This South Coast NSW campervan road trip suits couples, small families and anyone who wants beaches, easy drives and a slower pace without going far from Sydney. Allow 5 to 7 nights for the full loop from Manly down the Grand Pacific Drive to Jervis Bay and Ulladulla, then home through Kangaroo Valley. It's one of our favourite Sydney campervan road trips for a first week in the van.
At a glance
- Distance: about 522 km round trip
- Driving time: about 8.5 hours in total, spread over the week
- Suggested nights: 5–7 (this plan uses 6)
- Best time: October to April for swimming and camping; May to November for whales
- Starts and ends: Manly, Sydney
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manly to Kiama
Drive: 137 km, about 2.5 hours of driving (75 km to the Sea Cliff Bridge, then 62 km to Kiama)
Head south through Royal National Park, the start of the Grand Pacific Drive. A vehicle entry fee applies in the park, so check current rates before you go. Stop at Wattamolla for a swim, then climb out to Bald Hill Lookout above Stanwell Park before crossing the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Then it's an easy run to Kiama. Book a caravan park in town so you can walk to the blowhole at dusk and have a hot shower.
Day 2: Kiama to Jervis Bay via Berry
Drive: 73 km, about 1.3 hours (24 km to Berry, then 49 km to Hyams Beach)
Berry is only 20 minutes away. Grab something from the bakeries or the donut van, then continue past Nowra to Jervis Bay.
For the next two nights, stay in Booderee National Park or at a caravan park in Huskisson or Vincentia. Booderee is a Commonwealth park, not a NSW National Parks one, so it has its own entry passes and its own camping bookings. Green Patch is the campground to aim for with a van. Book well ahead for school holidays and summer weekends.
Day 3: Rest day in Jervis Bay
Swim at Hyams Beach early, before the car parks fill, or walk in along the White Sands Walk from Greenfield Beach. Spend the afternoon in Booderee snorkelling, spotting kangaroos, or visiting Cape St George Lighthouse. Between May and November, a whale-watching cruise out of Huskisson is well worth it, and dolphins live in the bay all year.
Day 4: Jervis Bay to Ulladulla
Drive: 56 km, about 55 minutes
A short leg down the Princes Highway. Set up at a caravan park in Ulladulla or Mollymook, then head to Mollymook Beach for a surf or swim. Ulladulla harbour is a good spot to buy fresh seafood to cook on the induction cooktop that night.
Day 5: Rest day around Ulladulla and Mollymook
Walk the headlands, swim at the rock pools or explore the quieter bays south of town. If you're tempted by Pigeon House Mountain (Didthul), note the access road is long and unsealed, which isn't a good match for a long, high-roof van. Stick to the sealed coast roads.
Day 6: Ulladulla to Kangaroo Valley
Drive: 86 km, about 1.4 hours
Drive back north to Nowra, then turn inland on Moss Vale Road over Cambewarra Mountain. This road is steep and winding, with tight bends on the way up and down the range. Take it slowly, use a lower gear on the descent into the valley rather than riding the brakes, and pull over at the lookout if a queue builds behind you.
Kangaroo Valley is green, quiet and full of wombats at dusk. Stay at a caravan park in the valley, or at Bendeela Recreation Area if you're comfortable without facilities beyond basic toilets. Check the current camping rules and availability before you rely on it. Don't miss the historic Hampden Bridge and a paddle on the Kangaroo River.
Day 7: Kangaroo Valley to Manly via Fitzroy Falls
Drive: 170 km, about 2.5 hours
The climb out of the valley towards Fitzroy Falls is another steep, winding section, so take it steady. Stop at the Fitzroy Falls visitor area for the short walk to the lookouts, then head to the Hume Motorway and back up to Sydney. Leave by early afternoon to miss Sydney's peak hour.
Best stops along the way
Royal National Park
Wattamolla has a lagoon, a waterfall and a sheltered beach, and it's the easiest swim stop in the park with a van. The car park fills early on warm weekends, so arrive before mid-morning.
Bald Hill Lookout
This headland above Stanwell Park looks straight down the coast to the Sea Cliff Bridge. On a good wind day you'll watch hang-gliders and paragliders launch from the grass.
Sea Cliff Bridge
The bridge curves out over the ocean between Coalcliff and Clifton. Driving it takes seconds, so park at one end and walk the footpath across for the views and the sound of the waves below.
Kiama Blowhole
When the swell is up, the blowhole can send spray up to 25 metres high. It performs best with a south-easterly swell, so a flat day might only give you a gurgle. The Little Blowhole, a short drive south, is often more reliable.
Berry
A small town with heritage buildings, bakeries, boutiques and the well-known donut van. Parking in the main street is tight for a big van, so use the side streets.
Hyams Beach
The sand here is famously white and squeaky. It gets extremely busy in summer and on long weekends, and parking is limited, so come early or walk in from a neighbouring beach.
Booderee National Park
Booderee covers the southern headland of Jervis Bay and is jointly managed with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. You need a park entry pass, and camping is booked separately through Booderee, not NSW National Parks. Murrays Beach is great for snorkelling, and eastern grey kangaroos graze around Green Patch.
Mollymook
A long surf beach just north of Ulladulla with a relaxed, local feel. Swim between the flags in summer. The town is known for its seafood, so plan at least one dinner here.
Fitzroy Falls
The falls drop about 80 metres into the Yarrunga Valley, and short, well-made walks lead to several lookouts. It's right on the road out of Kangaroo Valley, so it barely adds time to the drive home. Bring a jacket, as it's often cooler up on the plateau than on the coast.
Tips for doing this trip in the Allure van
- No toilet on board: caravan parks and Green Patch have amenities, and every town on this route has public toilets. Plan overnight stops around facilities.
- Cold water only: the indoor and outdoor showers are great for rinsing off salt and sand. Book caravan parks every second night or so for a hot shower.
- High roof: avoid multi-storey car parks in Wollongong and Nowra, and skip unsealed or 4WD-only roads such as the Pigeon House Mountain access. Take Cambewarra Mountain and the climb to Fitzroy Falls slowly. See the van's full layout.
- Off-grid nights: the 360Ah of lithium batteries keep the fridge running for a few days, so you can camp at Green Patch without a powered site.
- Bring the boards: Mollymook and the beaches around Jervis Bay suit surfers, snorkellers and paddleboarders.
- Pets: dogs are welcome in the van, but they're not allowed in Booderee or other national parks. Pick a dog-friendly caravan park at Jervis Bay instead.
FAQ
How many days do you need for a South Coast NSW road trip?
Five nights covers the highlights at a comfortable pace. Six or seven adds rest days at Jervis Bay and Ulladulla. Map your own version in the trip planner, or keep heading south on the Snowy Mountains and Sapphire Coast route.
Can you camp at Jervis Bay in a campervan?
Yes. Green Patch in Booderee National Park takes campervans, and there are caravan parks in Huskisson, Vincentia and around the bay. Booderee bookings are made through the park itself, not NSW National Parks, so book ahead for busy periods.
Can you free camp on the South Coast?
Only in designated areas. Free camping rules vary by council, and you can't camp on town streets or in beach car parks. Use caravan parks, national park campgrounds (most need booking) or signed recreation areas.
Is the road to Kangaroo Valley suitable for a campervan?
Yes, it's sealed, but the Moss Vale Road over Cambewarra Mountain is steep and winding. Drive it in daylight, go slowly and use a low gear on the descents.
When your dates are set, check availability and we'll have the van ready for you in Manly.