Australia’s southeast coast marries café culture and wild coastline—Melbourne’s laneways open the story, the Princes Highway traces sea and forest, and Sydney’s harbor writes the final chapter. In seven days, you’ll see little penguins, blinding-white sand, blowholes, and cliff-hugging bridges, with excellent food at every stop.

Founded on Wurundjeri and Gadigal lands, Melbourne and Sydney grew from colonial ports into cultural powerhouses—one famed for art, coffee, and sport; the other for sails, surf, and skyline. Along the way, Gippsland’s lakes, Beowa National Park’s headlands, and Jervis Bay’s glassy waters show off Australia’s quieter side.

Practical notes: Distances are big but rewarding. With 7 days, a one-way coastal drive from Melbourne to Sydney is ideal; a full round-trip typically needs 10–14 days. Drive carefully at dawn/dusk for wildlife, carry water, and check surf conditions and park alerts—beach safety and sea cliffs are no joke here.

Melbourne

Australia’s capital of cool packs galleries and graffiti-splashed laneways into an easy-to-walk grid. Seek out espresso at tiny counters, design-forward wine bars, and the elegant arcades of Collins Street. Sport and art loom large: MCG, NGV, street murals, and festivals keep the city humming.

Top hits: Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, Hosier Lane, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy’s bars, and Southbank’s riverfront. Food runs from hole-in-the-wall dumplings to refined produce-driven dining.

• Stay: Search stays on VRBO Melbourne or compare hotels on Hotels.com Melbourne. Look in the CBD for convenience, Fitzroy for nightlife, or Southbank for river views.
• Getting in: Fly into MEL/Tullamarine. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Taxi/rideshare to CBD is ~30–40 min depending on traffic.

Sydney

Sydney dazzles with headlands, ferries, and a skyline framed by the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s outdoorsy and glam at once—dawn swims, harborside cocktails, coastal walks, and deep urban history in The Rocks.

Top hits: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Garden, Bondi-to-Coogee Walk, Manly Ferry, and Barangaroo’s dining scene. Expect beach brunches, seafood, and inventive Australian cooking.

• Stay: Browse VRBO Sydney or Hotels.com Sydney. Choose The Rocks/Circular Quay for icons, Surry Hills for dining, or Bondi for the beach.
• Getting there from Melbourne: The coastal drive spans 1,000+ km (3–4 driving days). If you ever need to shortcut, fly (~1.5 hours, often US$60–150) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Coastal must-sees between Melbourne and Sydney: San Remo bridge to Phillip Island; The Nobbies boardwalk and blowholes; Ninety Mile Beach at Lakes Entrance; Metung boardwalk; Jemmys Point Lookout; Beowa National Park headlands near Eden; Bermagui Blue Pool; Narooma bar seals and Bar Rock Lookout; Tilba Tilba heritage village; Jervis Bay’s Hyams Beach and Booderee National Park; Kiama Blowhole; Sea Cliff Bridge; Bald Hill lookout (Stanwell Tops); the Royal National Park coastal views.

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne (laneways, river, and a night on the water)

Morning: Fly into MEL. If you’re arriving early, drop bags and grab first-rate coffee at Market Lane (Queen Vic Market) or Patricia Coffee Brewers (standing room, flawless espresso). If not, settle in and freshen up.

Afternoon: Start with Federation Square and Flinders Street Station, then wander Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane for ever-changing street art. Duck into Degraves Street and Block Arcade for cafés and independent boutiques.

Evening: Board a Yarra River dinner cruise for city views and a relaxed first night.

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: a 3-hour, multi-course evening with the skyline lit up. Before or after, sip a nightcap at Eau de Vie (speakeasy vibe) or Embla (natural-leaning wine bar).

Dinner alternatives: Book ahead for Gimlet at Cavendish House (wood-fired seafood, Victorian produce) or Supernormal (pan-Asian hits) if you prefer land-based dining.

Stay: Hotels.com Melbourne | VRBO Melbourne

Day 2: Melbourne culture, coffee, and gardens

Morning: Join a small-group walk to get oriented, with stories you won’t find on plaques.

Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour (3 hours): laneways, local legends, and a café stop. Brunch after at Hardware Société (French-leaning) or Higher Ground (grand café in a heritage power station).

Afternoon: Browse NGV International (St Kilda Road) and the Shrine of Remembrance views. Then decompress in the Royal Botanic Gardens—take the Tan track around the perimeter if you’re keen for a stroll.

Evening: Explore Fitzroy: cocktails at Black Pearl, dinner at Tipo 00 (handmade pasta) or Bar Liberty (inventive share plates). Sweet tooth? Lune Croissanterie’s after-hours “evening” service appears occasionally—check ahead.

Optional pre-dawn upgrade: See the city from the air.

Hot Air Balloon Flights over Melbourne: sunrise glow over the CBD and parks, optional champagne breakfast post-flight.

Stay: Hotels.com Melbourne | VRBO Melbourne

Day 3: Melbourne to Lakes Entrance via Phillip Island (wildlife and long beaches)

Morning (depart ~8:00): Pick up your rental car. Drive ~2 hours to Phillip Island. Stop in San Remo for coffee and coastal views, then stroll the Nobbies boardwalk for blowholes and sea-birds. If time allows, the Koala Conservation Reserve’s tree-top boardwalks are fantastic for close sightings.

Afternoon: Lunch in Cowes—try fresh fish-and-chips on the foreshore or a sit-down at The Cape Kitchen (check hours). Continue 3.5–4 hours to Lakes Entrance, pausing at Kilcunda Rail Bridge for a quick photo. Roll into town for a golden-hour walk across the footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach.

Evening: Seafood dinner at Albert & Co (smart-casual) or fun pub fare at the Lakes Entrance Hotel. For gelato, pop into Riviera Ice Cream Parlour. Early night—you’ve earned it.

Driving today: ~6–7 hours total with stops. Fuel estimate: ~A$60–80. Keep an eye out for wildlife from late afternoon.

Stay: Hotels.com Lakes Entrance | VRBO Lakes Entrance

Day 4: Lakes Entrance to Merimbula (Gippsland Lakes to the Sapphire Coast)

Morning: Sunrise at Jemmys Point Lookout, then coffee and a pastry at Funkey Monkey Café or Pinocchio. Optional detour: Metung boardwalk (20 minutes away) for waterside cafés; if you’re keen on soaking, the Metung Hot Springs require a pre-book and more time.

Afternoon: Drive ~3.5 hours to Eden (NSW). Stretch your legs on the Aslings Beach rock pool and head to Beowa National Park for cliff-top views—try the South Head walking track. For maritime history, the Killer Whale Museum explains Eden’s unique whaling past with “Old Tom” lore.

Evening: Overnight in Merimbula (20 minutes north) for more dining options. Go casual at Dulcie’s Cottage (burgers in a heritage weatherboard) or book Wheelers Seafood Restaurant in nearby Pambula for oysters and local catch.

Driving today: ~4–5 hours with stops across the border into NSW. Fuel ~A$40–60.

Stay: Hotels.com Merimbula | VRBO Merimbula

Day 5: Merimbula to Jervis Bay (blue pools, seals, and white sand)

Morning: Follow the coast 1 hour to Bermagui for a refreshing dip at the ocean-fed Blue Pool. Continue 30 minutes to Narooma—scan the breakwall for lounging fur seals and take in Bar Rock Lookout’s views of Gulaga Mountain. Coffee and a treat at Octopii or a quick bite at The Inlet.

Afternoon: Stop at Tilba Tilba (heritage shopfronts) for cheese and crafts, then push on past Batemans Bay to Jervis Bay (total drive today ~4.5 hours, not counting stops). Walk Hyams Beach’s famous bright sand and, if time allows, detour into Booderee National Park for botanic gardens and calm coves.

Evening: Base in Huskisson. Dinner at Wild Ginger (modern Thai), 5 Little Pigs (bistro classics), or The Huskisson Hotel’s waterfront terrace. If the sky is clear, stargazing over the bay is superb.

Stay: Hotels.com Jervis Bay (Huskisson/Vincentia) | VRBO Jervis Bay

Day 6: Jervis Bay to Sydney via Kiama and the Sea Cliff Bridge

Morning (depart ~8:30): Drive 45 minutes to Kiama. Watch the Kiama Blowhole thunder (it’s tide and swell dependent) and grab coffee at Penny Whistlers overlooking the harbor. If you like coastal walks, the Kiama Coast Walk is gorgeous in short sections.

Afternoon: Continue 45 minutes north to the Sea Cliff Bridge for that signature cliff-and-ocean S-bend. Pause at Bald Hill lookout (Stanwell Tops) for hang-glider views over the Royal National Park, then press on to Sydney (1–1.5 hours). Park near your hotel and shake out the legs at the Royal Botanic Garden with a postcard view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Opera Bar, then dinner at Mr. Wong (Cantonese, dim sum to roast duck), NOMAD (woodfire, housemade charcuterie), or Bar Totti’s (antipasti, big bowls of pasta). Nightcap at Maybe Sammy (award-winning cocktails) if you have energy.

Stay: Hotels.com Sydney | VRBO Sydney

Day 7: Sydney icons, coastal walk, and departure

Morning: Coffee at Single O or Reuben Hills in Surry Hills, then take the Bondi to Coogee Walk (6 km) for cliff-top pools and beaches—Tamarama, Bronte, and Gordon’s Bay are highlights. Brunch at Bills (ricotta hotcakes) or Sean’s (produce-driven, ocean views) if you can snag a table.

Afternoon: Back in the city, stroll The Rocks’ sandstone lanes and, time permitting, step inside the Opera House for a guided tour. Depart Sydney in the afternoon; if flying, compare last-minute fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have extra time, ferry to Manly for an ice cream and a quick beach stroll—few better farewells to Sydney.

Swap-in tour option (if you’d rather not self-drive on Day 3)

If you prefer to see Phillip Island’s penguins without driving, you can substitute this full-day tour from Melbourne and then begin the coastal push on Day 4 (you’ll need to compress Day 4–6 or add a day):

Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife Day Tour: includes Moonlit Sanctuary, coastal lookouts, and sunset penguin parade seats—an Australian wildlife classic.

Logistics, driving notes, and food tips

• Car hire: Expect A$60–120/day for a midsize. Add a one-way fee if you return in Sydney. Total fuel for this route is roughly A$200–280 depending on vehicle and detours. Tolls apply near Sydney; your rental typically includes an e-tag.
• Best time: October–April for warm beach days. In summer, start drives early to avoid heat and traffic. In winter (June–Aug), expect cooler temps and wild seas—dramatic blowholes, fewer crowds.
• Safety: Avoid driving at dawn/dusk due to kangaroos and wombats. Observe surf lifesaving flags on beaches. National parks may charge entry; keep a card handy.
• Great coffee and eats en route: Inverloch’s The Local for coffee; Lakes Entrance’s Albert & Co; Merimbula’s Social Dining; Bermagui Gelati Clinic; Narooma’s Quarterdeck (tiki bar, seafood); Huskisson’s 5 Little Pigs; Kiama’s Parfait Patisserie.

Travel alternatives

• Skip driving: Fly Melbourne–Sydney (~1.5 hours) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com, then use ferries, light rail, and rideshares in Sydney.
• Extra day? Add a night in Tilba or Batemans Bay, or spend a full day on Jervis Bay for a dolphin cruise and Booderee’s quieter beaches.

Where to book stays quickly: Melbourne—Hotels.com / VRBO; Lakes Entrance—Hotels.com / VRBO; Merimbula—Hotels.com / VRBO; Jervis Bay—Hotels.com / VRBO; Sydney—Hotels.com / VRBO.

Optional Melbourne add-on (if you extend your stay): Great Ocean Road is in the opposite direction from Sydney but is a world-class day trip. Consider one of these “reverse itinerary” small-group tours to beat the crowds:

Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary PREMIUM Tour: early 12 Apostles arrival, fewer crowds, rainforest and coastal hamlets in a day.

In one week, you’ll taste Melbourne’s café culture, trace a coast of lagoons and headlands, and finish under Sydney’s sails. This route balances big-ticket sights with peaceful beaches and small-town flavors—an Australian coastal drive you’ll talk about for years.