On (And Off) The Road Long Weekend Road Trip – Sydney to Lakes Entrance

Looking for something fun to do on your next long weekend? Why not take your JAWA Off Road Camper for a spin?

Australia is an epic adventure playground for those brave enough to hit the road and explore. With endless amazing things to see and an impressive list of road trips to choose from, how do you narrow down your next trip?

Sydneysiders are spoilt for choice, with sunny Queensland up north, the Outback to the west, and underrated Victoria down south.

With that in mind, how about taking the road less travelled, following the map down to a little Victorian coastal town called Lakes Entrance?

Why Sydney to Lakes Entrance?

Craving a holiday that provides a real change of scenery? There’s no better way to jam-pack a trip with changing scenery than to travel through a variety of biomes, climates and landscapes! This may seem like quite an undertaking for a long weekend, but the Sydney to Lakes Entrance route makes it possible.

Firstly, there are two highways connecting Sydney to Lakes Entrance. The Monaro Highway/B23 passes through Canberra on its way down the inland route to Victoria. But if stunning coastal scenery is more your thing, you could take the A1 and travel through a string of beautiful southern NSW beachside towns, through Victoria’s forests and down to Lakes Entrance.

Can’t choose? Here’s where things get interesting – you don’t have to! Maximise your sightseeing by travelling down to Lakes Entrance one way and back up to Sydney via the other.

Sydney to Lakes Entrance Itinerary

There are plenty of places to stop along both routes, particularly along the A1 coastal route, so do some research and pick places you’d love to see if you have the time.

If you’d like a ready-made Sydney to Lakes Entrance long weekend itinerary though, here are our top stops that include off-road options worth exploring.

Day 1 – Sydney to Namadgi National Park

Distance: 340km

Time: 4 – 4.5 hours without stops or detours

Namadgi National Park is an ancient and awe-inspiring landscape that encompasses alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems, including environmentally significant high-altitude sphagnum bogs and lower-altitude mountain bushland.

The park is a haven for bushwalkers, cultural heritage buffs, mountain bikers, rock climbers and horse riders. However, it’s also perfect for more relaxed leisure pursuits such as photography and wildlife watching.

You can camp here but some tracks remain closed and most that are open are 4×4 only, so be sure to check conditions before you go.

Offroad opportunities: Some tracks are limited to four-wheel drive only.

NOTES: If you plan on staying in the park, remember to allocate extra time to get to your campground, set up and pack down (if needed).

Day 2 – Namadgi National Park to Lakes Entrance

Distance: 392km

Time: 5 hours without stops or detours

Lakes Entrance is a water-lovers playground, with the country’s largest network of inland waterways. It sits on the edge of 90 Mile Beach and is named for the scenic jewel of the Gippsland Lakes meeting the wild Southern Ocean.

Offroad opportunities: Gippsland is an off-roader’s paradise with plenty of tracks to choose from. Check out the Tambo Crossing to Lakes Entrance route. Recommended for beginners to moderately experienced 4×4 drivers, it offers some steep hills and river crossings for a challenge, and some great swimming opportunities along the way. If you enjoy relaxing on the river, check out our Pontoon Boats here.

Day 3 – Lakes Entrance to Batemans Bay

Distance: 438km

Time: 5 hours without stops or detours

Batemans Bay is a stunning southern NSW coastal town lapped by inviting waters and appealing to outdoor adventurers of all kinds.

The area is ideal for kayaking and hiking.

Keen to take a peek at what lies below? Dip your head in at the Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail to discover a whole new world.

Offroad opportunities: Shallow Crossing Campground offers a range of nature activities and 4×4 tracks.

Day 4 – Batemans Bay to Sydney

Distance: 280km

Time: 3.5 hours without stops or detours

Like any good adventure, eventually the time comes to start the trek back home. Luckily the stretch of coastline is no less stunning than what came before, so you’ll be enjoying the scenic route right to the city.

Planning your trip

• When planning your Sydney to Lakes Entrance road trip, remember the following things.
• Consider the time of year. Summer makes for hot travelling conditions through bushfire hotspots, while winter in Victoria is usually rainy and cold. Shoulder seasons can be ideal.
• This road trip involves long distances each day. Take this into account when planning your departure times. Remember to take enough breaks.
• A little bit of research can enrich your trip so you see and do the best the area has to offer.
• Don’t forget to visit your local Sydney JAWA Campers Showroom and Service Centre before you go to ensure you’re kitted out with everything you need. Our team are always on hand to talk your ear off with all the best camping tips and advice!

More Ideas For Off-Road Camping Adventures

• Noosa To Broome Road Trip
• Off-Roading on the World’s Largest Sand Islands
• Top 10 Places To Camp Within Two Hours’ Drive Of Sydney
• The Secret Gems on the Sydney to Brisbane Drive
• 4WD Camping Tracks Near Sydney – Weekend Adventure Awaits!
• Explore The Blue Mountains