Family routes & manageable stages
For a family trip, a route with several short legs can be easier to manage than a long loop. The South Coast of New South Wales offers one connected example: Sydney, Kiama and Shoalhaven Heads, Jervis Bay, Bawley Point, Kangaroo Valley and back via Berry. The published five-day route lists about one to two-and-a-half hours of driving for each stage. Add an overnight stay and it becomes a six-day holiday with less daily packing.
A five-day coastal loop from Sydney
Day 1 – Sydney to Shoalhaven Heads via Kiama: The drive is listed at about two hours. Make Kiama the main break for the Blowhole, then finish the day at Shoalhaven Heads beach. That keeps the coastal destination within easy reach after arrival instead of filling the day with several widely separated detours.
Day 2 – Jervis Bay: Allow about one hour for the drive. Use the area as an overnight base for beach and nature time. Day 3 – Bawley Point: The next leg is around 1.5 hours. It continues south along the coast; staying in Bawley Point keeps the day’s move manageable.
Day 4 – Kangaroo Valley: Allow roughly 1.5 hours for the change from coast to hinterland. Day 5 – return to Sydney via Berry: The drive is listed at about 2.5 hours. Break it up with a visit in Berry and a walk or meal stop rather than treating the return journey as one continuous final push.
Turn five days into a more relaxed week
If you have six or seven days, add an overnight stay in Jervis Bay or Shoalhaven Heads and keep one day open for weather, beach time or rest. That way, each stop does not have to fit into a single activity day. Tourism Australia recommends regular breaks on family road trips, about every two hours in a town or city, and one or two spare days to allow for changes. Keep a day bag within reach with spare clothes, water and the child’s essentials for those stops.
Choose the route according to the trip’s purpose: the five-day loop joins coast and hinterland; an extra stay in one place works better if swimming, walks or a boat trip matter more than adding another destination. One planned activity per day is enough to anchor the day, with other stops left flexible. The Australia with children overview connects this route choice with accommodation and transport decisions.
Add transport and accommodation that fit
This is a self-drive example, not the only family option. If you want to avoid longer drives, combine city stays with public transport and hire a car just for the regional coast section. For any longer driving days, reserve the required child seat with the vehicle; the detail guide to flying, driving and child restraints explains NSW child-restraint rules.
For overnight stays, family accommodation and self-catering compares kitchen access, laundry and sleeping areas. Add general travel planning and stays, ideas for nature and activities, and camping and motorhome travel. The route itself remains simple: south along the coast, then back through the hinterland.
