An Illawarra sports car tour business offering scenic drives in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands is attracting more than 85 per cent of its business from Sydney, just three months after starting operation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives was started by Porsche enthusiast Gavin Little, who wanted to do regular tours down Grand Pacific Drive to the Southern Highlands and Saddleback Mountain.
Mr Little owns five models from different eras to give enthusiasts and people seeking a driving adventure a range of driving experiences.
He takes them from his home base in Helensburgh through part of the Royal National Park, past Bald Hill, over Sea Cliff Bridge and down through Wollongong to Albion Park, before climbing Macquarie Pass and through Robertson to the Southern Highlands.
They then return down Jamberoo Mountain Road and enjoy some narrow country roads, climbing up Saddleback Mountain for views up and down the coast and out over Kiama.
That day also includes a visit to The Cliffhanger cafe.
Mr Little said there were two inspirations for him starting the business.
The first was his love of Porsches and the second the roads.
"We have some of the best and most picturesque roads in the country," he said.
Mr Little said it was very popular with Sydneysiders who drove their own cars down to Helensburgh and then swapped to Porches during the day for some totally different driving experiences outside the city.
Many of them visited spots they had never been to before and wanted to come back with family and friends.
His business was also doing its bit to promote the region, he said.
But Mr Little told a Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce meeting last week that many Wollongong people did not know about Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives yet and he welcomed local bookings too.
Mr Little said the full-day tour started at 9.30am with a safety and route briefing over tea or coffee.
The 210-kilometre 6½-hour adventure includes a cliff top morning and afternoon tea overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a gourmet lunch.
There is also a half-day tour option that lasts just over three hours over a 115-kilometre route.
People can book at www.driveporsches.com.au, choosing to drive on their own or share the driving experience.