Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Kangaroo Valley - Canberra
5 Days
The New South Wales, South Coast was an area that until recently we had never explored. Keen to change all that we used a little of our Christmas annual leave and headed south to Jervis Bay and Mollymook before travelling inland to cross state lines and visit the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Canberra, Australia's capital city.
Overview
01
Kangaroo Valley
02
Jervis Bay
03
Jervis Bay
04
Canberra
05
ACT surrounding areas
Travel Route
01
Kangaroo Valley
Morning
Our destination for the evening was Ulladulla around three hours south of Sydney. Instead of tracking the usual M1 coastal route, we decided to head inland towards the Kangaroo Valley. A scenic driving through the NSW highlands was impressive and worthwhile if you have the time to meander through the valleys away from the busier highways.
Our first stop was Belmore Falls (approx. 2hrs, 144km) from Sydney. With no shortage of lookouts, we took the short 1.8km trail (1hr) which skirted alongside Belmore Falls and provided great views of the surrounding valleys.
Our next stop was Fitzroy Falls. This was the far busier of the two and only fifteen minutes further along the road. With a visitors’ centre and bush trail guides it offered plenty of walking tracks to suit all levels of fitness. We decided to follow the East Rim Track (approx. 2.5hr, 6.2km).
Afternoon
A short drive to Hampden Bridge and we arrived at Valley Outdoors for our Canoe Tour of the Kangaroo Valley. Choosing the half-day private tour (4hrs) we were driven 20 minutes up the valley towards the Tallowa Dam before starting our paddle. We spent a fabulous afternoon paddling through Bundaroon and Sandy Creeks: areas which could not be accessed by road. Valley Outdoors are a new and emerging tour operator that provides small, guided trips we’ll certainly be back to book our next trip with them.
Belmore Falls
Kangaroo Valley
Evening
The final drive of the day took us two hours as we wound our way back down towards the coast and south towards Ulladulla, our home for the next couple of nights.
Accommodation: Air BnB Ulladulla.
Distance travelled: 260km (3hrs 45 mins).
02
Jervis Bay
Morning
Famed for some of the world's whitest sand, we had been planning a beach day at Hyams Beach. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans with rain forecast for the entire day. But still keen to explore we headed for the 5km White Sands Walk from Bleinheim Beach to Hyams Beach (approx. 2hr return).
While it was not quite sunbathing weather we continued our tour of the beaches, dreaming of what could have been. Heading for Booderee National Park, we stopped in at Green Patch, Murrays, Cave Beach, and Hole in the Wall. We even spotted a few Kangaroos, Wallabies and Crimson Rosella.
Afternoon
Soaking wet, we ran for cover in the town of Huskisson and headed for Jervis Bay Brewery Co, a great local microbrewery. It would have been rude not to opt for the tasting beer paddle. In hindsight, Ulladulla was a little further afield (approx. 55km, 45 mins), and if visiting again we’d probably look to stay closer by.
Accommodation: Air BnB Ulladulla.
Hole in the Wall
Cave Beach
03
Jervis Bay
Morning
With the weather still gloomy, we continued our tour of the coastline and headed to Mollymook. A great and easy viewpoint to see the beach from is the Bannisters Point Walking Track, only 0.6km. Conveniently just down the road don’t miss an opportunity to go to a Rick Steins. We then headed to Bannisters Mollymook for a morning coffee stop, then followed Bannisters Head Road down to Narrawallee Beach, although I would advise driving as it’s not a great walking track.
Afternoon
Staying a bit more local to Ulladulla, we spent the afternoon at Cupitt’s Estate and just in time for the sun coming out, wine tasting, and lunch with a view.
Evening
For our final evening, we headed to The Ruse in Ulladulla’s harbour area just on our doorstep. Here we tucked into their cocktails and tacos while admiring the view.
Accommodation: Air BnB Ulladulla.
White Sands Walk
Bannisters Point Walking Track
04
Canberra
Morning
The second half of the trip took us to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) (approx. 2.5hr, 198km). From Ulladulla we continued the main highway south to Batemans Bay where, if you have time, it would be worth a stop at some of the beaches in the area. But otherwise, you can head back inland towards Canberra. On route, we stopped at The Gathering Café in a small town named Bungendore.
Afternoon
Apart from being the capital city, Canberra is probably best known for the Australian War Memorial. On arrival, it was our first stop and here we spent a couple of hours visiting the variety of excellent exhibits and displays before heading to Mount Ainslie.
The memorial is situated just in front of Mount Ainslie, so it makes it convenient to pick up the walking track 4.5km up to the summit (approx. 2hrs). Alternatively, you can drive up, but either way, the view is worth the effort with a 360-degree panorama spanning Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin and the city centre.
Evening
That evening we headed outside the city centre and had dinner at the Piagallo Estate, Pavillion Dining. Also, a working farmhouse, we had an incredible tasting menu, set amongst the olive groves and lavender.
Distance travelled: 198km.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Canberra.
Mount Ainslie
Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
05
ACT surrounding areas
Morning
You can’t really come to Canberra and not go to the government buildings at Parliament House and explore the route around Lake Burley Griffin, so that’s exactly what we did.
The 5km Bridge-to-Bridge circuit is located right on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, crossing Commonwealth Bridge, and back across the Kings Avenue Bridge. Although the organised tours at Capital Hill didn’t interest us too much, the architecture of the buildings is worth the visit alone and even the rooftop Public Café.
Afternoon
​Although we didn’t have much time on this trip, we did take the opportunity to explore the wider ACT area as we had probably seen all we were keen to explore in Canberra. So, we jumped in the car and headed to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and managed to do some of the shorter bush walking trails even spotting some Koalas and Platypus in the wild.
Evening
For our last evening, we were back in the city centre at Courgette Restaurant for a fine dining experience. With everything nearby, we were able to walk both ways and were glad we did as the city felt like it had more of a buzz about it.
The next morning our 3.5hr (286km) drive back to Sydney was broken up with a short stop at The Scarborough Hotel, a cliffside gastro pub with an amazing beer garden and great views over the ocean. Sunday brunch is especially popular so arrive early. The drive back over the Seacliff Bridge and through the Royal National Park brought our trip to a close, not a bad way to end.
Parliament House
Piagallo Estate, Pavillion Dining
Distance travelled: 286km.