart for Port Campbell and the 12 Apostles area — the drive along the Princes Highway/Great Ocean Road corridor takes about 1.5–2 hours with photo stops. Expect scenic lookouts and some tourist traffic.
Visit the 12 Apostles lookout and walk the boardwalks at Loch Ard Gorge; park lookouts are open daily though visitor centre hours vary (often ~9:00am–5:00pm). Iconic limestone vistas and easy-access viewing platforms make this a highlight.
Lunch in Port Campbell at a café or bakery — many businesses cater to tourists and are open late morning to early afternoon. Use this stop to top up supplies and water.
Explore Gibson Steps for beach access (check tide safety) or the Bay of Islands for quieter coastal scenery; tides and safety signage matter on beach accesses. Coastal walks and lookouts are open, but avoid cliff edges.
Check in to a nearby caravan park or campground (Port Campbell or Princetown) and set up; facilities vary so confirm powered/unpowered site availability when booking. Summer crowds make advance booking essential.
Eat at a local Port Campbell pub or restaurant — many serve dinner from 5:30pm and provide hearty meals after a day of sightseeing. Reserve ahead for holiday season.
Quick breakfast at camp or a nearby bakery before a longer inland drive — bakeries commonly open from 7:00am. Bring water and sun protection for afternoon walks and lookouts.
Drive west to Mount Gambier (approx 3–3.5 hours) to visit the Blue Lake and crater reserves; expect inland driving and changing scenery. Stop en route to stretch at service towns.
Visit Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake lookout and take short walks around the crater rim — the rim walk and lookout are open daily; the lake’s vivid colour is a key attraction. Visitor centre hours typically ~9:00am–5:00pm.
Lunch in Mount Gambier at a café or bakery — good place to refuel and check local information for the Limestone Coast. Services are plentiful in town but can be busy in summer.
Explore nearby attractions such as Umpherston Sinkhole (open daily) or cave sites — check opening hours for guided cave tours and book if required. Several sites have short accessible walks and impressive geology.
Check in at a Mount Gambier caravan park (powered sites recommended in summer) and set up; parks usually accept afternoon arrivals. Book in advance for the holiday week.
Dine at a Mount Gambier bistro or pub — local menus often include regional produce and are open in the evening; booking advised for peak season. Enjoy a relaxed evening before the coastal leg to Robe.
Have breakfast in Mount Gambier or pick up supplies for a picnic en route — bakeries open from around 7:00am. A leisurely start suits the shorter drive to Robe.
Drive southwest toward the Limestone Coast and Robe (approx 2–2.5 hours). The coastal scenery changes and Robe is a classic seaside town ideal for evening beach walks and seafood.
Arrive in Robe and have lunch at a seaside café or bakery — many venues serve fresh seafood and light meals. Use this time to stroll the main street and check local accommodation or camp facilities.
Walk along Long Beach and visit the historic Robe Lighthouse and harbour; public access is available and beaches are open dawn–dusk. Robe’s relaxed coastal character is ideal for a laid-back afternoon.
Check in to Robe Beach Caravan Park or another beachfront campground and set up; confirm site facilities (powered sites recommended in high season). Campsites fill quickly in late December so pre-book.
Enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant or pub specialising in local seafood (oysters, fish) — many places open evenings but seating can be limited in holiday times. Book ahead for a waterfront table.
Have breakfast in Robe and pack up camp — cafés usually open from around 7:00–8:00am. Check diesel/petrol and tyre pressures for the final inland drive toward Adelaide.
Drive north-west toward Adelaide via the Princes Highway and Dukes Highway (approx 3.5–4 hours depending on traffic). Plan one short stop to stretch at Meningie or Tailem Bend and to refuel.
Stop for lunch in Murray Bridge or Tailem Bend; pubs and cafés open midday and are convenient for a final meal before entering the Adelaide metro area. Use this stop to refresh and confirm onward plans.
Arrive into the Adelaide region in the mid-afternoon — the itinerary ends here with no overnight stay in Adelaide as requested. If you need a campsite to pack out gear before continuing, there are metropolitan caravan parks (e.g. West Beach/Adelaide Shores) but you specified no stay so this marks the conclusion.
If time permits, drive to Glenelg for a short beachfront stroll and coffee; shops and cafés are open into the afternoon and public transport into the city is frequent. Otherwise plan onward travel or vehicle return.