Few road trips showcase the stunning coastal landscapes of NSW quite like the Grand Pacific Drive. Beginning on Sydney’s southern doorstep, the route trades city streets for dense national park scenery before emerging beside the sapphire ocean, with dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches and pockets of lush rainforest unfolding alongside the coast. It’s a year-round favourite for locals, and it now has another accolade to its name, after being named Australia’s best road trip for nature lovers in a recent study. With spring bringing warmer days, colourful wildflowers and plenty of wildlife along the coast, there’s no better time than now to hit the road. Here’s what to expect along the Grand Pacific Drive.
Best stops along the Grand Pacific Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive begins at Royal National Park, and it’s worth spending some time here if you love the great outdoors. On offer at the world’s second-oldest national park are incredible coastal walking trails, swimming holes, scenic lookouts, waterfalls, and migrating whales from May to November. From here, the road heads towards Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops, a popular stop with sweeping views over the Illawarra escarpment and Pacific Ocean, including the photogenic road as it approaches the Sea Cliff Bridge. The 665-metre bridge curves above the ocean between Coalcliff and Clifton, with a pedestrian path offering stunning views of the cliffs and turquoise water.
For a switch from coastal scenery, Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park features walking tracks beneath subtropical rainforest, past streams, ferns and waterfalls. Back beside the ocean, Kiama is another worthwhile detour with the world-famous blowhole, beaches and the clifftop Kiama Coast Walk.
The final stretch leads into the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay, with Huskisson a popular tourist stop for waterfront dining and whale-watching cruises. Nearby, the short and scenic White Sands Walk links several white-sand beaches and coves along the bay, including the famous Hyams Beach. Also worth exploring is the Booderee National Park home to pristine beaches, bushland and walking trails.
Why drive the Grand Pacific Drive in spring?
Spring is the ideal time to tackle the Grand Pacific Drive. Wildflowers add colour to national parks and coastal heathlands, while the annual humpback migration continues along the NSW coast through November. The milder weather is also well suited to bushwalks and coastal trails, without the peak summer heat. As temperatures rise later in the season, the beaches and ocean pools dotted along the route are increasingly tempting for a quick swim.
Key details
- Route: Royal National Park to the Shoalhaven region
- Distance: Around 140km
- Driving time: Around 2.5–3 hours without stops
- Best for: Coastal scenery, bushwalks, beaches, whale watching and national parks
- Good to know: National park entry fees may apply at some stops along the route.
Read more about the Grand Pacific Drive and plan your trip here.
