Sydney Travelogue | Heading South: A South Coast Road Trip
Last month, on a whim, a friend and I took an impromptu short trip. We didn't want to drive too far but still wanted to relax and enjoy a holiday, so after looking around, we settled on Jervis Bay – about 200 kilometers south of Sydney, a three-hour drive. It turns out that this Blue Ocean Road is probably the most worthwhile self-drive route around Sydney.
This is a route I personally drove, completed in two days, hitting every essential stop along the way.
Day 1: Sydney → Sea Cliff Bridge → White Pyramids → Kiama Blowhole → Heart-shaped Beach → Bendalong
Departing from Sydney
Try to leave early to avoid Sydney's morning rush hour and allow ample time for the rest of the day. From the city, head south on the Princes Highway towards Wollongong; the Sea Cliff Bridge is about 70 kilometers away.
Sea Cliff Bridge
The bridge only opened in 2005, winding along the cliff out to sea, looking like a grey ribbon floating on the water from a distance. There's a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the bridge where you can get out and stretch your legs. I parked at the southern car park; spaces are limited, so it's best to go early during peak season. Walking along the pedestrian path, with the clear blue water below and the steep cliffs above, the sea breeze made me feel completely invigorated.
Port Kembla Heritage Park
Continue south from the bridge for about 35 kilometers to reach the White Pyramids. Dozens of half-meter-tall white pyramids stand on the lawn, sharp-edged and arranged in a grid. The industrial backdrop of the port contrasts with this pure white array, creating an unreal, sci-fi feel. Fifteen minutes for photos is plenty.
Kiama Town + Blowhole
The Kiama Blowhole is arguably one of the South Coast's most famous natural wonders – waves rush into a sea cave, and the pressure forces seawater out of the opening, sometimes spraying up to 30 meters high. When I arrived, a large wave hit just right, sending spray high into the sky, covering me in a fine mist on the observation deck. Next to it is a lighthouse built in 1887, red and white, making for particularly good photos. After seeing the blowhole, it's perfect to have lunch in the town.
Minnamurra Lookout
After a satisfying meal, drive north for about ten minutes to Minnamurra Lookout. From above, the beach forms a perfect heart shape, complemented by the blue sea and white waves – simply beautiful. Next to it is a large grassy area. I bought an ice cream and sat on the grass, watching the sea, with children flying kites nearby. Sunlight shimmered on the water, and the sense of ease made me not want to leave.
Bendalong Boat Harbour Beach
From Minnamurra, drive south for another hour to reach Bendalong. This is a lesser-known but worthwhile spot. The beach is hidden behind a headland, facing north, with small waves, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Next to the beach is a boat ramp where local fishermen clean their catch and throw scraps back into the sea, which attracts many large stingrays. I watched from the pier for a while as the stingrays swam to the water's edge to feed, their wing-like bodies flapping in the water, just one or two meters from the shore.
After watching the stingrays, it was around 3:30 PM. I continued driving for another forty minutes, settling in Huskisson – the departure point for dolphin watching the next day. The town is small, with several motels and homestays to choose from. For dinner, I had a plate of pasta at The Gunyah Restaurant in Huskisson, which was quite good.
Today's drive was approximately 250 kilometers, with about 5.5 hours of driving time (including slow traffic during morning rush hour). The pace of stops and sightseeing along the way was very comfortable.
Day 2: Jervis Bay Dolphin Watching → Lunch → Hyams Beach White Sands → Return to Sydney
Dolphin Watching in Huskisson
Huskisson is the gateway town to Jervis Bay. I booked a morning dolphin watching cruise in advance; check-in is at the entrance of Portside Cafe on Currambene Street waterfront, needing to be there by 10:00 AM. Jervis Bay is home to over eighty bottlenose dolphins year-round. Less than ten minutes after the boat departed, the captain's radio crackled – "Dolphin pod at 11 o'clock ahead!" Sure enough, three or four dolphins leaped near the bow, their bodies so sleek they looked waxed, shining in the sun. There's a net experience on the boat where you can sit in a large net and let your feet dangle in the water as the boat drifts, and if you're lucky, dolphins will swim right next to you. The entire trip is 1.5 hours, disembarking at 12:00 PM.
Lunch
After disembarking, we found a place to eat right by the pier. There were several restaurants side by side; I picked one at random and ordered oysters. Clyde River oysters are famous and incredibly fresh; a squeeze of lemon juice, and each bite is pure ocean flavor.
Hyams Beach White Sands
After a full meal, we drove for about ten minutes to Hyams Beach. This beach is famous for having "the whitest sand in the world." The sand is made of fine quartz particles, dazzlingly white, and soft and cool underfoot. The afternoon sun was intense, and the reflected light from the sand made me squint. The water was incredibly clear, gradually changing from light to deep blue – just looking at it made me want to jump in. Next to the beach is the White Sands Walk, which allows you to stroll to nearby Greenfield Beach, connecting several beaches.
Return to Sydney
From the white sands, we drove back along the Princes Highway. The entire journey was about 200 kilometers, taking a little over three hours to return to Sydney. If you don't want to rush, you could also stay another night.
Some small tips
· Book boat tickets in advance: Dolphin watching cruises, especially during peak season, are popular, so book online a few days ahead to avoid a wasted trip.
· Don't over-schedule your itinerary: The attractions I've listed are already quite fulfilling. Don't be greedy and try to cram in every single photo op along the way. The most important thing is to relax, not just collect stamps.
Two days and one night, from the hustle and bustle of Sydney to the tranquility of the South Coast, from bridges to beaches, from dolphins to stingrays. I'll definitely take this route again.
If you want to know about Sydney private car charter:
