A 7-day coastal and inland adventure from Cootamundra to Adelaide via Bermagui and Lakes Entrance
Estimated cost
$2,010estimated total
Stays
$910
Fuel
$205
Food
$455
Other
$440
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
396 km5h 1mDepart 08:00
Start
Cootamundra NSW, Australia
Drive 280 km in ~3h 35min via Olympic Hwy, Hume Hwy and Kings Hwy from Cootamundra
317 km3h 48m
1
Attraction
Moruya Riverside Park
Moruya, Australia
11:35–12:0530m here
Riverfront leg-stretch stop
Good winter break before the coast; park near Vulcan Street for easy sedan access and toilets.
Drive 1 km in ~5min through central Moruya
0 km2m
2
Food
The River Moruya
Moruya, Australia
12:10–13:101h here$32
Modern riverside lunch
Warm lunch stop after the ranges; order seafood if available and refuel in Moruya before the coastal leg.
Drive 95 km in ~1h 35min via Princes Hwy and Bermagui Road
77 km1h 8m
3
Attraction
Bermagui Blue Pool
Bermagui, Australia
14:45–16:151h 30m here
Ocean rock pool lookout
Required Bermagui anchor with wild winter surf views; steps can be slippery, wear grippy shoes.
Drive 2 km in ~10min along Lamont Street to Bermagui centre
1 km2m
4
Overnight
Bermagui Beach Hotel
Bermagui, Australia
16:25–17:251h here$145
Central coastal hotel
Easy overnight near the harbour after a long drive; ask for on-site parking when booking.
Day 2
459 km5h 40mDepart 08:30
Check out of Bermagui Beach Hotel and drive 1 km in ~5min to Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf
1 km3m
5
Attraction
Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf & Co-Operative
Bermagui, Australia
08:35–09:2045m here
Harbour and fishing boats
Quick coastal start for adventure scenery; morning is best for boats and calmer parking.
Drive 128 km in ~2h via Tathra-Bermagui Road and Princes Hwy
148 km1h 57m
6
Attraction
Boyd's Tower
Edrom, Australia
11:20–12:351h 15m here$8
Historic coastal tower
Dramatic winter headland walk; NSW Parks pass may apply and whale sightings are possible from June.
Drive 36 km in ~30 min from Ben Boyd Tower into Eden
36 km30m
7
Food
Sprout Eden Wholefoods
Eden, Australia
12:50–13:501h here$28
Cafe lunch near harbour
Reliable warm cafe stop before Victoria; try a hearty toastie and fill fuel here if under half a tank.
Drive 285 km in ~4h 10min via Princes Hwy through Cann River and Orbost
274 km3h 10m
8
Overnight
Grand Terminus Hotel Bairnsdale
Bairnsdale, Australia
18:00–19:001h here$135
Comfortable regional hotel
Breaks the long Princes Hwy run before Lakes Entrance; on-site parking suits a loaded sedan.
Day 3
143 km1h 57mDepart 08:30
Check out of Mercure Hotel Bairnsdale and drive 38 km in ~35min via Princes Hwy to Lakes Entrance
38 km34m
9
Attraction
Cunninghame Arm Foot Bridge
Lakes Entrance, Australia
09:05–10:351h 30m here
Ninety Mile Beach access
Required Lakes Entrance anchor with easy beach adventure; winds bite in June, bring a shell layer.
Drive 2 km in ~10min along Esplanade to the cruise jetty
1 km3m
10
Activity
Peels Cruises
Lakes Entrance, Australia
10:45–12:452h here$48
Gippsland Lakes cruise
Best way to see the lake system in cool weather; book ahead and confirm winter sailing times.
Walk 400 m in ~5min along the Esplanade
0 km
11
Food
Albert & Co
Lakes Entrance, Australia
12:50–13:501h here$33
Smart local lunch cafe
Good local seafood and coffee after the cruise; reserve a table if cruising on a weekend.
Drive 112 km in ~1h 45min via Princes Hwy through Bairnsdale
104 km1h 20m
12
Overnight
The Matador Motel
Sale, Australia
15:35–16:351h here$130
Modern motel with parking
Sets up tomorrow’s high-country detour; park outside the room for easy cold-weather luggage access.
Day 4
819 km10h 28mDepart 08:00
Check out of The Matador Motel and drive 20 km in ~18 min via Princes Hwy and Maffra-Sale Road
20 km18m
13
Attraction
Maffra Sugarbeet Museum
Maffra, Australia
08:40–09:2545m here$5
Quirky regional museum
Short local-history stop before the hills; check opening days as small museums can vary in winter.
Drive 72 km in ~1h 15min via Bengworden Road to Paynesville, then ferry 0.2 km in ~5min
77 km1h 18m
14
Activity
Koala Trail
Paynesville, Australia
10:40–12:101h 30m here
Easy wildlife walk
Active wildlife break without hard hiking; leave the car in Paynesville and use the short ferry.
Ferry 0.2 km in ~5min back to Paynesville, then walk 500 m in ~5min
289 km3h 44m
15
Food
Fig Cafe & Bar Eden
Eden, Australia
12:25–13:251h here$30
Cosy waterfront cafe
Warm lunch after the koala trail; seafood specials suit the lakes setting and parking is nearby.
Drive 433 km in ~5h 8min via Princes Hwy, Traralgon and Tyers-Walhalla Road
433 km5h 8m
16
Overnight
Walhalla's Star Hotel
Walhalla, Australia
16:45–17:451h here$165
Historic mountain hotel
Atmospheric winter overnight in a gold town; book early as rooms are limited and roads are narrow.
Day 5
443 km5h 36mDepart 08:30
Check out of Walhalla's Star Hotel and drive 1 km in ~5min along Walhalla Road
1 km2m
17
Activity
Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine (Tours Daily)
Walhalla, Australia
08:35–10:051h 30m here$22
Guided underground mine
Adventure focus with weatherproof history; reserve the tour and bring a warm layer underground.
Drive 78 km in ~1h 17min via Tyers, Traralgon and Tarra Valley Road
78 km1h 17m
18
Attraction
Tarra Bulga Visitor Centre
Balook, Australia
12:10–14:102h here
Rainforest walking base
Lush winter rainforest and suspension bridge; roads are winding, allow extra time after rain.
Drive 42 km in ~55min via Grand Ridge Road and Traralgon Creek Road
43 km41m
19
Food
Narkoojee Winery and Restaurant
Glengarry North, Australia
15:05–16:051h here$38
Vineyard lunch stop
A scenic late lunch after the forest; book ahead and use it as a relaxed driver rest stop.
Drive 270 km in ~3h 25min via M1, CityLink and Calder Fwy
321 km3h 36m
20
Overnight
Quest Bendigo Central
Bendigo, Australia
19:30–20:301h here$150
Apartment-style hotel
Comfortable inland base after a big drive; secure parking helps with overnight luggage.
Day 6
6,330 km67h 11mDepart 08:30
Check out of Quest Bendigo and drive 2.7 km in ~6 min through Bendigo
3 km6m
21
Attraction
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Bendigo, Australia
08:40–10:402h here$28
Historic mine experience
Adventure/history combo before heading west; prebook underground tours and wear closed shoes.
Drive 3231 km in ~34h 19min via Wimmera Hwy through St Arnaud
3,231 km34h 19m
22
Food
Saffron Indian Restaurant Inglewood
Inglewood, Australia
13:25–14:251h here$30
Regional Indian lunch
Reliable hearty lunch on the Western Hwy; good point to fuel before the Wimmera/Mallee stretch.
Drive 2964 km in ~31h 19min via Western Hwy
2,964 km31h 19m
23
Attraction
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre
Nhill, Australia
15:35–16:501h 15m here$10
Aviation museum stop
Interesting all-weather stop on the long westbound run; check volunteer opening hours before arrival.
Drive 132 km in ~1h 27min via Western Hwy and Dukes Hwy
132 km1h 27m
24
Overnight
Keith Motor Inn
Keith, Australia
18:00–19:001h here$110
Road-trip motel
Practical overnight after crossing into SA; motel parking is simple and fuel is nearby on Dukes Hwy.
Day 7
338 km4h 22mDepart 08:30
Check out of Keith Motor Inn and drive 50 km in ~35min via Dukes Hwy
65 km41m
25
Attraction
Coonalpyn Silo Mural
Coonalpyn, Australia
09:05–09:3530m here
Large-scale silo mural
Quick creative roadside stop; park off the highway and photograph in soft winter morning light.
Drive 122 km in ~1h 30min via Dukes Hwy and Mallee Hwy
100 km1h 10m
26
Activity
Monarto Safari Park
Monarto, Australia
11:05–14:053h here$34
Open-range wildlife park
Active final-day wildlife adventure; buy tickets online and allow time for shuttle loops.
Drive 62 km in ~55min via Old Princes Hwy and Alexandrina Road
77 km1h
27
Food
Pipi Middleton - Pipi Eatery & Pipi Stays
Middleton, Australia
15:00–16:151h 15m here$42
Coastal regional lunch
Final Fleurieu detour for local produce; book lunch and expect cool ocean winds in June.
Drive 82 km in ~1h 10min via Victor Harbor Road and South Eastern Fwy
79 km1h 6m
28
Attraction
Mount Lofty Summit
Crafers, Australia
17:25–18:1045m here
Adelaide Hills lookout
Great arrival panorama over Adelaide; sunset is early in June, carry a warm jacket.
Finish
Adelaide SA, Australia
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Book Peels Cruises and Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine before departure; winter schedules can be limited.
- 2Fuel in Eden, Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Horsham and Keith before the longer rural legs.
- 3Photograph Blue Pool and Mount Lofty in late afternoon light, but bring layers for wind chill.
- 4Allow extra time on Tarra Valley and Walhalla roads after rain; they are narrow and winding.
- 5Use hotel parking outside Melbourne and Bendigo centres to avoid paid CBD parking hassles.
Good to know
- 1Princes Hwy through East Gippsland has wildlife at dawn and dusk; avoid night driving where possible.
- 2NSW to Victoria to South Australia border crossings are open, but carry licence, rego and insurance details.
- 3CityLink/Melbourne toll roads may apply on the Bendigo transfer; arrange an e-tag or visitor pass.
- 4June fog and frost can affect Walhalla, Bendigo and Adelaide Hills morning roads.
- 5Small ferries and cruises around Gippsland Lakes may run reduced winter timetables; confirm same day.
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