6 Day Grand Pacific Drive Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney to Wollongong
Distance: 85 kms
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Collect your campervan from the Sydney branch and point the nose south toward Royal National Park, Australia’s oldest national park. The day eases you into the trip with classic coastal scenery and plenty of chances to pull over for a view. The route flows along forested gullies, sandstone headlands, and then out to a ribbon of road perched above the Pacific Ocean.
Where to stop between Sydney and Wollongong
Roll into Royal National Park for a short boardwalk or beach stroll to stretch the legs, then continue to Bald Hill Lookout for sweeping views of the coast and the hang gliders who love the updrafts here. From Bald Hill, drift over the Sea Cliff Bridge, an almost 665 metre sweep that seems to hover between cliff and ocean. If you are travelling with kids or are keen for a wildlife encounter, Symbio Wildlife Park is a handy stop with the chance to meet kangaroos and native animals up close.
Things to do in Wollongong
Wollongong pairs city energy with easy access to the ocean. Walk the Blue Mile waterfront path past beaches, ocean pools, and cafes, and make time for the twin lighthouses around Flagstaff Hill. If you want a final shot of adrenaline for the day, Wollongong is also a popular place to try a tandem skydive, landing right by the beach when conditions allow. Otherwise, settle into a slow sunset by the sand.
Where to stay in Wollongong
Corrimal Beach Tourist Park is a favourite for campervans, with powered sites just steps from the sand and an easy drive into the city centre. If you prefer a slightly quieter beachfront spot, Bulli Beach Tourist Park to the north also offers powered sites and wide ocean views.
Day 2: Wollongong to Kiama
Distance: 35 kms
Travel time: 40 minutes
Today is unhurried, with a short coastal hop that leaves plenty of time for temple gardens, seaside villages, and cliff-top blowholes. Keep the swimsuits and camera handy; the Illawarra shoreline is full of small surprises just off the highway.
Where to stop between Wollongong and Kiama
Start at Nan Tien Temple on the outskirts of Wollongong, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the Southern Hemisphere, to wander tranquil pathways and gleaming halls. Continue through Shellharbour to check out the marina precinct and foreshore, then drift past surf beaches and headlands as you approach Kiama.
Things to do in Kiama
Make a beeline for the Kiama Blowhole, where swell surges through a natural rock cavity and can shoot spectacular plumes into the air. A short drive away, the Little Blowhole often puts on reliable displays when the swell direction is right. If you have time, stroll a section of the Kiama Coast Walk for cliffside views and sandy coves, then explore Kiama’s historic terraces and local boutiques for picnic supplies or an ice cream by the harbour.
Where to stay in Kiama
BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park sits right on Easts Beach, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the ocean and wake to sunrise over the headland. For an alternative, a few minutes away, Kendalls on the Beach Holiday Park offers powered sites near a sheltered cove that is ideal for a relaxed swim.
Image: Destination NSW
Day 3: Kiama to Jervis Bay via Shoalhaven Heads
Distance: 70 kms
Travel time: 1 hour
The coastline south of Kiama opens into long sandy strands, river mouths, and vineyard-dotted hills. It is a day to enjoy the simple pleasures of beach walks and country bakeries before rolling into the white sands and turquoise water of Jervis Bay.
Where to stop between Kiama and Jervis Bay
Pause at Shoalhaven Heads where the Shoalhaven River meets the sea, framed by Mount Coolangatta. The star is Seven Mile Beach, a 12-kilometre sweep of pale sand perfect for a barefoot stroll, a surf, or a quick dip. If you appreciate a cellar door with history, Coolangatta Estate near the Heads is known for heritage buildings and local tastings. From here, continue through Berry’s tree-lined streets and then on to Huskisson at Jervis Bay.
Things to do in Jervis Bay
Huskisson is the lively gateway to Jervis Bay Marine Park. Join a dolphin watching cruise to meet the resident pods that often ride the bow waves, or simply head for the beaches. Hyams Beach is famous for its powder-fine white sand, while Greenfield and Chinamans offer quieter coves. If you want to stretch your legs, the White Sands Walk threads together a string of beaches through woodland and along the shore. Snorkellers will love the clear water and sheltered conditions in many bays.
Where to stay in Jervis Bay
Set up at Holiday Haven White Sands in Huskisson for powered sites a short stroll from the beach and town. Another excellent option is Jervis Bay Holiday Park on Currambene Creek, which mixes a serene bush-and-water setting with handy facilities and easy access to Huskisson’s cafes.
Image: Destination NSW
Day 4: Jervis Bay
Distance: ~30 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
With a full day in Jervis Bay, you can slow the pace and let the tide set your schedule. The bay’s protected waters are ideal for paddling, stand-up paddleboarding, and gentle swims, and the national parks that border the coastline hide walking tracks, lookouts, and picnic spots under peppermint and banksia.
Things to do in Jervis Bay
Venture into Booderee National Park at the southern edge of the bay for a day of exploring. Murrays Beach is a favourite for calm water and postcard views out to Bowen Island. Short trails lead to Governor Head Lookout, where you can watch for migrating whales in peak periods from June to July and again from September to November, and to secluded coves edged by native bush. On the northern side of the bay, return to the White Sands Walk to link more beaches, or spend a lazy afternoon in Huskisson with fish and chips by the wharf and a sunset stroll along the foreshore.
Where to stay in Jervis Bay
Stay a second night at your chosen holiday park so you can maximise beach time and skip any packing.!
Image: Destination NSW
Day 5: Jervis Bay to Berrima (Southern Highlands)
Distance: 95 kms
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Turn inland today and climb onto the Southern Highlands plateau, swapping sea breeze for cool-climate forests, tumbling waterfalls, and stone cottages. The road winds through lush valleys before reaching heritage villages where time seems to move more slowly.
Where to stop between Jervis Bay and Berrima
Break the journey at Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, where water plunges around 80 metres from the sandstone escarpment into a deep green valley. Boardwalks and lookouts sit right on the rim for dramatic views, and short trails lead to quieter vantage points if you have extra time. From here, continue through rolling farmland toward Berrima.
Things to do in Berrima
Berrima is a beautifully preserved 19th century village with sandstone buildings that now house cafes, bakeries, and boutique shops. Take a self-guided wander past the courthouse and gaol, then settle in for a tasting at a local cellar door. The Highlands’ cool climate suits elegant wines, and you can pair a flight with regional cheeses for a relaxed afternoon.
Where to stay in Berrima
Berrima River Reserve offers simple riverside camping close to the village, great if you are happy with basic facilities and a peaceful setting. If you prefer powered sites and full amenities, the BIG4 Mittagong Holiday Park is a short drive away and makes a convenient base for exploring the Highlands.
Day 6: Berrima to Sydney
Distance: 120 kms
Travel time: 1.5 hours
The final leg returns you to the city with enough time for a Highlands detour before the highway run north. It is an easy drive, so enjoy one more country coffee and a last browse in the antique stores before you roll back into Sydney.
Where to stop between Berrima and Sydney
Bowral is the Highlands’ largest town and a lovely place for a stroll through Corbett Gardens when the flowers are in bloom. Cricket fans should not miss the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame. Continue via Mittagong for a bakery stop, then join the Hume Highway toward Sydney.
Things to do in Sydney
After returning your campervan, celebrate your coastal loop with a harbourside walk or a quick dip at one of Sydney’s eastern beaches. If you are not quite ready for the trip to end, plan an extra evening to explore a neighbourhood eat street or watch the harbour change colour at dusk.
Image: Destination NSW
FAQs and quick answers
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What is the famous road in Wollongong?
The famous coastal road around Wollongong is the Grand Pacific Drive, which follows Lawrence Hargrave Drive and includes the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge between Coalcliff and Clifton.
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What is the most scenic drive in Australia?
There is no single “official” most scenic drive in Australia, but routes like the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales are often named among the country’s top coastal drives!
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Where is the Grand Pacific Drive in Australia?
The Grand Pacific Drive is a 140-kilometre coastal route in New South Wales, starting in Royal National Park about 45 minutes south of Sydney, then running through Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama before finishing in the Shoalhaven region.
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How long is the Grand Pacific Drive?
The core Grand Pacific Drive is around 140 kilometres from Royal National Park to the Shoalhaven region, which you can cover in a single day of driving or spread over several days with beach stops and overnights in coastal towns.
Ready to begin your Grand Pacific Drive campervan adventure?
This six-day loop weaves the best of the Grand Pacific Drive into a relaxed and achievable campervan adventure. Short driving days keep the focus on coastal lookouts, beach time, and country town discoveries, while a mix of beachfront and bushland holiday parks makes every evening easy.
Pick up your campervan at the Apollo Branch in Sydney, watch the Pacific glide by from the Sea Cliff Bridge, tick off the blowholes of Kiama, laze on Jervis Bay’s white sand, and finish with waterfalls and wine in the Highlands before turning for home. If you have more time, add an extra night by the bay or in the Highlands and simply follow your curiosity down another side road!