Driving From Melbourne to Sydney with Kids

Having spoken with various Aussies prior to leaving for Australia we were met with mixed reviews about the drive from Melbourne to Sydney.

Surprisingly, many of them weren’t positive.

This is a shame, because this 900 km  stretch of highway 1 along the Australian East Coast has a lot to offer for the intrepid family traveler.

Specifically;  less crowds, nice beaches, unspoiled wildlife, uncrowded surf breaks and some of the nicest, family-friendly holiday parks we encountered on our entire trip.

Because our time was limited we had to rush through many of these spots. It would be best to allow at least 2 days in each spot, especially if you are traveling with young children.

Lakes Entrance

We made a quick stopover in Lakes Entrance more out of necessity than desire. But even a short stay this area has a lot to offer.

Sleep: Big 4 Whiters Holiday Village

We stayed at the Big 4 Holiday Park which was very central to everything, they had a nice (albeit cold) swimming area with 3 pools and the accommodations were more than sufficient for a couple nights rest. They had a nice children’s play area and the entire park is set in a very desirable outdoor setting.

While exploring the region for one day we were able to find a surprisingly large number of things to do.

Lakes entrance has a wonderful children’s playground, a pretty beach that is great for kids and families and a beautiful riverside walking/hiking trail that made for a nice sunrise run.

Although this would not be a “must see” activity on your Australian itinerary if you are driving from the Great Ocean Road like we were or from Melbourne it is a good stopping point to relax and recharge.

Merimbula

Sleep: Big 4 Holiday Park

What do you get when you combine a nifty little surf beach, soft sand, gentle waves and an amazing holiday park right on the beach. Something pretty close to perfect.

Just like Lakes Entrance this was an overnight stop that could have turned into a lot more. If you are driving up the coast and have a chance to stop in Merimbula plan for a couple days. The Big 4 Holiday Park has a kids club and a huge child friendly pool great for kids of all ages. Its location on the beach makes it a big win for everyone.

There is a nice boardwalk that you can pick up in Merimbula City that makes for a spectacular run/walk through a mangrove forest right over the ocean inlet. This is a great way to spend your morning after a nice cup of coffee.

 

Pretty Beach

Sleep: Pretty Beach Cabins

You can see my full post on Pretty Beach here (Coming Soon)

We found out about Pretty Beach from yTravel blog.

I was doing some research on where to stop on the way up from Melbourne, once I saw the Kangaroos I was sold.

Pretty beach may very well be one of the most memorable stops on our trip.

Pretty beach itself is a bit difficult to find and the campground is simple with two on site cabins that were truly amazing given they are owned and operated by the Australian Parks system. There are only 2 cabins so if you are going to make this a stop you must book early!

There is hiking, wildlife galore and yes, lots of Kangaroos!