Driving in between Sydney and Melbourne is popular road trip route both inland, and on the coast. This post covers the inland route in-between Sydney and Melbourne. There’s plenty of sightseeing, free campsites and opportunities to see how life rolls outside of the two metropolitan areas.
This is an ideal road trip option for backpackers and other travellers of all ages alike.
This inland drive from Sydney to Melbourne takes offers a completely different experience than the coastal drive. Inland requires an appetite for scenic views, rural towns and dry landscapes. It’s a less touristy route, meaning most free campsites aren’t that busy.
Most of the regional town on this route gained traction and population in the gold rush era. Many still have remaining museums and tourist attractions related to this era.
This route can be done in any amount of time. Try to limit driving to under five hours per day with two drivers, and less with just one. The entire route can be done in three days, but it could go a week or longer.
Aside from the route option, I’m sharing tips for free campsites to stay along the drive, where to stop and what makes each place unique.
For those that aren’t liken to camping along the way, pin your details into the search box below to find deals on accommodation.
Table of Contents
Road Trip: Sydney to Melbourne Inland
Total drive time: 11.5 hours
Recommended Minimum Days: 5
Day 1: Sydney to the Blue Mountains, NSW
Drive time: One hour (100 km)
The Blue Mountains is just a one hour drive from Sydney, but it feels worlds away. Leaving the bustling city for the Blue Mountains is a quiet retreat and the perfect beginning to this road trip. The Blue Mountains offers life-changing views of peaceful eucalyptus forests, colloquially known as gum trees.
Sightseeing
It doesn’t take much Googling to notice the Three Sisters is one of the most popular sightseeing options in the Blue Mountains. The ‘Sisters’ are three uniquely-shaped rocks on the side of a cliff. Of course, they’re surrounded by awe striking views of gum tree forests.
Wentworth Falls—the waterfalls itself, not just the town—is another stunning option for sightseeing in the Blue Mountains. There’s multiple walks in the area, and a picnic area complete with barbecues, next to the parking lot. Stop by for quick pictures, or stay for the day. Take in the fragrant gum trees, anytime of year.
Free campsites
Due to the beauty and popularity of free campsites in the Blue Mountains, most get busy early. Arrive early to avoid missing out on a campsite. During busy times of the year this could mean the afternoon. Less busy times, it’s still good to arrive before 5 p.m.
- Bilpin Reserve
- Blackheath Glen Reserve
- Burralow Creek Campground
- Cathedral Reserve
- Dunphy’s Reserve
- Lockyer’s Track Campground
- Mount York Campground
- Murphys Glen Campground
- Old Ford Reserve
- Perrys Lookdown Campground
Find out all the important information about these campsites, by checking out this article on free camprounds in the Blue Mountains.
Day 2: The Blue Mountains to Young, NSW
Drive time: Three hours (275 km)
The road leaving the Blue Mountains towards Young, New South Wales weaves through picturesque pastures and hills. Watch as the terrain changes from the damp rainforest to dry hills.
Google Maps shows the inland road trip from Sydney to Melbourne passes by many towns, even cities. While passing by, you’ll notice they’re not big at all. This is due to a lower popular and greater distances between towns. Which leads to even smaller towns appearing larger on the map. Young, NSW however, is as large and small towns come.
Young is known as the cherry capital of NSW. If you’re passing through in the summer, look out for local cherries to purchase. Or, get out of the car and pick some cherries from October to January at local farms. Any other time of year, Young has a pair of giant cherries in town as a reminder of its widely-known title.
This is a good place to stop as it has major grocery stores including Woolworths, ALDI and Coles.
Free campgrounds
These campgrounds aren’t specifically in Young, but they’re in the surrounding area. Most are close to the highway, and coming from the Blue Mountains this is a good distance to stop for the evening.
- Farleigh Reserve
- Cowra Edgell Park Rest Stop
- Benedict Murrell Rest Area
- Tout Park Scenic View Campground
- Wallendbeen Rest Area
Day 3: Young to Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Drive time: Two hours (226 km)
It’s not a long drive from Young to Kosciuszko National Park. The short drive makes it a good time to stop along the way. Gundagai is a worth while stop. It’s a somewhat sleepy, old-fashioned looking town. But, it’s also an RV-friendly town, with tons of free campsites for self-contained vehicles.
To get a view of the area, head to Gundagai’s Rotary Lookout. To compliment the view, there’s information on locals mountains and some history from the area. It’s also a good spot to see the historic bridges that are still standing.
Then, challenging the desert landscapes, is Kosciuszko National Park. Which has snowy peaks in the winter and wild green terrain in the summer. Aside from being difficult to pronounce, Kosciuszko is NSW’s largest National Park and home to the highest mountain in the state: Kosciuszko Peak. The Northern end of the park is a 45 min off the M31, heading to Melbourne.
Hikes
Aside from plentiful free campground in the national park, there’s also hikes all-year around. Different walks and hikes are possible depending on your time available, or motivation. Blowering Cliffs walking track can be done in under three hours. Or, Old Mountain Road and Jounama walking tracks can both be done in under two hours. The first two hikes have views, and the later ends up at a natural pool.
Free campgrounds
In addition to wild landscapes, hikes and snowy mountains there’s a multitude of free campgrounds in the area. Focusing on the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park, these campgrounds are generally spacious and secluded. A perfect escape from a day of busy highway driving.
- Log Bridge Creek campground
- The Pines campground
- Humes Crossing
- Yachting Point
- Rock Flat campground
- Yolde campground
- Jounama Creek campground
Day 4: Kosciuszko National Park to Albury, NSW
Drive time: Two and a half hours (288 km)
Whether you choose to stay longer than a day at Kosciuszko National Park or not, Albury, NSW is a short drive away. Albury is the last stop in NSW and lands right on the Murray River—which is also the border of Victoria.
Albury is a big town in rural NSW, home to a bright dining scene, making it a perfect place to stop by before heading to a campsite. The local art gallery underwent a A$11.2 million overhaul renovation in 2015. The end product was the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA). Admission is free and the gallery is open seven days a week. It’s a good stopover to check out local and indigenous art.
If an art gallery isn’t quite your thing, there’s also Albury Brewhouse serving up its own craft beers. As for cafes, Barista, Baker & Brewer, Cafe Musette, and Mr. Benedict are quality choices for coffee, food and ambiance.
Free campgrounds
There’s no free campgrounds in Albury itself, but there’s plenty outside of town, especially next to Lake Hume. The lake is popular destination for locals in the area and it may be busy on weekends.
- Jindera Spots Oval and Swimming Pool
- Ludlows Reserve
- Huon Reserve
- Allans Flat Swimming Hole
Day 5: Albury, NSW to Melbourne, VIC
Drive time: Three and a half hours (328 km)
Finally you’re in Victoria and soon-to-be Melbourne! Before arriving in Melbourne stretch your legs in Euroa, VIC just off the M31. Seven Creeks Park, has a trail next to the water, it’s relaxing on hot and cooler days alike.
Arriving in Melbourne can feel a bit hectic going from days of rural towns with little traffic to the Central Business District in the city. Watch out for tolls driving into the city, as there are a few that will lead to pricey bills. While in Melbourne, remember to take advantage of the world-renowned coffee culture.
If you’re heading out of the city East, towards the Great Ocean Road, check out Melbourne’s own pink lake. Located in Westgate Park, just before the West Gate Bridge, there’s a notoriously pink lake, Salt Water Lake.
It isn’t like this all year around though. It’s mainly in the summer, as the lake turns pink due to high salt content, high temperatures and lack of rain. The pink colour is actually from an algae that grows with these suitable conditions. The result is a picture perfect, bright rosy pink colour.
For more road trip options, check out this regional Victoria trip from Melbourne to Echuca and back. Or, up north Sydney to Brisbane and Brisbane to Cairns.
