When the road trip calls, you’ve got to listen. Whether you’ve got weeks to spare, or a day up your sleeve, here are five of the best ways to get road tripping from Sydney.
Playlist? Car snacks? Let’s go!
Road trip #1: Jervis Bay—200km south of Sydney
Whether you want to watch the whales, feed some kangaroos, or get stuck into gourmet food, Jervis Bay has it all. Just three hours down the Grand Pacific Drive, break up the drive with a stop at Bald Hills Lookout for a view of the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Don’t rush back to Sydney. Make a weekend of it and stay at the By the Beach B&B (there are rumours of homemade bread as part of your brekkie!).
Road trip #2: Northern Beaches—30km north of the CBD
If time is against you, or if you just want to see more of Sydney, keep it local and head for Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Lose yourself at iconic Manly Beach or in 20 or so more friendly seaside communities.
Make the short trip worth it with a stay at one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets—Q Station Sydney Harbour National Park. Named for its past as a quarantine station for migrants arriving by boat, there’s history in every nook and cranny for those wanting to explore.
If you’re a soapies fan, pop over to Palm Beach for a chance to see Home and Away being filmed. Ready for your close-up?
Road trip #3: Lake Crackenback—500km south-west of Sydney
The secret is out—you don’t need to wait for winter to visit Thredbo Valley. And you’ve got an excuse to say “Crackenback” again and again on your road trip—bonus.
Take a break in Bredbo and explore the famous Bredbo Christmas Barn, where it’s silly season all year round. If you need to refuel before you get back on the road, try out a counter lunch at the Bredbo Inn—one of Australia’s oldest pubs.
Treat yourself to a stay at the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa and you’ll be spoilt for choice for both activities and pampering. We highly recommend the all-terrain Segways– they’re an awesome way to explore the alpine serenity.
Road trip #4: Mudgee wine country—270km north-west of Sydney
Think outside the box of the usual winery destinations and head for Mudgee (a name that comes from the Wiradjuri term “Moothi”, which means “nest in the hills”). Flip a coin to pick the designated driver, then check out Mudgee’s 40+ cellar doors. Or visit in September, when the annual Food and Wine Festival is on. Yum!
If you need to recharge before the last leg of your drive, turn off the main road towards Rylstone. 29 Nine 99 boasts dumplings that bring all the boys (and the girls) to the yard.
After all that, you’ll be ready for a glass of wine and a comfortable bed. Try a few nights at the luxurious Ilkley Cottages, where sophisticated meets cosy, and kangaroos happily hop past your verandah.
Road trip #5: Broken Hill—1146km from Sydney
Get ready for an epic road trip to the capital of outback NSW. Whether you go direct through the Blue Mountains or by the slightly longer (but usually less busy) Riverina route, it’s an awesome drive.
Broken Hill is no sleepy bush town—it’s a thriving arts community, boasting Australia’s oldest regional art gallery. It’s worth a few days in the car for the Living Desert Reserve alone, which includes 12 sandstone sculptures by global artists.
After immersing yourself in the local culture, relax on the grand balcony at the Royal Exchange Hotel, close to local galleries and museums, and with famously comfy beds.
So, where to?
If you’re ready for a road trip adventure, start by deciding how much time you have to spare. Then get out the map (or probably just your phone) and start planning!
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