Coast or inland from sydney to melbourne?!?

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alienaviator

Its a real compromise. The inland route (Hume Highway) is very fast - good motorway conditions for a lot of the way, especially between Sydney and Yass in New South Wales, and the Victorian border and Melbourne. So that way is very fast. But there isn't a lot to see. Some of the towns are interesting and historic, but most of the way is rolling farmlands etc and not much more.

The coastal route (Princes Highway) is extremely beautiful. The South Coast of New South Wales, from Sydney to Eden is gorgeous and scenic, as is the area around Lakes Entrance in Victoria. But the road is narrow for a lot of the way, and quite winding for most of it. There are also long sections of dull bits too, especially before and after the Victorian border, going through eastern Gippsland - its not all beautiful. Remember that its a little over 1,200 kms going the Princes Hwy, as opposed to 800 kms going the Hume.

One alternative is to do both. You could drive the Princes Hwy as far as Bateman's Bay, then turn inland to Braidwood and Canberra, then join up with the Hume Hwy just a bit west of Canberra, then go the Hume Hwy to Melbourne. That way you would also see Canberra as well as Sydney and Melbourne. But to do this, you'd probably need more than 2 days ... more like 4. (Make that a good part of your trip, not just a way of getting from Sydney to Melbourne.)

ozpoet3

It would depend on what your interests are..there is a lot of beautiful country on both routes

moblet

The coast road doesn't hug the coast, so you don't get ocean views as you're driving along. Most of the way all you'll see is trees. If you only have two days you won't have much time to linger or detour, although at least you'll get one night by the sea if you plan for it.

If you like to see rolling farmland then the Hume isn't boring. You can do the Hume in one day if you keep moving so that gives you more time to look around or detour.

Other options are to take the Hume but detour through the Snowy Mountains (Canberra, Cooma, Kiandra, Corryong, Beechworth), or go via Canberra and head south to Cann River to pick up the Princes Hwy, faster than taking the Princes all the way from Sydney, gives you more variety in scenery, and can get you to the Victorian coast for your overnight.

idontlike_idiots

in 2 days you can go either way inland is fast & boring i think
the coast road is slower but a nicer slower drive
take your time 1'st day get to about cann-river stay the night there then on to melbourne on the second day

igi

be careful

Ken E

If speed is of the essence use the Hume. About 12 - 14 hours on the road.

But then, I don't give two hoots about the sea - - -

kodie.odie

yeah I'd take the freeway and then spend any spare time you may have in and around melbourne...............:o)

stabra

If you're short of time, I'd take the inland route. After a while, the little seaside towns get kind of similar. Besides, the sooner you get to Melbourne, the sooner you can get to St. Kilda beach.
Spend your extra time there walking around the markets and cute little shops and cafe's.

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