If you are going to take the coast road in Australia, most people do one of two things: Drive west from Melbourne along the The Great Ocean Road (considered one of the world’s great road trips), or drive north from Sydney to the Gold Coast (and some of the world’s best surf beaches).

Unfortunately we did neither.

We were in Melbourne and needed to be back in Sydney in a week, so we took the “road less traveled,” heading east on Route 1, following the Victoria / New South Wales coast.

The week got off to a strong start but as we approached Sydney, we spent the night in a series of increasingly disappointing towns. Chalk it up to poor planning on my part.

Our first stop was Phillip Island, about 135 kilometers east of Melbourne. Many people visit to experience the island’s grand prix track. We stopped for koalas and penguins.

During the day, the Koala Conservation Center provides visitors the opportunity to see koalas in the wild. Then at sunset, stadium seating is available to watch about 2000 “Little Penguins” parade ashore and return to their nests.

The next day we traveled on to the town of Lakes Entrance, at the eastern boundary of 90 Mile Beach.  The sunsets and natural sand art were spectacular.

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