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There are two quite separate parts to the southern half of New South Wales, just as there are to the state as a whole: the coast, and the mountains and hinterland beyond them. The south coast , with its green dairylands, is delightful in a quiet sort of way - an area for fishing or surfing or relaxing on the beaches, with no huge resorts or commercial developments. Inland, the Snowy Mountains constitute the Dividing Range's highest peaks; they have Australia's best skiing and, in summer, some fine bushwalking. Beyond the mountains, the southwest is dull farming country - you're better off crossing to the riverlands of Victoria, or driving straight through. The direct route from Sydney to Melbourne is via the inland Hume Highway , from which you can easily detour to Canberra or the Snowy Mountains. There's a four-lane freeway from Sydney to Moss Vale, and the rest of the way it's a normal two-lane road with occasional overtaking lanes, but very winding between Yass and Albury. It is also very busy, with heavy truck traffic, and most of the time quite boring - a potentially lethal combination. It takes roughly twelve hours to drive straight through from Sydney to Melbourne, which is fine if you're sharing the driving, but otherwise allow two days. The coastal route, the Princes Highway , is slightly longer but much more attractive in terms of scenery. Give yourself two or more days if you want to appreciate the surf, the sandy beaches, and the mountains, valleys and forests that back this beautiful stretch of the coast. Most buses run via the Hume Highway, usually with a detour to Canberra; the train follows largely the same route.
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