We decided to take the scenic route from Canberra and left around 2pm to head down to Melbourne.
Eden was the first town we stopped at. This Whaling Town makes nice stop. There is a bakery, pub, and some general town stores. Also a Whaling museum, a lookout with a great view, and playground for adults and kids to stretch out and relax before getting back on the road.
Lakes Entrance Comfort Inns
2 bedroom apartment comes with full kitchen, living and dining room area joined. There was a washer and dryer in the bathroom and a separate shower and bath as well as a laundry sink. The toilet was in a separate room with no sink in the room. Heater/AC unit was in living room but faced the hallway of the bedrooms so offset the cold/heat slightly. Room was old and painted in very bland colours, but somewhat clean and would be ok to stay for a couple of nights. Room was old and painted in very bland colours, but somewhat clean and would be ok to stay for a couple of nights.
One room had three single beds, the other bedroom right next to it had one queen bed. The windows rattled like crazy due to high winds, but the glass doors/patio style entrance seemed much more secure. However, if you like the extra security, this is not the place for you since there was only the lock for the key in the glass door and no security bar or double lock.
The view from the door was of the lake. Somewhat picturesque. We stayed upstairs which I would not recommend if you have little children because the steps are hard to manoever and carry up baggage.
Located about two blocks from cafes, supermarket and other little stores and restaurants. Right on Esplanade St which is the main street that is along the lake. A good location for walks and shopping. $190 per night.
Other hotels in the area if you are looking for something a little more upscale- Bellevue boutique hotel Also the Esplanade Resort and Spa. Those were just in the next block.
Ferryman's Seafood Cafe iis a restaurant on a boat that is popular with the locals, either because it is somewhat fancier than the other places in the environs, or because it is one of the few places open later in the evening.
Fish and chips for kids $7. Same portion of fish and chips for grown ups, but with a better fish costs $20. Desserts looked good.
We left the next morning and found a couple of towns that were a little nicer than Lakes Entrance. Just 30 minutes out of Lakes Entrance we found the Methung river and Legend Rock. You'll find the Edgewater Terrace, Elegant Perch, Rivera Nautilis and McMillano Cottages which featuring 1-4 bedroom cottages. There is also an attractive boat dock, yacht club and in the town itself, a larger complex that looks like new condos. It's called The Moorings and offers 1-3 bedroom apartments, and indoor and outdoor pool, beach houses. It looks new and clean.
Thisis a gorgeous little town right on the water, but do your research since its known for having large numbers of flies and mosquitoes in summer.
Other towns that might be worth a stop and browse.
Bairnsdale/East Gibbsland, a large town with lots of food and shopping, bike and skateboard park, aboriginal culture museums, clock museums, Den of Narqum and National Park.
Stratford, Smaller town, quaint with playgrounds and rest areas, cafes, delis and Court Theatre as well as the town library.
The total time to drive from Canberra to Melbourne partially along the coast was 10 hours. An interesting experience, but it would be equally attractive to drive down Hume hwy and then spend the extra time going past Melbourne along Ocean View drive . . . next time.