Sydney to South Coast 5 Day Campervan Road Trip
Day 1: Sydney to Kiama
Distance: 123 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
Ease into your getaway with a picture perfect coastal drive from Sydney to Kiama. Once you have collected your Apollo campervan, head south for a day that is as much about the journey as the destination. The scenery quickly shifts from city skyline to cliff-lined ocean vistas and quiet coves, setting the tone for a relaxed, nature-filled escape.
Where to stop between Sydney and Kiama
Swing into the Royal National Park for a short coastal lookout before rolling over to Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops for sweeping Pacific views. Stretch your legs along the Sea Cliff Bridge walkway, an iconic horseshoe of roadway suspended between escarpment and sea. If time allows, make a quick stop at Killalea Regional Park near Shellharbour, a serene coastal park of dunes and headlands with walking trails and wide ocean panoramas.
Things to do in Kiama
Kiama charms with its dramatic coastline and relaxed village energy. Wander out to the famous Blowhole and Lighthouse precinct, then follow the Kiama Coast Walk for cliff-top views and photo spots. For striking geology, stroll Bombo Headland to see the towering basalt columns and wave-splashed rock platforms. Refuel with coffee and something flaky from a local bakery, browse boutique shops, and time a golden hour walk along Surf Beach or Kendalls Beach for sunset.
Where to stay in Kiama
Set up your camper at Surf Beach Holiday Park for beachfront access and easy walks into town, or choose BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park for excellent facilities, coastal views, and powered sites perfect for a comfortable first night by the sea.
Day 2: Kiama to Shoalhaven Heads
Distance: 26 kms
Travel time: ~0.5 hours
Today is a gentle hop south, giving you time to linger on rainforest paths and in historic villages before settling beside a legendary stretch of sand. With such a short drive, it is a day for slow coffees, scenic strolls and a long, lazy afternoon on the beach.
Where to stop between Kiama and Shoalhaven Heads
Begin with the Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park, where elevated walkways wind beneath towering trees to cascades and lyrebird habitat. Afterwards, roll into Berry for a couples’ lunch and a browse of homeware stores and artisan bakeries. If you are keen on a picnic, pick up supplies in town. Back near the coast, consider a quick stop by the Shoalhaven River mouth. If you opt to visit Comerong Island, be mindful that many tracks are unsealed; stick to sealed surfaces in your 2WD camper and check local conditions before taking the short vehicle ferry.
Things to do in Shoalhaven Heads
Shoalhaven Heads sits at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach, a pristine 12 km sweep of sand that is perfect for hand-in-hand walks, gentle surfing and sunset watching. The adjacent forested dunes make shaded picnic spots easy to find. Between May and November, scan the horizon for migrating whales from the beach or headlands. Cyclists can follow quiet local roads and shared paths for an easy spin with sea views, and bird lovers will find rich habitat near the river mouth at first light.
Where to stay in Shoalhaven Heads
Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads offers powered sites steps from the sand, shaded by coastal trees and close to walking tracks. It is a relaxed beachfront base with easy access to Seven Mile Beach and the river, well suited to campervans.
Day 3: Shoalhaven Heads to Jervis Bay (Huskisson)
Distance: 42 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Drift further south into the turquoise waters and powdery sands of Jervis Bay. This is a compact driving day that rewards you with a full afternoon of beach time, gentle cycling and the chance to sample the region’s coastal cafes.
Where to stop between Shoalhaven Heads and Jervis Bay
Pause in Nowra to top up supplies, pick up picnic goodies, or enjoy a riverside coffee. As you approach the bay, pull in at the Huskisson foreshore for your first look at the emerald water. The shared path that hugs the bay between Huskisson and Vincentia is perfect for a cruiser bike ride, with picnic spots and swimming coves all along the way.
Things to do in Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is made for couples who love the water. Glide across glassy mornings on a guided kayak or SUP session, with frequent dolphin sightings and sea birds overhead. When the breeze picks up, stroll the white sands at Hyams Beach or Greenfield Beach, snorkel the shallows at Blenheim Beach, and linger at Plantation Point for sunset. From May to November, join a whale watching cruise for close encounters, or scan from headlands if you prefer a land-based lookout. Between swims, enjoy lunch at a Huskisson cafe or a lazy gelato on the grass above the beach.
Where to stay in Jervis Bay
Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach places you right on the waterfront with powered sites, easy beach access and the cycle path at your door. Another excellent choice is Tasman Holiday Parks Jervis Bay on Currambene Creek, a tranquil base with shady sites and lovely sunset light over the water.
Day 4: Jervis Bay to Booderee National Park
Distance: 16 kms
Travel time: ~0.5 hours
Keep the pace blissfully slow with a short move into Booderee National Park. This Aboriginal-owned coastal sanctuary offers sheltered coves, cultural stories, botanic gardens and easy nature walks. Purchase your park pass in advance and arrive with supplies, as there are no shops inside the park.
Where to stop between Jervis Bay and Booderee National Park
Spend the morning exploring the Booderee Botanic Gardens, the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia, where walking tracks weave past native flora, bushfood plants and grassy picnic lawns. Continue to the Cape St George Lighthouse precinct for dramatic coastal views and a short clifftop stroll. Leave time for an afternoon at Green Patch or the nearby beaches, where clear, calm water beckons for snorkelling and long swims.
Things to do in Booderee National Park
Set out on gentle bushwalks between secluded bays, watch for birdlife in the tea-tree and coastal heath, and keep an eye offshore for dolphins year round and passing whales in winter and spring. Pack a picnic for shady lunches by the water, bring a torch for stargazing after dark, and wake early for a sunrise beach walk when the sand is empty and the water is at its most reflective. If you prefer wheels, take a leisurely cycle on quiet sealed park roads between viewpoints and camp.
Where to stay in Booderee National Park
Prebook a site at Green Patch, which offers drive-in sites suitable for campervans in a classic beach-and-bush setting with easy walking tracks. Note that Bristol Point and Cave Beach are walk-in, tent-only camping areas and are not suitable for campervans. Keep to sealed roads in your campervan and never drive on beaches.
Day 5: Booderee National Park to Sydney via Kangaroo Valley
Distance: 202 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Finish your road trip with a scenic loop through the green folds of the hinterland. Today pairs coastal calm with mountain lookouts and a charming historic village before your comfortable run back to the city.
Where to stop between Booderee National Park and Sydney
Climb inland to Kangaroo Valley, pausing at the photogenic sandstone arches of Hampden Bridge and the river flats for a picnic or short riverside stroll. Continue to Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park for a boardwalk to the lookout and sweeping escarpment views as water plunges into the valley below. If time allows, add a brief detour to a Southern Highlands bakery for a warm pie or sweet treat, then rejoin the highway for the smooth final leg to Sydney.
Things to do in Sydney
Return your camper on arrival or, if you are lingering a little longer, cap the journey with a coastal walk or beach swim. Autumn and spring evenings are perfect for an outdoor dinner, toasting five days of sunrises, swims and scenic drives.
Where to stay in Sydney
You can return your campervan to the Apollo Sydney branch today. If you plan to stay an extra night before drop-off, consider a Sydney-area holiday park to make the most of your final evening.
This itinerary keeps driving light and experiences rich, balancing ocean mornings with forest afternoons, leisurely lunches with gentle adventures, and campfire evenings beneath bright southern stars. From cliff-hugging bridges and rainforest walks to kayak glides and whale tails on the horizon, the South Coast is made for couples who love nature at an easy pace. 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.