Daneille

Can anybody give me an estimated driving time from Sydney to Eden via the Pacific Hwy and also via Canberra?

Assuming Canberra is the longer of the two - would the fact that the roads are better make the trip easier although longer?

Thanks in advance.

marg

Have a look at www.travelmate.com.au for mileage and travelling times.

Neil_Oz

Daneille, I would think perhaps 6 hours via the Princes Highway (which is what Highway 1 is called south of Sydney) and a good 7 via Canberra. I haven't been to Eden for a long time, though, so other posters might like to add their views -my estimates may be either optimistic or a bit leisurely.

Canberra is about 3 hours from Sydney via the Hume and Federal Highways (don't miss the turnoff, after you've passed Goulburn). After Canberra you lose freeway-type conditions but the 2-lane roads aren't heavily trafficked and should only be slow when you descend the mountains near the coast.

I assume that you're tossing up the idea of visiting Canberra en route, which is a good idea (but then, I'm biased). If you don't want to stop off, though, you can bypass Canberra by turning left at the "Fyshwick" sign just after you cross the NSW/ACT border. You'll pass Canberra airport after about 10 km and can then just follow the signs to Cooma via the Monaro Highway.

Cooma is a bit over an hour south of Canberra. Follow the signs to Nimmitabel, Bega, then to the Princes Highway and Eden. Although the Hume Highway part of the drive from Sydney to Canberra isn't too exciting (and to be honest, neither is most of the Canberra-Cooma road), overall you should find this a more scenic route than the coast road.

However, the Princes Highway offers plenty of opportunities to stop off in nice coastal towns like Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Narooma and Merimbula. It boils down to whether you want to take the opportunity to see the national capital.

Neil_Oz

Thanks, marg - I was hunting around for that site but couldn't remember the name.

OK, they're more optimistic than me - coast road 479 km and 5:18, via Canberra 569 km and 6:06. Not that much in it, really.

Daneille

Thank you all very much for your help. As I'll be doing the trek alone I think I may take the Canberra option as I think the driving conditions will be easier (and I just want to get to Eden with only coffee stops on the way).