Begin the day in charming Maclean with a relaxed breakfast at The River Cafe or a takeaway from the local bakery, then stroll the Clarence River foreshore to say goodbye to the town’s Scottish-themed streets and heritage buildings. Catch your morning coach or drive to Grafton to board the XPT train south—enjoy river and farmland views through the carriage window and pick up a coffee and sandwich from the on-board trolley for the journey.
Arrive at a major rail hub (such as Sydney or Bomaderry depending on connections) and transfer to the scheduled NSW TrainLink coach service toward Batemans Bay, breaking the trip with a lunch stop in a coastal town like Nowra if your timetable allows; explore a quick beachfront walk at Shoalhaven Heads. Continue the scenic bus leg down the Clyde River valley, watching for kangaroos and coastal outlooks as you approach Batemans Bay mid-to-late afternoon and check into your accommodation near the waterfront.
Unwind with a riverside stroll along the Batemans Bay Marina and grab dinner at a local favourite such as The Wharf Bar & Kitchen or a seafood café on the foreshore, sampling fresh oysters or flathead. Finish the evening with a sunset view from Corrigans Beach or the Clyde River boardwalk and, if energy remains, pop into a friendly pub for a drink while planning the next day’s coastal explorations.