Just 1 hour south of Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive is close enough to be easily accessible but far enough to feel like a real trip away from the city. The iconic drive traverses a historic national park, picturesque coastal towns, fabulous beaches and more and you can see all this in under a 4-hour drive without stops. If you’re planning a long weekend escape, we suggest making a pitstop at a few key places and giving yourself some time to experience one of Australia’s most iconic road trips in all its glory. Aside from picturesque rockpools, lookouts and lush rainforests along the way, one highlight of the trip is the dramatic views that hug the coast with the drive snaking through to Jervis Bay. Hop behind the wheel — here’s everything you need to know about the scenic drive by the sea and all the major highlights along the way.
Grand Pacific Drive
The 140-kilometre scenic drive kicks off at the Royal National Park bringing visitors up close to rugged landscapes and excellent outdoor adventures. From here, it goes over the Sea Cliff Bridge poised elegantly over the Pacific Ocean before meandering through towns like Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama and towards NSW’s prized destination, the South Coast. It will take around an hour and 20 minutes to get to the scenic bridge from Sydney.
The ocean is a constant along the trip and if you time your visit seasonally, you could also spot whales and dolphins. The coastal scenery includes quaint villages, rainforests and natural wonders so there’s plenty to explore along the way. Here are some key places to watch out for.
Highlights of the Grand Pacific Drive
1. Royal National Park
One of the world’s oldest national parks is located on our doorstep with beaches, natural swimming spots, coastal hikes and seriously good views. Just an hour’s drive from Sydney, the heritage-listed park promises the ideal outdoor adventure for nature lovers all year round. It’s also the starting point of the Grand Pacific Drive and a glimpse into what awaits you on the road from there on out. You can spend a whole day exploring the Royal National Park but if you’re trying to cover more ground in less time, some spots to have on your radar include the Insta-famous Figure 8 Pools, the equally stunning Wedding Cake Rock and the pristine Wattamola Beach and Garie Beach. You can also camp overnight at North Era Campground amid stunning coastal beauty and resume your journey the next day. Read more about the Royal National Park here.
2. Coastal towns — Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour
Re-join the road and explore some of the many coastal towns dotted along the way. Wollongong, home to sandy beaches and coastal adventures is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive and a great spot for a weekend given its proximity to both Sydney and Canberra. Here you can go on a stroll along its beaches, go surfing at Bombo Beach or cool off in a rock pool. You’ll also find plenty of antique shops, coastal bars and restaurants, galleries and temples to explore. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, go hang gliding at Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops — one of the best places in Australia to experience the air sport with sweeping coastal views to boot. Don’t forget to roll your windows down and take in the sublime ocean views if you’re just driving past.
20km down the road or 25 minutes from Wollongong will bring you to Shellharbour, known for its excellent snorkelling and diving experiences. It’s also home to one of Australia’s few National Surfing Reserves at Killalea. The quiet seaside village is also home to outdoor cafes and a golf course. Other outdoor activities include the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures where you can go on a Treetop Walk through the Illawarra Rainforest. The ancient Minamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park is nearby with blue pools and rainforest walks.
A short 15-minute drive down the road is the coastal town of Kiama, add the iconic Kiama Blowhole, the largest ocean blowhole in the world to your itinerary to see another geological wonder up close.
3. Jervis Bay and more
A road trip on the Grand Pacific Drive would be incomplete without a visit to the NSW South Coast. There’s a lot to see and do here so give yourself some time to explore this splendid part of the state. Some of our favourite things to do include the 2.5km White Sands Walk, the weird and wonderful coastal rock formations like Horse Head Rock and Camel Rock, the picture-perfect Blue Pool in Bermagui and more. Jervis Bay is home to Hyams Beach with some of the whitest sand in Australia and the quieter Nelsons Beach where you can stay over for a night of stargazing and bioluminescent adventures.
Although Shoalhaven in the South Coast is the final stop on the drive, you can opt for your return journey to Sydney via the charming Southern Highlands, home to Australia’s first booktown.
There’s a lot more to see and do on the Grand Pacific Drive including endless beaches, restaurants and one too many water adventures to count; head here to start planning your road trip.