Travel through bushlands and along beaches up a section of Australia’s east coast. Spot native wildlife as you travel along Australia’s scenic east coast and learn about First Nations culture. On this adventure from Melbourne to Sydney, you’ll drive along the Bunurong coast to Wilsons Promontory, where you'll walk along the Lily Pilly Gully Boardwalk and visit Squeaky Beach – known for its sand that squeaks when you walk on it. Take the ferry to Raymond Island and see koalas in their natural habitat, walk the Corrigan Suspension Bridge Loop through a rainforest that dinosaurs used to roam, then unwind at Jervis Bay and learn the rich First Nations history from Traditional Custodians on the Bundian Way.
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip covers around 1000 km (620 mi). There are some long travelling days, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
- Minimum age: 15 years old.
Welcome to Melbourne! Or Narrm in the language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Melbourne is now located. If you arrive a day or two early, you might like to visit Ngarrgu Djerring Cafe or Wayi Restaurant – both are social enterprises serving up menus that champion First Nations ingredients and culinary culture while providing employment, mentoring and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 9 am this morning. Travel to Wilsons Promontory along the Bunurong coast. When you arrive, head inland through the temperate rainforest along the Lily Pilly Gully Boardwalk. As you walk, look out for local wildlife like emus, wombats and kangaroos. Then, visit Squeaky Beach, known for its rounded quartz sand that squeaks when you walk on it! Listen for the sounds as you go and take in the surrounding granite boulders at either end of the beach. After, travel to Foster where you’ll spend the night.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. The Lilly Pilly Gully nature walk is a Grade 2 return walk that takes 1.5 hours. It’s a relatively easy flat gravel track.
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This morning, walk the Corrigan Suspension Bridge Loop. Surrounded by South Gippsland wet forest and temperate rainforest, this is where the dinosaurs once roamed! You'll pass by several tall myrtle beech trees here – the descendants of the ancient Gondwana beech forests dating back around 20 million years. Then, travel from Tarra-Bulga to Rosedale, where you’ll stop for lunch. After, continue to Paynesville, where you’ll take the ferry to Raymond Island. When you arrive, follow the Raymond Island Koala Trail and see koalas in their natural habitat. Along the way, learn about their preferences for specific eucalyptus species, their leisurely lifestyle and the intriguing ways they communicate with each other.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. The Corrigan Suspension Bridge trail is a 2.9 km loop that will take around 1.5 hours to complete. The path is well formed but can be slippery when wet. The Raymond Island Koala Trail is a 2 km loop on flat ground. There is a mix of gravel, sand and paved surfaces.
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Spend today exploring the Buchan Caves. When you arrive, join a guided tour through the Royal Cave with a local guide. Along the way, you’ll learn about the limestone sculptures, calcite-rimmed pools and baroque stalactites and stalagmites, which have formed through natural processes over thousands of years. This afternoon, you're free to relax at your accommodation in Eden or explore the area at your own pace.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. Today's cave tour at Buchan includes 300 steps and is around 1 km in distance, and there is some stooping required. You will be underground for approximately 45 minutes and it is cool (17°C) all year.
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Connect to Country on today’s Bilbaan Cultural Experience – a trail that is part of the Gateway to the Bundian Way. Starting in Jigamy, home to the Keeping Place, you’ll walk along coastal bushland with sweeping ocean views to the Pinnacles. Guided by Traditional Custodians, you’ll hear about their deep connection to Country, learning about the local Aboriginal community, their cultural practices and the local plants and wildlife. The rest of today is free for you to continue exploring Eden in your own time.
Your walking distance today will be approximately 3 km. The Bundian Way Trail is a Grade 3, 3.8 km loop. The terrain is gently undulating and is a mix of gravel and sand.
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Begin today with an oyster tour on Pambula Lake near Merimbula. Here, you’ll see how Sydney rock oysters are sustainably farmed using modern aquaculture techniques and learn about the area’s geology from a local oyster farmer. After, you can taste some of the fresh shellfish caught along the way! Stop for lunch at the Merimbula Wharf Restaurant before continuing to Bermagui Blue Hole. When you arrive, walk down the cliff to the 50-m-long seawater swimming hole, known for its sapphire-blue water and marine life, like sea stars, crabs and marine snails. Maybe dive into the pool or walk to the viewing platform and soak in the views over the pool and surrounding coast. Continue to your overnight accommodation in Jervis Bay.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
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This morning, explore the famous white sand beaches of Jervis Bay. Start with a visit to Murrays Beach, world-renowned for its sands and calm, turquoise waters, then embark on the Governors Head walk to a lookout for stunning panoramic views of the bay and Bowen Island. Later, travel from Jervis Bay to Sydney. This is a bit of a long drive, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or watch the scenery pass you by. You’ll travel along the famous Sea Cliff Bridge – a 665-m-long bridge that extends over the ocean. When you arrive in Sydney tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your fellow travellers.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. The Governors Head Trail is a 2.3 km return walk that will take around 1.5 hours. The terrain has a gentle gradient and is a mix of gravel and sand.
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After breakfast, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to stay longer, just talk to your booking agent ahead of time.