Sydney Surrounds
Barrington Tops Over 1,200 sq km of unspoilt wilderness, from subtropical rainforest to...
Blue Mountains Experience the spectacular blue-hazed cliffs and canyons of the Blue Mountains.
Central Coast Pristine beaches backed by a lush hinterland.
Hawkesbury River A fascinating mix of natural attractions and a peaceful country ambience.
Hawkesbury Valley The Hawkesbury River winds its way through a fertile valley.
Hunter Valley World-class wines complemented by superb cuisine and boutique accommodation.
Kiama Shellharbour and Surrounds A string of dazzling beaches at the end of the Grand Pacific Drive.
Lake Macquarie and Surrounds A vast aquatic playground four times the size of Sydney Harbour.
Newcastle A vibrant cosmopolitan city perched between a working harbour and beautiful beaches.
Port Stephens, Forster and Surrounds Golden beaches, a picturesque bay and inlets
Southern Highlands The Highland's gentle green hills produce excellent wines and beautiful formal gardens.
Upper Hunter Endowed with rolling plains and rugged mountains, the Upper Hunter has a taste for the good life.
Wollongong and Surrounds The State’s third largest city has reinvented itself as an escape...
Grand Pacific Drive
Fast facts
- The coastal route from Sydney, starting in the Royal National Park, heads south to Wollongong and Nowra
- 169 km from start to finish
- Sea Cliff Bridge links the towns of Clifton and Coalcliff
Short Breaks from Sydney Deals from $50
Why drive it
The name says it all. End to end, Grand Pacific Drive is sensational, a roller coaster ride that putters through rainforests, dallies through seaside villages and whisks you along a sensational strip of coast, with never a dull moment.
While the drive is short enough for a day trip from Sydney, turn it into a short break and you’ll have time to relax, hike some of the walking trails, take a dip in the sea and savour some of the sensational food along the way.
Scenic climax of Grand Pacific Drive is the 665m Sea Cliff Bridge, an engineering marvel that swerves out from the cliffs and soars into blue sky above the pounding sea. The drive ends just north of Nowra, at Bomaderry, from where you can head further south along the Princes Highway or turn inland to the Southern Highlands, and another world of great adventures.
Along the way
Put on your walking shoes for the Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world. Discover rainforests, creeks, wildflower meadows, sea-sculpted sandstone headlands, wild and majestic stretches of coastal heath - or watch whales cruising past headlands during the migration season.
Stop at Bald Hill Lookout for an awe-inspiring panorama from Stanwell Tops and further south down the spectacular coastline.
Take a stroll around Wollongong Harbour, the horseshoe-shaped scoop also known as Belmore Basin, with its array of fishing boats and lighthouses. Enjoy a beer at Five Islands Brewery, Australia’s largest micro brewery.
Admire the sublime view from 468 metres at Mt Keira Lookout or follow a bushwalking trail along the escarpment.
Take a hike along the boardwalk at Minnamurra Rainforest, where giant roots creep across the forest floor, thick strangler figs wrap themselves around the trees and raucous bird calls erupt from the canopy high overhead in the shadow of the Great Dividing Range.
Gasp at Kiama’s blowhole, where waves surge into an underground cavity and explode high into the air - when it’s pumping, it always draws a crowd.
Don’t miss
- A hang glide or para glide at Bald Hill
- A journey of a different kind at Nan Tien Buddhist Temple
- Sea Cliff Bridge which you can walk across; parking is available on the northern side at Clifton
- The ocean pool at Austinmer Beach, perfect for laps or floating on your back
- The State’s only skydive at Wollongong beach
