Best things to do in winter in NSW
But while the NSW ski fields tend to be the focus from June until August, there’s no better time to visit all the other parts of our amazing state.
What is there to do on a cold-weather holiday? Far more than you might imagine. We’ve compiled this list of the five best things to do in NSW during winter.
1. Visit a beach town
This might seem like a weird winter suggestion, but visiting a beach town out of season is a wonderful way to relax and unwind. Outside spring and summer, popular coastal destinations become sleepy seaside hamlets, with pristine beaches that are often all but deserted.
While only wet-suited surfers and the brave/crazy will go for a dip in winter, beach towns provide a beautiful setting for all the other activities that aren’t reliant on warm weather – sightseeing, fishing, cruises, a long walk on the sand. The gentle winter light also makes it the perfect season for seaside photography.
Many larger towns tend to have attractions that cater to cool-weather visitors. A good example is Batemans Bay, on the northern end of the Eurobodalla Shire. A few years back it opened Bay Pavilions, which combines a heated aquatic centre (including a water park with slides) and an arts facility (including a gallery and theatre that puts on local productions).
Getting wet and wild at the Bay Pavilions aquatic centre.
If the sun is shining some enjoyable options include a cruise along the historic Clyde River and heading up to Holmes Lookout to get an eagle-eye view of the town and bay. An NRMA holiday park is conveniently located in nearby Batehaven and if you’re travelling in an EV there’s also an NRMA fast charger in the Bay Pavilions carpark.
Batemans Bay seen from Holmes Lookout.
Another out-of-season favourite among the Open Road team is the Mill Bay Boardwalk at Narooma on the far south coast. On a sunny winter’s day this easy 700-metre return stroll takes you alongside the crystal-clear waters of the eponymous bay (part of Wagonga Inlet) and it’s not unusual to spot stingrays, seals and other marine life just metres away.
A stingray glides past the Mill Bay Boardwalk in Narooma.
2. Explore country roads
Something else you might notice when you’re on your way to one of those beach towns mentioned above: the roads are nice and quiet. A route that becomes a logjam over the summer holidays and October long weekend transforms into an unforgettable touring road in the winter months.
Tea Gardens to Forster, Batemans Bay to Moruya, and Central Tilba to Tathra are just a few of the coastal byways that reward an off-season trip when tourists are few and roads are empty.
Look beyond the seaside and options are almost limitless. If you want to sample just about everything NSW has to offer in a single road journey, the loop formed between Canberra, Braidwood, Tathra, and Cooma has it all – coast, country and a touch of the alpine.
Cooma viewed from Nanny Goat Hill Lookout.
Not sure where to start? Organise your winter journey with the NRMA trip planner.
And don’t forget to ensure your car is in tip top condition for a winter road trip by following these simple tips and tricks.
3. Feast on food and drink
City folks who buy groceries at the big supermarkets have grown accustomed to wilted vegetables and fruit that turns to mush after a few days. Getting out into the country and experiencing farm-fresh food can be an eye-opening (and mouth-watering) experience.
Winter is strawberry season and farms all around NSW invite travellers to grab a punnet and pick their own fruit. If you’re looking for a day trip from Sydney, Bilpin Fruit Bowl in the Hawkesbury and Berrylicious in the Southern Highlands are an easy drive.
Further afield is Ricardoes Tomatoes, which has been a Port Macquarie institution since 2003, selling the finest tomatoes and strawberries the mid-north coast has to offer. The best and freshest strawberries we’ve encountered, however, are at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream in Wagga Wagga. Once you’ve filled a punnet or two with delicious produce, be sure to grab a bite to eat at the café – the strawberry ice cream is a delight for the tastebuds or, if it’s too chilly for frozen treats, order some scones with strawberry jam and cream.
Vine-fresh strawberries ripe for the picking at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream.
If you’d rather warm your innards with a tasty tipple, find a designated driver and set off into the NSW countryside. No matter which direction you take, you’ll soon run across a winery or gin distillery.
If you like a robust red on a cold winter’s night, there’s no better destination than the Murrumbateman wine region just north of the ACT border. Go back 20 years and it was virtually a local secret, but these days it’s a booming viticultural hub to rival Mudgee and the Hunter Valley, with more than a dozen cellar doors. My personal favourite is the shiraz at Gallaher Wines, but if you like something sweeter The Vintner’s Daughter does a delicious Riesling. Some wineries also offer fine-dining restaurants on site.
In the space of a decade, gin has gone from an old lady’s drink to just about the trendiest tipple going around. Gin distilleries have popped up all over NSW, operating out of everything from an old Marrickville factory to purpose-built facilities on country acreage.
Among the most notable is Foxdog Distillery, just down the road from the famous zoo in Mogo. Opened in 2024, it’s a sprawling sandstone edifice that manages to look rustic and chic all at once and boasts views of cows grazing on the neighbouring hillside. Outdoor seating abounds and inside hundreds of the distillery’s mesmerising bottles line the walls like 3D wallpaper. It’s open for lunch and dinner and its woodfired pizzas are fluffy and delicious.
A sample of everything Foxdog has to offer.
Also worth checking out down south are the North of Eden Artisan Distillery (set on a picturesque Stony Creek farming property) and Nine Circles Distillery. The latter is on the fringe of Pambula’s business district but also backs onto Panboola Wetlands, meaning it’s easy to access while also offering a scenic and sunny place to enjoy a tasting paddle.
Enjoy a glass of something lovely at the North of Eden Distillery.
Last but not least, check out local markets. Most towns big or small, coastal or rural, run monthly markets where you can buy fresh produce, tasty treats, and handmade goods from the self-same people who created or cultivated them. Visit NSW provides an extensive list of regional markets, including their operating dates and locations. Not only will you meet friendly people and potentially bag a bargain, you’ll also be supporting small country businesses during the leaner winter months.
4. Head to the outback
A trek through the outback is something every Australian needs to do at least once and NSW is blessed with some of the most interesting remote towns on the map. But in the warmer months the mercury can push 40ºC and flies can be an absolute menace, appearing out of nowhere to try and crawl into your mouth and nose or sit in clumps on your back.
The great thing about a winter outback trip? Daytime temperatures usually hover around the teens or low twenties and the flies go wherever flies go during the cooler months.
You can’t go wrong with any of the outback NSW classics, which Open Road magazine has written about again and again over the years. Bourke is an increasingly cosmopolitan regional hub with a rich colonial river town history. Lightning Ridge deserves its reputation as a tourist hotspot for both its opal-rich earth and the unique characters who call its dusty streets home.
Tibooburra, arguably the remotest town in NSW, is a cultural experience in itself and base camp for a visit to Cameron Corner, where NSW, Queensland and South Australia connect. Then of course there’s the quirkiness of Broken Hill, which shares a time zone (and plenty of other traits) with South Australia and is renowned for its mining and Australian film history.
On the lonely road to Cameron Corner.
Don’t forget that the outback is also rich with indigenous culture and heritage. Most towns have guides to provide an Aboriginal perspective and give insights into the pre-colonial way of life, such as the famous fish traps at Brewarrina.
5. Check out a festival
There’s nothing more country than rugging up, building a bonfire, and enjoying a frosty evening outdoors. To attract tourists, many NSW towns hold festivals during the winter months celebrating music, food and local culture.
Frost and Fire – June 20
The ski dam in the western NSW town of Forbes comes alive for the winter solstice with hearty food, boutique brews, fire buckets, and fireworks. Also expect to see local artists, renowned musicians, and Wiradjuri cultural performances.
Snow Time in the Garden – June 27-July 26
While the grapes are hibernating the Hunter Valley Gardens burst into life with this month-long celebration of winter. An indoor facility offers snow-themed rides, ice skating, a children’s play zone and much more.
Festival of W - July 1-31
Looking for something to do in the school holidays? The Festival of W brings winter celebrations to the regional city of Wagga Wagga with light shows, ice skating, hearty winter eats and live music. Fun for the whole family.
Orange Region Fire Festival – August 7-16
Winter in the NSW central west takes on a whole new glow during this 10-day celebration. From crackling fire pits to long-table dinners, the program brings together local winemakers, chefs, artists and musicians for a series of immersive experiences that champion the region’s produce and talent.
Mundi Mundi Bash – August 20-22
Festivals don’t come much more Aussie than the Mundi Mundi Bash. The arid plains outside Broken Hill play host to a three-day music extravaganza with this year’s acts including The Whitlams, Leo Sayer and Richard Clapton.
A Taste of Italy – August 24-30
This week-long festival honours the Italian immigrants who made Griffith home and brought with them generations of knowledge and passion for food and viticulture. Prepare to say “Bellissimo!” as you taste your way around this beautiful region.
