Melbourne to Bega – Lighthouses, Dirt Roads and a Well-Earned Beer!
It was an early start today as we packed up and said goodbye to Melbourne. The next destination on our touring adventure was the country town of Bega in New South Wales, with around 615 kilometres of driving ahead of us.
Now, 615 km is a fair old stretch behind the wheel, but we weren’t planning on simply pointing the car north and watching the kilometres disappear. We had a few interesting stops lined up along the way, including coastal scenery, a historic lighthouse and a rather impressive tower.
Today’s itinerary included:
With the bags packed and the wheels turning, it was time to get back to doing what we enjoy most — exploring new places and finding out what’s around the next bend.
Green Cape Lighthouse – Worth Getting Dusty For
Our next destination was Green Cape Lighthouse, located within Beowa National Park near Eden.
Getting there involved around 20 kilometres of unsealed road each way, so it wasn’t exactly a smooth bit of highway touring. However, the road was manageable in our vehicle, and a four-wheel drive wasn’t necessary for our trip.
Naturally, unsealed roads mean slowing down, keeping an eye out for changing conditions and allowing a little extra time. But that’s all part of the adventure when you’re touring beyond the bitumen.
And was it worth the drive? Absolutely!
Green Cape Lighthouse stands dramatically above the rugged coastline, surrounded by spectacular ocean views and the natural beauty of the national park.
The lighthouse was completed in 1883 and is notable for being Australia’s first lighthouse constructed from precast concrete blocks. It was built to help guide ships safely past a notoriously hazardous stretch of coastline.
Standing there, looking out over the ocean, it’s easy to appreciate why this location was chosen. The scenery is magnificent, although the coastline’s history is a reminder that these waters haven’t always been kind to passing ships.
For anyone who enjoys coastal scenery, historic landmarks and getting a little off the beaten track, Green Cape Lighthouse is well worth adding to the touring list.
Boyd’s Tower – A Piece of Coastal History
While exploring the area, we also visited Boyd’s Tower.
This unusual sandstone structure was built in the 1840s by Benjamin Boyd, a Scottish entrepreneur who established extensive pastoral and maritime interests in the region.
Despite its appearance, Boyd’s Tower was originally intended as a lighthouse to assist Boyd’s shipping operations. It was never officially used as a navigational lighthouse, but it remains a fascinating reminder of his ambitions and the area’s maritime history.
The tower is set among beautiful coastal scenery, making it another worthwhile stop on the journey.
Between the rugged coastline, the historic structures and the surrounding bushland, this part of New South Wales offers plenty to explore.
It’s also a good reminder that some of the most interesting touring destinations aren’t necessarily beside the main highway. Sometimes you need to take the side road, put up with a bit of dust and see where it leads.
The Final Leg to Bega
After exploring Green Cape Lighthouse and Boyd’s Tower, it was time to get back on the road and complete the final leg to Bega.
There wasn’t much to report from this stretch of the journey. We’d already covered plenty of kilometres and seen some terrific scenery, so the priority now was reaching our destination and finding somewhere to relax.
Our accommodation for the night was the Bega Village Motor Inn, which proved to be a pretty good choice.
Once we’d checked in and settled ourselves, we discovered that the Commercial Hotel was only a short walk away. That suited us nicely — no need to go hunting for dinner after a long day behind the wheel!
The Commercial Hotel – Time to Warm Up
We headed over to the Commercial Hotel for a couple of drinks and dinner.
By this stage, the temperature had dropped considerably, and the cooler weather was making itself known. After spending much of the day exploring the coast, sitting near the fireplace sounded like an excellent idea.
We found ourselves a spot close to the fire, ordered our refreshments and settled in for the evening.
There’s something particularly satisfying about arriving in a country town after a long day on the road, finding a welcoming pub and enjoying a cold beer while warming up beside a fireplace.
It might not sound particularly glamorous, but that’s touring life for you. Some days it’s spectacular coastal views and historic landmarks; other days, the highlight is a comfortable seat, a warm fire and a good feed.
We’re happy with both!
Another Touring Day Done and Dusted
Today’s journey had delivered a good mix of highway kilometres, coastal scenery, history and a little adventure on the unsealed roads.
Green Cape Lighthouse and Boyd’s Tower were definite highlights, and both were worth the detour from the main route.
After around 615 kilometres of travelling, we were more than ready to put our feet up and enjoy a relaxing evening in Bega.
Tomorrow would bring another day of exploring, another stretch of road and, hopefully, a few more interesting places to discover.
Until then, it’s time to enjoy that country pub atmosphere and recharge the batteries. Touring is thirsty work, after all! 🍻
