This package includes accommodation, Avis Group K car rental (SUV), Jervis Bay Kayak Tour and French Island 4WD Tour. It can be found in Across Australia's tariff/Tourplan by searching “REST Self Drive Packages” or by contacting our reservations team at [email protected].
The journey begins in Sydney, where you collect your rental car and leave the city behind. Heading south, the drive to Jervis Bay takes around three hours, following a coastline dotted with small towns, forests, and ocean views. It’s a transition from urban to natural. Jervis Bay is known for its calm, turquoise waters and white-sand beaches—ideal for a quiet walk or a first dip. You’ll spend the night at Paperbark Camp, a low-impact retreat set in bushland just outside Huskisson, a little town nestled on the shores of Jervis Bay. The elevated tents offer open-air comfort, with en-suite bathrooms and mosquito nets, blending privacy with immersion in the surrounding forest. Dinner and breakfast are served in a relaxed, tree-level dining space. No Wi-Fi, no TV—just the sounds of the bush and the slow rhythm of a place that invites you to disconnect. It’s a unique way to start the trip: not just a stopover, but a different pace of travel.
Day 2 – Paddle Into the Wild: Kayaking Jervis Bay
Day 2 is all about getting closer to what makes Jervis Bay so unique. With its glassy waters, protected coves, and white-sand shoreline, the bay is part of a rare marine park where development has been kept at bay. Departing from Huskisson, 3,5 km from Paperbark Camp, the “Taste of Jervis Bay” kayak tour (included in the package) gives you direct access—no noise, no engine, just the rhythm of your paddle. Over three hours, you move through an environment where sea life thrives just below the surface. Dolphins often swim nearby, stingrays glide under the kayaks, and the only sounds are birds and water. The guide keeps the pace steady and the group small, allowing for pauses and quiet moments. It’s not just about the views—it’s about understanding why this place matters, both ecologically and culturally. Few regions on the east coast are this untouched, this protected, and this easy to explore without leaving a trace. From the water, Jervis Bay isn’t just beautiful—it’s revealing.
Day 3 – Inland Escape: From Coast to Currajong Retreat
The drive to Burragate takes you today through quiet backroads, with changing scenery as the coast gives way to rolling farmland and forested hills. Your destination, Currajong Retreat, is a remote eco-stay set on a working farm overlooking the Towamba River. With just a few safari-style tents spaced out for privacy, it offers a rare kind of quiet. Each tent has its own deck, outdoor bath, and wide views over the valley—no traffic, no neighbours, just birdsong and wind in the trees. Dinner is served on-site with local ingredients, and breakfast is brought to your tent in the morning. It’s a change of pace and setting, from sea to bush, but with the same focus on comfort, space, and connection to place.
Day 4 – A Burragate Escape
You can stay today at Currajong Retreat, take in the views, read on the deck, or walk along the riverbanks that run through the property. The calm and remoteness of Burragate make it ideal for slowing down. For those wanting a deeper connection to place, an optional half-day Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour with Navigate Expeditions offers something rare. Departing from the Pambula River, the tour is led by Indigenous guides who share stories, language, and knowledge tied to the land and waterways. As you paddle through mangroves and estuaries, you learn about traditional practices, bush foods, and the cultural significance of this region. It’s not just an activity—it’s a way of seeing the landscape differently, through the lens of thousands of years of connection.
Day 5 – Crossing Borders: Into Victoria and the Hot Springs of Metung
Day 5 takes you across the state border into Victoria, with a drive that moves from the bushlands of Burragate to the lakeside town of Metung. The route passes through quiet country roads and forested stretches, with small towns offering the occasional break. Your destination is Metung Hot Springs, a coastal retreat built around geothermal bathing. After days of exploring, the natural hot pools offer a welcome pause. The atmosphere is quiet, adult-focused, and built for rest. You stay on-site, with breakfast included and access to the pools just steps from your room. Whether you choose a sunset soak or an early morning dip, the setting is designed to slow you down. It’s not a long day on the road, but it marks a shift—from the inland rhythms of Burragate to the calm, water-focused lifestyle of the Gippsland Lakes.
Day 6 – Bush Trails and Brewery Tastes
Day 6 offers a full day to settle into the slow rhythm of Metung. You can take it easy—move between hot pools, rest by the lakeside, or explore the walking paths around the property. For those looking to explore more of the region, the optional “Ride and Dine” tour with Venture Out adds a unique twist. Starting from nearby Lakes Entrance, the small-group experience combines a guided e-bike ride through coastal bushland with a visit to a local brewery. The route is scenic but accessible, following quiet trails and backroads. It’s not just about cycling—it’s about connecting with the landscape, seeing the region off the main roads, and ending with a relaxed tasting session. The balance between movement and pause, nature and local flavour, makes this day feel well-paced and genuinely off the beaten track.
Day 7 – Bathing in Nature: Arrival at Peninsula Hot Springs
Day 7 leads you into the Mornington Peninsula, a region where rugged coastlines meet rolling vineyards and eucalyptus-lined roads. After a scenic drive from Metung, you arrive at Peninsula Hot Springs, set in native bushland just minutes from the ocean. More than just a place to stay, it’s a full wellness experience. The site offers over 50 bathing options, from quiet rock pools to hilltop springs with wide views. The thermal waters are drawn from deep underground and are rich in minerals, used here not as luxury but as part of a well-being tradition. You can also join spa treatments, guided relaxation sessions, or saunas. With breakfast included and time to settle in, it’s a restorative stop in a region that balances nature, comfort, and a distinctly Australian sense of place.
Day 8 – Off the Grid: Exploring the Wild Heart of French Island
Day 8 is a step into another world. Just a short ferry ride from the Mornington Peninsula, French Island feels remote and untouched. With no mains water or electricity, unsealed roads, and fewer than 150 residents, it remains one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets. Included in the package, the 4WD guided tour with Naturaliste Tours gives you rare access to this wild, off-grid island. The tour crosses national park and farmland, through salt lakes, paperbark forests, and wetlands. French Island is one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild, thanks to its large, disease-free population. You might also see echidnas, swamp wallabies, and a wide variety of birds—from black swans to rare migratory species. With open spaces, bush tracks, and no crowds, French Island offers a kind of quiet nature experience that’s increasingly hard to find. It’s not just about wildlife—it’s about being in a place where nature still leads.
Day 9 – On the road to Melbourne
Day 9 marks the final leg of the journey. After breakfast, you leave the calm of the Mornington Peninsula and drive toward Melbourne. The route is short—about 90 minutes—but offers one last stretch of vineyards, coastline, and open landscapes. As you approach the city, the pace changes and the skyline takes over. You drop off the rental car and end a journey that has taken you from hidden bays and forest stays to thermal pools and island wildlife. The rest of the day is open for a first look at Melbourne’s laneways, gardens, or cafés.
Accommodation:
Jervis Bay – Paper Bark Camp (Breakfast and Dinner)
Burragate – Currajong Retreat (Breakfast and Dinner)
Metung – Metung Hot Springs (Breakfast)
Mornington Peninsula – Peninsula Hot Springs (Breakfast)
Package includes:
- Digital Documentation
- 8 nights accommodation
- 9 days Avis Group K car rental (SUV)
- Jervis Bay Kayak Tour
- French Island 4WD Tour
