Sydney South Coast: Grand Pacific Drive & Fitzroy Falls

The Grand Pacific Drive: Sydney's South Coast in One Day

You're driven south from Sydney along the Grand Pacific Drive with stops at Stanwell Tops, the Sea Cliff Bridge, Kiama Blowhole, and Fitzroy Falls, including a rainforest walk where lyrebirds sing. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, and bottled water are included. Morning tea and lunch are at your own expense. The full day keeps all the main South Coast highlights in one trip without you managing the route or the timing.

Step-by-step itinerary

South Coast scenic drive and highlights

• Drive past Royal National Park
• Stop at Stanwell Tops viewpoint
• Walk Sea Cliff Bridge
• Morning tea stop at Thirroul
• Visit Kiama Blowhole
• Explore Kiama township
• Lunch with views at lookout
• Drive to Kangaroo Valley via Cambewarra Mountain
• Walk to Fitzroy Falls viewpoint

The experience

The van is already rolling south past the Royal National Park, Australia's oldest, when you realize how quickly the city drops away. Your driver knows the timing: Stanwell Tops first, where the Southern Coastline opens up in front of you, all cliff and water and the kind of view that makes you stop talking. The Sea Cliff Bridge comes next, that engineering thing that juts out from the rock face and sweeps over the Pacific. It's a 15-minute walk, and the water below is so clear you can see down into it. If you're lucky, a manta ray moves through.

By mid-morning you're in Thirroul, a boutique township where D.H. Lawrence wrote parts of "Kangaroo" back in 1922, and the café culture is still the main event: morning tea is on your own, but the place is built for it. The drive continues down the coast, and then you hit the Kiama Blowhole, where the rock formation shoots seawater 20 meters into the air on a good swell. The lighthouse nearby dates from the 1880s and the whole town has that seaside-history feel that makes you want to linger. You'll have time to walk around, look at the boutique shops, or just stand there watching the water come up.

Lunch happens at Cambewarra Lookout: at your own expense, but the café is there and the views are 145 kilometers across farmland, the Shoalhaven River, and the coast stretching both directions. You're 678 meters up. After that, the drive takes you through Kangaroo Valley, which people actually claim is the most beautiful valley in Australia, and then to Fitzroy Falls. The walk to the top is through rainforest, and if you're quiet on the track, you might hear a lyrebird. They mimic everything they hear, natural sounds and artificial ones both. The waterfall itself is the kind of thing that makes the whole day click into place.

The whole day runs full-length, and you're back at your hotel by evening. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport or timing yourself. The van is air-conditioned, the driver knows the stops, and the National Park fees are already paid.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport by air-conditioned minivan with a driver/guide, entry to Royal National Park and Fitzroy Falls, and bottled water throughout.
• Morning tea in Thirroul and lunch at Cambewarra Lookout are at your own expense.
• Specialized infant seats are available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Runaway Tours Sydney

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want the main South Coast attractions in one full day without arranging your own transport, park tickets, or timing: the private van and fixed itinerary handle all three, and you're back at your hotel by evening.

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Top questions

How long is the full day?

The tour runs full-day from hotel pickup to drop-off, with stops at six main attractions and two meal breaks.

Is the Sea Cliff Bridge walk difficult?

No, it's a short 15-minute walk on the bridge itself. The rainforest walk to Fitzroy Falls is also a gentle stroll to the top.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned van transport, National Park fees, bottled water, and a driver/guide. Morning tea and lunch are at your own expense.

Can I see manta rays at the Sea Cliff Bridge?

They are prevalent in the area, so it's possible, but not guaranteed. The water is clear enough to see down into it.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Some walks are short and gentle, though the rainforest track to Fitzroy Falls is a stroll through the forest.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen and a hat, and dress for the weather. The van is air-conditioned, but you'll be outside at each stop.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for rain or wind, especially at the coastal stops.

How many people are in the group?

This is a private tour, so it's just your group in the van.