Detour - Grand Pacific Drive

Looking for an easy day trip with views, stunning scenery, exploration and even a civilised lunch? Then the Grand Pacific Drive ticks all the boxes. It can done in about three hours, or stretched out over six or eight, with many stops along the way, depending on the age and interests of your entourage.

Heading south out of Sydney, go to the Royal National Park. You will need to pay the $11 park entrance, even if just driving through, so why not make a few stops to make it worth your while. The route is clearly sign posted from this point on, so no need to worry about maps or GPS.

Audley Boatshed, opened in 1893, is the perfect place to stop - and if interested, even hire a boat or bike for an hour, or aqua bike for half an hour, to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. For the less energetic, stop in at the Audley Dancehall Café, open 8.30-4.30 for a quick cuppa.












From there it's an easy drive on winding roads through bushland, until you reach the Bald Hill lookout. Stunning views of the beach at Stanwell Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Head down to Stanwell Park, and park the car to walk the Sea Cliff Bridge - it's an easy walk, with the towering cliffs on one side, and sea views on the other. Heading back to the car, either grab some take away or picnic on the beach, or head over the bridge to grab a sophisticated lunch in the Scarborough Hotel.

As charming as this pub is inside, there is nothing quite like the beer garden. The views are amazing, and the gardens adding to the picturesque nature of the setting. If on a budget, just come for coffee and cake, or a beer.

From here, you can continue on to the Illawara Fly, or head back, making some stops to explore Helensburgh. We opted to check out some disused train tunnels in Helensburgh, which proved the highlight for the kids, as their mother got scared and this is apparently hysterical. In my defence, we were met by a warning "Watch Out" painted on an abandoned chair at the front of the tunnel, then "Help" with an arrow on the inside...Maybe I shouldn't have read the ghost stories about the tunnels at lunch. There are a number of tunnels in Helensburgh, but we went to the one on Vera Street.



Next stop for us was the Sri Venkateswara temple. It's worth a stop, leave your shoes in the shed and explore respectfully, as it is a place of worship.

If time, there is the Symbio Wildlife Park, however, if that is on your itinerary, I'd run the trip in reverse, so you allow enough time to explore the zoo without having to cut your visit short.

Our whole trip, from leaving home to returning took five hours. We didn't hire a boat, or stop at Symbio. Wanting to escape the city, if only for the day, I can't recommend this trip enough - it's pleasant, beautiful and offers something for everyone, what ever the age and interest.

Practicalities:

Grand Pacific Drive http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/
Royal National Park http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0030
Audley Boatshed http://www.audleyboatshed.com/
Audley Dancehall Café http://www.audleydancehall.com.au/
(see also http://www.weircafe.com.au/About/TheWeirCafe.aspx)
Bald Hill Lookout http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/bald-hill-lookout
Scarborough Hotel http://www.thescarboroughhotel.com.au/
Abandoned Railway Tunnels http://www.weekendnotes.com/old-helensburgh-railway-station/
Sri Venkateswara Temple http://www.svtsydney.org/
Symbio Wildlife Park http://www.symbiozoo.com.au/

Related Reading: Grand Pacific Drive - an easy daytrip http://sydney.kidtown.com.au/grand-pacific-drive-easy-day-trip/

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