Grand Pacific Drive day trip from Sydney itinerary

Sometimes, nothing is more peaceful than a scenic drive with the windows down and the ocean breeze cutting through your hair.

You’ll get just that on Grand Pacific Drive.

At less than 100km from the CBD, it’s the perfect day trip from Sydney.

Once you get past the suburbs of Southern Sydney, instead of continuing toward the M1, turn left into the Royal National Park at Loftus – where the real journey begins.

Royal National Park

Shortly after turning onto Farnell Avenue and into the park, the 7-11 petrol stations and roadside McDonald’s that were just a few intersections back suddenly feel a million miles away.

You’re soon surrounded by greenery on either side of the two-lane road that snakes its way through the park. The further you drive, the more lush it gets, with the last few kilometres giving serious thick, rainforest vibes.

While there is a $12 fee for using the park, since you’re just driving through you won’t be required to pay unless you stop.

From beaches to waterfalls to scenic coastal tracks, there’s plenty to do in the park. A visit can easily warrant a full day in its own right, and is best covered in its own post.

Tip: if you’re long on time, take a side trip to Wattamolla Beach. It’s a stunning, but unfortunately popular, beach in the middle of the national park. Not only is it a stellar swimming spot, there are some beautiful coastal walks that set off from here.

Bald Head

Twenty-or-so kilometres through the national park later, you’ll come to the very aptly named Bald Hill.

A paraglider’s paradise, this grassy hill slopes down to the sea high above the suburb of Stanwell Park.

Looking south on a clear day, you’ll be treated to expansive views of beaches and rolling hills right down to Wollongong.

Coalcliff Rockpools

You’re not short on beaches along this drive, and, if you’re driving in summer, you may even want to stop at more than one.

Coalcliff Rockpools, not far past Stanwell Park, offers both a formed pool and a few natural spots to cool off in.

Sea Cliff Bridge

The Sea Cliff Bridge was seemingly made for Australian car commercials.

Hugging the coast at Coalcliff, the bridge quickly became a star on both TV and for tourists when it opened roughly 20 years ago. It’s now a highlight on many Grand Pacific Drive road trip itineraries.

The perfect excuse to stretch your legs, a walkway on the ocean side of the 655-metre long bridge. The return walk from where you’ll be able to park will be roughly 1.5 kilometres long.

Headlands Hotel

Six kilometres and five beaches later, the Headlands Hotel sits perched.

While The Scarborough Hotel certainly has made a name for itself, with its clifftop location and sweeping ocean views, just a few kilometres down the road sits another seaside gem.

The Headlands Hotel at Austinmer offers sweeping views both north and south along the coast. There’s a beach on either side

Stuart Park

While the park itself has all the usual offerings, it’s the combination of location, nearby facilities and even skydivers dotting the sky above you that makes Stuart Park an excellent picnic spot.