Exploring Grand Pacific Drive and the Sea Cliff Bridge
Considered New South Wales’ answer to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, this spectacular coastal drive from Sydney to Wollongong is often accidentally called the great ocean road of Wollongong, the great ocean drive in Sydney, or simply the great pacific drive, but its official name is the Grand Pacific Drive.
We think it’s one of Sydney’s best day trips. Below you will find everything you need to plan a day around the epic view of the Sea Cliff Bridge and this underrated coastline.
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The Grand Pacific Drive commences roughly 30km south of Sydney’s CBD at the entrance to the Royal National Park and continues along the coast to Kiama and beyond.
The full drive is 140 km long, ending at Nowra. However, you can continue along the coast roads to explore the entire Shoalhaven region, including Gerringong, Gerroa, Berry, and down to Batemans Bay and the Sapphire Coast.
We like to take our time exploring this northern section and leave the Wollongong to Kiama stretch for another day. There is so much to see here; slow down and make the detours!
Today our full journey is 193km return to Sydney. It will take us to the Royal National Park, the Seacliff Bridge, Stanwell Tops, the coastal towns running from Scarborough to Wollongong Harbour, the Nan Tien Temple and home via the motorway. There are plenty of things to do in Wollongong if you want to break up the drive.
We spent a whole weekend on the northern section and took our time at every stop. You could easily do it in a day with a few tweaks, as long as you skip sampling the beers in the Gong.
If you plan to continue down to the end of the drive, you might like to check our favourite things to do in Kiama for ideas.
Sydney to Wollongong via the Grand Pacific Drive
If you like beaches, coastal views, street art, a bit of culture and good food and wine, this trip is for you.
What can I see on the Grand Pacific Drive?
If you are happy to take a few detours, there is much more to see here than just the famous bridge!
- Pristine bushland in the Royal National park, including a waterfall or two
- Sandstone cliff lookouts
- A Hindu Temple
- The Sea Cliff Bridge
- Great street art in Wollongong
- Wollongong’s craft brewing scene
- Two lighthouses in Wollongong
- A large Buddhist Temple
- Several pretty seaside towns en route
Before we go any further lets clear up some common confusion.
Grand Pacific Drive or Grand Pacific Walk?
If you have seen the Grand Pacific Walk mentioned, it is not the same as the drive, though they follow the same coast.
The Grand Pacific Walk is a shared path for walkers and cyclists that runs beside it, from the Royal National Park down to Lake Illawarra. It is being built in stages, so some parts are finished and others are still under construction. A few sections are already open, including the footpath across the Sea Cliff Bridge itself.
If you want the coast without the car, the walk is worth a look. If you are short on time, the drive covers the highlights in a day.
Do you need tickets for the Sea Cliff Bridge?
No. It is free to drive or walk across the Sea Cliff Bridge, and there is nothing to book. The only fee along the route is the Royal National Park day pass, and that only applies if you stop in the park earlier on.
Is there anywhere to eat near the Sea Cliff Bridge?
There is nothing on the bridge itself, but you have options a few minutes either side. Loaf and the kiosk near Stanwell Park are handy to the north, and the Imperial Hotel at Clifton is less than 1km down the road. Alternatively the Scarborough Hotel sits just south with a beer garden over the water.
Grand Pacific Drive Route & Directions Summary
If you are plotting your Grand Pacific Drive map, here are the quick Grand Pacific Drive directions for a seamless day trip:
- Start: Royal National Park entry (30km south of Sydney CBD)
- Key Highlights: Bald Hill Lookout, Stanwell Tops, Sea Cliff Bridge
- End: Wollongong Harbour / Nan Tien Temple (or continue down the Kiama coastal drive)
So let’s get started…
Stop 1 – The Royal National Park
Try to head off early if you can – we left the city around 6:30 am and arrived at the entry to The Royal National Park just as they opened. The world’s second-oldest national park, the Royal, as it’s known locally, opened just seven years after Yellowstone and was the first park in the world to have the title National.
The park earned its “royal” title in 1955, the year after Queen Elizabeth II passed by on her train during her 1954 tour of Australia.
While the park itself has enough to keep you entertained for an entire weekend, try to limit yourself to a couple of stops.
I recommend Wattamolla Beach with its lovely lagoon and waterfall. But make a note to return and tackle some of the fabulous tracks in this park on another visit. The coastline here is worthy of a longer visit.
If you plan to stop in the National Park, you will need to buy a day pass. Alternatively, you can drive straight through at no charge.
Eat: If you missed breakfast, consider a short stop at the Audley Dance Hall Cafe.
Continue through the park via Lady Wakehurst Drive to Stanwell Tops and Bald Hill Lookout.
Related: Check out our visit to Easy Bushwalks in Sydney
Stop 2 – Bald Hill Lookout and Stanwell Tops
If the wind is blowing the right way, Bald Hill is popular with hang-gliders; sadly, it was scorching and not a breeze at all today.
It is a great spot to take a shot of the bridge in the distance, particularly if you have a decent camera.
On a warm day, you might like to venture down to the beach. The beach is patrolled during summer and can be quite dangerous, so please stick to swimming between the flags or just having a paddle.
If you like hiking the Wodi Wodi Track, a 6.5km circular walk, it is worth considering, as are several other great walks in Wollongong.
Local tip: Take a detour to Kellys Falls, only a six-minute drive away. You will be at the top of the falls in less than 15 minutes from the car park.
Eat: Nearby is Sri Venkateswara Temple, a Hindu temple with a fab little canteen serving Indian food. Primarily open on weekends and public holidays, check the opening hours before your visit.
There are also a couple of cafes on Lawrence Hargrave Drive heading down to the beach and a kiosk near the beach itself. Loaf is our favourite and a good spot to pick up some supplies to eat later for a picnic lunch.
Stop 3 – Sea Cliff Bridge
The next stop is the day’s highlight, the 456 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge, a cantilever bridge that juts off the cliffs aptly named Clifton. The bridge cost $52 million and solved the ongoing problem that the area had had with cliff erosion blocking the roadway. Adjoining the Sea Cliff Bridge is the Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge, which is another 210-metre-long, and as a result, the bridge is sometimes listed as 660m long.
The road was closed before the bridge was built due to landslides and rockfalls. Since opening in 2005, it has been drawing visitors for the drive across
Exactly where along the Grand Pacific Drive is the Seacliff Bridge?
The bridge is between Coalcliff and Clifton, about a ten-minute drive from Stanwell Tops and Bald Hill Lookout. If you wonder where the Seacliff Bridge begins, here is the Google map reference.
Where can you park to view the Seacliff Bridge?
There is a pullover bay on the southern side of the bridge. You can also park at the northern end at Leeder Park or Coalcliff Beach.
Can you walk along the Sea Cliff Bridge?
You sure can, and we highly recommend you do! The return walk from the south parking bay will take you about 30 minutes.
Where is the best place to photograph the Sea Cliff Bridge?
The best way to appreciate and photograph the view is to take a walk along the bridge. It’s worth doing the full way for the different angles you get. You can also walk under the bridge around the rocks from Coalcliff in the right conditions.
How to get to the Sea Cliff Bridge lookout safely
There are two ways to reach the unofficial Seacliff Bridge Lookout that you might read about online. One is on private property and requires you to cross train lines. Along with being dangerous, access is illegal.
The second is up a very poor unofficial track that is basically a gap in the trees and requires you to scramble up a cliff. We don’t believe this is a good option for most people.
Last year a young man died falling while resting at this lookout because the ground is very unstable. For this reason, we are not going to share instructions for finding it.
Paula and Charles
How to get to the Seacliff Bridge without a car
If you don’t have a car but still want to see the bridge, it’s a 15-minute walk from Coalcliff Station. The train from Central to Coalcliff takes about an hour and a half. If you don’t fancy walking, a bus (route 2) from the station stops on either side of the bridge.
Local tip: The rock pool at Coalcliff Beach, just before the bridge, is a lovely spot for a swim.
Stop 4 – Time for some food at Scarborough or Thirroul
By now, you will probably be ready for a pit stop. Two of my favourite options along this part of the road are the Scarborough Hotel or the beachside suburb of Thirroul.
Scarborough is perfect in the summer with its grassy beer garden perched on the cliff overlooking the beach.
Between here and Wollongong are several small beach suburbs like this one – Austinmer – all perfect for stopping for a swim if the weather is right.
Thirroul has grown from one of the coast quaint seaside villages to a trendy suburb of Wollongong and has attracted many to move from Sydney and commute via train to the city each day. If you fancy a poke around the shops, there are some excellent options here. There are also plenty of cafes serving great food.
Tip: If you are on a road trip driving to Melbourne, there is a camping area at Coledale Beach where you can get a powered site from $45 a night.
Stay longer: If time permits an overnight stay, we recommend Headlands Hotel at Austinmer Beach which offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. This is the perfect property for a quick weekend escape
Stop 5 – Wollongong City and Harbour
Back in the car, and we are on the road to Wollongong. NSW’s third-biggest city and one that has grown up in recent years to have quite a lot to offer locals and visitors.
Check out the Twin Lighthouses – the great street art and the relaxed vibe of North Wollongong Beach. Beer lovers might want to pop into the Illawarra Brewery, particularly if you have a designated driver!
It’s also a great place to grab some fish and chips.
Stop 6 – Nan Tien Temple
Nan Tien translates to ‘Paradise of the South. This is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the southern hemisphere. Since it opened in 1995, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wollongong.
When we entered the temple complex, it felt like we had been transported to Asia. A vegetarian self-service restaurant, a museum, accommodation, and two large prayer rooms. They offer regular weekend meditation retreats to the public.
The temple is open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) from 9 am–5 pm with last entry at 4.30pm.
So there you have it – the Grand Pacific Drive in one day. If you really only have one day I suggest only going as far as Wollongong and then heading back up the motorway to Sydney from the Temple, however, if you are happy for a long day you can continue down to Kiama to see the famous Blow Hole and return to Sydney via the Southern Highlands.
If you have time to stay overnight, there is plenty of accommodation in North Wollongong and Kiama.
Planning to spend some time in Wollongong? There is some great hiking in the area.
If you travel a little faster than we do and make it to Kiama, don’t miss the famous Kiama Blowhole and the less-visited little blowhole.
Do you have a favourite spot to visit along the Grand Pacific Drive that we should check out next time?
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Excellent suggestions on the stops, I am not much of a street art fan but stops 1 and 6 are my favorites. I could not have said it better myself, entering Nan Tien instantly transports you to another place. I can’t wait to try the meditation retreats in the weekend.
thank you for the article