Hi! We are thinking about flying into sydney and driving to melbourne along the coastal Princes Highway..we read about a trip like this in a travel magazine. We have from around february 12 through the 20 and will be traveling with a 2 year old. The article suggested a couple of places to stay along the way...paperbark camp, mollymook and bannisters point lodge, crown and anchor, karbeethong lodge and point hicks lighthouse..

We like to do alot of outdoor type activities, swimming, hiking, kayaking, animal watching.

Would you recommend doing this particular drive? We are stationed on okinawa, so the left side driving is no problem for us but I don't know what this road is like as far as traffic, surface condition and speed limit.

Sorry this is so long but thanks for any advice you can offer!

Shelly

It's certainly a pleasant drive particularly if you can take your time. School holidays will be over by then so you won't need to worry about booking in advance so you need not be locked into a set itinerary. There are some really nice places to stay at and I'm sure Aussies all have their favourites. Narooma is set in a lovely location. Batemans Bay has a good range of accommodation, restaurants etc and some nice beaches. There is a resort just north of Batemans Bay at Durras (Murramarang Resort) which is right on the beach and is well known for the kangeroos that live around the resort. Between Narooma and Batemans Bay, detour from the highway to visit Tilba Tilba - great cheese factory, coffee shops etc.
Another good place to stay is Merimbula-Pambula. Holiday Hub Tourist Park on the beach at Pambula is a good family holiday spot - it's a caravan park with modern self-contained cabins, two swimming pools, toddler's pool and heated spa, cafe, kiosk etc. We stay there often and can recommend it for it's location and cleanliness.
Once you get to Eden, the road goes inland and you won't see the water again until you get to Lakes Entrance. If you want a change of scenery, you can take the alpine road from Omeo across the mountains to Bright, then follow the Hume Highway into Melbourne. Hope this helps.

Another very pleasant place is Jervis Bay, near Nowra NSW.

I've never driven the whole route but believe you'll find the road conditions OK throughout - mostly 2-lane sealed roads in good condition, state speed limit 100 km/hr on the open road.

Bermagui is a beaut spot on the coast, close to Tilba Tilba with accomodation options and kid friendly restraunts.
When you get to Sale in Victoria, taking the South Gippsland Hwy at that point is another option that keeps you closer to the coast and would allow short detours to Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island.

Shelly: Considering your interests don't miss Wilson's Promontory National Park in Victoria -walking tracks, secluded beaches and lots of wildlife.

I second the recommendation for Jervis Bay. Magnificent beaches.

Things may have changed a bit since I did this trip, but you do have to be somewhat mindful of the availability of petrol after hours in rural Australia. My wife did this trip on our honeymoon in 1982 - we had not intended to stay overnight in the Victorian border town of Orbost, but, because the local petrol station closed at 5 PM, we were forced to look for accommodation. The only motel in town was full so we ended up staying at one of the pubs. Separate single beds, bare lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. What a way to start a honeymoon!

Ralph R, CT, USA

Thank you for all the replies! I will keep note of the places you all suggested! Good to know about the petro stations closing early!
Shelly

I wouldn't worry too much about petrol stations shutting early - we're much more civilized now!

It would be nice to think we have made some progress since 1982!!

Have you considered flying to Melbourne and driving from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road. We did that with our two boys - ages 9 and 11 - two years ago and wish we had taken more time driving this spectacular highway. Great places to stay along the way. You could visit Fairy Island and watch the penguins come to shore at night - visit London's Bridges and other natural rock formations along the way and stop at the many ocean towns. Think about it as we had a great time.

The NSW south coast is for Aussie holidaymakers, retirees and fishermen.

Our paradise but maybe not a tourist place unless you like the laid back camping/small town/nature/unspoilt quiet undeveloped paradise we all know about but don't want others to know about. sorry.. but no-one hardly reads this.

great drive, spectacular if you do your homework and peaceful/romantic/idyllic but never exciting like Vegas ok

Happy travels

South coast of NSW is just lovely - and there will be plenty of places to stay, and at one of the best times of the year.

Pebbly Beach (but on dirt road off highway - so perhaps not in rental car) is great for kangaroos and birds, and Greenpatch, on Jervis Bay is almost as good.

Have a wonderful time.