Unmissable Highlights on a Road Trip From Sydney to Orange

Make the journey to Orange as incredible as the destination with these must-sees along the way.

Meandering through the World Heritage Blue Mountains and on through the beautifully sun-bleached Australian rural landscapes of the central west, the 3.5-hour drive from Sydney to Orange is punctuated with worthy stops to divert your attention. You could easily make the journey in one go, but you’d miss out on the treasures of heritage towns, delicious food and spectacular scenery along the way. Here are the best places to revive and help you into a minibreak mood before you roll into Orange.

Sydney to Katoomba: 1 hour 45 minutes

You’re setting out for Orange on a sojourn of wining, dining and fun-timing, but you needn’t hurry it along. Slow it down, stretch it out and take the whole day to arrive by enjoying the scenery and charming towns en route, after all, you’re passing through the beautiful Blue Mountains. Escaping the clutch of Sydney traffic is the hardest part of any road trip, but once you’re free of the city limits, the towering eucalypts and gentle curves of the Great Western Highway will give way to a getaway state of mind. Lean into it and stop in Katoomba to enjoy this historic mountain town’s dramatic scenery and a handful of must-see highlights.

Echo Point Lookout

You’ve been on the road for almost two hours now, so get blood pumping to your legs again with a stop at Echo Point Lookout for sweeping vistas of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. While you’re here, fortify for the next part of the journey at the Milkbar, where you can cradle a good coffee and a breakfast roll or crumbed brisket bagel.

Bowery

If you’re pulling into Katoomba in time for brunch or lunch, placate your growing hanger with a stop at casual eatery Bowery . Straddling two meal times, the menu wanders from a sweet brioche French toast to a more filling osso buco or roasted sesame poke bowl. Set in a former church, the vast dining hall and courtyard make for an ambient spot to stop.

Mountain Culture Beer

Katoomba’s beloved brewpub is a must-visit for those in the vehicle not sharing the driving. Although those who are teetotalling will still relish the break to clasp two hands around a generously stuffed burger. If you are partaking in a drink, the craft brewery has plenty of interesting beers to try, such as the Status Quo Pale Ale to the Moon Dust Stout and a range of seasonal brews.

Round Walking Track Katoomba

A short stroll through the rainforest is a truly lovely way to ensure you’re relaxing into a minibreak. You needn’t lace up hiking boots for this concise 1.2-kilometre loop , but you’ll still be treated to a highlight reel of the area’s big-hitter sights, such as the Three Sisters and Witches Leap Waterfall.

Scenic World

If you have a little more time up your sleeve, go big at Scenic World to get right to the heart of the Blue Mountain’s gob-smacking beauty. The Scenic Skyway will glide you across the Jamison Valley, the Scenic Cableway will take you 510 metres down to the valley floor and back again, and the Scenic Railway, the steepest in the world, will descend 310 metres at a 52-degree incline. An Unlimited Discovery Pass will give you access to all attractions, all day.

Katoomba to Bathurst: 1 hour 20 minutes

While Bathurst was the site of the first Australian gold rush, these days, the rush more readily comes from motor racing on Mount Panorama. But away from the engine revving, Bathurst, founded in 1815, remains a beautiful and historic town well worth a stop on your itinerary. Set to the west of the Blue Mountains and on the south bank of the Macquarie River, it has both heritage grandeur and a rural casualness.

The Hub

If you’ve arrived with a need to fill your tank, head to The Hub Espresso Bar and Eatery to refuel. Grinding the beans of Fish River Roasters to make aromatic coffee, this is the place for your caffeine fix. Breakfast is until noon, after that, settle into lunch classics of toasted panini, BLTs and salads outside in the leafy courtyard.

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

Take an artful detour at this excellent gallery that is well-endowed with a collection of more than 3000 works, from painting and sculpture to photography and ceramics. You’ll find the names of some notable Australian artists gracing the walls, such as James Gleeson, Grace Cossington Smith and Lloyd Rees, while the gallery also hosts feature and touring exhibitions.

Art on display inside Bathurst Art Gallery — Find more than 3000 works on display at the gallery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Abercrombie House

Bathurst isn’t short on marvellous buildings and a stroll through the centre of town will reveal a long and architecturally significant history, such as the Victorian-style courthouse. But rather than admire from the street, why not step back in time with a tour of the stately Abercrombie Hous e? Although privately owned by the Morgan family, this 50-room, 1870s Scottish mansion is regularly open for tours and self-guided tours. Rather incongruously placed in rural Australia, this building is astonishingly well-preserved and worth a visit. You can even enjoy a high tea here on certain dates.

Bathurst to Orange: 50 minutes

If you still have time up your sleeve on the final leg of your journey, there are stops between Bathurst and Orange that deserve your time. Although, the delights of your destination await. Perhaps you’re eager to get cosy by a cottage fire at a snug and stylish Airbnb, sip a much-longed-for glass of pinot noir at a cellar door, or make your reservation at one of Orange’s incredible restaurants. Whatever you don’t manage to fit in on your inward journey, be sure to earmark the below for when it’s time to retrace your steps home.

Group enjoying a tour of vineyards with Orange Wine Tours in Orange — It’s time to enjoy the spoils of Orange with a wine tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Millthorpe Village

The very idea of a proverbial country village brought to life, Millthorpe is nothing short of adorable . Sweet and welcoming, it’ll have you fantasising about the rural life you always suspected you were made for. Just 20 minutes southeast of Orange, it’s an easy slip off the main route to wander the main street lined with heritage buildings. From vintage shopping to produce-driven eateries and generally beautiful streets, it seems wonderfully uninterrupted by ordinary life.

Larder and Home

If you simply can’t wait to get to Orange for a bite and a cup of good coffee (or a glass of vino), pull into Lucknow, where you’ll find Larder & Home . Owned by the same people behind Orange’s much-adored Byng St Cafe, settle in here by the banks of Summer Hill Creek for Allpress coffee, wood-fired pizza and a well-edited list of local wines.

Highland Heritage

As you enter the outskirts of Orange, toast to your adventures from Sydney by stopping in at Highland Heritage , one of the first cellar doors you’ll see as you drive toward town on the Mitchell Highway. Prime your palate for a weekend of wine-tasting here, where cool climate wines are made in one of Orange’s oldest vineyards. Open from 10am to 5pm, it’s a lovely way to begin (or end) your tour trip.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Unmissable highlights on a road trip from Sydney to Orange