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10-Day Scenic Drive: Adelaide → Great Ocean Road → Melbourne (2 days) → Coastal NSW → Sydney (2 days) → Brisbane

Viewed by 79 travelers

Day 1: Adelaide to Mount Gambier

Adelaide → Mount Gambier, Australia on February 24, 2025

7:00AM

Breakfast — CIBO Espresso (Adelaide)

Start with a classic flat white and a hearty breakfast at a trusted local café to fuel the long drive ahead.
AUD18, 45m

8:00AM

Drive to Mount Gambier

Scenic highway drive heading southeast; expect agricultural and coastal plains en route — plan ~4h30m driving with one quick break.
AUD0, 4h30m

12:45PM

Lunch — Café at Mount Gambier (Central)

Simple pub or café lunch near the city centre; fresh regional produce is common here and it’s a good refuel point.
AUD25, 1h

2:00PM

Visit Blue Lake (Mount Gambier)

A dramatic crater lake known for its vivid seasonal colour change and easy walking trails; it’s a short visit but well worth it.
AUD0, 1h

4:00PM

Check-in & relax

Check into your Mount Gambier accommodation and rest—use the late afternoon to walk the town or grab supplies for tomorrow’s coastal drive.
AUD0, 1h30m

7:00PM

Dinner — The Barn Steak & Alehouse (or local bistro)

Comfortable regional dinner serving local beef and seafood — a good introduction to South Australian produce.
AUD40, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Adelaide → Mount Gambier

Day 2: Start Great Ocean Rd

Mount Gambier → Port Campbell (Great Ocean Road), Australia on February 25, 2025

7:30AM

Breakfast — Hotel or local café

Grab coffee and a portable breakfast to enjoy on the scenic coastal drive ahead.
AUD15, 30m

8:15AM

Drive to Port Fairy / Port Campbell (enter Great Ocean Road)

Drive toward the start/continuation of Great Ocean Road with coastal viewpoint stops en route; plan ~3h driving with scenic breaks.
AUD0, 3h

12:30PM

Lunch — Port Campbell / Twelve Apostles Café

Casual lunch near Port Campbell, positioned for the afternoon’s landmark visits — convenient and close to lookout trails.
AUD28, 1h

1:30PM

Visit Loch Ard Gorge & The Razorback

Short walks and dramatic coastal cliffs; these spots are walkable and offer excellent photo opportunities.
AUD0, 1h

3:00PM

Twelve Apostles lookout (afternoon/late afternoon)

Iconic limestone stacks best visited in late afternoon for softer light; carry on to additional nearby lookouts for different perspectives.
AUD0, 1h

5:30PM

Check-in — Port Campbell / Princetown

Overnight in Port Campbell or nearby to avoid rushed night driving; enjoy a coastal evening walk.
AUD0, 1h

7:00PM

Dinner — 12 Rocks Restaurant (Port Campbell) or local seafood bistro

Fresh local seafood and regional dishes — relaxing dinner after a day of sightseeing (many restaurants open evenings from ~5:30–9pm).
AUD45, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Mount Gambier → Port Campbell (Great Ocean Road)

Day 3: Great Ocean Rd → Melbourne

Port Campbell → Melbourne, Australia on February 26, 2025

7:30AM

Breakfast — Port Campbell café

Light breakfast and coffee before resuming the coastal drive; get an early start to enjoy more lookouts with fewer crowds.
AUD15, 30m

8:15AM

Continue Great Ocean Road: Apollo Bay, Lorne, Bells Beach

Drive the heart of the Great Ocean Road with stops at iconic surf beaches and rainforest lookouts; allow time for short walks and photos.
AUD0, 4h

12:30PM

Lunch — Apollo Bay Seafood Café or similar

Fresh coastal fare right on the route; a relaxed lunch with ocean views is ideal before driving the final stretch into Melbourne.
AUD30, 1h

2:00PM

Drive to Melbourne (arrive mid–late afternoon)

Complete the final leg to Melbourne (Torquay → Geelong → M1). Traffic increases closer to Melbourne; plan for ~3h driving from Apollo Bay.
AUD0, 3h

5:30PM

Check-in & Melbourne evening stroll (CBD / Southbank)

Check into your Melbourne hotel then enjoy the Southbank riverfront, Federation Square and laneways at dusk.
AUD0, 1h

7:30PM

Dinner — Chin Chin (Melbourne CBD)

Vibrant, popular modern Asian restaurant—book ahead for dinner; great introduction to Melbourne’s dining scene (opens evenings).
AUD60, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Port Campbell → Melbourne

Day 4: Melbourne Day One

Melbourne, Australia on February 27, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast — Hardware Société

Beloved Melbourne brunch spot known for creative breakfast dishes; get there early if you want to avoid lines (opens ~8am).
AUD25, 1h

9:30AM

Walk Melbourne Laneways & Street Art (Hosier Lane)

Explore iconic laneways, street art, specialty coffee shops and hidden boutiques—this is the heart of Melbourne culture.
AUD0, 1h30m

11:30AM

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Australia’s oldest public art museum with rotating exhibitions; open daily typically 10:00–17:00 (check current hours for special exhibits).
AUD0, 1h30m

1:30PM

Lunch — Lune Croissanterie (Fitzroy)

World-class pastries and a cult following—perfect for a lighter, delicious midday meal.
AUD20, 45m

3:00PM

Royal Botanic Gardens & Shrine of Remembrance

Relaxing gardens and panoramic city views from the Shrine; gardens open from early morning to sunset (walks and picnic spots).
AUD0, 1h30m

6:30PM

Dinner — Dinner at Eureka 89 or Southbank restaurant

Fine dining or riverfront options in Southbank; book ahead for skyline views at sunset (restaurants typically open evenings).
AUD80, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Melbourne

Day 5: Melbourne Day Two

Melbourne, Australia on February 28, 2025

8:30AM

Breakfast — Higher Ground or Top Paddock

Enjoy Melbourne’s famous brunch culture at one of its benchmark cafés; popular spots open from early morning.
AUD30, 1h

10:00AM

Queen Victoria Market & Shopping

Explore the market for local food, souvenirs and specialty stores (market hours vary—many sections open 6am–3pm, check the day’s timetable).
AUD0, 1h30m

12:00PM

Lunch — Chinatown dumplings or small plates

Melbourne’s Chinatown offers excellent lunch options for a flavorful, quick meal.
AUD25, 1h

2:00PM

Optional: Eureka Skydeck or Melbourne Museum

Eureka Skydeck offers city panorama (typically open 10:00–22:00); the museum has diverse exhibits—choose based on interest.
AUD25, 1h30m

5:00PM

Pre-departure prep

Collect luggage, refuel car, and prepare for the longer coastal drive tomorrow morning.
AUD0, 30m

7:00PM

Dinner — Local favourite (e.g., Flower Drum or Vue de monde if splurge)

One last memorable dinner in Melbourne—book ahead for top restaurants (evening service typical 6pm onwards).
AUD100, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Melbourne

Day 6: Melbourne → Lakes Entrance

Melbourne → Lakes Entrance, Australia on March 1, 2025

7:00AM

Early breakfast & depart

Get an early start with coffee and a takeaway breakfast for the long drive along the Princes Highway toward Gippsland.
AUD15, 30m

7:45AM

Drive to Lakes Entrance area

Scenic drive through Gippsland; plan approximately 3.5–4 hours driving with short rest stops en route.
AUD0, 4h

12:00PM

Lunch — Lakes Entrance waterfront café

Seafood or pub lunch on the lakes; perfect mid-way rest before exploring local boardwalks.
AUD30, 1h

1:30PM

Explore Lakes Entrance boardwalk & Ninety Mile Beach

Short walks, dunes and beach time; the area is great to stretch legs and enjoy coastal scenery.
AUD0, 1h30m

4:00PM

Check-in & relax

Overnight in Lakes Entrance or nearby—use evening to rest; restaurants usually open until ~9pm.
AUD0, 1h

7:00PM

Dinner — Local seafood restaurant

Casual dinner sampling Gippsland seafood—the region is known for oysters and fish.
AUD40, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Melbourne → Lakes Entrance

Day 7: Gippsland → Merimbula/Batemans Bay

Lakes Entrance → Merimbula/Batemans Bay, Australia on March 2, 2025

7:30AM

Breakfast & depart

Light breakfast and coffee before continuing the coastal drive north; prepare for a long but scenic day with multiple stops.
AUD15, 30m

8:15AM

Drive north along Princes Highway (stop options: Sale, Bairnsdale, Eden)

Continue along the coast through varied landscapes — schedule a few short stops for photos and leg stretches.
AUD0, 5h

1:00PM

Lunch — Merimbula waterfront or Batemans Bay

Midday seafood or café lunch; both towns are good rest points to break the drive and enjoy coastal views.
AUD30, 1h

3:00PM

Short beach walk or Oyster tasting

Local oyster farms and beaches offer quick tastings or strolls—relax before the final leg to Sydney tomorrow.
AUD20, 1h

5:00PM

Check-in & evening relax

Overnight in Merimbula / Batemans Bay area to break the Melbourne→Sydney drive into manageable sections.
AUD0, 1h

7:00PM

Dinner — Local bistro or waterfront restaurant

Try local seafood specialties; many venues open evenings from ~5:30pm.
AUD40, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Lakes Entrance → Merimbula/Batemans Bay

Day 8: Coast to Sydney

Batemans Bay → Sydney, Australia on March 3, 2025

7:00AM

Breakfast & depart

Early departure with a takeaway breakfast to maximise sightseeing time in Sydney once you arrive.
AUD15, 30m

7:45AM

Drive north: Batemans Bay → Jervis Bay → Kiama → Wollongong → Sydney

Coastal drive with highlights: Jervis Bay beaches, Kiama blowhole and Wollongong escarpment; plan for scenic stops and a full day of driving (~4–5h total driving time with stops).
AUD0, 5h

12:30PM

Lunch — Jervis Bay / Kiama café

Lunch with coastal views; Jervis Bay is known for clear waters and beaches if you want a quick swim.
AUD30, 1h

3:30PM

Arrive Sydney & check-in

Settle into your Sydney hotel and prepare for two full days exploring the city’s highlights.
AUD0, 1h

5:00PM

Evening stroll — Circular Quay & Opera House forecourt

Iconic harbour walk with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge—perfect in the golden hour and after (open access, Opera House tours run 9:00–17:00 typically).
AUD0, 1h

7:30PM

Dinner — Opera Kitchen or Quay-side restaurant

Harbour-front dining with classic views—book ahead for peak times (restaurants open evenings).
AUD70, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Batemans Bay → Sydney

Day 9: Sydney Full Day

Sydney, Australia on March 4, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast — Bills (Surry Hills) or popular café

Classic Aussie brunch spot—great start before a busy day of sightseeing (open from early morning).
AUD30, 1h

9:30AM

Sydney Harbour: Ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay walk

Take a scenic ferry (Circular Quay to Manly ~30m) or do the coastal walk to Watsons Bay for cliff views; ferries run frequently from early morning to late evening.
AUD10, 2h

12:30PM

Lunch — Sydney Fish Market (if open) or Manly / Watsons Bay café

Seafood-focused lunch at the Fish Market (open most days 7:00–16:00) or a seaside café with relaxed views.
AUD35, 1h

2:30PM

Explore The Rocks & Museum of Contemporary Art or Bondi to Coogee walk

Choose between historic The Rocks area + MCA (MCA hours commonly 10:00–17:00) or the scenic Bondi-Coogee coastal walk (always open, ~2h depending pace).
AUD0, 2h

6:30PM

Dinner — The Boathouse or Harbour-side restaurant

Relaxed waterfront dinner—book ahead for popular harbour spots that open evenings from ~5:30pm.
AUD60, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sydney

Day 10: Sydney → Brisbane

Sydney → Brisbane, Australia on March 5, 2025

5:30AM

Early breakfast & depart

Very early departure with takeaway breakfast to make the direct coastal drive north to Brisbane manageable in one long day; expect ~9.5–11 hours driving depending on stops and traffic.
AUD15, 30m

6:00AM

Drive north on the Pacific Motorway (M1) — stops at Port Macquarie & Coffs Harbour

Plan short stops for coffee and leg stretches: Port Macquarie (mid-morning) and Coffs Harbour (lunch) are convenient; driving time without extended stops ~9.5–10.5h.
AUD0, 9h30m

12:30PM

Lunch — Coffs Harbour waterfront café

Midpoint coastal lunch to break up the long drive—fresh seafood and café options available (most open midday).
AUD30, 45m

4:30PM

Optional quick stop — Byron Bay (if time allows)

If schedule permits, a late-afternoon stop in Byron Bay for a short beach walk or Cape Byron lighthouse view—otherwise continue direct to Brisbane.
AUD0, 45m

7:30PM

Arrive Brisbane & check-in

Arrive in Brisbane by evening, check into your hotel and rest—congratulations, your coast-to-coast trip is complete.
AUD0, 30m

8:15PM

Dinner — South Bank riverside dining (Brisbane)

Late dinner in Brisbane’s South Bank area—many restaurants open until 9–10pm to welcome late arrivals.
AUD50, 1h
Find Hotels in Sydney → Brisbane
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