The ultimate Sydney to Dubbo road trip guide

Getting behind the wheel is a pleasure when your journey covers landscapes as diverse as they are picturesque.

Driving Sydney to Dubbo? You’re in luck; it’s not so much a ‘Point A to Point B’ road trip as it is a 528-kilometre feast for the senses, all vibrant gold canola fields, misty mountain villages and more than a few wildflower-adored wineries.

There’s nothing to say you couldn’t make the journey in a little over five hours, but to do so would be to cheat yourself. Our advice? Break it up into a multi-day adventure and turn it into the ultimate regional New South Wales road trip for the ages. Here’s how:

Day one: Sydney to Blue Mountains

On paper, it’s only a 90-minute drive west of Sydney’s CBD, but in reality your car serves as the chariot which takes you into a world of charming villages teeming with antiques and secondhand bookstores, toasty cafes with crackling fires and more than a few scenic bush walks.

Hit the road early so you can make the most of the villages dotted on either wise of the Great Western Highway and pay close attention to Glenbrook, where excellent coffee can be found at Kickaboom or 2773 ; Lawson, where the pastries at Black Cockatoo Bakery are a must and Blackheath, home to the gargantuan Victory Theatre Antique Centre.

a couple walking along the Grand Canyon Walking Track, Blackheath in the Blue Mountains — Tackle the scenic rainforest walk along the Grand Canyon Track. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’ll need your hiking shoes to tackle one of two, seven-kilometre walks that begin at Govetts Leap Lookout , or the spectacular Grand Canyon Track which winds around waterfalls and lush rainforest alive with all manner of native plants.

Rest and recovery can only take place at cherry blossom-lined Leura, where a vibrant mix of boutiques and eateries line ‘The Mall’. Make a beeline for Bygone Beautys Treasure Teaport Museum , stock up on handmade chocolates at Josophans , and – provided you have enough time – book in for a guided walk with a local at Mountains Tales .

the exterior of Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains — This quaint accommodation is perfect for nature lovers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Would a trip to the Blue Mountains be complete without a visit to the Three Sisters? Of course not, and happily, the new Katoomba Falls Reserve Night-Lit Walk is now open and there’s no better way to embrace the end of the day than by observing the iconic landmark lit up under an ink-black sky.

The place to eat: Blackheat’s Ateş , an Ottoman-inspired restaurant and wine bar with a focus on share plates created with the help of a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven.

The place to stay: Lilianfels is a characterful accommodation that boasts heritage allure and is perfectly situated a short walk from some of the most iconic sites.

Day two: Blue Mountains to Bathurst

Start your day with a buffet-style breakfast in the light-filled The Orangery at Lilianfels.

Although a stop at Jenolan Caves (a little over an hour away) is always recommended when you’re in this part of the world,  it remains closed due to heavy 2024 flooding. The good news? Those who make the hour-long journey west to the adventure playground that is Oberon are handsomely rewarded with a wealth of State Forests, Lake Oberon and scenic cool climate gardens.

the scenic River Cave system at Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Head underground the Jenolan Caves to see stunning limestones and pale-blue water basins. (Image: Destination NSW)

Got a thing for sapphires? Make the Oberon Visitor Centre your first port of call where you can pick up a fossicking kit and pick up maps for spots where you can spend a couple of quiet hours in shallow waterways fossicking for gems. Depending on the time of year your visit, you also have the option of signing up for a truffle tour with the likes of RedGround and Oberon Black .

No trip to Oberon is complete without a stroll around Mayfield Garden , one of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens – best described as ‘a riot of colour demanded to be seen immediately’. It’s 65 hectare presence can be a lot to get through, but once you’ve had your fill of the gardens’ lake, box hedge maze, water garden and chapel – and assuming you’ve opted against having a picnic set up for you – take the 30-minute drive to Rockley, a perfectly preserved 19-century country village. Although home to a multitude of heritage buildings and pretty parklands, you’re here for a table at Matt Moran’s The Rockley Pub where the parmesan-crusted chicken schnitzel is on high rotation (and deservedly so).

scenic views across Mayfield Garden, Oberon — The verdant, manicured Mayfield Garden is perfectly laid out in the NSW Central Tablelands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Drive a further 30 minutes north and treat yourself to a night at Oakhill Estate , glasshouse cabins perched high above Bathurst where you can unwind in front of the outdoor firepit, enjoy a platter (or two) and sleep under the stars.

The place to eat: Cobblestone Lane has long been the place to be for those craving fine dining in an elegant heritage building.

The place to stay: Not into glass cabins? It’s hard to go past 232 at Boonderoo , an architecturally designed home which uses the thermal mass of the earth to achieve ultra low energy consumption. 

Day three: Bathurst to Dubbo

To start the day with a breakfast burger or pancakes topped with berries? No matter which way you swing, you won’t be able to deny you have the best table in the house at The Hub . Stretch the legs as you take a walk around Bathurst, the town where gold was first discovered in 1823 and where historic buildings such as the grand Bathurst Courthouse remain a sight to behold.

a Dinosaur display at the Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum, Bathurst. — See some of the rarest dinosaur fossils at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. (Image: Destination NSW)

It would, of course, be criminal if you didn’t visit the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum and Abercrombie House , a Scottish baronial mansion from the 1870s before taking a hot lap (or two) of the famous Mount Panorama Circuit .

Motor enthusiasts will consider a visit to the National Motor Racing Museum the ultimate diesel-covered cherry on top.

a car display at The National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst — The National Motor Racing Museum features some 50 cars and racing memorabilia. (Image: Destination NSW)

The bustling country town of Orange, a Mecca of award-winning restaurants, bountiful produce and cool climate wineries is only a leisurely 45-minute drive away, but making regular stops is all part of the experience.

Surrounded by some 60 vineyards, make a beeline for the likes of Philip Shaw , Ross Hill and Swinging Bridge and don’t miss grabbing a table at Swinging Bridge which offers an in-depth tasting of their wines paired with a five-course degustation. Road trippers will need to remember to use the spitoon, however.

alfresco dining at Ross Hill Wines, Orange — The expanded cellar door at Ross Hill Wines offers an idyllic spot for tastings. (Image: Destination NSW)

Orange is home to a wealth of quirky boutiques – many of them located on Sale, Summer and Byng Streets. Once you’ve browsed the racks and stands of The White Place , JUMBLED and Mary & Tex Curious Emporium , and embraced Orange’s vibrant cafe culture with a pit-stop at Byng Street Local Store or Good Eddy , lock in a bush tucker tour slot with Indigenous Cultural Adventures , run by the charismatic Gerald Power.

The place to eat: Don’t miss a meal at The Union Bank where a whole barramundi is served with prawns and toum in an elegant setting.

The place to stay: It’s hard not to be dazzled by the romantic glamping options at Nashville Lane , where you can enjoy quality produce (and fine wine, of course) by the fire.

Leave Orange early for your 90-minute drive to Dubbo. As you can imagine, there’s a lot to discover!

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The ultimate Sydney to Dubbo road trip guide

Getting behind the wheel is a pleasure when your journey covers landscapes as diverse as they are picturesque.

Day one: Sydney to Blue Mountains

Day two: Blue Mountains to Bathurst

Day three: Bathurst to Dubbo

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