Ready to hit the road? Here are ten amazing journeys and destinations to explore NSW and its amazing natural beauty.
The Greater Blue Mountains Drive (2+ days)
The Blue Mountains area is a 1.5-hour drive west of Sydney and the scenic drive provides numerous places to stop for lookouts, walking trails, detours to stunning waterfalls, and the chance to explore quaint country towns and wineries along the way.
The beautiful Orange region in Country NSW enjoys an outstanding reputation for fresh produce and excellent cool-climate wines, thanks to Mount Canobolas’ volcanic soils and altitude.
Day 1: Katoomba – from Sydney to Katoomba takes about 90 minutes via the M4 Motorway and is the heart of the Blue Mountain’s natural wonders. Here you can explore Scenic World’s railway, cable car, skyway and walkway for views of the Three Sisters, the Grand Canyon Trek, and Leura Cascades.
Day 2: Lithgow – here you can explore the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, Esbank House Museum, and Hassans Wall Lookout,
From Lithgow, you can return to Sydney exploring the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah and visit Mount Wilson.
Alternatively, you can extend the road trip and head through the Capertee Valley exploring the Capertee National Park and Glen Davis Ruins, onwards to the vineyards and farming areas of the Upper Hunter, the Hawkesbury region, Mudgee and Orange.
Another option from Lithgow is to take the Greater Western Highway exploring the wineries of the Southern Highlands.
Grand Pacific Drive (1–2 days)
One of Australia’s most scenic drives, the Grand Pacific Drive features coastal rainforests, stunning lookouts, beaches, national parks, and the iconic 665 metre Sea Cliff Bridge.
Head south out of Sydney to the Royal National Park where you can enjoy seasonal whale watching, the Figure Eight Rock Pools, beach tracks, forest tracks, and cycling tracks.
Keep heading south to the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, take in Bald Hill Lookout, Stanwell Park, Symbio Wildlife Park, and a vegetarian meal at Sri Venkateswara Temple and admire the beautiful Hindu temple.
Other great stops along the Grand Pacific Drive include fruit-picking at Glenbernie Orchard, wild dolphin spotting at Jervis Bay, the world’s largest blowhole at Kiama or simply chilling out on the world’s whitest sand on Hyams Beach.
At Wollongong, take in the views from Belmore Basin, and check out Austinmer Beach and the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple. Spend some time in Wollongong or keep heading south to explore Kiama and Jervis Bay.
Day 2 – Kiama – check out Kiama Blowhole, Hars Aviation Museum, and Kangaroo River for kayaking or trails.
After Kiama head to Jervis Bay and check out Booderee national Park, Cape St George lighthouse, Cave Beach, the stunning Hyams Beach, and Jervis Bay Marine Park.
Legendary Pacific Coast (5-6 days)
This fantastic multi-day road trip takes in coastal communities of NSW including Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, and the Tweed Area. You can shorten the journey by heading only as far as Port Macquarie or extend it by enjoying the many detours to attractions this route offers.
Day 1: Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens
Day 2: Port Macquarie, South West Rocks
Day 3: Coffs Harbour
Day 4: Byron Bay & Tweed Heads
The Kosciuszko Alpine Way (3 days+)
It begins with a four-hour drive to Cooma either via Canberra which could be added on after the Legendary Pacific Coast route listed above. From Cooma, you’ll experience breathtaking views of the Australian Alps and the rooftop of Australia.
Day 1: from Cooma, check out the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme, go white water rafting, or horse trail riding.
Day 2: visit Jindabyne, Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, and check to see if the rodeo is on. From Thredbo take the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift and the Kosciuszko Walk.
Day 3: visit the historic town of Khancoban. From there you can head to Kiandra and onwards to check out the Yarrangobilly Caves.
Legendary Pacific Drive and The Waterfall Way (3 days)
Note the Legendary Pacific Drive route further above which takes you from Sydney to Coffs Harbour where you take a detour along the 207km Waterfall Way.
From Coffs Harbour the Waterfall Way heads inland and visit the Dorrigo National Park, Tristania Falls, Cyrstal Shower Falls, Dangar Falls, Ebor Falls, and Wollomombi Falls.
Tour of caves and fossils (4 days)
This four-day journey packed with natural wonders that will take you through mountains and historic townships.
The highlight of the road trip are the Glow Worm Tunnel, Jenolan Caves, Oberon and its gardens, Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, historical townships including Blaney, Orange, Carcoar, Milthorpe, Cowra, ballooning in Canowindra, and the Wellington Caves.
Heritage highlights 4 Days
Take a journey into NSW history as you head south into the Southern Highlands.
Highlights include historical Picton and its colonial buildings, NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere Lakes National Park, Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, Bowral and the Bradman Museum, Hampden Bridge, Fitzroy Falls, Kiama Coast Walk, HARS Aviation Museum, Australian Motor Museum, and Sea Cliff Bridge.
Coledale Beach via the Royal National Park (1-2 Days)
Coledale Beach is a fantastic destination in itself, a small beachside town offering camping grounds right by the pristine beach.
Adding to its lure is the fantastic journey that gets you there, especially if you make a relaxed drive through the Royal National Park stopping in on Wedding Cake Rock, Marley Beach, Wattamolla Falls, Curracurrong Creek, Garie Beach, Figure 8 Pools, Bald Hill Lookout, Symbio Wildlife Park, Maddens Falls, and the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Mollymook (1-2 Days)
Mollymook is another laid back coastal community offering up surfing, whale watching golf, fishing, and snorkelling.
The journey there is just the right length, not so long that you get frustrated and tired but just long enough to let all the worries melt away before arriving to a pristine beach and laid back beachside township.
Hunter Valley’s Around Hermitage Food and Wine Trail
(1-2 Days)
The “Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail” brings together the perfect match between food and wine with the backdrop of the Brokenback Mountains. It highlights some of the best scenery and the most awarded boutique wineries and restaurants that the Hunter Valley has to offer.
The Hunter Valley is just a 2-hour drive from Sydney via the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Hunter Expressway (M15) to Hermitage Road.