Travel
Realism tattoos for Canberra clients
Port Kembla is around three hours from Canberra by car. With an overnight stay, a full day of realism with Dylan is an easy trip to plan.
~3 hrs
by car, about 250 km
1 night
stay recommended
2 routes
via Picton Road or the Highlands
1 day
per session, $2,000
Getting here
The drive from Canberra.
- Via the Hume and Picton Road: the Federal Highway to the Hume, then Picton Road across to the M1 and down to Wollongong. This is usually the quickest way, at around two and three-quarter to three hours.
- Via the Southern Highlands: leave the Hume near Moss Vale and come down the Illawarra Highway and Macquarie Pass. It’s slower and steep in places, but a beautiful drive in daylight.
- Without a car: coaches run between Canberra and Sydney, then a South Coast Line train runs from Central to Wollongong. It’s a long day, so stay overnight if you go this way.
[Parking at the studio.]
Plan to stay
Arrive the night before.
A full day in the chair followed by a three-hour drive is a lot. Most Canberra clients arrive the night before and either drive home after a good dinner or stay a second night. If you’re having a large piece done, Dylan can sometimes book days close together so one trip covers more of the work. Mention it in your application.
See where to stay for areas close to the studio.
Why make the trip
Custom work, built properly.
Every piece is designed for you and tattooed over full days, in a private, appointment-only studio. For large-scale realism like sleeves and back pieces, a few trips over several months is normal, and each visit is planned so the work flows as one piece. [Dylan: a line for Canberra clients.]
Healing at home
You are not on your own.
You’ll get aftercare by email on the day, a check-in after a week and a request for a healed photo at around eight weeks. If something doesn’t look right while it heals, get in touch and Dylan will take a look from photos.
Work clients have travelled for
Questions
Common questions
It’s possible, but a three-hour drive on either side of a full session makes for a very long day. Staying at least one night is much easier on you and your tattoo.
Picton Road is usually quickest. The Southern Highlands and Macquarie Pass route is slower and winding, so leave it for daylight and a relaxed drive.
Yes, with a coach from Canberra to Sydney and a South Coast Line train from Central to Wollongong. Allow most of a day and plan to stay overnight.
It depends on the design and placement, but large realism pieces usually take several full days, a few weeks apart. Dylan will give you an estimate when you apply.
More travel guides
About 90 minutes down the M1. Plan the drive, the train and the day.
Ten minutes from the Wollongong CBD, close to the whole Illawarra.
Have a piece in mind?
Books open a few times a year. The waitlist hears first.