88 Driver’ s diary
Coastal Cruising
Nick Walton cruises New South Wales’ stunning Grand Pacific Drive, a route of royal parks and rural tranquillity along some of Australia’ s most scenic coastline.
There is nothing quite like driving along the stunning Australian coastline. It’ s seemingly never-ending, so diverse and so driver-friendly, and although we as travellers are steadily spending more time in the air than on four wheels( or even two), Australia remains a driving nation, home to the southern road trip; and for people looking to explore beyond Sydney’ s markets and harbour, there is no road quite like the Grand Pacific Drive.
Reaching from Sydney’ s southern-most suburbs, bush-wreathed hamlets set on the state’ s iconic sandstone ridges, the route officially starts in the heart of the lush Royal National Park, and winds its way south to the cosmopolitan café culture and surf lines of Wollongong, the state’ s second city, and beyond to the rural beauty of Shoalhaven. Taking in some of some of New South Wales’ most breathtaking scenery, the Grand Pacific Drive gives access to a host of attractions and tiny coastal hamlets.
The 140km drive begins at the Royal National
Park, a 45 minutes drive from Sydney’ s CBD. Unbeknown to many, The Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world and is home to some of the region’ s most pristine beaches, which you’ ll regularly have all to yourself, as well as ancient Aboriginal cave art and some great walking tracks.
From there, it’ s all about bay hopping, taking in the sights and sounds, the local craft markets and art galleries, or just having a coffee on the beachfront while people-watching – the hamlets of Coalcliff and Stanwell Park, to name a few, are always welcoming.
The stunning stretch of road north of Wollongong is best known for its iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, which clings to the rocky coastline and almost teases the sea below as it winds its way round the bends, far above the thundering surf. The 665m long bridge is an engineering feat and has made this stretch of coastline accessible to all – it’ s also had its fair share of automotive commercial cameos. Why not try your hand at hang gliding from Bald Hill, or visit the massive Hindu temple at Helensburgh, though the most popular attraction seems to be walking the bridge at sunset.
Wollonggong has become increasingly cosmopolitan and is a great place with which to break your journey up, whether it’ s for some sun-worshipping on North Wollongong Beach, a meditation class at Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere, or for a spot of taste-testing at the Five Island’ s Brewery.
If you feel like a detour, head inland to discover Mt Keira and Mt Kembla. Take in the road before you from the Mt Keira Lookout, explore pristine bush or dive into the history books at the former coal-mining town of Mt Kembla Village. Otherwise Shellharbour is a postcard perfect late summer destination and a great one for families. www. grandpacificdrive. com. au www. jetsetter. hk