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5 great NSW road trips

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There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the open road. An adventure that’s about the journey as much as the destination. New South Wales has some classic Australian road trips with beautiful beaches, towering mountain ranges, quaint historic villages and outback plains. Here are five of the state's most enjoyable drives for you to explore.

Sydney to Dubbo

Only 5 hours from Sydney and not so many worlds away is Dubbo – and a road trip to Dubbo is more than a singular means of getting to one of Australia’s greatest zoos. It’s a chance to traverse the Great Dividing Range and experience the natural, cultural and gastronomic delights that lie in and beyond the Blue Mountains. From sprawling regional centres like Bathurst - filled with Indigenous and colonial history to small towns like Orange that are surrounded by fertile wheat, sheep and wine country, this is a journey that shines when you have time to take roads less travelled and glimpse the lives of locals beyond the highway.

View Sydney to Dubbo road trip.

Forster to Parramatta

If beautiful blue waters, secret beaches and spectacular surf are your idea of a good road trip, there's no better way to get your fill than by traversing along the Pacific Coast Highway. there's no better way to get your fill than by traversing along the Pacific Coast Highway. Start at popular seaside town Foster -- the perfect base for exploring 40km oceanfront that surrounds it. Pay a visit to the charming country towns on route, take a selfie with NSW's tallest tree, and shop until you drop in Newcastle and Sydney's West.

View Forster to Parramatta road trip.


Southern Highlands drive

The beautiful, quaint and scenic Southern Highlands should be your next road trip destination. Home to a plethora of villages with exciting adventures to be had and historic places to explore, on this road trip you'll be able to experience spectacular wilderness and wildlife at a number of Australia’s most impressive National Parks between Sydney and Blackheath.

There’s more than a touch of class to the towns of the Southern Highlands. Whether you're observing their perfectly restored colonial architecture to the impeccably maintained gardens and estates, the region’s towns, cellar doors and natural wonders are all within easy driving distance of each other.

Skirt around Canberra and work your way through the remote alpine bush, heading towards the Blue Mountains. End your trip with a well-deserved spa treatment in the Blue Mountains, and enjoy the impressive views at the World Heritage-listed Park. 

View Southern Highlands road trip.


NSW far South Coast

Just south of Sydney, you’ll find a beautiful stretch of coastline perfect for day trips, weekend escapes and longer stays at any time of the year.

The NSW South Coast doesn’t stop at Batemans Bay, nor does it close down after major holidays such as Christmas or Easter. Go a little further and you'll find an abundance of cold-weather charms that lie south of the Clyde River. Take your pick of breathtaking beaches, meet a menagerie of wildlife and enjoy a huge range water sports. Relax on some of the whitest sands in the world, explore sparkling estuaries by kayak and savour freshly shucked oysters on Australia’s Oyster Coast.

View NSW far South Coast road trip.


Sydney to Coffs Habour

You could easily drive straight from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, admiring the peaks of the Great Dividing Range in the distance, without ever leaving the Pacific Highway. Yet sticking to the most efficient road means missing out on some of the region’s most photogenic (and delicious) stops.

Known for wonderful beaches and beautiful sheltered bays, perfect for families as well as swimming, snorkelling and kayaking is the Central Coast and Port Stephens. Once you head further north, the Northern Rivers region is not only acclaimed for its natural beauty, but its creative communities and fresh produce. If you're seeking respite in nature, mediatative renewal or a surfing paradise - the Northern Rivers has it all.

View Sydney to Coffs Harbour road trip.


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