RETURN ROADTRIP FROM MELBOURNE TO BALLINA, NSW...

vw-caddy-maxi
The Journey...

Friday 19th December, 2025

The Journey Begins…

Departing Melbourne (VIC); embarking on a return roadtrip over Christmas down the NSW coast…

Friday 19th December, 2025

Friday 19th December, 2025

Lakes Entrance, VIC

Prime Tourist Park
60 Myer St Lakes Entrance VIC 3909
~ 3.5 hrs
~ 282 kms

On leaving Lakes Entrance I picked up a hitchhiker and drove him about 3 hours to Eden, NSW. 

Friday 19th December, 2025

Saturday 20th December, 2025

Moruya, NSW

Hive Hotel

82 Princes Hwy, Moruya, NSW, 2537
~ 5 hrs
~ 412 kms
Saturday 20th December, 2025

Sunday 21st December, 2025

The Big Merino

Corner of Hume and, Sowerby St, Goulburn NSW 2580
~ 2 hrs
~ 172 kms

Sunday 21st December, 2025

Sunday 21st December, 2025

The Big Pig

74/76 Hoddle St, Robertson NSW 2577
~ 1 hrs

~ 89 kms

Sunday 21st December, 2025

Sunday 21st December, 2025

Wollongong, NSW

Boat Harbour Motel

Cnr Campbell and Wilson St, Wollongong, NSW, 2500
~ 1 hrs
~ 60 kms

Sunday 21st December, 2025

Monday 22nd December. 2025

The Big Kookaburra

219 Lang St, Kurri Kurri NSW 2327
~ 3 hrs
~ 221 kms

Monday 22nd December. 2025

Monday 22nd December. 2025

The Big Ugg Boots

Glenwood Dr &, Weakleys Dr, Thornton NSW 2322

Monday 22nd December. 2025

Monday 22nd December. 2025

Taree South, NSW

All Seasons Country Lodge

110 Manning River Drive, Taree South, NSW, 2430
~ 2 hrs
~ 177 kms

Monday 22nd December. 2025

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

The Big Banana

Shop 2A/351 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
~ 2.5 hrs
~ 221 kms

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

The Big Prawn

507 River St, West Ballina NSW 2478
~ 2 hrs
~ 200 kms

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

Ballina, NSW

Econo Lodge Chaparral Motel Ballina

486 River Street, West Ballina, NSW, 2478

Tuesday 23rd December, 2025

Wednesday 24th December, 2025

Ballina, NSW

Econo Lodge Chaparral Motel Ballina

486 River Street, West Ballina, NSW, 2478

Wednesday 24th December, 2025

Thursday 25th December, 2025

The Big Mozzie

Just before Newcastle I discovered The Big Mozzie.

Thursday 25th December, 2025

Thursday 25th December, 2025

Mayfield West, NSW

Citigate Motel Newcastle

~ 6 hrs
~ 578 kms
Thursday 25th December, 2025

Friday 26th December, 2025

Bomaderry, NSW

Ballan Village Motel

175 Cambewarra Road, Bomaderry, NSW, 2541

~ 4.5 hrs
~ 304 kms
Friday 26th December, 2025

Saturday 27th December, 2025

The Big Gorilla

Halfway pitstop from Newcastle in Batehaven (Batemans Bay) was The Big Gorilla.

Saturday 27th December, 2025

Saturday 27th December, 2025

Pambula, NSW

Idlewilde Country & Town Motorinn

46 Bullara Street, Pambula, NSW, 2549
~ 4.5 hrs
~ 351 kms

Saturday 27th December, 2025

Sunday 28th December, 2025

HOME

~ 6 hrs
~ 544 kms

Sunday 28th December, 2025