Drive from Sydney to Melbourne is an easy road trip that will either take you along the incredible coastline of NSW and Victoria or through the countryside between Australia’s two largest cities.
Whether you are looking for the most picturesque or the fastest route, we answer all your questions and provide suggestions to help you plan your trip, just do it backwards if you’re travelling from Melbourne to Sydney.
Little known fact: I attended boarding school in Bowral during my last years of school and would head back to Victoria each school holiday. This has provided me with some interesting insight into the best places to stop when driving from Sydney to Melbourne.
It is absolutely possible to drive from Sydney to Melbourne in a day. You’ll need to stop to fill up the car, but otherwise, a trip straight along the Hume Highway will take you from city to city in around 10 hours. But what’s the fun in that?
What is the best Sydney to Melbourne Drive?
Table of Contents
There are two main routes between Sydney and Melbourne: The Hume Highway (M31) for the inland route or The Princes Highway / Grand Pacific Drive (A1) for the coastal route.
Map Sydney to Melbourne Routes
How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Melbourne?
The road trip from Sydney to Melbourne will take anywhere between 10 and 14 hours of driving time to complete.
What is the distance from Sydney to Melbourne?
travelling distance of around 880 kilometres via the Hume Highway or around 1030 kilometres if you take the coastal route.
Is it worth driving from Sydney to Melbourne?
Driving from Sydney to Melbourne is one of the cheapest ways to travel from city to city. Whilst the Sydney to Melbourne flight time is around an hour, and the Sydney to Melbourne by train is usually overnight, a Sydney to Melbourne road trip is the scenic option and will cost you a tank or two of fuel.
It is super easy to take a straight trip from Sydney to Melbourne with just fuel stops (we usually stop and fill up at Gundagai if we need to make the trip quickly). However, meandering your way inland or along the coast with stops and some of the great rural townships can be very exciting.
The Inland Route from Sydney to Melbourne
The inland route via the Hume Highway is the fastest route from Sydney to Melbourne by car with a dual-carriage highway and a 110 km/h almost all the way. These days you will by-pass each township, so you planning where to jump off along the way other than the service stations will need some planning.
So what are the best towns to visit on a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne along the Hume Highway?
Route from Melbourne to Sydney Distance – Inland
Bowral
Personally, I almost never stop off at Bowral in the Southern Highlands on my way from Sydney to Melbourne as it adds over an hour of driving to my trip for a destination that we could visit on the weekend.
I can see the allure of the Southern Highlands for those who are driving from Melbourne to Sydney and havent really visited before because it is stunning location with lots to offer.
Top places to visit: Corbett Gardens especially in Spring for The Tulip Time Festival, Bradman Museum, High Tea at Dirty James.
Distance from Sydney: 113 kilometres | Just under 2 hours
Distance from Melbourne: 763 kilometres | 8 hours 19 minutes
Goulburn
For as long as we’ve been driving to Melbourne Goulburn has been our very first stop, usually for breakfast. Consequently, we have numerous holidays snaps of us and the kids with one of Australia’s Big Things – The Big Merino.
Top places to visit: The Big Merino, Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum, Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre, Goulburn Historic Waterworks Museum, Riversdale National Trust Historic Homestead
Distance from Sydney: 190 kilometres | 2 hours 35 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 684 kilometres | 7 hours 28 minutes
Canberra
Truth be told, Canberra is seriously underestimated and is a destination all by itself, This detour from the Hume Highway will add some time to your trip, especially as I consider it a spot to spend a few days! For the budget conscious, check out our Canberra caravan and free camps!
Canberra has everything from art galleries to museums, hands on science space to glass factories. Check out our top places to visit in Canberra coverage to help you plan.
Distance from Sydney: 281 kilometres | 3 hours 35 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 663 kilometres | 7 hours 18 minutes
Yass
You’ll find Yass in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales just under 3 hours from Sydney. It was here that A.B ‘Banjo’ Paterson arrived at the age of seven back in 1871. The Banjo Paterson Park in Yass pays homage to him.
Yass came to international fame in 2018 when Queer Eye filmed an episode in town. Make sure to eat at Tootsie Gallery Cafe.
Top places to visit: Cooma Cottage, Yass Railway Museum, Banjo Paterson Park, Wee Jasper Caves
Distance from Sydney: 276 kilometres | 3 hours 30 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 602 kilometres | 6 hours 26 minutes
Jugiong
It was on our way back to Sydney from Tumut that we discovered Jugiong. It is a blink and you’ll miss it township which the Hume Highway bypasses.
What Jugiong does offer is a great pit stop for some yummy food, and some unique shopping experiences.
Our first stop was the Long Track Pantry where we stocked up on jams and chutneys, before heading to the Sir George for lunch. The Sir George was built in 1852 and has been restored to now feature a restaurant, boutique bar and artisan bakery. It is absolutely worth the stop!
Jugiong is only a few minutes off the Hume Highway.
Top places to visit: Sergeant Parry Memorial
Distance from Sydney: 333 kilometres | 4 hours
Distance from Melbourne: 542 kilometres | 5 hours 57 minutes
Gundagai
Oh there’s a track winding back to an old fashioned shack along the road to Gundagai
Where the gumtrees are growing and the Murrumbidgee’s flowing, beneath the sunny sky!
Do you know this old Australian ballard? I find myself humming this each time we spot the sign to Gundagai. Whilst The Dog on the Tucker Box has become a great pitstop for weary drivers, Gundgai has a rich cultural heritage and is a gorgeous spot the stop in the Riverina.
Top places to visit: Gundagai Visitor Information Centre, Dog on the Tucker Box, Rotary Lookout, Yarri and Jacky Jacky Sculpture, Gundagai Museum, Gundagai Heritage Railway, Old Gundagai Gaol,
Distance from Sydney: 370 kilometres | 4 hours 23 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 504 kilometres | 5 hours 34 minutes
Junee
Junee is a 45-minute detour (one way) off the Hume Highyway but we had to include it as it is one of our favourite spots for one very good reason: The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. We have stopped by on three separate occasions just to get our fill! Well worth the trip!
Top places to visit: Australia’s most haunted house | Junee Licorice Factory
Distance from Sydney: 433 kilometres | 5 hours 4 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 492 kilometres | 5 hours 38 minutes
Holbrook
Holbrook is one of the most popular stopover spots for travellers on their way to Melbourne from Sydney.
It’s hard to fathom that an inland township is affectionately known as Submarine Town due to the hull of HMAS Otway finding its way into one of the town’s parks, and the town being renamed Holbrook in honour of Lt. Norman Douglas Holbrook who was awarded the Victoria Cross. Bizarre, right? Even so, you can stop here and walk across the submarine! The kids will love it.
Top places to visit: Holbrook Submarine Museum, National Museum of Australian Pottery
Distance from Sydney: 486 kilometres | 5 hours 33 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 387 kilometres | 4 hours 23 minutes
Albury
Albury / Wodonga is the 20th largest city by population in Australia and sits on Australia’s longest river, the Murray River.
Top places to visit: Albury Botanic Gardens, MAMA – Murray Art Museum Albury, Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, Albury Railway Station, Albury LibraryMuseum
Distance from Sydney: 549 kilometres | 6 hours 11 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 326 kilometres | 3 hours 47 minutes
Beechworth
On our last trip to Melbourne from Sydney, we stopped at Beechworth for a few days so we could explore. Beechworth offers a chance to explore a mixture of great scenic locations, the Australian Gold Rush and Bushranger history, and amazing food.
Top places to visit: Old Beechworth Gaol, Beechworth Honey Experience, Burke Museum , Harry Powers Cell, Billson’s Brewery. Click across to our top things to do in Beechworth.
Distance from Sydney: 594 kilometres | 6 hours 43 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 287 kilometres | 3 hours 25 minutes
The Coastal Route from Sydney to Melbourne
The coastal route via the Princes Highway and Grand Pacific Drive (A1) is the slowest route from Sydney to Melbourne by car but is the most scenic.
The coastal route adds at least 2-4 hours on top of the driving time of the inland route, compounded by the road being single lane in each direction. Get stuck behind a logging truck or slow caravan and you’ll need to slow down considerably until you come to an overtaking lane.
The drive from Sydney to Melbourne via the coastal route is our preference when we have time up our sleeve and looking forward to a beach holiday. We tend to avoid this route if there’s a lot of rain or when the bushfire rating is high.
So what are the best towns to visit on a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne along the coastal route?
Route from Melbourne to Sydney Distance – Coastal
Wollongong
Wollongong, on the Grand Pacific Drive, is the gateway to the NSW South Coast. Brimming with great cafes, a lazy seaside feel and great beaches, Wollongong is not just a great pit stop but a great place to stay for a few days.
Top places to visit: Sea Cliff Bridge, Nan Tien Temple. Click across to access our top things to do in Wollongong.
Distance from Sydney: 84.1 kilometres | 1 hour 15 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 947 kilometres | 11 hours 27 minutes
Berry
Berry is known for its weekend markets, doughnuts, wineries, beaches and nature walks. It’s one of Sydney’s favourite weekend destinations, and is also a great spot to stop for the …. Doughnuts!
Top places to visit: Berry Donut Van, The Treat Factory, Penwood Miniature Railway
Distance from Sydney: 143 kilometres | 2 hours 12 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 886 kilometres | 10 hours 48 minutes
Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is renowned for having the world’s whitest sand and a marine park bursting with sea life. Whilst summer may feel like the best time to visit, the cooler months are popular for whale watching. Head to Hymans Beach to wade with the rays!
Top places to visit: Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, Cape St George Lighthouse
Distance from Sydney: 199 kilometres | 3 hours 4 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 890 kilometres | 10 hours 55 minutes
Ulladulla
Ulladulla is a lazy beachside township renowned for its seafood. Stop here to feast on the gourmet delights, spot the natural beauty or explore the interesting galleries and surf shops
Top places to visit: Gondwana Coast Fossil Walk, Warden Head Light, Ulladulla Sea Pool
Distance from Sydney: 226 kilometres | 3 hours 19 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 805 kilometres | 9 hours 45 minutes
Batemans Bay
Batemans Bay has been our summer holiday location with our family a number of times. Its beaches are part of the Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail offering reefs and native fish to explore.
Top places to visit: Mogo Zoo, Birdland Animal Park, Batemans Bay Heritage Museum
Distance from Sydney: 280 kilometres | 3 hours 57 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 755 kilometres | 9 hours 15 minutes
Bodalla
Bodalla is a small township that was built on the back of the dairy industry. Bodalla is always one of our favourite stops because … cheese! We almost always stop at the Dairy Shed for milkshakes, and the Bush Tucker cheeses – Outback Saltbush, Smoked Gumleaf and Chilli and Wattleseed.
Top places to visit: Bodalla Dairy, Bodalla Bakery, Eurobodalla National Park
Distance from Sydney: 330 kilometres | 4 hours 35 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 699 kilometres | 8 hours 24 minutes
Narooma
Narooma is another of the NSW South Coast stunning beachside towns. Head to the ancient rock formations of Glasshouse Rocks and Pillow Lava
It is from Narooma that you can sail out to Montague Island, one of the places we are yet to check off our bucket list!
Top places to visit: Mill Bay Boardwalk, Australia Rock, take a cruise on Wagonga Princess, Glasshouse Rocks
Distance from Sydney: 349 kilometres | 4 hours 53 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 687 kilometres | 8 hours 19 minutes
Tilba Tilba
Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba made their way onto our itinerary after Tee became obsessed with River Cottage Australia. It is a great little town to explore if you love food! Stop by to try th e cheese at the ABC Cheese Factory and let the kids go wild in the Tilba Sweet Spot.
Top places to visit: Tilba Sweet Spot, ABC Cheese Factory, Little Finch (Tilba Chocolates)
Distance from Sydney: 365 kilometres | 5 hours 3 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 664 kilometres | 7 hours 57 minutes
Bermagui
We stopped by Bermagui on the Sapphire Coast so we could swim in the Bermagui Blue Pool which is considered one of the best ocean rock pools in the world! Bermagui is also a great spot to stop for its breathtaking scenery, diverse range of attractions and services and a unique mix of events, arts and music culture.
Top places to visit: Horse Head Rock, Bermagui Blue Pool, Yuin Cultural Heritage Trail, Montreal Goldfield. Click across to our best things to do in Bermagui.
Distance from Sydney: 380 kilometres | 5 hours 17 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 667 kilometres | 8 hours 5 minutes
Merimbula
Merimbula is the perfect place to base yourself when exploring the beautiful Sapphire Coast of NSW. It offers pristine waters and air, stunning local landscapes, oysters and seafood galore and much more.
Top places to visit: Magic Mountain Merimbula, Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours, whale watching. Click across to our best things to do in Merimbula.
Distance from Sydney: 454 kilometres | 6 hours 4 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 579 kilometres | 7 hours 5 minutes
Eden
Eden is a natural paradise and is one of the best places in Australia to spot humpback whales. Bordered to the north and south by national park and set in magnificent Twofold Bay, Eden’s stunning beaches, secluded coves and rock pools will draw you to this place. It is spectacular!
Top places to visit: Eden Killer Whale Museum, Ben Boyd National Park, Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site, Eden Whale Festival. Click across to our top things to do in Eden.
Distance from Sydney: 476 kilometres | 6 hours 19 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 554 kilometres | 6 hours 43 minutes
Mallacoota
Surrounded by the magnificent wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park, Mallacoota is blessed with sandy beaches, stunning ocean clifftops and some of the best sunsets in Australia.
Top places to visit: Gabo Island Lighthouse, WW11 Bunker Museum
Distance from Sydney: 630 kilometres | 7 hours 23 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 514 kilometres | 6 hours 23 minutes
Lakes Entrance
Located on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean, Lakes Entrance has become a very popular summer holiday spot over the years – so book your accommodation well in advance if you plan to stay.
Top places to visit: Lakes Entrance Aqua Park, New Works Historic Area, Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Griffiths’ Sea Shell Museum & Marine Display
Distance from Sydney: 702 kilometres | 7 hours 37 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 319 kilometres | 4 hours 12 minutes
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