Sydney to Merimbula road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
A Sydney to Merimbula road trip takes in national parks, glorious beaches and delightful South Coast towns. The Sydney to Merimbula drive is 454km in distance, with a driving time of around 5h36m.
The drive from Sydney to Merimbula takes you from the big city to one of the most popular holiday towns on the New South Wales South Coast.
Sydney brings harbour cruises on romantic tall ships, historic pub tours and behind-the-scenes visits to the world’s most famous Opera House. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
Merimbula, meanwhile, offers whale-watching cruises or dolphin-spotting ocean and wildlife tours. To bag the best Merimbula accommodation in advance, book here.
There are two ways to tackle the drive – as a big slog down for the start of a holiday, or an opportunity to take in a few more South Coast hotspots along the way. Doing the Sydney to Merimbula drive as a road trip is unquestionably more enjoyable if you’ve got the time.
Sydney to Merimbula distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Merimbula is 454km. That makes for a driving time of around five hours and 36 minutes.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
This coastal road trip from Sydney initially heads through the southern suburbs along the Princes Highway. It passes between Royal National Park and Heathcote National Park, then follows the Illawarra Escarpment towards Wollongong.
Sydney to Merimbula road trip: Illawarra and Wollongong
At Helensburgh, there’s a decision to make – keep going along the highway, or divert down Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The latter route is more scenic and doesn’t add a massive amount of time to the journey.
Either way, you can stop to see the Aussie wildlife at Symbio Wildlife Park. Go the coastal route and you can take the Sri Venkateswara Temple and Kelly’s Falls, before reaching the coast at hang-gliding hotspot Bald Hill. This overlooks Stanwell Park Beach.
The coastal roadtrip then goes past Coalcliff Beach and one of Australia’s top Instagram spots – the Sea Cliff Bridge. Built around the cliffs, this bridge snakes its way over the sea.
Wollongong beaches
Afterwards, you’re into Wollongong’s northern suburbs, where the Scarborough Hotel, Wombarra Beach, the Coledale Rock Pool and Austinmer Beach are among the top attractions.
Stick to the highway and options for a stop include the Bulli Lookout, the Mount Keira Lookout and the Wollongong Botanic Garden.
6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive
- Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
- One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
- Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
- Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
- Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
- Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.
Either way, you end up in Wollongong. For things to do in Wollongong, try is close to the latter, while other Wollongong attractions include the twin lighthouses on the harbour.
Wollongong accommodation options worth looking at include the Adina aparthotel, the facility-heavy Novotel Northbeach and the golf course-focused Best Western City Sands.
Click through for the next section: Kiama and Gerringong.