Australia is a vast country, and the road from Sydney to Melbourne can be as short as 874km directly on the Hume Highway. However, if you want to stop at the remarkable sights along the way, consider a bus tour and take in the whole 1032km scenic route.
Firefly Bus
Both buses and trains travel to and from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne and Sydney Central Station. The Firefly bus departs Sydney in the early evening at 7 pm and arrives in Melbourne early the next morning at 6:35 am.
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Greyhound Bus
The Greyhound bus makes a stop in the capital, Canberra, with the trip taking approximately 12-14 hours.
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The Inland Route
The Hume Highway route is the most direct at nearly 900km long and takes about 10 hours to drive through Central Victoria and the country of NSW. There are several great small towns along the way, including Yackandandah, Holbrook, Glenrowan, and Beechworth.
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Coastal Route
This is a little longer at 1032km, yet well worth the added time for the scenic route along the coast. Once you reach the South Coast, there are lovely towns to explore on the way to the Victorian border. Towards Melbourne, you can check out Lakes Entrance in Victoria and end the journey exploring the Mornington Peninsula.
What to See on the Sydney to Melbourne Route
There are approximately 35 National Parks and Nature Reserves, as well as islands, rivers, lakes, coastal villages, 83 beaches, and plenty of wilderness to enjoy on the scenic drive. Great campsites, such as Green Patch, Bristol Point, or Cave Beach, near Jervis Bay, are recommended.
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