Coast or inland from sydney to melbourne?!?

Question

We are really confused..we wanna drive from Sydney to Melbourne but only have 2 days to do it in. The coast route looks beautiful but quite slow and the inland route looks a bit dull..what shoudl we do?!?

Answer 1

Its a real compromise. The inland route (Hume Highway) is very fast - good motorway conditions for a lot of the way, especially between Sydney and Yass in New South Wales, and the Victorian border and Melbourne. So that way is very fast. But there isn't a lot to see. Some of the towns are interesting and historic, but most of the way is rolling farmlands etc and not much more.

The coastal route (Princes Highway) is extremely beautiful. The South Coast of New South Wales, from Sydney to Eden is gorgeous and scenic, as is the area around Lakes Entrance in Victoria. But the road is narrow for a lot of the way, and quite winding for most of it. There are also long sections of dull bits too, especially before and after the Victorian border, going through eastern Gippsland - its not all beautiful. Remember that its a little over 1,200 kms going the Princes Hwy, as opposed to 800 kms going the Hume.

One alternative is to do both. You could drive the Princes Hwy as far as Bateman's Bay, then turn inland to Braidwood and Canberra, then join up with the Hume Hwy just a bit west of Canberra, then go the Hume Hwy to Melbourne. That way you would also see Canberra as well as Sydney and Melbourne. But to do this, you'd probably need more than 2 days ... more like 4. (Make that a good part of your trip, not just a way of getting from Sydney to Melbourne.)

Answer 2

Melbourne to Sydney via the Hume Highway has some interesting spots on the way and if you choose to do that, take a diversion to Canberra which is well worth two or three days. I would recommend, however, that you drive from Sydney to Brisbane up the Pacific Highway. There is plenty to see on the way and any of the coastal towns you drive through or past are worth a stop. Coffs Harbour is almost exactly half way. Cape Byron is the most easterly point of the Australian mainland and the view from the Byron Bay lighthouse is stunning. A diversion to Byron Bay is worth it just for that. There are often dolphins in the surf at Byron and whales can be seen in the season. The town itself, particularly the tourist area, is tacky and very much Nimbin's seaside suburb. It's fine if you are into dreadlocks and marijuana but otherwise avoid it - and the same goes for Nimbin. One other thing, even though marijuana is readily available in Nimbin and Byron, it is still illegal and if you are caught with it you can be charged with possession. There are numerous national parks on the way both on the coast and in the mountains and exploring one or two would be worthwhile. Once you cross the Queensland border you are on the Gold Coast which has surf beaches and theme parks if you are interested but don't go to the theme parks during school holidays or you will have to wait hours for rides.

Answer 3

The coast road doesn't hug the coast, so you don't get ocean views as you're driving along. Most of the way all you'll see is trees. If you only have two days you won't have much time to linger or detour, although at least you'll get one night by the sea if you plan for it.

If you like to see rolling farmland then the Hume isn't boring. You can do the Hume in one day if you keep moving so that gives you more time to look around or detour.

Other options are to take the Hume but detour through the Snowy Mountains (Canberra, Cooma, Kiandra, Corryong, Beechworth), or go via Canberra and head south to Cann River to pick up the Princes Hwy, faster than taking the Princes all the way from Sydney, gives you more variety in scenery, and can get you to the Victorian coast for your overnight.

Answer 4

If you're short of time, I'd take the inland route. After a while, the little seaside towns get kind of similar. Besides, the sooner you get to Melbourne, the sooner you can get to St. Kilda beach.
Spend your extra time there walking around the markets and cute little shops and cafe's.

Answer 5

in 2 days you can go either way inland is fast & boring i think
the coast road is slower but a nicer slower drive
take your time 1'st day get to about cann-river stay the night there then on to melbourne on the second day

Answer 6

If speed is of the essence use the Hume. About 12 - 14 hours on the road.

But then, I don't give two hoots about the sea - - -

Answer 7

It would depend on what your interests are..there is a lot of beautiful country on both routes

Answer 8

yeah I'd take the freeway and then spend any spare time you may have in and around melbourne...............:o)

Answer 9

be careful