19 Road Trips in NSW You've Never Heard Of

NSW is full of epic road trips to discover…

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to road trips in NSW; from the Grand Pacific Drive, Rainforest Way, Kosciuszko Alpine Way, Darling River Run and Greater Blue Mountains to the Riverina to Snowy Valleys Way, Waterfall Way, Mighty Murray River Drive and Central to Outback NSW – the list goes on! Here, find 19 more road trips to plan in the state this year.

1. Coast and Country High Life

This slow loop southwest from Sydney offers enticing reasons to slow down, from food and cool-climate vineyards to outdoor adventure in national parks. It also includes the historic towns of Bowral, Bungendore and Braidwood, and a delightfully blue sweep of coast back from Batemans Bay.

The Coast and Country High Life road trip includes a stop at the historic towns of Bowral,

Don’t miss An exploration of the Minnamurra River at Kiama on a kayak tour – the mangrove ecosystem and crystal-clear waters are wonderful.

Add a Minnamurra River kayak tour to your Coast and Country High Life road trip itinerary. (Image: DNSW)

2. High Country to Cruising Coast

Start in Cooma in the Snowy Mountains foothills, and slide down towards the Sapphire Coast on a scenic journey that takes in regional art and culture, titillates the tastebuds in Bega dairy country, and finishes in Bungendore in the Southern Tablelands.

Join Captain Sponge's Magical Oyster Tour — Join Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour near Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss The slow-food trail between the lovely villages of Cobargo and Tilba, where you’ll discover fresh oysters, orchards, farm doors, ale, wine and cheese.

Tilba Bakery — Experience the slow-food trail between the lovely villages of Cobargo and Tilba, (Image: DNSW)

3. Food Lover’s Loop

Head from Sydney to the Hunter Valley the roundabout way, via the cellar doors, farm gates and restaurants of the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Mudgee and Upper Hunter regions. From cider to goat’s cheese and great wine, you’ll be in gourmet heaven.

Mudgee's annual food and wine festival. — Time your road trip to coincide with Mudgee’s annual food and wine festival. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss Get your motor running and explore vineyards and villages with Mudgee Trikes, a joyride with a difference from cellar door to cellar door.

4. Legendary Pacific Coast

Drive the coast north between Sydney and Tweed Heads for 820 kilometres of sumptuous scenery, blue bays, golden beaches and lush hinterland. You’ll enjoy all the classic getaways, from Port Stephens to Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay.

Surfing Cabarita Beach in Tweed Heads. — Legendary Pacific Coast road trip takes in Cabarita Beach in Tweed Heads. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss The Koala Hospital at Port Macquarie, the region with the east coast’s largest koala population, to see how well the ill and injured koalas are cared for.

5. Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive

Go the coastal route and the first half of this road trip will take you into one of Australia’s most dazzling regions where green, cow-chewed countryside clashes with vivid blue lagoons and magnificent seascapes.

Cupitt's Winery outside Ulladulla — Enjoy the wine along with the views at Cupitt’s Winery outside Ulladulla. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss Cupitt’s Estate outside Ulladulla, where the winery is supplemented by a microbrewery, fromagerie and restaurant for a full gourmet experience among the vines, with views to Pigeon House Mountain.

6. Stargazing and Storytelling

Travel to the far reaches of the universe on a trip from Parkes to Bourke through historic Central and Outback NSW, where contemplation of the night skies is highlighted through Dreamtime stories, campfire yarns and cutting-edge telescopes.

Don’t miss The Warrumbungles, Australia’s first Dark Sky Park near Coonabarabran. Look up at the cosmos at the Siding Spring Observatory , which houses the largest optical telescopes in Australia.

7. A Tour Of Caves And Fossils

You’ll find an extraordinary geological tale told by caves and fossil collections between Sydney and Wellington in the Central West, but enjoy all the delights of vineyards, country gardens, pioneer villages and great regional restaurants, too.

Don’t miss Sydney’s recently refurbished Australian Museum , which tells the story of our continent’s flora and fauna and has wonderful collections of minerals and fossils, including dinosaurs.

8. Kamilaroi Contrasts

This epic 930-kilometre meander through Kamilaroi country starts at Willow Tree and ends in Bourke. Discover the heart of rural NSW and its pioneer culture and history in destinations such as Gunnedah, Narrabri and opal-mining Lightning Ridge.

Don’t miss The pools and weirs of the 40,000-year-old Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Trap, which are among the oldest human structures on Earth, and best visited with an Indigenous guide.

Brewarrina Fish Traps — Brewarrina’s most astonishing landmark is the 40,000-year-old Indigenous fish traps. (Image: DNSW)

9. Heritage Highlights

This modest tour from Picton to the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge nonetheless crams in highlands, national parks, coast, the Georgian architecture of Berrima and the foodie pleasures of Bowral and the scenic Kangaroo Valley.

Stop to admire the Georgian architecture of Berrima. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss Wild Food Adventures in Kangaroo Valley for a personalised, upmarket foodie day outmatched with cycling or other adventures. Champagne and kayaking, anyone?

10. Cool Coast to Intrepid Inland

A drive down the coast from Newcastle explores the highlights of wonderful Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast before looping back north through the Hunter Valley wine region and finishing in Maitland.

the Hunter Valley wine region — The Cool Coast to Intrepid Inland itinerary includes the stunning Hunter Valley wine region. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss A lunch of southern French food at Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley, which has bagged a Chef’s Hat from the SMH Good Food Guide every year for a decade.

Stop for lunch at Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley. (Image: DNSW)

11. Heritage Towns, Contemporary Tastes

A meander from Yass Valley to Jugiong takes in the rolling countryside northwest of Canberra, which features vineyards, gold-rush towns, antiques and arts, plus enough country flavours to whet the appetite of any gourmet.

A road trip through the Yass Valley to Jugiong takes in heritage towns and contemporary tastes.

Don’t miss Creator’s Nest in Yass, which is just the place to find regional handicrafts by local artists. You might even want to join a workshop and unleash your own creativity.

12. The North Coast Hinterland Adventure

The inland route from the Barrington Coast north to Port Macquarie supplies a laidback wander – and occasional active hike or cycle – through tranquil country towns, World Heritage-listed forest, waterfall-draped landscapes and gorgeous farmland.

Corker Trail Barrington Coast — Traverse one of the mesmerising trails along the Barrington Coast. (Image: Catherine Boyd)

Don’t miss The worn-down, volcanic landscapes of Coorabakh National Park , draped in several types of forest and abundant waterfalls. Its shady fern-decorated valleys, river gorges and sandstone cliffs are glorious.

13. Coast to Country

Get a dose of coastal and country life on a five-day journey between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, which takes in surf-pounded national parks, bohemian hinterland retreat Bellingen, and the rugged volcanic landscapes near to the Great Dividing Range.

Don’t miss A Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tour by paddleboard – with snorkelling and swimming – to learn about the culture and bush tucker of coastal Gumbaynggirr people at Coffs Harbour.

Go stand-up paddle boarding with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr. (Image: DNSW)

14. The Classic Australian Drive

The long road from Wentworth to Gundagai takes you east across Outback NSW into the Riverina, from flat, red plains to rolling wheat fields, and from ancient Aboriginal times in Mungo National Park to settler towns that defined early Australia.

Gundgai town — The Classic Australian Drive itinerary takes you from Wentworth to Gundagai. (Image: Gundagai/DNSW)

Don’t miss A stay at Flash Jack’s in Gundagai. The former convent provides historical ambience but has stylish boutique accommodation supplying contemporary country comfort.

15. The Kidman Way And Beyond

This magnificent route cuts 830 kilometres north from Albury to Bourke, straight through the heart of NSW and all its associations with bushrangers, settlers, farmers and modern-day miners. Think Australia in a nutshell.

Don’t miss Murray Art Museum Albury , one of the country’s most modern and exciting regional galleries, with ever-changing displays of contemporary art, and regular art classes and workshops.

Murray Art Museum Albury is one of the country’s most modern and exciting regional galleries.

16. The Long Paddock

A little further west, this parallel route traces a historic network of stock routes from Echuca-Moama on the Murray River to Wilcannia deep in Outback NSW. You’ll discover kangaroo and sheep country and a hearty dose of history.

Don’t miss A journey through Aussie settler, drover and transport culture in Deniliquin, showcased at the Historical Society Museum, Peppin Heritage Centre and The Depot Deniliquin, which houses a historic vehicle and memorabilia collection.

17. NSW Food And Wine Trail

The Central West features quintessential Aussie country scenery and colonial-era settlements, and has quite the gourmet reputation. Relax on a roundabout route from Lithgow to Mudgee via Orange, Canowindra, Cowra, Parkes and Dubbo to enjoy the highlights.

Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange.

Don’t miss Ochre Arch Farm near Cowra to learn about sustainable farming on a working cattle and sheep property – and to enjoy a scrumptious farmhouse afternoon tea.

18. Fossickers Way

You might not have heard of Barraba or Nundle, the start and finish of this route through gorgeous New England, but you’ll be happy to discover these lovely historic country towns – plus Armidale, Tamworth and several others, too.

Discover the historic town of Nundle along Fossickers Way. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss Inverell Pioneer Village , an open-air museum that brings together colonial-era buildings including cottages, a schoolhouse and an 1874 pub for a fascinating glimpse into the past.

19. Tablelands Food and Wine Trail

The Southern Tablelands of NSW include Yass Valley, Hilltops, the Goulburn region, Upper Lachlan and the Queanbeyan region, all of which have country charm and lovely rolling scenery and, to make it even better, you’ll also find farm gates, cellar doors and a burgeoning regional food scene.

Discover the country charm and lovely rolling scenery of the Hilltop region. (Image: DNSW)

Don’t miss An overnight in Taralga, where the accommodation on offer includes the Taralga Hotel, a popular country pub, and historic hotel (and fine-dining venue) the Argyle Inn, both built in the 1870s.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

19 road trips in NSW you’ve never heard of