EV road trip: Your guide to driving from Sydney to Kiama

Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
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Make the most of a road trip down the NSW South Coast with tips for smooth driving, easy charging, and unforgettable coastal stops.

One thing I’ve always said I’d miss if I ever moved overseas is the distinctive charm of Aussie coastal road trips. The combination of stunning natural beauty, endless ocean views, and that signature laid-back vibe makes for an experience like no other. It’s a thought I was reminded of while on a weekend road trip down the South Coast of NSW from Sydney to Kiama and its surrounds. It just delivers the goods: spectacular views, great food, and that relaxed vibe I was so in need of. 

What made the trip even better was that I got to do it in the new all-electric Porsche Macan . I don’t own an EV (though I’m definitely curious about making the switch), but the idea of cruising along the coast with zero emissions is certainly appealing and the Macan’s smooth handling and quiet performance made it feel effortlessly luxurious. 

Here’s how I made the most of a weekend away on an EV road trip from Sydney to Kiama.

Morning

A.P. Bakery

A.P. Bakery in Surry Hills' pastries
Grab pastries to go or relax on the sunny rooftop.

All road trips should start strong with coffee and an indulgent breakfast. If the weather is sunny, make a beeline to A.P Bakery in Surry Hills. Head through the ground floor of Paramount House and up the elevator to the rooftop, where you’ll be greeted by a lush urban oasis and a menu of high-quality baked goods. Think: warrigal greens and ricotta pie, vanilla cream and rhubarb croissants, and mango, coconut and almond Danish.

Sea Cliff Bridge

Aerial shot of the Sea Cliff Bridge
The Sea Cliff Bridge is one of the most scenic spots on the South Coast. (Image: Destination NSW)

Make your way to the Royal National Park to take the scenic route to Wollongong. In doing so you’ll pass through the picturesque Stanwell Tops and embark on one of Australia’s most iconic drives over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Approximately 665 metres long, it offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged coastline. The bridge has a designated pedestrian walkway for visitors to enjoy the scenery.

Afternoon

Lunch in Wollongong

Trucking along to Wollongong, stop in for lunch at Restaurant Santino.  This trattoria-style eatery’s menu features a variety of modern Italian dishes, from handmade pasta to fresh seafood and expertly crafted sides. Don’t miss the conchiglie with prawn, salmon roe, sorrel, and bisque, and the potato salad with green goddess dressing, capers, fefferoni, and mint oil. Pair this with one of the mocktails like the Bizarro Spritz.

Head out for a stroll along Wollongong City Beach. The coastal views and fresh air are the perfect way to unwind before hitting the road again. 

Check-in to Oceanview Kiama

Oceanview Kiama
This luxe stay exudes modern coastal charm.

Continue your journey until you hit Kiama. One of the best and most convenient places to stay is at Oceanview Kiama . This spacious beachfront apartment is in the heart of town and sleeps up to four guests. The modern coastal interiors and ocean views are the perfect balance of luxurious and laid-back, fostering the right ambience for unwinding after a day of exploring or to just while away a few hours on the balcony. 

Ev charging station The Pacific Kiama
The EV charging station at The Pavilion is right next to the beach.

If you’re travelling in an EV, you’re in luck – there’s a convenient charging station less than a minute’s walk away at The Pavilion. Kiama Council has installed two Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers, making it easy to top up your car. I personally charged the Macan for about an hour to make sure it was fully topped up after having driven it around Sydney for a few days (a full charge provides a range of 516-612 kilometres), but if you need more time, it’s no problem – just leave your car parked there at any point during your stay. Fees are as follows:

Connection Fee: $0.50

Per kWh Charge: $0.50

Idle Fee: $5.00 for every 10 minutes after the vehicle is fully charged.

There is a range of websites and apps available to plan your EV road trip. I used the free PlugShare app , which provides comprehensive coverage of charging stations across Australia.  

Kiama Blowhole and Kiama Lighthouse

The Kiama Blowhole and Kiama Lighthouse
The Kiama Blowhole and Kiama Lighthouse sit adjacent to one another. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Kiama Blowhole and Kiama Lighthouse are two of the most iconic landmarks in the area, they sit next to one another and are just a 10-minute walk away. The Kiama Blowhole is one of the largest natural blowholes in the world. This 2.5-metre hole in the rock platform shoots water up to 30 metres into the sky when the tide is churning from the south-east. You can take a casual stroll through the rock formations while admiring the coastal views.

Evening

Fish and chips by the beach

By The Sea Takeaway Kiama
Indulge in fish and chips oceanside.

It wouldn’t be a coastal trip without enjoying fish and chips by the beach. By The Sea Takeaway Kiama offers top-notch beer-battered fish (chicken salt is a must), calamari, and grilled barramundi at affordable prices. If you don’t like seafood, they also serve a range of burgers and Indian curries. Grab some takeaway and walk over to Storm Bay to get stuck in while admiring the beautiful calming ocean vistas.

Morning

South Werri (Ourie) Ocean Pool, Gerringong

South Werri Ocean Pool
Kickstart your day with a refreshing dip in the South Werri Ocean Pool.

First thing in the morning, drive 15 minutes down to Gerringong for an early morning swim at the South Werri (Ourie) Ocean Pool. This 33-metre pool at the southern end of Werri Beach is an idyllic and peaceful place to swim away from the surf. 

After your swim, it’s worth taking a leisurely drive around Gerringong as you’re treated to spectacular ocean and cliff views and rolling green hills. The Macan’s sunroof really added to the summer vibes, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Views of Gerringong
Take a scenic drive around the picturesque Gerringong.

Breakfast in Gerringong

Make the most of the views by having breakfast at Sea Vista Cafe . Tuck into avocado toast, eggs benedict, or a smoothie bowl while admiring the unspoilt beach and ocean scenes.

Afternoon

Kiama coastal walk

Stretching 20 kilometres from Kiama to Gerringong, the Kiama Coast Walk is one of the most picturesque walks on the East Coast passing windswept headlands and pristine beaches. The walk is broken into three sections: North, Mid, and South, with each section ranging from 5 – 8 kilometres. As the accommodation is close to the blowhole, it’s a great starting point, with the walk leading you to Loves Bay. You’ll pass by stunning beaches and lush landscapes, and from May to November, you might even spot whales migrating along the coast.

Evening

Dinner at Silica Restaurant

After a walk, indulging in a well-earned meal is only right and Silica Restaurant dishes up modern Australian against a spectacular outlook of Surf Beach. Savour fresh plates that hero locally-grown produce such as orecchiette with mushrooms, garlic pangrattato, and Pecora Dairy Yarrawa and caramelised pineapple with The Pines caramel gelato, and zabaglione. Takeaway is also available and includes battered or grilled fish with chips, grilled fish, calamari, and fresh wraps.

Morning

Breakfast at Native

Native Kiama
Start the day right with a hearty breakfast from Native Kiama.

For breakfast, head straight for Native , a laidback cafe that offers an all-day brunch menu. Highlights include Gran’s Granola, a house-made blend served with yoghurt and seasonal fruit, and the haloumi breakfast bagel with avocado and tomato relish. Take your meal outside and sit amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Terralong Street.

Minamurra Falls walk

Minamurra Falls
The walk will reward you with cascading waterfall views.

The 20-minute drive to Budderoo National Park is truly delightful as you pass by rolling green hills with dramatic cliffs as the backdrop. The Minamurra Falls walking track in the Minnamurra Rainforest is a 4.2-kilometre return journey (1-2 hours) through dense subtropical rainforest where you’ll likely spot some friendly lyrebirds. The reward is Carrington Falls, a breathtaking 50-metre waterfall that cascades into a deep gorge. 

Note: The Grade 4 walk is predominantly uphill on the way to the waterfall and has no wheelchair accessibility. 

Lunch in Wollongong

For a relaxed meal on your way home, head to The Scarborough Hotel in Scarborough, approximately one hour from the rainforest. The pub sits on a cliff boasting a panorama of the Pacific Ocean, extending up the coast to Sydney. Nab an outside table to enjoy casual bites like snapper and prawn pie.

Discover our guide to the best things to do in Kiama

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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These new small group tours allow intimate access to Australia’s best experiences

    Lee MylneBy Lee Mylne
    Continue
    Big skies and otherworldly landscapes are the hallmarks of Australia. Discovering them in-depth becomes easier with the experts.

    Australia’s extraordinary landscapes make this vast continent like no other place on Earth, offering an unforgettable feast for the senses as you traverse deserts, cruise on vast inland lakes and dine under star-studded skies. What makes this land special is the people you’ll meet along the way, and the chance to forge a deep connection with the country and its people. The new AAT Kings small-group tours focus on the incredible experiences available in remote places that might otherwise seem daunting.

    With an average of 16 guests and a maximum of 24, the tours offer intimate access to the best Australia has to offer, with special behind-the-scenes encounters led by knowledgeable experts.

    1. Tasmania and Flinders Island Explorer

    aerial shot of flinders island tasmania
    Fly over beautiful Flinders Island as part of a tour of Tasmania. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

    Escape the tourist trail in north-eastern Tasmania while still seeing everything the island state has to offer. From coastal villages to bucolic rural scenery, the six-day Tasmania and Flinders Island Explorer tour offers world-class food and wine, with the bonus of a flight to Flinders Island.

    From Launceston, the tour winds through the verdant Tamar Valley and includes a stop at Fork It Farm , where guests are given insight into sustainable farming while snacking on a house-made charcuterie platter paired with Tasmanian wines.

    Fly by private plane to secluded Flinders Island, uncovering pristine beaches and savouring local seafood and wine. Explore the main settlement and learn about the history of Settlement Point and Wybalenna before soaking up views of the island and Bass Strait and exploring part of Strzelecki National Park . From there, it’s another scenic flight to Bicheno, flying down the east coast of Tasmania and across the stunning Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay (a taste of what’s to come by land).

    Other highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brickendon Estate , still run by the same family since its founding in 1824, where the property’s convict history will be revealed.

    In Devonport, a heritage train ride will track alongside the Don River to Coles Beach before returning to learn more about Tasmania’s railway history and vintage locomotives at Don River Railway .

    2. South Australian Outback Adventure

    aerial of Anna Creek Painted Hills
    Fly over the Anna Creek Painted Hills. (Image: Emile Ristevski)

    From Adelaide, the highlights of the eight-day South Australian Outback Adventure tour open up the rugged grandeur of the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola. Home to the Adnyamathanha people for tens of thousands of years, the natural beauty and wide open spaces of this remote region unfold as you explore from both land and air.

    Looking to the skies for a new way to experience South Australia’s outback, a scenic flight over the striking outcrops of the colourful Anna Creek Painted Hills and the shimmering saltpan of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is an eye-opener like no other.

    Wilpena Pound Resort, owned and managed by the Indigenous community, is a haven in the midst of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park . It’s worth the hike to enjoy sweeping views over the natural amphitheatre before your journey continues through dramatic gorges, where you may spot endangered yellow-footed rock-wallabies.

    At the award-winning Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, dive deep into the region’s billion-year-old geological history with an expert guide as you tackle the steep ascent of the Ridgetop Track in an open-air 4WD. When the sun goes down, look up at the dazzling wonders of the Milky Way in this International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

    3. Broome and the Kimberley Highlights

    small plane flying over the Bungle Bungle Ranges
    See the iconic Bungle Bungle Ranges from the air. (Image: Tourism WA)

    From Broome’s sparkling beaches to the red dirt of Kununurra, the Kimberley region is one of Australia’s most extraordinary and unforgettable places. It’s a region of contrasts, beginning with multicultural Broome and the history of pearl divers.

    Kick off your Broome and the Kimberley Highlights experience with a tour of Broome led by a local Aboriginal guide. You’ll learn about 40,000 years of culture as you explore historic landmarks, discover bush foods and medicinal plants and enjoy a private didgeridoo performance.

    Learn about Broome’s rich pearling history at Willie Creek Pearl Farm , on the banks of a turquoise tidal estuary that provides the perfect environment for growing the South Sea pearls for which Broome is world-renowned. Then cruise the calm waters to see the oyster farm before a masterclass that reveals the secrets of the pearl industry.

    As you continue your discovery of the Kimberley, fly over the dramatic striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, the Argyle Diamond Mine and gorgeous Lake Argyle, Western Australia’s largest freshwater body of water. Take a sunset cruise on the lake, which is dotted with more than 70 islands and is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The water teems with freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bream and cod.

    Complete your seven-day exploration of the Kimberley in Kununurra with a local Aboriginal guide to hear Dreamtime stories and wander through the ‘mini bungles’ of Mirima National Park.

    4. Outback Contrasts

    aat kings small group tours at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
    Expand your knowledge at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. (Image: Tourism NT/ ArchieSartracom)

    From Alice Springs, the six-day Outback Contrasts adventure includes the wonders of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, offering premium accommodation and exceptional experiences. Ancient rock art, creation stories and the spiritual essence of the land will be revealed as you discover some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.

    A highlight of your stay in Alice Springs will be meeting chef Rayleen Brown, who shares her knowledge of Aboriginal native foods with a tasting of the many flavours of Central Australia’s wild harvest bush tucker. More culinary indulgence will follow at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon in the heart of Watarrka National Park, where you’ll enjoy a degustation menu and paired fine wines under the desert moon.

    After a sunrise walk on the rim of Kings Canyon, head off to the Wanmarra community to learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. Crossing desert scenes, you’ll arrive at Uluru and end the day watching the setting sun’s changing palette on the ancient landscape.

    More awe-inspiring landscapes will be revealed as you wander between Kata Tjuta’s tallest domes in Walpa Gorge and explore the rugged beauty of Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

    Start planning your small group adventure with AAT Kings.