The ultimate GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE highlights trail
This NSW South Coast road trip takes you from Sydney to SCENIC Wollongong and beyond - and it’s just the start of a route that includes beautiful SEASCAPES, national parks, charming HISTORIC towns and more.
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK Don’t miss Royal National Park is home to untamed beaches, waterfalls, swimming holes, remnants of littoral rainforest and significant Aboriginal heritage. Row or kayak from and swim and AUDLEY BOAT SHED, surf at gorgeous or WATTAMOLLA GARIE beaches. Up for a challenge? Walk part or all of the 26-kilometre COAST TRACK between Bundeena and Otford to take in a range of landscapes, from pretty beaches to sandstone escarpments and woodland.
SEA CLIFF BRIDGE AND WOLLONGONG Don’t miss The 665-metre SEA CLIFF BRIDGE that juts out over the waves is stunning. Wollongong has a great coastline, rock pools and headland pubs, as well as top attractions, such as the and BOTANIC GARDEN ART GALLERY. You can also check out NAN TIEN, which is the southern hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple. Wine & dine Head to RESTAURANT for beautifully crafted upmarket SANTINO Italian classics with a few Aussie twists. If carbonara with warrigal greens, chilli and spanner crab excites you, book a table. Stay NOVOTEL WOLLONGONG is a stroll away from the NORTHBEACH seashore and has recently been through an extensive refurbishment including the addition of four new dining outlets.
SHELLHARBOUR Don’t miss Shellharbour is a top coast for surfing and scuba diving. BUSHRANGERS BAY is one of NSW’s best scuba diving centres, while features six BASS POINT RESERVE shipwrecks. You’ll also want to paddleboard on tranquil ILLAWARRA. LAKE
Wine & dine The chic WATERFRONT TAVERN, flanked by boardwalks at the new MARINA, is a great dining SHELLHARBOUR spot. For a great brunch, make sure you visit COVE. GEORGIA ROSE SHELL Stay Four-star SHELLHARBOUR VILLAGE MOTEL, set in leafy grounds, has family and luxury suites as well as regular rooms.
KIAMA Don’t miss is the KIAMA BLOWHOLE signature sight, but you’ll find Kiama lively with restaurants, shops, markets and frequent festivals, all surrounded by national parks. The 20-kilometre KIAMA COAST WALK is gorgeous and is an easy walk, with plenty of cafes along the way. Wine & dine Seek out local favourite BLUE in Gerroa which will suit you in any SWIMMER mood. From great fish and chips to seared scallops with creamy fennel puree, it has all the basis covered. Stay The spectacular architecture and clifftop setting of is superb. DOVECOTE Choose from two luxury holiday homes; the chic furnishings are matched by the majestic views.
SHOALHAVEN AND JERVIS BAY
Don’t miss Beaches, lighthouse lookouts and villages immersed in 200 kilometres of scalloped coast typify Shoalhaven. Laid-back is a top spot for whale JERVIS BAY watching, or enjoy ocean life from below by snorkelling or scuba diving in the marine park. Wine & dine You’ll find a microbrewery, winery, fromagerie and restaurant that serves hearty farm-to-plate fare at CUPITT’S ESTATE, near Ulladulla. Visit the cellar door to enjoy a tasting of cool climate wine. Stay Sleep among the vines in a luxury pod at ESTATE. Another great CUPITT’S place to both dine and stay is BANGALAY VILLAS, which offer luxe lodgings LUXURY in a peaceful setting.
…AND BEYOND
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS AND KANGAROO VALLEY Don’t miss Historic towns, antique shops, cafes, cellar doors and the BRADMAN MUSEUM are reasons to stop in the Southern Highlands. KANGAROO VALLEY has a historic township, scenic golf course and great food scene. Kayak in SHOALHAVEN GORGE. Wine & dine You can’t beat a lazy lunch of classic pub fare at THE FRIENDLY INN. The shady beer garden overlooks Kangaroo Valley. Stay TERREWAH FARM has farm animals for the kids, while adults will enjoy the views. BATEMANS BAY AND NAROOMA Don’t miss Rivers and lagoons meet ocean in the Eurobadalla region. Kayak on TUROSS LAKE, where the water is so clear you can see the stingrays and mullets below. MOGO ZOO features endangered species such as lemurs, snow leopards and red pandas. Wine & dine THE OYSTER SHED near Batemans Bay’s landmark iron bridge has fresh, fat oysters, pulled from the Clyde River. Stay For a room (and pool) with a view, check into THE WHALE INN, which sits above Narooma’s sumptuous lagoons. MERIMBULA AND EDEN Don’t miss The Sapphire Coast is wrapped in magnificent beaches and headlands. The new 27-kilometre WHARF TO WHARF WALK between Tathra and Merimbula is stunning. Pack a picnic and head inland to enjoy a tasting at NORTH OF EDEN GIN DISTILLERY. Wine & dine PIVIDORI’S TATHRA BEACH has elegantly simple seafood dishes (plus carnivorous options) and overlooks spectacular dunes. Stay GREEN CAPE LIGHTSTATION KEEPERS’ provide self-catering heritage COTTAGES accommodation with brilliant views.
For more information on what to see and do, visit grandpacificdrive.com.au