I am still trying to decide between a 3-day drive to either the South Coast or Central West NSW. Other than sunbathing and diving, what is there to do on the South Coast? We will be there the week before Christmas, so I think it may be busy!

Thank you!

If you go as far south as Narooma you can go out to Montague Island to see the fairy penguins.

There are also lots of bush walks if you like nature: Pigeonhouse Mountain behind Mollymook. That's a good place to see birds and goannas. Also at Mollymook is Rick Stein's restaurant (he is a famous English telechef). http://www.bannisters.com.au/

At Tilba Tilba inland from Narooma there's an amazing walk which takes in an Aboriginal women's sacred site at Mount Gulaga (Mt Dromedary) http://www.tilba.com.au/gulaga.htm

Behind Kiama, there's Minnamurra falls which is a superb rainforest area. http://www.illawarrafly.com/activities/sunrise-walk/

I think the South Coast is one of our unsung heroines. Lovely little towns like Gerringong, Milton and to a lesser extent, Mollymook, are treasure troves of galleries, 2nd hand shops and surrounded by vineyards and beautiful countryside, as well as being on, or minutes from, some wonderful beaches.

Mollymook has a lovely golf course, from where I've often seen dolphins at sea and kangaroos on the fairways. The Surf Club has a very good cafe, and the golf club bistro is a good venue for an inexpensive meal with sensational views over the ocean.

I spent 4 days down that way last month and was reminded how much there is to like about the area.

We stayed at Bellachara http://www.bellachara.com.au/ for two nights, one at Mollymook http://www.southcoast.com.au/mollymook/index.html and one with friends at Narrawallee
http://www.narrawallee.info/narrawallee.html

If you're driving from Sydney, take the route through the Royal National Park, Grand Pacific Drive & Seacliff Bridge http://seacliffbridge.com/
and stop at the Scarborough Hotel http://www.scarboroughhotel.com.au/ for lunch or a coffee. Sensational views & good bistro food.

There are wonderful walks along beaches, picturesque wineries such as historic Coolangatta http://www.coolangattaestate.com.au/
Crooked River http://www.crookedriverwines.com/index.html

Berry is another pretty town, with lots of excellent options for good food, accommodation and shopping. http://berry.org.au/

A tip for Rick Stein's Bannisters Restaurant. If you can't get in, or just want a cheaper, more casual lunch or snack; go to reception & ask if you may have a look at the pool area.

Once there, if there are not a lot of guests, you can have lunch/drinks/coffee etc. Strictly speaking, it's apparently meant to be only for guests, and some of the reception staff will tell you that if you ask. However, the bar staff are happy to accommodate visitors if they don't have a full complement of houseguests.

Thanks to you both, Bokhara and Susan7. You have convinced me to try the South Coast! We would like to play golf at least once in Australia.

DH and I will be flying into Sydney from Cairns and will pick up a car at the airport. We will have 5-6 days to see the South Coast and the Blue Mountains before heading into Sydney for Christmas/Boxing Day. If I take Bokhara's suggestion to do the South Coast first, what is the best way (efficient but charming) to get to the Blue Mountains? Then, coming back into Sydney from the Blue Mtns., where should I drop the rental car before going into the CBD?

You said, but I wasn't thinking when I responded, that your trip is to be immediately before Christmas. We'll be on our long School Holidays you are correct; it will be busy and you will need to book accommodation early on the South Coast. Not saying don't go by any means; just that you won't have the range of accommodation choices that would normally be available, unless you book well ahead.

However; it may be an opportunity to try out some B & Bs, which normally aren't such a mecca for families & children.

Have a look at wotif and stayz.

Blue Mountains: I like to do a loop - up via the Great Western Highway & back via Bells Line of Road. This runs through the Blue Mountain towns on the way up and past Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, through the orchard areas of Bilpin & Kurrajong, historic towns of Richmond & Windsor, on the way back.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&s...=UTF8&t=h&z=10

One good thing, irrespective of which you choose - you will be going against the traffic on your way back into Sydney. Believe me, you'll be pleased about that when you sail past the lines going the opposite way!

Dropping your car off: My recommendation is to rent from someone in William Street (I like Bayswater http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au/). That way, you have very easy access to exit routes from the city, and similarly easy return routes to drop the car off. There's a petrol station in Cowper Wharf Road, just north of William Street, to refill the car before returning it.

You're then starting and finishing within a few minutes of the CBD and not messing about with either transport from suburban drop-offs, or negotiating the inner CBD, as you would be if you collect & drop off in The Rocks.

I'm always chuffed to see someone taking the time to explore outside the city. It's amazing just how much there is to see and do within a few hours of the CBD.

Some more suggestions - a wander through Tilba Tilba; a visit to Mogo Zoo; shopping or window shopping in Mogo.
Narooma golf course is a challenge, particularly hitting over the cliffs; the Catalina course at Batemans Bay is flat and easier.

How wonderful it is to wake up in the morning and find my travel problems solved! I did look at your routes, Bokhara, and they look spectacular. Thanks for the tip on Bayswater Car Rental. However, it is intimidating to think about maneuvering through Sydney traffic instead of renting the car at the airport. We will be arriving from Cairns early in the afternoon of 16 December. So that means heading out of Sydney, not just any Friday afternoon, but the beginning of the holiday season, as I understand it! Here in the States, that would be a recipe for disaster. How long do you think the drive would take from Potts Point to, say Mollymook, on this date?

Just to be crystal clear...we will be in South Coast and Blue Mountains area Dec 16-21 and staying in Sydney Dec 22-27 (Flying home the 28th). Based upon information here, we will stay the first three nights on South Coast and then three nights in Blue Mountains. Please let me know if you would do it differently.

And driving the golf ball over the cliffs? I'll look for the easier course, Marg!

Thanks everyone for your help. I am chuffed at how helpful you all are! I had to refer to the dictionary for "chuffed," so I hope I'm using it correctly.

Usually when heading south on a Friday, getting out of Sydney is one of the key problems. It could take you 3-4 hours to get to Mollymook depending on the traffic.

To some extent, leaving from the airport will help you as it's south of the city. Taking the route through the National Park, as Bokhara suggests, might be less clogged and it's certainly more scenic. If you hit traffic, go for a swim at Austinmer or Gerringong!

The drive to Mollymook would take 3-4 hours in normal traffic and may well take longer at the beginning of the holiday period and even longer via the National Park and Seacliff Bridge. It's a pleasant drive - I came this way on Friday (and I'm not looking forward to the return drive via the highway this morning.

We finally ate at Bannisters on Saturday - quite good but a bit exxy. Other eating places worth a thought - Seahaven at Gerroa, Hungry Duck at Berry, Silos at Jaspers Brush. Good bread, snacks at Berry Woodfired Sourdough Bakery.

I also enjoyed Mogo Zoo, and Boodarree National Park around Jervis Bay - but once we get to Kiama it's hard to move again.

This is a great part of the world - and less crowded than some. Enjoy your time here.

Margo, have you eaten at Bacchus or the place next to it in the arcade in Milton? Friends are going down next weekend and are looking for somewhere for Friday and Saturday nights.

Thanks everyone for your help. DH is the primary driver and he wants to rent the car at the airport, so we will do that (although it is much more expensive there). It will be a long drive that afternoon, but it will still be daylight and we will have a chance to look around (and maybe take a swim)

I have sent inquiries to a B&B in Mollymook and one in Blackheath. Seems like their online booking forms only go out 6 months. I am concerned that they may have nightly minimums at that time. We only will stay 3 nights in each locale.

Bokhara

Sorry, no, I haven't eaten in Milton for years. We seldom go that far south now. Bannister's was for a special lunch.

Just to add to the South Coast's charms: we stayed at Bellachara (Gerringong) and were very impressed with it.
www.bellarchara.com.au

Picked it up as a special on www.cudo.com.au for 2 nights and were delighted with it. We had a very good dinner at the restaurant one night and two excellent breakfasts; the latter included in the price. The staff were delightful, one of the housekeepers showed us a number of rooms that may be of interest on future visits; having slightly different configurations & views. Another did a mud map to some local wineries & restaurants, when we mentioned we wanted to explore the area.

Go to Pretty Beach on the South Coast if you possibly can; you will see Kangaroos swimming, maybe even surfing. And YES, the Blue Mountains are spectacular - a bit like the badlands with lots of vegetation and good caves at Jenolan.

Link to Google map of Pretty Beach http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en...ed=0CBsQ8gEwAA

Sorry, wrong Pretty Beach; this is the south coast one:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en...ed=0CBsQ8gEwAA