Family road trips are something that memories are made of — and with so many locations right outside our own awesome Aussie backdoor, there are always new memories to make and loads of places to explore. From deciding on a destination and where to stay, to picking the music playlist and packing up the car with all the essentials, there’s often a real buzz to the road trip experience before you’ve even hit the road!
As the seasons roll towards the cooler weather, for this road trip we’re heading from Sydney to beautiful Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast’s Eurobodalla (often referred to as the Oyster Coast). It’s a picture-perfect drive that offers plenty of amazing views along with options of stops for a coffee (or lunch!) break and places to give the kids a play and pets a run if they’ve joined the rest of the family along for the ride!
A few directions
Hop on the M1 and Princes Highway/A1 from Sydney and follow the signs to Wollongong and the South Coast! If you head direct to Batemans (without any detours) it’s about 280km and should take just under four hours (traffic conditions permitting of course!). If you have the time, stopping in at one or more of our suggested sights and towns will give you the opportunity to take in the incredible south coast vibe and hospitality and really make the most of your road trip experience!
Best tyres for the drive
There are so many great things about a road trip with the family – and a good quality set of tyres that assure you a safe and comfortable experience is an all-important part of making it an enjoyable drive! With SUVs continuing to be a super popular car with Aussie families, the new Maxxis RAZR AT-S is perfect to take you on your next road trip, with eight new sizes soon to be added to the range and ready to take on any road conditions. The RAZR HT780 and M36+ Mrs Run Flat are amongst the other premium quality highway terrain Maxxis tyres suited to a range of modern SUVs and other family passenger vehicles. For help in selecting the best tyres for your vehicle and requirements, check out our full range of tyres online or call in and have a chat with one of our expert dealers at a location convenient to you. While we’re talking of tyres, make sure to check your tyre pressures before you set off (while they are still cool) and don’t forget the spare if you have one! If your vehicle is particularly loaded (or you are towing a jet ski, trailer, van or boat) it’s always important to check your owner’s manual (or the placard on the inside of the driver’s door) to ensure your tyres are correctly pumped and ready for your extra load!
Where to stop along the way
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to take a break on the way to Batemans – with literally hundreds of great options of lookouts, parks, beaches, cafes and towns. Here are our picks to help you make the most of the journey:
- Sea Cliff Bridge: This 665m bridge is iconic in the Illarawara area, offering sweeping views of the coastline for miles around. There’s parking on both sides of the bridge so you can get out and stretch your legs, even take a walk from one side to the other.
- Wollongong Botanic Gardens: Situated at the foot of majestic Mount Keira, the gardens have a multitude of different areas through which to take a stroll including rainforests, grasslands, wetland, roses and palms. While the Mount Keira Summit Palk offers spectacular views over the city, there are also some self-guided trails through the gardens.
- Kiama Blow Hole: A hit with the kids (and the rest of us too!) the mysterious blow hole can spurt out water up to 30m if you catch it at its height! While you may not be lucky enough to get the timing exactly right, it’s next to a great picnic area and kids’ playground and is always an impressive sight.
- Berry: Brimming with country charm, Berry is the perfect spot for a coffee or lunch at one of the town’s award-winning restaurants. The town is also home to a number of boutique shops where you can browse for the perfect gift. There’s a Thursday Farmers’ Market where you can stock your esky for the rest of the trip ahead.
- Ulladulla: Renowned for its picturesque harbour where fisherman bring in their latest catch, what better place to stop in for the freshest fish and chips looking over some of the area’s most amazing ocean views?
About Batemans Bay
Surrounded by a range of fabulous beaches (perfect for surfing, swimming and everything in between), Batemans Bay is home to the Clyde River which comes complete with houseboats and provides the perfect opportunity to kayak, canoe or do a bit of fishing! A popular spot for family holidays, Batemans is a fantastic road trip destination for birdwatching, cycling, walks and trails or just kicking back and enjoying being away from it all. If you’re after a good holiday park with cabins (or to park your van or do some camping or glamping), there are a few in Batemans including a Big 4 situated in poll position on the river! If you’re after somewhere quiet and secluded to pitch a tent, the Red Gum Campground offers unpowered sites also on the river just out of town.
What you won’t want to miss…
The Ultra Fresh Seafood…Batemans is renowned for its super fresh oysters, prawns and other seafood. The Boatshed is one of several great places to have the freshest fish and chips straight from the boat. And if Oysters are your thing, make sure you pop in at the Pearly Oyster Bar and Farm and get your fix!
Batemans Sculpture Walk…Take in these eight permanent sculptures situated along the walkway from the town along the foreshore.
The kayaking…Batemans is a great destination for learning to kayak, with kayaking a perfect way to do a bit of exploring of the area! Hire a kayak and enjoy the views as you paddle.
The beaches…Whether you’re wanting a safe family swimming beach, somewhere for a long walk on beautiful soft sand or you’re up for a bit of surfing, Batemans delivers! Surf Beach, Malua Bay and Broulee Beach are all in easy striking distance, with many more throughout the Eurobodalla area.
Where to stay
Whether you’re looking for somewhere handy for town, a view or a spot tucked away from the main drag, Batemans has getaways sorted for every budget. From the holiday parks and camp sites already mentioned to self-catering apartments and holiday houses with river views, motels and resorts, there’s a range of accommodation to choose from. School holidays and long weekends are very busy so unless you’re travelling mid-week or out of season, it’s always best to book ahead.
Before you go
Batemans is well served by the main supermarkets as well as a range of other shops and speciality fresh produce stores, which makes self-catering super simple (and eliminates the need to stock up ahead of the trip)! One essential thing you should do before you set off, however, is to do a check of your tyres! If you want help with repairs or selecting a new set that is right for your vehicle, our friendly Maxxis dealers are very easy to find using the handy dealer search tool.
