It's around 300 kilometres from the southern suburbs of Sydney to Batemans bay, a drive that will take around 3.5-4 hours without stops. But there are plenty of options to have a short break and stretch the legs along the way. The further south you go, the more relaxed you'll start to feel, so take it easy and take your time.

You can take a detour off the M1 Princes Motorway onto the B65 at Fairy Meadow and through to Wollongong city centre. Just 80kms south of Sydney, it is an ideal first stop on your journey south to Batemans Bay and Eurobodalla.

Wollongong is a coastal city in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. It is famous for stunning beaches, some with world-class surf breaks. The Wollongong head Lighthouse is a spectacular lookout offering panoramic views of the coastline and city. The imposing Illawarra Escarpment rises west of the city and is a popular destination for bushwalkers and rock climbers. Wollongong boasts the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, Nan Tien Temple. A place of serenity and enlightenment, Nan Tien can also provide for your body with its own vegetarian cafe on site.

From Wollongong you can opt to take the Grand Pacific Drive to Nowra. This scenic drive takes you across the magnificent 665 metre Sea Cliff Bridge.

https://www.visitwollongong.com.au/wollongong/

Cradled between sparkling ocean and rainforest-clad escarpment, our rolling green hills and golden sands serve as a brilliant backdrop to our precious collection of villages and towns. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, we encourage you to call or visit the Kiama Visitor Information Centre, located at Blowhole Point (with the Lighthouse and Blowhole right on our doorstep!)

https://kiama.com.au/

Take a short detour into Berry, a small historic village in the Shoalhaven region of the New South Wales South Coast, located 145 km south of Sydney.

Berry's picturesque, leafy streets feature historic buildings and loads of country charm. A popular stop over, Berry entices you to get out your wallet tempting visitors as they browse eclectic shops selling local arts, crafts, antiques, boutique clothing, homewares and gifts. It's equally popular with food lovers, offering a great range of cafes and restaurants, local wineries and markets.

https://berry.org.au/

Nowra is a town on the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 160 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of around 35,000 people, it’s the centrepiece of a region known for its farming community, National Parks, vinyards, galleries, historic buildings, Regional Entertainment Centre, commercial retailers and the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Museum – the largest aviation museum in Australia.

https://www.shoalhaven.com/nowra-shoalhaven-south-coast-nsw

Milton is around a 3 hour drive from Sydney and 2.5 hours from Canberra. Nearby you’ll find Lake Conjola, and the seaside towns of Mollymook and Ulladulla. The delightful township of Milton is popular for its classic country pubs, unique shopping, scenic rural coastal setting, its living history, heritage streetscapes, rich cultural life, fascinating galleries, markets, vineyards, produce and lively food places offering farm to table eateries. Milton is a great base for bushwalkers, near the spectacular Pigeon House Mountain.

https://www.shoalhaven.com/milton-shoalhaven-south-coast-nsw

Ulladulla is on the Princes Highway half way between Batemans Bay to the south and Nowra to the north. Well known for its delicious local seafood fresh from the trawlers, enjoy by the waters edge or dine at one of the local cafes and restaurants. This relaxing vibrant town has fascinating galleries, markets, surf shops and is a great base to explore beautiful beaches, quaint villages and national parks.

https://www.shoalhaven.com/ulladulla-shoalhaven-south-coast-nsw

Batemans Bay, the northern gateway to Eurobodalla, is at the heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast, where Clyde River oysters are harvested in crystal clean waters. The distinctive river-fed oysters can be sampled at Wray Street Oyster Shed and star on the menus in many Batemans Bay restaurants. This is the home to some of best oysters in the world – a claim based on the quality of the waters in which they grow. Batemans Bay is a bustling commercial hub set on one of the prettiest bays on the east coast of NSW. You will find everything you need here for a perfect short break or holiday - great shopping, a variety of accommodation options from luxury motels through to beachfront camping. Water front dining or a drink in one of the cafes and bars dotted along the esplanade is one of the most enjoyable ways to soak up the beautiful views of the bay.