5 Day Sapphire Coast Road Trip
Day 1: Sydney to Jervis Bay (Huskisson)
Distance: 182 km
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Pick up your camper in Sydney and point the nose south along the Princes Highway. The city gives way to coastal forest and dairy country as you enter the Shoalhaven region. With a comfortable two to three hours on the road, you will arrive with plenty of daylight to dive straight into Jervis Bay ’s calm waters and cruisy village vibe.
Where to stop between Sydney and Huskisson
Berry for coffee, heritage shopfronts and excellent bakeries.
Seven Mile Beach for a leg stretch on wide, windswept sand.
Nowra turn-off to Huskisson, with glimpses of bright blue bay through the trees.
Things to do in Huskisson
Jervis Bay is famous for powdery white beaches and clear, protected water. Spend the afternoon at Hyams Beach, where the sand squeaks underfoot, or at Greenfield Beach, where the calm shallows are perfect for a first swim of the trip.
Huskisson’s foreshore is a lovely place to stroll, with grassy picnic spots and stunning bay views. Join a dolphin cruise that departs from Huskisson to spot resident bottlenose dolphins and seasonal whales.
Snorkellers will love the rocky corners of Blenheim Beach and the calm coves inside Jervis Bay Marine Park. If you prefer to stay on land, wander the coastal track between Huskisson and Vincentia for headland lookouts and beach access.
Where to stay in Huskisson
Set up at Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach Holiday Park for easy access to the sand and sunset strolls along the foreshore. Another great option is Tasman Holiday Parks Jervis Bay on Currambene Creek, which offers powered sites, waterfront ambience and a peaceful base close to the cafes and eateries of Huskisson.
Image: Destination NSW
Day 2: Huskisson to Bermagui
Distance: 208 km
Travel time: 3 hours
Leave Jervis Bay after breakfast and continue south through the South Coast’s string of beach towns. The drive is relaxed and scenic, with ocean peeks, estuaries and gum-lined hills. Aim to arrive in Bermagui early afternoon to make the most of this small seaside town’s iconic swimming spots and easygoing pace.
Where to stop between Huskisson and Bermagui
Mollymook Beach for a seaside walk and salty air. Milton for a pastry in the historic village streets. Mogo Wildlife Park near Batemans Bay to see giraffes and lions in a bushland setting. Central Tilba ’s preserved heritage streets for gelato or cheese tasting. Roadside lookouts as you approach Bermagui for views to Mount Gulaga.
Things to do in Bermagui
Go straight to the famous Blue Pool, a natural rock pool carved into the cliff at the town’s southern headland. Its ocean-fed water shifts from deep azure to bright turquoise in the afternoon light, and there is a shallow children’s pool beside it.
Horseshoe Bay is perfect for a gentle swim and sunset picnic, while the short headland walks around town reward you with views back to Mt Gulaga.
Wander the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf precinct for fresh seafood, gelato and local art. If you feel like exploring a little farther, Camel Rock and Wallaga Lake offer photo-friendly rock formations and birdlife.
Where to stay in Bermagui
Reflections Bermagui Holiday Park sits beside Horseshoe Bay with powered sites and sea views. You will be able to walk to the beach, cafes and the Blue Pool, then fall asleep to the sound of the surf. It is an idyllic overnight base that makes sunrise swims very easy.
Day 3: Bermagui to Merimbula
Distance: 68 km
Travel time: 1 hour
Today is a short and tasty hop south, leaving plenty of time for detours and discovery. Head inland briefly toward Bega to sample one of the region’s most loved exports, then arc back to the coast for an afternoon beside Merimbula’s lake and beaches.
Where to stop between Bermagui and Merimbula
Bega Cheese Heritage Centre to learn about the area’s dairying history and taste farmhouse cheddar and sweet fudge. Pasture and spotted gum forest lookouts on the way back to the coast.
Things to do in Merimbula
Start with the Merimbula Boardwalk, a peaceful timber path that winds along the lake’s edge with lookouts for birdlife and oyster leases. Drop by the Merimbula Wharf Aquarium to meet local marine creatures, then take a seat at the wharf restaurant for fish and chips with a water view. If you like to paddle, hire a kayak or SUP for an easy glide on Merimbula Lake. Beach lovers can choose between Main Beach for a long sandy walk, Bar Beach for a sheltered swim or Short Point for waves and sweeping views.
Where to stay in Merimbula
Tasman Holiday Parks Merimbula offers powered sites close to both the lake and ocean beaches. Facilities are family-friendly, and the park’s location makes it simple to duck into town for dinner or an evening gelato by the water.
Day 4: Merimbula to Eden (via Pambula)
Distance: 26 km
Travel time: 30 minutes
With such a short drive, day four is all about unhurried experiences. Follow the coast through Pambula for a morning on its river and beaches, then continue a little farther to Eden, where whales and maritime history take centre stage.
Where to stop between Merimbula and Eden
Pambula River for a guided kayak tour on calm, clear water framed by eucalypt forest. Dolphins are sometimes seen near the river mouth. Pambula Beach for soft sand and gentle surf, or a local oyster shed to taste briny beauties grown in nearby estuaries. Aslings Beach rock pool in Eden for a saltwater dip, edged by pink granite cliffs.
Things to do in Eden
Eden sits on deep Twofold Bay, one of the best whale watching locations in Australia during the season. Join a cruise with a local operator to look for humpbacks as they migrate close to shore. Back on land, visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum to learn the captivating stories of orcas and whalers that once worked together in these waters. Take a drive to lookouts around the bay for sweeping views and a sense of the headland geometry that defines the Sapphire Coast. If you prefer to stay beachside, Aslings Beach has a long curve of sand, while Lake Curalo’s boardwalk offers tranquil wetlands at golden hour.
Where to stay in Eden
Reflections Eden Holiday Park is set around Lake Curalo with powered sites and easy access to Aslings Beach. It is a restful base where sunrise walks and sunset lake reflections are steps from your camper door.
Day 5: Eden to Tathra
Distance: 51 km
Travel time: 1 hour
The final leg is a gentle cruise north to the relaxed surf town of Tathra. Keep the morning easy with a shoreline coffee in Eden before you set off, then enjoy the short hop through forest and farmland to one of the coast’s loveliest timber wharves and beaches.
Where to stop between Eden and Tathra
Scenic viewpoints along the Princes Highway for coastal and forest panoramas. Kianinny Bay, a sheltered cove with a small jetty and boat ramp that is ideal for launching kayaks and picnicking. If you choose to snorkel, stay close to the edges and be mindful of boat traffic.
Things to do in Tathra
Begin at the historic Tathra Wharf and grab a coffee at The Wharf Local, a cafe and gallery with beautiful water views. Tathra Beach stretches for three kilometres, offering family-friendly surf, rolling white sand and space to breathe.
If you are keen to lace up your shoes, explore nearby national parks. Mimosa Rocks National Park lies to the north with rugged headlands, rock platforms and short coastal walks, while Bournda National Park to the south has lakes, beaches and trails that weave through heath and forest. Finish the day with a headland lookout for golden hour light and the sound of waves below.
Where to stay in Tathra
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks Tathra Beach is a convenient, family-friendly choice opposite the sand with powered sites and easy beach access.
This itinerary finishes in Tathra, a great springboard for extra days in the national parks or an unrushed return to Sydney along the same coastal route. For a convenient road trip, the closest Apollo branch for pick up and drop off on this itinerary is in Sydney. If you have more time, you can also extend the journey south into Victoria or add a night in Narooma or Tilba on the way back north.
FAQs and quick answers
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What to do on the Sapphire Coast?
Swim and snorkel in clear bays and rock pools, tackle a coastal walk, book a whale or dolphin cruise in season, book a guided kayak tour, and snack your way through oysters, seafood and local produce.
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What is the most scenic drive in New South Wales?
Grand Pacific Drive is the classic NSW showstopper, with rainforest, sea cliffs and the Sea Cliff Bridge. Waterfall Way and the Kosciuszko Alpine Way are also standouts if you want waterfalls or alpine scenery.
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How long is the Sapphire Coast?
It is a region rather than one fixed route. You will often see it described as stretching from around Wallaga Lake down to Wonboyn, with a core stretch commonly referenced between Bermagui and Eden.
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What can you do at Sapphire Coast?
Beach hop in Jervis Bay, swim the Bermagui Blue Pool, paddle Merimbula and Pambula, go whale watching in Eden, and finish with easy coastal walks and wharf views in Tathra.
Ready to explore the Sapphire Coast with a campervan?
Five days on the Sapphire Coast delivers a perfect slice of Australia’s south-east coastline. You will swim in ocean-fed rock pools, watch for whales breaching in deep bays and wander timber boardwalks as pelicans drift past. Towns are close together, the driving is easy and the rewards are constant, from local cheese to freshly shucked oysters and the simple joy of watching dusk settle over a quiet campsite. When you are ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before hitting the road.