Unfurling south of Sydney, the EV-friendly Grand Pacific Drive is one of Australia’s most awe-inspiring road trips. Even if you have only a few days to explore, the South Coast’s sights and experiences refresh you, inside and out. Revel in a new sense of freedom as your 200km drive guides you through ancient rainforests to some of the world’s whitest sandy beaches. Sip cool-climate wines, rejuvenate in luxury accommodation, stay and play in one of many charming towns –Kiama, Gerringong and Berry among them – and reconnect with friends old and new in unforgettable landscapes. You’ll find an energising discovery at every turn, including these highlights… 

Savour new flavours

You can taste the inspiration wherever you visit on the South Coast, with memorable dining served on a platter and world-class local produce to sample at the source. Your tastebuds’ transformation begins on the southern side of the landmark Sea Cliff Bridge, where The Scarborough Hotel pub is perched on the edge of the awe-inspiring Illawarra escarpment, overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Choose a table in the huge water-facing gardens, order the legendary fish and chips, and, from May through November, settle in for an afternoon of whale watching. 

Not quite ready for a substantial meal? Grab a coffee and sweet treats for the road and continue south to the beachside city of Wollongong and on to Kiama. Here in this popular holiday town you can visit the famous Blowhole, Lighthouse and Pilot’s Cottage Museum before enjoying all-day brunch at Diggies. Or seek out a sustainably sourced modern Australian feast at The Hill Bar and Kitchen in nearby Gerringong. 

Around a half-hour drive further south at Shoalhaven Heads, Bangalay Dining plates up creative dishes using a range of native Australian ingredients to intrigue your senses. Looking for a serving of bush foods in a more casual setting? Check out the Instagram page of Mirritya Mundya, which creates delicious dishes with an Indigenous twist, to see where its food truck might be when you’re in the Shoalhaven area. Or stop in at the Koori-run Blak Cede Gunyah Café and Shop in Nowra to discover the distinctive seasonings of wattleseed eggs benedict, kangaroo prosciutto or crocodile pie with coconut and lime. 

Marvel at the wave of flavours you experience as you down freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters at Jim Wild’s Oysters in Greenwell Point, between the Crookhaven River and Jervis Bay. Indulge in more fresh seafood at nearby Pelican Rocks Cafe, or hit the highway to continue on to the historic town of Milton. Devour a vegetarian spread at Pilgrims on Milton’s inviting main street, or head a few minutes out of town to wind down over paddock-to-plate dining at Milk HAUS, a former cheese factory that now houses a wholefoods eatery with a working kitchen garden.

Unwind between the vines

Create new memories on the South Coast’s unofficial wine trail, and sample cold-climate wines at their verdant source. It all starts north of the beachfront Seven Mile National Park, where Mountain Ridge Wines offers cellar door experiences and an indoor-outdoor restaurant with views over the vines. Then move on to nearby Coolangatta Estate, complete with a cellar door for wine and cheese flights, a formal restaurant and historic cottages. 

Track the curve of the Shoalhaven River for a few minutes from Coolangatta Estate and you’ll come to the award-winning Two Figs Winery, perched atop one of Mount Coolangatta’s foothills. As you sip shiraz or chardonnay, and tuck into a picnic platter of delicious deli goods, you’ll discover the breathtaking views over the river are equally moreish. 

From Two Figs, rejoin the highway for the short drive to Silos Estate to sample the winery’s shiraz, malbec and sauvignon as you graze on a cheese platter. Or cross the Shoalhaven River on the outskirts of Nowra and continue west to Cambewarra Estate , where you’ll quickly appreciate the fruits of the family-run winery’s tight focus on chardonnay, verdelho, chambourcin and cabernet sauvignon.

About an hour’s drive south of Nowra, and just a few minutes from Ulladulla, you’ll find Cupitt’s Estate – part winery, brewery and fromagerie, with an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant. Revitalise yourself with a stay in their chic luxury pods, where the mini-bars are stocked with boutique wine, craft beer and cheeses all made on site, and the understated elegance makes the everyday seem worlds away. 

Feel awe wherever you explore 

Every sense tingles with adrenaline as you hang glide over Stanwell Tops next to the Royal National Park and your heart soars as you skydive above Wollongong and learn to surf at the city’s Woonona Beach. 

Enjoy a relaxing roll along the wildly beautiful Kangaroo River on a canoe tour with Valley Outdoors or paddle around Jervis Bay’s glittering waterways with Sea Kayak Jervis Bay. While you’re there, you can discover some of the most picturesque beaches in the world on the White Sands Walk, a 90-minute loop linking Vincentia and Greenfield Beach. 

Ready for a whale of a time? Jervis Bay is a haven for migrating humpbacks; in the cooler months you can get up close to them on a whale-watching tour with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises – or combine an outing on the water with guided visits to two wineries on a Whales & Wine Tour. 

Slip under the waves to glide beside these massive creatures on a whale-swim with Dive Jervis Bay or Woebegone Freedive. As you come eye-to-eye with these gentle giants in the water, you’ll feel a heart-bursting sense of connection that stays with you a lifetime. 

Feel at one with the land and the waters of Jervis Bay on a day tour with Djungga Kultural Tours, where you’ll hear stories of the Yuin and Dharawal peoples and learn to seek out medicinal plants amid the pristine landscapes of Booderee National Park. Or immerse in Dharawal culture as you walk on Country surrounding Jervis Bay Maritime Museum on Gadhungal Marring’s Baabaa-Gulli Murru (Grandfather’s Track) Tour. 

As the sun sets over the hinterland and the stars slowly emerge in the darkening sky, join astrophysicist Dr Dimitri Douchin of Jervis Bay Stargazing on a Jervis Bay beach for a fascinating evening of storytelling, telescope viewing and laser-guided naked-eye astronomy. 

Retreat to your own private haven 

There’s a relaxation station to suit every type of traveller along the South Coast. Feel spoilt for choice in Berry – gather your inner circle or extended family at the side-by-side four-bedroom Maple Cottages in the heart of town, or stay in a luxury lodge a few minutes’ drive out of town at Mt Hay Retreat or The Drawing Rooms of Berry.

Treat your special someone to a romantic stay at Bangalay Luxury Villas, a 15-minute drive from Berry, and you’ll reconnect in beautiful seclusion mere steps away from the stunning beach of Seven Mile National Park. 

Linger for longer in Jervis Bay at Paperbark Camp, where some of the plush glamping tents feature freestanding tubs; settle into a self-catering cottage or safari tent at Bay and Bush; or retreat to Into The Wild Escapes’ Tiny Lola cabin for a serene stay for to six guests.

Push on a little further south to enjoy luxe coastal style at one of Bannisters’ two hotels in beachside Mollymook: Bannisters by the Sea and Bannisters Pavilion. The former comes with a celebrated Rick Stein seafood restaurant, while the latter offers pet-friendly rooms. Wherever you stay, you’ll find a combination of laidback luxury and natural beauty that melts away stress, leaving you feeling refreshed, centred and ready for anything.