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Sydney to Melbourne: the inland highway or the long way round

Short answer

About 880 km and around 9 hours on the Hume Highway, the fast inland route. The coast road (the Princes Highway) is over 1,000 km and takes a couple of days to do properly, but it's the prettier drive.

Distance · about 880 km Driving · around 9 hours Tours from · $4,199
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Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Sydney and Melbourne.

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Ways to do Sydney to Melbourne

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound National Pass (Create Your Own), 15 to 45 Days Our National pass covers the whole Greyhound network, so it works for this leg and wherever you head next. Compare current bus pass prices. from $389 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van We quote one-way vans Sydney to Melbourne. Take the coast road if you've got the days. Cheapest van on the hire companies' own sites: $629 all-in for 7 nights (10–17 Nov 2026, checked 26 October 2026), for the van, not per person. Every date and van type. van from $629 Get a van quote →
Fly Flights One of the busiest air routes in the country, with flights all day. The quickest option by far. Search fares Flight tips →
Semi-guided · 30 days Melbourne to Cairns, 30 Days Semi-Guided Runs the other way: Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, up to Sydney, then on to Cairns. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $4,199 See the trip →
Fully guided · 50 days East Coast Explorer 7 Week Tour from Melbourne Guided group trip that runs the other way: a week in Melbourne, then Sydney and on to Cairns. from $7,189 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops. Bus seats are reserved leg by leg once you have your pass.

On the way

Stops worth making

Sydney Sydney The harbour, Bondi and a ferry to Manly before you go. Melbourne Melbourne Laneway coffee, St Kilda and the Great Ocean Road as a day trip.

Canberra on the Hume route. On the coast: Jervis Bay, the South Coast beaches and a detour to Wilsons Promontory near the end.

Sydney to Melbourne: your questions

How long is the drive from Sydney to Melbourne?

About 9 hours for roughly 880 km on the Hume Highway. The coast road is over 1,000 km and worth two or three days.

Hume Highway or the coast road?

The Hume if you just need to get there. The coast if you've got the time: beaches, national parks and small towns most of the way.

Should I fly or take the bus from Sydney to Melbourne?

Flying is quickest. The bus makes sense on a pass you're using for the rest of the trip: our Greyhound National pass starts from $389.

Is there a tour between Sydney and Melbourne?

Ours run the other direction: Melbourne up to Sydney and on to Cairns, from $4,199.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Brisbane to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow Beach →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Airlie Beach to Cairns →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Melbourne to Adelaide →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.