Hi, We are visiting Sydney at the end of March to spend a week or so with our son and then planning to take a week to 10 days for some slow travel down Princes Highway to Melbourne. This is a road we haven’t done before and would be interested in comments from our Ausi friends on which towns are likely to be interesting to stay at for 2 or 3 days. Looking at distances I have initially (and randomly) picked out the first stop somewhere between Nowra and Batemans Bay, the second between Merimbula and Eden, and the third at Lakes Entrance. Interested in any comments please on these areas or any other areas that you think would make a more interesting stopover. Kind regards Graham
We have enjoyed a couple of holidays at Narooma where there is a lake on the landwards side of the highway and both an inlet beach and a surf beach on the sea side.
It is hilly so it is possible to find flats with views, and it makes a good base for visiting Central Tilba, a restored township nearby. Narooma
Merimbula, and nearby Pambula have many fans and are known for the good weather, making them attractive to retirees from Melbourne looking for a little sun and warmth!
Lakes Entrance is a traditional stopping place, and has plenty of accommodation. It has both a lake beach and surf beach.
If you drive further, and go off the highway, Metung is a lovely village on the lakes, with some excellent eating options.
Have a good trip,
Cheers, Sue
Posts: 5 | Location: Australia | Registered: 30 January 2008
Hi Graham. We haven't been down the coast for a while, but our Canberra friends come that way and I will talk to them tonight. I'm not that `keen on Lakes Entrance, but like Metung. We have visited,but not stayed in Mallacoota -plan to visit and stay at Gypsy Point just near there. There was a boat trip down the Genoa river from there that we liked - will need to do some research to see if it still happens. Wilsons Promontory National Park is also a lovely spot for some bushwalking' The Southern Gippsland Wine Trail would take you to sample some nice wines from that area. We are staying in Paynesville ( on the lakes) for Anzac Day - one of our friends likes the area.
I have some booklets on Gippsland and an older one on Sydney to Melbourne Touring Route. Am happy to post these to you.
I wonder if we will catch up while you are in Melbourne as we missed each other by a day or two in New York? Queenscliff is a nice little town if you are down this way, or we are always happy to have a few hours in Melbourne.
Hi Graham. I posted a reply but the computer says there were some "trigger words" in it and it has to be approved! Not sure what they were but will wait to see before I start again.
Posts: 202 | Location: Queenscliff Victoria Australia | Registered: 10 January 2005
When my parents retired they moved to Merimbula so I am very familiar with the 7-8 hour drive (plus stops). It is a lovely place to stay and plenty of accommodation. Pambula is a few minutes drive away and worth a vist.
Metung is nice but for Mallacoota and the Lakes you really need access to a boat.
If you like nature walks Wilsons Prom is fabulous.
The last week March/first week April are school holidays so may cause an accommodation problem, and avoid Easter.
Posts: 350 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 16 January 2007
Thank you so much for all the info, exactly what we were looking for. We have changed the itinerary to stay at places suggested rather than at my guesses. And it looks like we will have the opportunity to check out most of the places mentioned. We will pass on Lakes Entrance and probably go to one of the nearby suggestions, very interested in anywhere with good local food and wine (esp seafood).
Wilsons Prom looks very intersting and we can easily spend some days there.
Jill, we are definitely interested in the booklets you offer and I will send you a PM with our address - a lovely thought. And yes we must catch up this time after playing tag around NY last year - and then we can return your booklets.
My comments about being able to visit most places suggested is because our trip has changed slightly. Our son in Sydney was planning to take us to an in-laws holiday home during our week in Sydney and we have now discovered this is near Batemans Bay, so we will go south from there and not return to Sydney. So now we have 12 days to get from Batemans Bay to Melbourne - genuine slow travel. We think we might detour to Canberra for a couple of days after Batemans Bay to fill in a bit of time. I have been to Canberra on business before but Annette hasn't been there so could be a good detour. I'm hoping that Leslie might join in and add some things to see in Canberra (she might be in Italy again at the moment though).
Thanks again for all the input and interested in any other ideas that come to mind.
Canberra is worth a visit. We lived there many years ago but went back for a few days in December and really enjoyed it. Make sure you visit the National Gallery. Some of my friends are volunteer guides there and it is worth having a tour of the gallery. Kevin went to the War Memorial and said he could have had a few days there. We plan to go back and do some more touristy things when we have the chance. I always liked the High Court Building and it has a nice cafe I think. Leslie will know. A walk around some of the parks near the lake - Commonwealth and Kings Park where the National Carillion plays (not sure about the timing)- is always lovely. A picnic in either park can be nice depending on the weather.
I spoke to my friend from Canberra and these are a few of the towns she likes. Berry - will be between Sydney and Batemans Bay - nice little town with craft shops. Central Tilba Narooma - good golf course out on the headland - nice restaurant. Bermagui - pretty town Eden - whale museum
Wilsons Prom - my friends book a cabin there every year and love it although basic. Must be booked through Parks Victoria I think. There are B&Bs not too far away - around Fish Creek and surrounds. Other friends stay at the pub at Fish Creek and go to the park each day - pub not recommended.
Thanks for all the info and thanks to your friend for her input too. We have spent a lot of time looking up all the places you, Sue, and Momty have suggested and now have a much better idea of what is available down the coast. The current plan after Batemens Bay is to have 2 or 3 night stops at Canberra, Merimbula, Metung, Wilsons Promontory, and Philip Island before arriving in Melbourne. So that should give us plenty of oportunities to see a lot of the coast etc. This is very tentative at present and will also depend on accommodation availabilty, but what accommodation we have looked at is available when we want it. Purely by chance we move from NSW to Victoria just before the NSW school holidays and just after the Victorian School hols. Thanks for the warning Monty.
Graham, Canberra is really worth a visit but will be cold. Seeing you are going there it just maybe worth while having another look at your itinerary because you will be virtually doubling back to then go to Merimbula and the coast. There is a large range of options once you head down through central Victoria to Melbourne.
You also talk about Sydney and Batemans Bay. BB is a long way from Sydney - not a days visit.
With Wilsons Promontory you must prebook accommodation to stay in the park cabins. You cannot just turnup. WP is run as said by Parks Victoria in Melbourne and their local phone number is 13 1963 and website is www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Posts: 350 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 16 January 2007
