Sydney To Melbourne Foodie Road Trip Itinerary
Nom Nom Nom: Take a JUCY Camper Foodie Road Trip from Sydney to Melbourne
Love food and love road trips? Perfect! Travel with us on a 6-day culinary adventure on our Sydney to Melbourne foodie road trip.
If you know us, you know we love adventure and food – that’s why you’ll find the best custom kitchens across our campervan fleet! It’s also why we feel best equipped to guide you from Sydney to Melbourne on a foodie road trip. We love food like our boss loves wearing green and purple (obsessed is a great adjective here).
Our JUCY campervans come with everything you need to cook the perfect meal on the road, but that doesn’t mean you have to cook up a storm at every stop. We leave it up to you to decide if you want to feast local or opt to load your camper fridge with locally-grown produce. Like the cake you pick up at the Cake Store in Nowra, the cheese from Cupitt’s, and the sourdough bread from Seasalt in Swan Lake. If you’re not drooling yet, you soon will be!
If you’re like us, you need to travel like a Bitcoin buyer needs to HODL. And our communities need our help, not just now, but for months and years to come. It’s why we’ve created the ultimate feel-good itinerary Sydney to Melbourne foodie road trip (or travel vice versa) to support the communities – and your tastebuds - en-route.
Warning: this Sydney to Melbourne foodie road trip itinerary may result in you needing some stretchy pants midway
SYDNEY TO JERVIS BAY
210 kilometers - 3 hours 30 minutes approx.
Begin your road trip on the Grand Pacific Drive, an iconic route that winds you southwards to the stunning beach Mecca of Jervis Bay. Any coastal journey south of Sydney should absolutely include a night or two at the pristine squeaky-white sand and aquamarine waters of Jervis Bay. Aside from the landscape that seems dreamt up by a marketing exec, you’ll also be able to spy dolphins off the coast year-round and native animals on land. From June to November, you’ll also want to watch for migrating whales.
En-route, if it’s warm enough, the rock pools of Coalcliff provide a magnificent ocean dip. You’ll also want to plan for a stop at Kiama to see the blowhole and snap a pic of Cathedral Rock. Support local businesses here with some yummy purchases at The Berry Tea Shop (don’t miss the scones with jam and cream). If you’re not quite hungry enough, wait until you pass through Nowra for treats from the Cake Store.
(image from The Berry Tea Shop)
Once in Jervis Bay, support local businesses like Woebegone Freediving and the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Once you’ve parked up, sample a beer paddle at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co.
Not bad this encouragement to eat, drink, and have fun, huh?
JERVIS BAY TO NAROOMA
210 kilometers - 3 hours approx.
If you’re an adventurous road-tripper, stop at downtown Lake Conjola. Swim, fish, watch the wildlife or cross the dunes to surf. It’s awesome!
Alternatively, if you’re the kinda person who likes to start your day with some mindfulness, head an hour south to Mollymook to surf or meditate on the beach. If you prefer to meditate on some roasted beans, then caffeinate at the nearby Native Café. Their healthy menu seems like all the permission you need to stuff your face full of deliciousness because you can eat more when it’s healthy, right?
(image from Cupitt's Estate)
If you’d like to make a day of it in Ulladulla, head to Cupitt’s Estate, a boutique winery, brewery, fromagerie, and restaurant. Plus, they have rooms, so you don’t even have to move after you’ve sampled one of everything! The Gondwana Coast Fossil Walk is in the area, too, if you need to work off all the fromage temptations.
An hour south of Ulladulla, the Mossy Café is the perfect fuel-up for the Eurobodalla National Park, the go-to spot for keen adventurers. Mossy serve coffee and delicious treats until 3pm, daily.
Eurobodalla National Park is a 2,220-hectare park covering the area from Moruya Heads to Tilba Tilba Lake. Within Eurobodalla, Narooma is an ideal base for exploring this sacred land on foot. Or venture by boat to see the wildlife on Montague Island.
Or sample the local goodies, of course. Like, the tiki bar you didn’t know you needed in your life! Quarterdeck offers tasty morsels, live music, and the friendliest of vibes in its fab over-water location. The Whale is #openforbusiness, too.
NAROOMA TO PAMBULA
120 kilometers - 2 hours 15 minutes approx.
Start the day with sunrise shots of the iconic geological wonders of Glassrocks and Pillow Lava. Pro tip: ignore the Google Maps directions; instead, park at the cemetery, walk to and around the white fence and then follow the path. You’re welcome.
Today’s itinerary takes in the Sapphire Coast, a spectacular stretch of shoreline from Bermagui in the north to Eden in the south. Coastal activities abound here, like fishing, surfing, and lounging on the gorgeous powder-soft beaches.
(image from The Gap)
An hour ten from Glassrocks is the kind of coffee you’d drive an hour ten for. It doesn’t hurt that you can also rent a wet suit and board at the Gap and hit Tathra’s surf break.
If you’re really keen to meet and support the locals on this trip, also stop by the Tathra Beach Bowling Club. They have activities scheduled on most days. If you’re passing September to November, the challenging Kangarutha Walking Track has the added reward of passing whales. Alternatively, there are plenty of less ardous ways to spy passing southern rights and humpbacks, too.
Top up your caffeine buzz at The Waterfront Café when you pass through Merimbula.
The Sapphire Coast route has a couple of incredible oyster stops to fill your esky with. Hmmm, Tathra Oysters or at the award-winning Broadwater Oysters in Pambula Lake? Both, we say! Pambula Lake also offers Magical Oyster Tours that are as educational about the local flora and fauna as they are about oysters.
Pambula has a rich gold mining heritage with colonial buildings that house an eclectic mix of eats and treats. The community has proudly rallied together, and you can contribute, too, by grabbing the best chips in town at the Broken Oar or a brew or baked goods at Wild Rye’s. Overnight here, or in Eden, 20km further south.
EDEN TO MARLO
250 kilometers - 3 hours 45 minutes approx.
At the southern end of the Sapphire Coast sits Eden, an appropriately named natural paradise. Eden is also considered the best regional whale-watching destination. A stop by the quirky Killer Whale Museum is recommended, as too is a trip out on the water to find the rest of the ‘not killer’ kind of whales if it’s the season.
If you have time on your itinerary, add a day to explore the Ben Boyd National Park. The Aboriginal middens and secluded beaches are best accessed from the Pambula end of the park.
From Eden, head down the Princess Highway to enter into Victoria and the state’s remote and impressive (and pretty unspellable) Croajingolong National Park. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is home to over 300 bird species. If you’d like to stay a night or two in the reserve, Mallacotta or Wingan River make good bases. As, too, does the Marlo Ocean Views Caravan and Camping Park and the Beachside Takeaway for a tasty nom-nom burger.
(image from The Beachside Takeaway)
MARLO TO PAYNESVILLE
160 kilometers - 2 hours 15 minutes approx.
Yumminess comes in many forms across Victoria, with the Gippsland region you’re driving through today being a foodie haven. Depending on your schedule, you might like to add a day or seven to any of the following stops.
Lakes Entrance is a popular Gippsland holiday spot, thanks to the extensive network of waterways and iconic Ninety Mile Beach. Aside from surfing on Ninety Mile Beach, you can also kayak the Gippsland Lakes, fish, or explore by paddleboat. Before you do any activity, however, fuel up at Blood Good Coffee at Lakes Entrance.
It's never a hardship to support the community by way of caffeine and delicious cake, right? You should also check out the local Gisppland Lakes farmers’ markets to see what’s on. We have some great Cooking in Campers videos if you need inspiration.
Stock up on baked goods for your JUCY fridge at the Seasalt Sourdough Artisan Bakery in Swan Reach. You will not regret it. This bakery has long been a favourite with international tourists, so they’re feeling the pinch with the closure of our international borders.
(image from Seasalt Sourdough)
Nearby Bruthen is another great #shoplocal destination, with a general store for supplies, as well as the Bullant Brewery for a spot of locally-sourced lunch or some takeaway beers for your JUCY campervan fridge.
If you prefer a more sophisticated tipple, travel 25 minutes more to the Nicholson River Winery, a cellar door in the heart of Gippsland’s beauty. Paynesville is close by and a charming village for the water lovers out there, with some fabulous lakeside dining. It’s also the entry point to Raymond Island for koala spotting.
As the Gippsland towns are in proximity to each other, pick the community or attraction that resonates the most - they all give you the happy Gippsland vibes!
PAYNESVILLE TO MELBOURNE
290 kilometers - 3 hours 20 minutes approx.
This coastal extravaganza’s final stretch is to drive to either our JUCY Melbourne campervan rental branches. Pick a picnic stop en-route to enjoy the last of your #shoplocal supplies. We love a wee detour to the picnic areas in Mt Worth State Park.
Feels good to eat feel-good food, huh?
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES?
Committing to the dining local or filling your fridge with yummy local produce is an exceptional place to start! Get on the road to explore and support, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer foodie road trip. Make time on your travels to buy local and share on social media when you do (tag your #jucymoments, so we can share, too) so everyone hears this call.
The action of one (you) becomes the action of many (ya mates).
Good on ya, mate.
Tummy rumbling? Were you mentally packing your JUCY campervan fridge as we journey from Sydney to Melbourne on this foodie road trip? Drooling a little? Great! We can help.
Click BOOK NOW to get your JUCY rental vehicle booked in, or call our mega-friendly team on 1800 150 850 to discuss options.