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!

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.