The perfect Australian road trip, from Sydney to Jervis Bay

With more than 20,000 km of coastline, Australia is renowned for its coastal roads with breathtaking panoramas.

One of the most notable is the Grand Pacific Drive, a 140 kilometer scenic coastal route that begins in the Royal National Park and passes through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven region.

On the program of this road trip which includes a stop in Jervis Bay and the Southern Highlands, we will find a dense tropical forest, spectacular national parks, seaside hamlets, incredible marine and indigenous landscapes but also vineyards renowned, award-winning restaurants, beach side cafes and quaint towns.

Belmore Falls, Morton National Park Alexandra Adoncello

Day 1: Welcome to Sydney

Let's go for the Australian adventure!

And there's nothing like bustling Sydney to get into the action with its sunny beaches, its renowned port, its photogenic opera house or its gastronomic scene rich in flavors, with seafood as a must on local tables.

As for wildlife, the city is not to be outdone with the Taronga Zoo, which is home to more than 5,000 animals, some of which are endemic to the country such as the koala, kangaroo, bilby and platypus.

Nature lovers are also sure to visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney while city dwellers discover the neighborhoods of Barangaroo or The Rocks, which are served by Aboriginal walking tours to help travelers learn more about the '

Day 4-5: Thrills in Wollongong

The route begins with a first stop in Wollongong, a town located one hour south of Sydney in New South Wales.

Direction the Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world, with its hiking trails, beaches, waterfalls and rock pools, before immortalizing the Sea Cliff Bridge which offers breathtaking views of the coast.

Thrill-seekers can take the opportunity to skydive with Skydive Australia or take a zipline tour at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure.

As for the ocean pools of Wollongong, they turn out to be perfect oases of salt water.

Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton Destination NSW

Day 5-6: slow life in Shellharbour and Kiama

Exit the bustle of big cities!

We take the road to Shellharbour, a small seaside town that offers a wide range of entertainment such as golf, hiking in the rainforest, fishing, boat trips or scuba diving.

In Kiama, we are left speechless in front of the spectacular Kiama Blowhole, a rock from which tidal movements escape up to 20 m in height, before taking over the surf culture with the waves of Gerroa or Gerringong.

More rustic, we go deep into Budderoo National Park and the Minnamurra rainforest to observe the amazing local flora and fauna during a traditional “bushwalk”.

Kiama Blowhole Point, Kiama Destination NSW

Day 6-8: hiking, marine wildlife and oyster dishes in the Shoalhaven region

Welcome to Jervis Bay.

We start with Booderee National Park which offers unique hiking trails between fauna, flora and indigenous culture while the marine park will surprise us with its bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales (from May to November), fur seals and of course its iconic kangaroos.

Another must-do is a nocturnal excursion to contemplate the bioluminescence of the ocean, after feasting on a dish of Sydney Rock oysters, the specialty of this oyster-farming region.

The Shoalhaven area is also popular for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, and boasts some of the whitest beaches in the world.

Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay Jordan Robins

Day 8-10: trip to the Southern Highlands

It's time to go back to Sydney.

But not without passing through the Southern Highlands, the most bucolic of the Australian regions which combines nature and gastronomic experiences.

While the region's farmers' markets, Wild Food Adventures tours and more than 60 wineries, including Centennial Vineyards and PepperGreen Estate, make it a foodie's paradise, it doesn't exclude nature lovers with the National Park of Morton which allows you to observe wombats, wallabies and echidnas.

Jim Wild's Oysters, Greenwell Point Destination NSW