Hello
I have previously obtained advice on my Australia trip in mid-2004; however, we have recently amended our plans to include Melbourne. I will be traveling with my partner in mid-April. After spending a couple days in Melbourne and thereabouts, we plan on heading up to Mollymook in NSW. Would taking Prince's Hwy be a bad idea? We have 2 and a half days to make the drive and thought Metung and Eden would be good stopping points. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. We like to be off the beaten path.
Thanks in advance,
Abby

The Princes Hwy will be more interesting than the Hume Hwy into NSW, though I wouldn't exactly say it's off the beaten path. Don't miss the detour to Wilson's Promontory National Park along the way.

Thank you for your response. Are Metung and Eden good places to stay or do you have other recommendations?

I'd never heard of Metung but just found it on the map, just before Lakes Entrance. LE is a nice enough coastal town by Victorian standards, and judged solely by its website (www.metung.com) Metung looks pleasant. It's a pretty long hop from Melbourne to Eden, so I can't see why not. You might like to check www.metungaccommodation.com.au.

Eden, which has a whaling history, would be a good place or your second night, but it's not much further to Pambula and Merimbula if you change your mind, and they're fine too.

Metung is a delightful spot....a small town by the lake.

Metung is delighful. Rather than Eden you might like to consider Bermagui - it's a smaller town and very pretty.

We've stayed overnight in Eden a few times and it's OK, nothing to rave over. There are quite a few motels to choose from. A better choice would be Merimbula or Pambula Beach. The Pambula Beach Holiday Hub caravan park is great, they have camping sites as well as cabins with en-suite, it's right on the beach and they have kangaroos hopping about. If it's only to sleep, Eden would be fine, if it's for longer, I'd choose one of the other places.
Wilson's Prom is a lovely place for nature lovers, good hiking, beaches, wildlife. It's a bit off the main road so you would need a bit more time but well worth it. You can camp there, they also have some accommodation and there are cottages/B&Bs in the surrounding area. See
http://www.promcountry.com.au/cabins&cottages.htm
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_...y.cfm?park=217
http://www.holidayhub.com.au/welcome.html
Kay

Hi - we find that Lakes Entrance (and therefore Metung) is a little too close to Melbourne to warrant stopping on our way to Eden, however given that you have a 2 1/2 days it would make for a very leisurely trip to stop first in the Lakes Entrance area (very pretty) and then the Eden area on night 2 especially if you're not used to traveling long distances (and on what becomes quite winding roads after the border). I actually think there are some pretty good restaurants around Eden. The restaurant down on the wharf (the Wheelhouse?? in the fisherman's co-op) is really very good, and the seafood place just outside of Merimbula (going back towards Eden) for one of the best value seafood platters ever (get there in time for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon just grazing). Someone may be able to help you with the name of it (I am hopeless with restaurant names). Merimbula is a bigger town than Eden but I think Eden is the prettier and more charming of the two. The whaling museum in Eden is interesting and worth a look. I'm not sure if the Seahorse Inn (at Boydtown just outside of Eden on Twofold Bay) has reopened yet but it may be worth checking if they have accommodation there as it is really very lovely and set in gorgeous gardens.

Ralph mentioned Wilson's Prom and it really is beautiful, however it is a long detour off the highway (35 odd kms each way through the national park) so will take you out of your way a bit and you'll need to add this into your travel time if you want to have a bit of a look around there.

I'd suggest stopping at Merimbula and Bateman's Bay.
The restaurant Daneille is thinking about at Merimbula is Wheelers - it's almost opposite the golf course. If you are on a budget, visit the fish shop in Alice Street in Merimbula and buy a seafood platter to take out.I'd definitely recommend Merimbula against Eden - lots more choice for motels, restaurants etc.
While you are driving through Bairnsdale, stop at the cathedral (on the RH side coming into town) and have a look.
Also between Narooma and Bateman's Bay, stop off at Tilba Tilba.

Thank you all for your responses! This forum has been absolutely priceless in the planning of our trip. A little over a week left before we leave!!
I found what look like really beautiful spots for us to stay. In Metung, we are staying at Terrazas Del Lago, which is a little resort type/bungalow place. In Eden, we found a beautiful B&B right on the coast. The reason we have taken so much time for the drive is that we do want to meander and stop at spots along the way. With your suggestions, it looks like allowing the time was a good thing. After Eden, we will be heading up to Mollymook to stay at Bannister's Lodge for three nights. We plan on taking day trips out from there to get a look at the local sights. After that we drive to Sydney and fly up to the GBR for a few days. We return to Sydney and plan on taking day trips to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and then just taking a good look around Sydney. I feel like we will be getting a good glimpse of all these places based on the advice I have gathered off of this forum for the past year. I will be sure to post a note when we return in May on how it all goes.
Thank you all so much!
Regards,
Abby