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Best Driving Spots around NSW: Where Should You Travel To Next?

If you’re based in Sydney or the greater New South Wales area and crave a road trip adventure, consider yourself lucky!

There’s an abundance of scenic roads within a few hours’ drive of the city centre, and they can all offer stunning sights and immersive experiences that can make for a great weekend or multi-day excursion.

From coastal roads to mountain passes, NSW’s wide range of destinations can capture just about anyone’s heart.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re craving the sight of rolling hills or the vast blue ocean, there’s bound to be a stretch of road in NSW that can pique your interest. Plus, the road infrastructure is properly established to allow your sedan or caravan to zip on safely through.

If you’re looking to embark on a new thrilling Australian adventure on the outskirts of NSW, read on for some of the best driving spots to visit next.

Let’s jump right into it.

Key Takeaways

  • With its diverse landscapes and well-maintained routes, New South Wales is a paradise for road trip enthusiasts
  • Whether you’re chasing coastal breezes, serene countryside views, or winding mountain roads, the perfect escape awaits just beyond the city limits

Grand Pacific Drive

sea cliff bridge

The most iconic road in the NSW area is the Grand Pacific Drive. If you only have time to choose one scenic pass to drive through, you should seriously consider this territory’s star route.

This 140-kilometre road network passes through an array of natural wonders, charming towns, and cultural landmarks. It first passes through the Royal National Park—the oldest national park in Australia—allowing you and the passengers to see beaches, rainforests, and hiking trails that can leave you in awe.

Following that, you’ll traverse the Sea Cliff Bridge, which offers an expansive view of the ocean over an iconic, winding seaside bridge. You’ll also pass by charming towns like Austinmer and Thirroul featuring local art galleries and gastronomy choices.

The great thing about this drive is that it shouldn’t take longer than a day or two to see most spots on the list. You can also customise your itinerary to your liking, adding or removing some landmarks as you see fit. For instance, you can detour a slight way off to Jervis Bay if you want to add a white-sand beach to swim or surf in.

In any case, if you’re looking for a picturesque and beautiful coastal road trip adventure in New South Wales, then definitely consider the Grand Pacific Drive as your next adventure. Whether you plan on stopping by landmarks or simply enjoying the views from inside the car, you’re bound to have a blast.

Snowy Mountains Highway

tumut nsw

A long 5 to 6-hour drive from Sydney, you can find yourself driving amidst stunning alpine landscapes as far as the eye can see. This highway is among the highest parts of the country you can drive through, and it’s also home to the highest mountain in the entirety of Australia, Mt. Kosciuszko.

Along the way, you can visit Tumut and Yarrangobilly Caves, which are ideal starting points to pay a visit to scenic park lookouts and fun caving adventures.

Speaking of lookouts, the Black Perry lookout in the Kosciuszko National Park is another great stopover that grants you panoramic views of the entire Snowy Mountains region.

Given its distance from the greater Sydney area, you’re likely to spend a night or two in this region—and for people who enjoy skiing, there are various ski resorts that can give you access to amazing skiing conditions during the wintertime.

During the warmer months, you can also indulge in peaceful natural activities like hiking and fishing during your road trip. In any case, if your heart yearns for adventure, the Snowy Mountain Highway has many scenic stopovers that can make for a memorable drive in the region.

That said, be sure to know your driving basics before venturing into this harrowing journey. Take driving instructors with EzLicence and other driving schools to ensure that you’re up to speed with your driving skills, as driving through icy mountain passes can be quite dangerous for the inexperienced driver.

Hunter Valley Wine Region

hunter valley nsw

If you want to go on a relaxing road trip experience that can be done in a day, consider a drive around the Hunter Valley Wine region.

This road trip brings you to rolling vineyards with picturesque countryside views—all in just under two hours from Sydney. Besides its great accessibility, another nice aspect of this road trip is the gastronomic experience you can indulge in during your stopover.

This region is known for its world-class wines, particularly Shiraz and Semillon. It also is home to many iconic wineries and cellars, giving you an opportunity to taste-test various artisanal and homegrown treats like cheese, chocolate, and, of course, Australia’s fineset wines.

Besides the uplifting gastronomic experience, you can also consider soaring to the skies with a hot air balloon ride unique to the region. You can consider staying overnight and taking the sunrise hot air balloon ride for an even more stunning view of the region.

The best time to go to the region is during the autumn and spring months, as these seasons provide the most picturesque backdrop of the region as the vineyards get ready for harvest or start to blossom respectively.

In any case, if you want to take in marvelous views and eat great food, a trip to the Hunter Valley can guarantee that experience with flying colours.

Port Stephens Road Trip

Another great beach region that’s a 2.5 hour drive away from Sydney is Port Stephens. This region offers just about anything a beach lover desires—golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and many delectable beachside restaurants to satiate your hunger from the long drive.

The beaches in this region, namely Fingal Bay and Nelson Bay, is known to be teeming with marine life, making it an excellent stopover for families or friends who want to go snorkeling or scuba diving. Kayaking and tanning are also perfectly acceptable activities to indulge in within these regions!

Moreover, there are also a plethora of cruises that specialise in dolphin-watching, so if you want to go up-and-personal with these intelligent creatures, you can do so here.

Another unique aspect of this region is the nearby sand dunes in Stockton. You can hop off your vehicle and indulge in an exhilarating driving experience on a 4WD or quad bike in the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

If you can’t call it a road trip without a hiking excursion, then you can consider taking a stroll to the Tomaree Head Summit for great views of the coastline and island. The region of Port Stephens presents a jam-packed array of things to do, making it a great weekend escape for families, friends, and people seeking adventure.

Waterfall Way

waterfall way nsw

Looking for a road trip off the beaten path? Look no further than Waterfall Way.

Head five hours north of Sydney to discover a 185-kilometre route that passes through a rainforest, river valleys, waterfalls, and two national parks. While not entirely unknown, this site is one that’s often blissfully uncrowded.

In Waterfall Way, you traverse through a scenic road that brings you close to stunning natural landscapes and waterfalls. You start in Coffs Harbour and slowly make your way to more forest landscapes.

Highlights along this route include Dangar Falls, which can present a great opportunity to swim and relax. The Ebor Falls is another standout landmark in the area, featuring cascading waters that fall into a deep valley.

You’ll also pass by a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Dorrigo National Park, which is known for its Skywalk lookout and tranquil trails. And if you want to stop over to eat or relax in town, Bellingen is just a few minutes’ drive away and offers a variety of artisanal cafes and markets for you to indulge in.

If you want to veer off the typical tourist route, then going to Waterfall Way is a good way to keep that adventurer spirit alive and content. We hope these tips will help you in your next NSW adventure. Take care!

Final Word

So, pack your bags, fuel up your vehicle, and get ready to hit the road! With its diverse landscapes and well-maintained routes, New South Wales is a paradise for road trip enthusiasts.

Whether you’re chasing coastal breezes, serene countryside views, or winding mountain roads, the perfect escape awaits just beyond the city limits. Adventure is calling—where will your journey take you next?