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.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

19 road trips in NSW you’ve never heard of