Leaving the Harbour City behind, follow the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive 1.5 hours south to Wollongong, in the heart of the beautiful Illawarra region. Historically a coal and steel centre, ‘The Gong’ has transformed into a vibrant coastal city tucked between the rugged beauty of the Illawarra Escarpment and the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Cruise the stunning sweep of the Sea Cliff Bridge as it hugs the coast with panoramic views of coastal scenery. Enjoy a sunny interlude in the salt water rock pools at secluded Coalcliff Beach and discover why writer DH Lawrence was so enchanted when he set foot in the region almost 100 years ago.

Kickstart your heart with an unforgettable skydiving adventure with award-winning Skydive Sydney Wollongong, and toast your bravado with a handcrafted beer or cocktail at The Illawarra Brewery. For a little luxury, Headlands Austinmer Beach offers self-contained apartments and penthouses.

Take an idyllic country detour through the hinterland of the Kiama region, where gentle rolling hills dotted with dairy cows and rustic stone walls will lead you to the gorgeous village of Jamberoo. With its colonial buildings and 19th century churches, this heritage town is a delightful base to explore the valley.

Dive into action-packed family fun at Jamberoo Action Park with world-class rides and water slides. Take a thrilling zip line through lush rainforest or stroll along suspension bridges high up in the treetops at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, with panoramic views to the coast.

One for nature-lovers, Budderoo National Park has gorgeous waterfalls, stunning lookouts and elevated walkways to explore.

Back on the coast, experience the magic of paddle boarding at sunrise with Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour and spend a lazy afternoon at Killalea Reserve, a scenic spot popular for surfing, fishing, picnics and camping.

Cruise back to the coast and the seaside holiday hub of Kiama, home to the famous blowhole, beautiful white sandy beaches and gourmet food experiences.

Watch as the iconic Kiama Blowhole, the world’s largest, erupts with a sonic boom and blasts seawater 30m into the air (occasionally over unsuspecting tourists standing too close). Dry off over a gourmet lunch and artisan coffee with sublime views of the harbour at the popular Penny Whistlers cafe.

Book a tour and explore Buena Vista Farm, a pastoral delight nestled in the green hills overlooking the ocean. Passed down through the same family since 1859, the historic farm holds cooking classes, cheese tastings and has a small farm shop.

In nearby Gerringong, you can sample locally brewed beer and cider at Stoic Brewing and browse contemporary local works at award-winning Fern Street Gallery, run by professional artists.

Journeying south toward Jervis Bay, make a slight detour inland to the charming village of Berry, with its beautiful historic buildings and sophisticated shopping. Award-winning Silos Estate is part working alpaca farm, part vineyard and part restaurant – stop in to glimpse the curious critters or enjoy lunch and a glass of wine overlooking the estate. If you’d prefer to indulge in the arts, set your GPS for spectacular Bundanon, a dramatic, award-winning art museum home to the Boyd Collection Gallery. The drive here is worth it.

There’s also accommodation on the Bundanon site, but it’s hard to look past nearby Bangalay Luxury Villas, set among the Shoalhaven coastal Bangalay Sand Forest. Each of the 16 villas comes with golf course- or garden-views and niceties range from an open fireplace to sun-soaked decks. The on-site restaurant is like Australia in a mouthful, highlighting native produce that ranges from finger lime to wattleseed and strawberry gum.

Prepare to be dazzled by breathtaking Jervis Bay in the Shoalhaven region, famous for its powder-white sands and aquamarine waters. A natural harbour edged with temperate rainforest, eucalypts, dunes and mangroves, it’s a place of astounding natural beauty and great historic significance, with Aboriginal heritage dating back thousands of years.

Booderee National Park is a nature lover’s paradise with crystal clear waters and superb botanic gardens, while Jervis Bay National Park offers some of the best vantage points for whale watching from May to November.

Don’t miss the atmospheric ruin of the Cape St George Lighthouse built in 1860 atop dramatic cliffs rising up from the Tasman Sea below.

Feast on wood fired pizzas and craft beers in the buzzing beer garden at Jervis Bay Brewing Co. You'll often find the Mirritya Mundya food truck parked around town. It's an indigenous dining experience not to be missed, infusing native ingredients with other cuisines.

Wind through rolling green farmland to the picturesque harbour town of Ulladulla, renowned for its unspoilt golden beaches, bountiful fresh seafood, and surrounding lush hinterland. A fishing port since 1859, holidaymakers flock here in the summer months.

Local favourite Mollymook Beach is a beautiful 2km stretch of golden sand and clear blue water, with dolphins known to frolic in the waves. In the evening, dine on freshly caught red snapper, blue eye trevalla or local lobsters on the headland at upmarket Rick Stein's restaurant at Bannisters by the Sea, with gorgeous views overlooking the ocean.

For a true gourmet experience, Cupitt's Restaurant, Winery, Brewery and Fromagerie has it all – a boutique cellar door, restaurant and microbrewery as well as delectable handmade cheeses all in a beautiful rustic coastal setting. Enjoy tranquil views across the vineyard; you can even bring your pooch (on a lead).

Your next base is Batemans Bay, but before you get there pause to stretch your legs along the scenic 2km Burrawang Walking Track, part of Murramarang South Coast Walk, a new multi-day walk in the region. Across Depot Beach Headland, this trail weaves through towering spotted gums, a dreamy habitat for wildlife that ranges from eastern grey kangaroos to sea eagles, little penguins and even elusive lyrebirds. You’ll want to linger at North Durras Beach – views along the windswept coastline are a salve for the soul.

Dive into the delicious heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast at Batemans Bay, a must-stop for seafood lovers. A coastal town on the beautiful Clyde River famous for its oysters, Batemans Bay is a gateway to pristine waterways and adventure.

Enjoy succulent Clyde River oysters straight out of the water at The Farm Gate and Oyster Shed on Wray Street or treat yourself to a twilight seafood dinner cruise aboard the MV Merinda with Merinda Cruises, complete with a fascinating commentary on local history and wildlife. The water is also your backdrop at Broulee Brewhouse, tucked behind the dunes of North Broulee Beach. Drop in for a pale ale or IPA made on-site, and grab a burger or fish and chips to fuel you through the next part of your journey.

Surf Beach Batemans Bay is a popular beach with gentle waves and grassy areas perfect for a picnic. Explore the magical underwater world of the Cullendulla Sanctuary on a Glass Bottom Kayak Tour with Region X Sea Kayak and Camping Adventures.

Don't miss the famous Mogo Wildlife Park, which houses an extraordinary collection of over 250 animals, from gorillas and rhinos to zebras and snow leopards, together in a natural, botanical haven.

Driving through spectacular Eurobodalla is a roadtripper's delight. From beautiful riverside Moruya, past glittering waterways around Tuross Head, to the rich farmlands of Bodalla, you'll be spoiled with superb scenery, delicious produce and captivating history.

For a bird's eye view, take a scenic flight with South Coast Seaplanes or, if you prefer your feet on the ground, Moruya Heads Lookout offers stunning coastal views. For a longer walking option, explore coastal habitat and local Aboriginal heritage on the 14km Bingi Dreaming Track, which connects campsites, ceremonial sites and Indigenous food sources. The beautiful Eurobodalla National Park is perfect for a day trip in nature.

Fancy ice cream or soft cheese? Bodalla Dairy ticks the box. Indulge in a creamy treat, watch the craft of cheesemaking, buy delicious produce and bottle feed the calves in the farmyard.

If swimming with seals is on your bucket list, you’ll love idyllic Narooma on the stunning Wagonga inlet. Gateway to the wildlife wonder of Montague Island and surrounded by sparkling blue waterways, Narooma is a mecca for nature lovers.

Take a tour of the spectacular Montague Island Nature Reserve, home to a colony of fur seals and other wildlife, and a sacred site of the Yuin people. You can dive in with the seals or even spend a night at the historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Opt for an immersive exploration of Indigenous history with Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, who run experiences on Djirringanj Country that reveal the Dreaming stories of the Yuin people. It might inspire you to return and enlist in one of the company’s multi-day Yuin Retreats, exploring this spiritual countryside.

With its pristine waters, Wagonga Inlet is perfect for kayaking. Paddle past oyster farms, an historic cemetery and lush old growth forest.

Kick back with a cocktail at The Quarterdeck Narooma, an old boat shed turned tiki bar on the shores of beautiful Forsters Bay. If you want to stay longer, indulge in a decadent break with Southbound Escapes Tours, offering luxury accommodation and your own private driver and tour guide.

Nestled in a pocket of lush South Coast hinterland in the foothills of an ancient volcano, you’ll find the historic villages of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba. These picturesque gold rush towns with their well-preserved timber cottages date back to the 1890s and are classified by the National Trust.

Browse the weekly Tilba Markets where you can buy local hand crafts, homewares and fresh produce, and see artisan cheesemakers in action at the famous ABC Cheese Factory.

Taste superb local wines at Mimosa Wines seven-acre vineyard and enjoy a ploughman's lunch at the Tilba Valley Winery and Ale House on the shores of Lake Corunna.

Test your fitness on the Gulaga Mountain Walk, a steep track built for gold miners in 1894 that will take you to the top of the forested extinct volcano, a site of great Aboriginal significance. Enjoy spectacular views of the coast from the summit.

When the sparkling blue of the Pacific flashes into view, you’ll know you’ve reached the Sapphire Coast of NSW, home of the beautiful seaside town of Merimbula. Nestled between pristine lakes and waterways, this holiday resort is famous for its oysters, water sports and the passing parade of migrating whales.

For the famous, creamiest Sydney Rock oysters, you can't go past Broadwater Oysters. The team here also work with Navigate Expeditions to take you out onto the calm waters of the Pambula River for a ‘Kayak and Shuck’ tour: paddle this serene estuary, then reward your efforts with an oyster shucking class. More of these tasty molluscs await at Wheelers Oyster Farm, where you can meet the farmers and see how Sydney Rock oysters are harvested before sitting down to a seafood feast in the on-site restaurant.

There’s daily fish feeding and tropical marine life at the Merimbula Aquarium, or head out to sea on a whale watching cruise with Sapphire Coastal Adventures. Mimosa Rocks National Park, named after a paddle-steamer that wrecked here in 1863, is a spectacular 20km stretch of untamed coastline. Explore fascinating rock formations, rainforest, lagoons and deserted beaches.

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