Bairnsdale to Eden road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Top stops to add to a Bairnsdale to Eden road trip itinerary include Lakes Entrance, Cape Conran and Mallacoota. By car, the distance from Bairnsdale to Eden is 274km, with a driving time of around 3h12m.
Planning a Bairnsdale to Eden road trip itinerary
A Bairnsdale to Eden road trip takes you through Victoria’s nature-packed East Gippsland region and over the border to the southernmost town on the New South Wales coast. For many travellers, this will be part of a longer road trip – probably Melbourne to Merimbula.
- To find the best Bairnsdale accommodation deals, head here.
- To dig out the most attractive places to stay in Eden, hunt here.
This guide should help you plan out the best stops on a Bairnsdale to Eden road trip itinerary. Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.
If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.
Bairnsdale to Eden distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Bairnsdale to Eden is 274km. This makes for a driving time of around three hours and 12 minutes.
Things to do in Bairnsdale include ogling the frescoes of St Mary’s Church and learning about local Aboriginal culture at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place.
Bairnsdale accommodation picks include the heritage-laced Riversleigh and the excellent value Colonial Motor Inn.
Bairnsdale to Eden road trip attractions: Lakes Entrance
It’s 40km from Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance, the most popular holiday town on the Gippsland Lakes. There are two good lookouts over the lakes in Kalimna.
Things to do in Lakes Entrance include wildlife-focused lake cruises with Lonsdale Eco Cruises and splashing in the waves at Lakes Entrance beach. For budget-friendly Lake Entrance accommodation, try the Lakeside Motel Waterfront the NRMA Eastern Beach holiday park or the Cunningham Shore Motel.
Bairnsdale to Eden drive: Lakes Entrance to Mallacoota
From Lakes Entrance to Mallacoota, things get a lot more rural. There are also significant rewards for anyone who branches off the Princes Highway now and again.
The first possibility is Lake Tyers Beach, a more relaxed beach town than Lakes Entrance. The drive from Bairnsdale to Eden then glide north of the Lake Tyers State Park and the not particularly tourist-friendly Ewing Morass Wildlife Reserve.
Marlo and Cape Conran side trip
The best detour on the Bairnsdale to Eden road trip arguably comes at Orbost. Here, going down the Marlo Road to Marlo and Cape Conran only increases the driving time by 15 minutes.
Next to the road, the Snowy River winds its way towards the ocean via the wildlife reserves of Lake Corringle and Lake Curlip.
Marlo is peaceful and you can stay the night at the caravan park. Alternatively, take in the views of the Snowy River mouth from the Lovelock Lookout and attack the ocean at Mots Beach.
There are several more beaches along the Marlo-Conran Road. Then Cape Conran brings several walking tracks and the pink-tinged Salmon Rocks before the Cabbage Tree-Conran Road takes you back to the Princes Highway.
Click through to the next section: Bemm River and Cann River.