18 days Melbourne to Brisbine

Free day to explore Melbourne
O/N Mercure Hotel Melbourne
                       
Depart Phillip Island and rejoin the Bass Highway in the Direction of Wonthaggi,
an old gold mining settlement. Travel directly to the seaside village of Inverloch,
or detour to Cape Paterson. Follow the Road as it curves around Andersons Inlet
then head for Tarwin and onto Foster, a small rural town and the gateway to
Wilsons Promontory.
The unspoilt wilderness of the Promontory, which is the southern most point
of mainland Australia, is home to many native animals and is excellent for day
walking trips. 
O/N Wilsons Promontory Motel
                         

Depart Wilsons Promontory and rejoin the Gippsland Highway at Foster. Drive in
the direction of Welshpool and just pas Stradbroke is the turn-off for Seaspray,
which leads directly to Ninety-Mile Beach. The entire stretch of beach is not
accessible by car, but you can drive as far as Golden Beach and Letts beach,
then join the Princes Highway. Return on the Highway until you reach the Metung
Road, take a right hand turn and travel a further eight kilometres to Metung,
where fishing, sailing and other watersports can be enjoyed. The Gippsland lakes
are a vast expanse of safe, navigable lakes and rivers ideal for all forms of
boating and bird watching in an idyllic setting. Take a short detour at Bairnsdale
to the pretty port of Paynesville where a ferry ride provides access to the
koala haven of Raymond Island.
O/N Moorings at Metung

Lakes Entrance is regarded as the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes Region,
Descending into the town from Metung, you will find some stunning views of its
lakes, harbours and ninety mile beach. Continue east along the Princes Highway
to Nowa Nowa then inland to Buchan, where you can see the stunning limestone
formations of Buchan Caves and view native animals in the Caves Reserve.
Return south towards Orbost and on to the Princes Highway which will take you
through the rainforests of Lind National Park and Alfred National Park.
At Genoa take the turnoff for Gipsy Point and Mallacoota. Each location offers
serene views of the inlet, and you will have the opportunity to discover unique
flora and fauna in Croajingolong National Park, one of the most unspoilt
wilderness areas in Australia.
O/N Mallocotta Motel

Take the Barton Highway north and rejoin the Hume Highway near Yass. The
drive to Sydney consists of undulating hills and moderately timbered agricultural
and grazing land. Stop in historic Berrima - a colonial village with many fine
examples of early Australian architecture.
Highlights include the Courthouse Museum, arts and craft galleries. Take the
time to visit the Southern Highland towns of Bowral and Moss Vale
before arriving in Sydney.
O/N Sydney Boulevard Hotel

Free Day in Sydney
O/N Sydney Boulevard Hotel

Free day in Sydney

Heading North, the first stop is the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, one of
New South Wales best National Parks. If your feeling a bit hungry and it's a
Sunday, why not stop at the Australian Reptile Zoo (Pacific Highway, Somersby)
where you can join Eric the crocodile, for a sausage sizzle. A little further north
is the coastal town of The Entrance, where the pelicans that flock around the
town get an official feeding every afternoon. Next is Lake Macquarie, Australia's
largest permanent coastal saltwater lake which measures a whopping four times
the size of Sydney Harbour

On your journey to Nelson Bay stop at Newcastle, Australia's second oldest and
sixth largest city. Take a walk around the chic harbour front markets, to the five
kilometre Bather's Way coastal walk where you can see world famous beaches
such as Mereweather and Blacksmiths.
If its water activities you're after, you will love Nelson Bay, where you can fish,
scuba dive, and explore the untamed natural wilderness and extensive sand
dunes of Stockton Beach. Nelson Bay is also home of the Port Stephens fishing
fleet and a departure point for dolphin watch cruises.
O/N Nelson Lodge Motel

Port Macquarie was established as a penal settlement in 1818. For a taste of
convict life visit the Port Macquarie Museum, built in 1836 using convict bricks &
labour.
Take a camel ride along the beach near Port Macquarie and experience the
magnificent beaches from a very different point of view.
O/N Comfort Inn Aquatic Port Macquarie

Before heading off, drop into the Koala hospital in Macquarie Nature Reserve,
who rescue over 200 koalas a year. The hospital conducts hand feeding every
morning at around 8am. Confirm details at the local information centre.
Coffs Harbour is one of the largest regional cities in New South Wales, which
also happens to be the biggest producer of bananas, and of course is home
to the Big Banana (free entry).
O/N Sebel Aquarina Beach Resort Coffs Harbour

About 20 minutes north of Coffs Harbour is the little coastal town of Woolgoolga,
where you can grab a true Aussie hamburger from Woopi Takeaway.
Take your burger up to the headland, pull out a blanket and enjoy the 360 degree
views. After a couple of hours drive through the sub-tropical forest you will arrive
at the quiet seaside resort of Evans Head, fantastic for surfing, fishing, & most
importantly, relaxing on the uncrowded, long sandy beaches. Make sure you
head to Razorback Lookout, that offers panoramic views of the area. On a clear
day look to the north and see if you can spot the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
O/N Evans Head Pacific Motor Inn

Continuing towards Byron Bay, take a quick break at Lennox Head and
submerge yourself in the waterfall at Kitten Falls, and don't forget to visit the
Macadamia Castle at Knockrow 15 kilometres north of Ballina.
Byron Bay needs no introduction - top of the list of things to do is experience
sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse.
O/N Peppers Casuarina Lodge Byron Bay

Continue north to the border towns of Tweed/Coolangatta where you can lap
up the Gold Coast surf beaches in all their glory and discover the trendy
lifestyle in the beach cafes and restaurants. Back onto the highway for the
final short trip to Brisbane.
O/N Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane