Explore The SouthEast

Zip across to Watsons Bay and walk up to The Gap for dramatic clifftop vistas, before a frosty beer at the Watsons Bay Hotel and harbour views back towards the Sydney Opera House.

Next up, a journey from Circular Quay to Manly Beach at the northern end of Sydney harbour. Only marginally less famous than the iconic stretch of sand at Bondi, Manly is a top place to go bodysurfing and eat at seafood cafes with views of towering Norfolk pines.

Next up, a journey from Circular Quay to Manly Beach at the northern end of Sydney harbour. Only marginally less famous than the iconic stretch of sand at Bondi, Manly is a top place to go bodysurfing and eat at seafood cafes with views of towering Norfolk pines. Sydney's northern beaches are also a hoppy hotspot for craft beer, and excellent local breweries to check out include Modus Operandi, 4 Pines.

Heading south from Royal National Park, you'll discover plenty of places to take in the coastal views, but our recommendation is to keep moving through pretty Coalcliff, across the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge, and stop at quite possibly Australia's most stunning location for a pub. Built in 1886, the heritage facade at the Scarborough Hotel conceals the best beer garden in the land, with spacious, sunny seating and horizon-stretching views of the NSW coastline. Settle in for lunch of grilled barramundi on the lawn, and congratulate yourself for deciding to explore south from Sydney. Try and visit midweek as weekends are very popular.

Dubbed, the 'Gong' by proud locals, NSW's third biggest city – just pipped by Newcastle for second place if you're wondering - makes a good first night stop as you're driving south. Chill a while at laidback North Beach – if you're travelling in summer the local Pines Surfing Academy can get you up on a surfboard – before taking in Wollongong's surprising bar scene.

OK, it's not quite the hip laneways of Melbourne, but the range of eateries and bars is huge, diverse and excellent. For a more raffish experience seek out the hard to find Howlin' Wolf bar - tip: it's concealed in a CBD shopping centre - for a rock and roll vibe fuelled by more than 200 different whiskies. Good live music too.

For yet more spectacular vistas and photos, this time from a height of 500 metres, ascend the forest canopy viewing platform at the Illawarra Fly around 25km west of Kiama. There have exciting zipline tours here too, so you can easily hang around for an hour or two.

It's time to leave the coast for a while, but don't worry, there are plenty more great beaches to come. If your idea of a good time is browsing cool design shops and quirky antique stores followed by good food and coffee, you'll discover much to like about the historic town of Berry.

We're also pretty sure leaving town before eating at the The Famous Berry Donut Van is a crime around these parts. Don't say you weren't warned.

From Berry, the main route south to Jervis Bay skips along the main highway via Nowra, but a recommended scenic detour usually overlooked by travellers is on forested roads to the historic hamlet of Kangaroo Valley. Around this village surrounded by rolling hills there's a good chance you will see the occasional marsupial local, but even if the wildlife remains shy, the cafes and arts and craft shops along the main drag are worth a look. The tourist office (see www.visitkangaroovalley.com.au) can arrange horse riding, mountain biking and canoeing for active travellers.