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HOME > Australia > Fly-Drives > Melbourne to Brisbane

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1 - UK to Melbourne

Fly from London to Melbourne, arriving the next day.

Days 2-4 - Melbourne

On arrival make your way to your chosen hotel, for a three night stay - we have a range of hotels to choose from, and your length of stay in Melbourne is flexible. Spend a few days exploring cosmopolitan Melbourne - the city is packed with museums and galleries, and is a foodies paradise so we’d suggest eating your way around the city, starting at lively Queen Victoria Market and finishing in the restaurants of the lanes around the city centre.

Day 5 - Melbourne to Phillip Island

Collect your rental car from the Melbourne depot, and head towards Phillip Island - it’s well worth considering a detour to the Mornington Peninsula (approx 255 km / 3 hours 20 mins, plus stops), with its historic towns such as Portsea and Sorrento, and its stunning coastal walks. Continue to Phillip Island in time for sunset, when tiny penguins come ashore at the Penguin Parade - take a seat in the amphitheatre for the spectacle, and keep an eye out for stragglers at the end. On arrival check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6 - Phillip Island to Traralgon

Today we’d recommend heading to the most southerly point of mainland Australia at Wilson's Promontory (approx 300 km / 4 hours, plus stops). This is a spectacular national park of hiking trails, coastal scenery and white sand beaches, and well worth the detour. Traralgon itself is a handy stopover point through Gippsland. On arrival check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7 - Traralgon to Lakes Entrance

Today drive east towards Lakes Entrance, and we’d really recommend a detour to the famous Ninety Mile Beach (approx 250 km / 3 hours 15 mins, plus stops), an isolated and spectacular beach that’s pretty much unbroken for 90 miles - come off the highway at Sale and head to Seaspray, follow the beach to Golden Beach and head back inland to Sale and onwards to Lakes Entrance. On arrival in to Lakes Entrance check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 8 - Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance marks the start of the Gippsland Lakes, the largest inland waterway system in Australia with three main interconnecting lakes. Spend today exploring Lakes Entrance itself or enjoying a cruise in the Lake District.

Day 9 - Lakes Entrance to Merimbula

Today drive in to New South Wales and we’d suggest hugging the coast via Croajingolong and Eden on the way to Merimbula (approx 350 km / 4 hours 30 mins, plus stops). Just before the border pop in to Croajingolong National Park, one of the countries best coastal wilderness parks - Mallacoota is a bit of a gem. Eden is said to be one of the best places in Australia for whale-spotting (best October & November), while nearby Ben Boyd National Park is dotted with lighthouses, towers and follies. Merimbula itself makes a great overnight stop - on arrival check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 10 - Merimbula to Canberra

We’d suggest travelling from Merimbula to Canberra via the Sapphire Coast (approx 325 km / 4 hours 15 mins, plus stops). Keep an eye out for Tibla Tilba and Central Tilba with their well-preserved buildings, while national parks such as Mimosa Rocks and Bournda offer quiet beaches and surfing. As the Sapphire Coast becomes the Eurobodalla Coast, pretty villages such as Mogo and Moruya dot the area while Bateman’s Bay offers good beaches and clear waters. On arrival in to Canberra check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 11 - Canberra

Spend today in the nation’s capital Canberra - sights such as the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of Australia should be on any itinerary, while Parliament House can also be explored.

Day 12 - Canberra to Sydney

Today head towards Sydney. Travelling the long way round via the Blue Mountains (approx 450 km / 5 hours, plus stops) will add to your journey time but adds some truly spectacular scenery to your journey. On arrival in to Sydney park up and make your way to your chosen hotel, for a three night stay - we have a range of hotels to choose from, and your length of stay in Sydney is flexible.

Days 13-14 - Sydney

Spend the next few days exploring Sydney - the city centre is fairly compact so getting around is easy, and the Sydney Eye is a great place to start with spectacular views across the city.

Day 15 - Sydney to the Hunter Valley

Say goodbye to Sydney and head out of town towards the Hunter Valley. We’d suggest following the coastal route via The Entrance (approx 245 km / 3 hours 45 mins, plus stops), taking in beautiful Bouddi National Park and taking a little time to explore forward-thinking Newcastle, perhaps stopping for a dip at the art-deco Ocean Baths. On arrival in to the Hunter Valley check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 16 - Hunter Valley

The pretty Hunter Valley is one of the best places in Australia to sample local produce - we’re talking fine wine, craft beer, cheese, chocolate and so much more. Spend a day wine-tasting and sampling the local delicacies.

Day 17 - Hunter Valley to Port Macquarie

Head back to the coast from the Hunter Valley and explore the beautiful coastline of New South Wales - we’d suggest taking detours to Port Stephens and Myall Lakes (approx 380 km / 4 hours 40 mins, plus stops). Port Stephens is often called the ‘dolphin capital of Australia’ and the area around this sheltered harbour is also dotted with peaceful beaches and impressive sand dunes. Myall Lakes National Park covers one of the prettiest sections of the whole coastline. Check in to your hotel in Port Macquarie for a two night stay.

Day 18 - Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie - or just ‘Port’ as it’s often called - is a relaxed town with fabulous beaches, and a great place to chill. Surfing is particularly good at Town Beach and Flynn’s Beach, while whales can often be seen from the town between May and November.

Day 19 - Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour

Today we’d suggest a couple of diversions to get you to Coffs Harbour, taking in South West Rocks and Bellingen (approx 250 km / 3 hours 30 mins, plus stops). En route to South West Rocks (with its spectacular beaches) stop in Kempsey, the home of the Akubra hat (and country music legend Slim Dusty). The coastline is dotted with incredible beaches, before heading inland to Bellingen, a relaxed town and veritable culinary hotspot in the hinterland. Coffs harbour is then a short drive away, with its laid-back beach feel, and the famous ‘Big Banana’. Check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 20 - Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

Continue north from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay today (approx 275 km / 3 hours 30 mins, plus stops), travelling via the grand elegance of Grafton and the relaxed vibe of Yamba, with the countryside in between dotted with picturesque villages. Ballina retains a number of historic buildings while nearly Lennox Head is renowned for its surfing, with a world-class point break. On arrival in to Byron Bay check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 21 - Byron Bay

Laid-back and chilled, Byron Bay is the premier beach destination in Northern New South Wales, and while the beaches are spectacular it’s the atmosphere of the town itself that makes this place special. Spend the day getting to know the Byron Bay vibe.

Day 22 - Byron Bay to Brisbane

Continue north and cross the border in the Queensland as you head to Brisbane (approx 175 km / 2 hours 15 mins, plus stops). We’d suggest travelling via the Gold Coast, with a stop in glitzy Surfers Paradise. The route from here to Brisbane takes you via various theme parks, so thrill-seekers are well catered for. On arrival in to Brisbane drop your car off and make your way to your chosen hotel, for a two night stay - we have a range of hotels to choose from, and your length of stay in Brisbane is flexible.

Day 23 - Brisbane

Spend today exploring Brisbane. The city centre is fairly compact and can be explored easily on foot, while the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a few miles out of town, and is a great place to get close to a variety of Aussie wildlife.

Day 24 - Return

Make your way to Brisbane airport for your return flight to the UK, arriving the next day.

Melbourne to Brisbane Fly-Drive Holiday

Combine the cities of Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney & Brisbane with the beautiful coastal scenery of Victoria & New South Wales on this full-length three week fly-drive itinerary that’s packed with memorable experiences.

Melbourne to Brisbane fly-drive ideas

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2022 fly-drive package holidays to Australia Prices are per person based on two sharing, including flights, accommodation and car hire, and are subject to availability.

Flights from Heathrow - other departure airports also available, call for details. Holiday ref T0917W.