1. Coast and Country High Life<\/h2>\n
This slow loop southwest from Sydney<\/a> offers enticing reasons to slow down, from food and cool-climate vineyards to outdoor adventure in national parks. It also includes the historic towns of Bowral,<\/a> Bungendore and Braidwood, and a delightfully blue sweep of coast back from Batemans Bay.<\/p>\n The Coast and Country High Life road trip includes a stop at the historic towns of Bowral,<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>An exploration of the Minnamurra River at Kiama with Escape Kayak Tours<\/a> \u2013 the mangrove ecosystem and crystal-clear waters are wonderful.<\/p>\n Add a Minnamurra River kayak tour to your Coast and Country High Life road trip itinerary. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Start in Cooma in the Snowy Mountains<\/a> foothills, and slide down towards the Sapphire Coast on a scenic journey<\/a> that takes in regional art and culture, titillates the tastebuds in Bega dairy country, and finishes in Bungendore in the Southern Tablelands.<\/p>\n Join Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour near Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>The slow-food trail between the lovely villages of Cobargo and Tilba, where you\u2019ll discover fresh oysters, orchards, farm doors, ale, wine and cheese.<\/p>\n Experience the slow-food trail between the lovely villages of Cobargo and Tilba, (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Head from Sydney to the Hunter Valley<\/a> the roundabout way, via the cellar doors, farm gates and restaurants of the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains,<\/a> Mudgee<\/a> and Upper Hunter regions.<\/a> From cider to goat\u2019s cheese and great wine,<\/a> you\u2019ll be in gourmet heaven.<\/p>\n Time your road trip to coincide with Mudgee’s annual food and wine festival. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> Get your motor running and explore vineyards and villages with Mudgee Trikes<\/a>, a joyride with a difference from cellar door to cellar door.<\/p>\n Drive the coast north between Sydney and Tweed Heads<\/a> for 820 kilometres of sumptuous scenery, blue bays, golden beaches and lush hinterland. You\u2019ll enjoy all the classic getaways, from Port Stephens<\/a> to Port Macquarie<\/a> and Coffs Harbour<\/a> to Byron Bay.<\/a><\/p>\n Legendary Pacific Coast road trip takes in Cabarita Beach in Tweed Heads. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> The Koala Hospital<\/a> at Port Macquarie, the region with the east coast\u2019s largest koala population, to see how well the ill and injured koalas are cared for.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss The Koala Hospital at Port Macquarie. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Go the coastal route<\/a> and the first half of this road trip will take you into one of Australia\u2019s most dazzling regions where green, cow-chewed countryside clashes with vivid blue lagoons and magnificent seascapes.<\/p>\n Enjoy the wine along with the views at Cupitt’s Winery outside Ulladulla. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> Cupitt\u2019s Estate<\/a> outside Ulladulla, where the winery is supplemented by a microbrewery, fromagerie and restaurant for a full gourmet experience among the vines, with views to Pigeon House Mountain.<\/p>\n Travel to the far reaches of the universe on a trip from Parkes to Bourke<\/a> through historic Central and Outback NSW,<\/a> where contemplation of the night skies is highlighted through Dreamtime stories, campfire yarns and cutting-edge telescopes.<\/p>\n Find Australia\u2019s first Dark Sky Park near Coonabarabran in The Warrumbungles. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>The Warrumbungles, Australia\u2019s first Dark Sky Park near Coonabarabran. Look up at the cosmos at the\u00a0Siding Spring Observatory<\/a>, which houses the largest optical telescopes in Australia.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find an extraordinary geological tale told by caves and fossil collections between Sydney and Wellington<\/a> in the Central West,<\/a> but enjoy all the delights of vineyards,<\/a> country gardens, pioneer villages<\/a> and great regional restaurants, too.<\/a><\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>Sydney\u2019s recently refurbished Australian Museum<\/a>, which tells the story of our continent\u2019s flora and fauna and has wonderful collections of minerals and fossils, including dinosaurs.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss Sydney\u2019s recently refurbished Australian Museum. (Image: Daniel-Boud)<\/p><\/div>\n This epic 930-kilometre meander through Kamilaroi country starts at Willow Tree and ends in Bourke<\/a>. Discover the heart of rural NSW<\/a> and its pioneer culture and history in destinations such as Gunnedah, Narrabri and opal-mining Lightning Ridge.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>The pools and weirs of the 40,000-year-old Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Trap,<\/a>\u00a0which are among the oldest human structures on Earth, and best visited with an Indigenous guide.<\/p>\n Brewarrina\u2019s most astonishing landmark is the 40,000-year-old Indigenous fish traps. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n This modest tour from Picton to the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge<\/a> nonetheless crams in highlands, national parks, coast, the Georgian architecture of Berrima<\/a> and the foodie pleasures of Bowral<\/a> and the scenic Kangaroo Valley.<\/a><\/p>\n Stop to admire the Georgian architecture of Berrima. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>Wild Food Adventures<\/a> in Kangaroo Valley for a personalised, upmarket foodie day outmatched with cycling or other adventures. Champagne and kayaking, anyone?<\/p>\n A drive down the coast from Newcastle<\/a> explores the highlights of wonderful Lake Macquarie<\/a> and the Central Coast<\/a> before looping back north through the Hunter Valley wine region and finishing in Maitland.<\/p>\n The Cool Coast to Intrepid Inland itinerary includes the stunning Hunter Valley wine region. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>A lunch of southern French food at Bistro Molines<\/a> in the Hunter Valley, which has bagged a Chef\u2019s Hat from the SMH Good Food Guide <\/em>every year for a decade.<\/p>\n Stop for lunch at Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n A meander from Yass Valley to Jugiong<\/a> takes in the rolling countryside northwest of Canberra, which features vineyards, gold-rush towns, antiques and arts, plus enough country flavours to whet the appetite of any gourmet.<\/p>\n A road trip through the Yass Valley to Jugiong takes in heritage towns and contemporary tastes.<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>Creator\u2019s Nest<\/a> in Yass, which is just the place to find regional handicrafts by local artists. You might even want to join a workshop and unleash your own creativity.<\/p>\n The inland route from the Barrington Coast north to Port Macquarie<\/a> supplies a laidback wander \u2013 and occasional active hike or cycle \u2013 through tranquil country towns, World Heritage-listed forest, waterfall-draped landscapes and gorgeous farmland.<\/p>\n Traverse one of the mesmerising trails along the Barrington Coast. (Image: Catherine Boyd)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>The worn-down, volcanic landscapes of Coorabakh National Park<\/a>, draped in several types of forest and abundant waterfalls. Its shady fern-decorated valleys, river gorges and sandstone cliffs are glorious.<\/p>\n Get a dose of coastal and country life on a five-day journey<\/a> between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, which takes in surf-pounded national parks, bohemian hinterland retreat Bellingen, and the rugged volcanic landscapes near to the Great Dividing Range.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>A Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tour<\/a> by paddleboard \u2013 with snorkelling and swimming \u2013 to learn about the culture and bush tucker of coastal Gumbaynggirr people at Coffs Harbour.<\/p>\n Go stand-up paddle boarding with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n The long road from Wentworth to Gundagai<\/a> takes you east across Outback NSW<\/a> into the Riverina, from flat, red plains to rolling wheat fields, and from ancient Aboriginal times in Mungo National Park<\/a> to settler towns that defined early Australia.<\/p>\n The Classic Australian Drive itinerary takes you from Wentworth to Gundagai. (Image: Gundagai\/DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>A stay at Flash Jack\u2019s<\/a> in Gundagai. The former convent provides historical ambience but has stylish boutique accommodation supplying contemporary country comfort.<\/p>\n This magnificent route<\/a> cuts 830 kilometres north from Albury to Bourke, straight through the heart of NSW and all its associations with bushrangers, settlers, farmers and modern-day miners. Think Australia in a nutshell.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>Murray Art Museum Albury<\/a>, one of the country\u2019s most modern and exciting regional galleries, with ever-changing displays of contemporary art, and regular art classes and workshops.<\/p>\n Murray Art Museum Albury is one of the country\u2019s most modern and exciting regional galleries.<\/p><\/div>\n A little further west, this parallel route<\/a> traces a historic network of stock routes from Echuca-Moama on the Murray River to Wilcannia deep in Outback NSW. You\u2019ll discover kangaroo and sheep country and a hearty dose of history.<\/p>\n Wilcannia was once one of the busiest inland ports in Australia. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> A journey through Aussie settler, drover and transport culture in Deniliquin<\/a>, showcased at the Historical Society Museum, Peppin Heritage Centre and The Depot Deniliquin, which houses a historic vehicle and memorabilia collection.<\/p>\n The Central West features quintessential Aussie country scenery and colonial-era settlements, and has quite the gourmet reputation. Relax on a roundabout route<\/a> from Lithgow to Mudgee<\/a> via Orange,<\/a> Canowindra, Cowra, Parkes and Dubbo<\/a> to enjoy the highlights.<\/p>\n Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange.<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss <\/strong>Ochre Arch Farm<\/a> near Cowra to learn about sustainable farming on a working cattle and sheep property \u2013 and to enjoy a scrumptious farmhouse afternoon tea.<\/p>\n You might not have heard of Barraba or Nundle, the start and finish of this route<\/a> through gorgeous New England,<\/a> but you\u2019ll be happy to discover these lovely historic country towns<\/a> \u2013 plus Armidale, Tamworth<\/a> and several others, too.<\/p>\n Discover the historic town of Nundle along Fossickers Way. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> Inverell Pioneer Village<\/a>, an open-air museum that brings together colonial-era buildings including cottages, a schoolhouse and an 1874 pub for a fascinating glimpse into the past.<\/p>\n The Southern Tablelands of NSW<\/a> includes Yass Valley, Hilltops, the Goulburn region, Upper Lachlan and the Queanbeyan region, all of which have country charm and lovely rolling scenery and, to make it even better, you\u2019ll also find farm gates, cellar doors and a burgeoning regional food scene.<\/p>\n Discover the country charm and lovely rolling scenery of the Hilltop region. (Image: DNSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> An overnight in Taralga<\/a>, where the accommodation on offer includes the Taralga Hotel, a popular country pub, and historic hotel (and fine-dining venue) the Argyle Inn, both built in the 1870s.<\/p>\n\n Download our beautifully-illustrated map of\u00a0NSW\u2019s best road trips<\/a>\u00a0(pictured below) or find the giant wall map inside issue 90 of\u00a0Australian Traveller magazine.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Illustration: Mike Rossi<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NSW is full of epic road trips to discover… You are spoilt for choice when it comes to road trips in NSW; \u00a0from the Grand Pacific Drive, Rainforest Way, Kosciuszko Alpine Way, Darling River Run and Greater Blue Mountains to the Riverina to Snowy Valleys Way, Waterfall Way, Mighty Murray River Drive and Central to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":222423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[857],"tags":[4542,1513,5713,4394,5514,5911],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Bowral\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Bowral-Southern-Highlands-DNSW-174856-109.jpg\")
![\"Coast](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Kayaking-Minnamurra-DNSW-163586-109.jpg\")
2. High Country to Cruising Coast<\/h2>\n
![\"Join](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Captain-Sponges-Magical-Oyster-Tour-Pambula-River-DNSW-163618-109.jpg\")
![\"Tilba](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Tilba-DNSW-163535-109.jpg\")
3. Food Lover\u2019s Loop<\/h2>\n
![\"Mudgee's](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mudgee-Food-Wine-Festival-DNSW163139-109.jpg\")
4. Legendary Pacific Coast<\/h2>\n
![\"Surfing](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Surfing-Cabarita-Beach-DNSW-172268-109.jpg\")
![\"The](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Koala-Hospital-Port-Macquarie-DNSW-155934-109.jpg\")
5. Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive<\/h2>\n
![\"Cupitt's](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Cupitts-Winery-Ulladulla-DNSW-163464-109.jpg\")
6. Stargazing and Storytelling<\/h2>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Breadknife-and-Grand-High-Tops-Walk-Warrumbungle-DNSW-171610-109.jpg\")
7. A Tour Of Caves And Fossils<\/h2>\n
![\"Sydney\u2019s](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Australian-Museum-Sydney-Credit-Daniel-Boud-176204-109.jpg\")
8. Kamilaroi Contrasts<\/h2>\n
![\"Brewarrina](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Brewarrina-Fish-Traps-2-DNSW.jpg\")
9. Heritage Highlights<\/h2>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Berrima-DNSW-164731-109.jpg\")
10. Cool Coast to Intrepid Inland<\/h2>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Hot-Air-Ballooning-Hunter-Valley-DNSW-174964-109.jpg\")
![\"Stop](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Bistro-Molines-Mount-View-DNSW-172802-109.jpg\")
11. Heritage Towns, Contemporary Tastes<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/74Road-trip-through-the-Yass-Valley.jpg\")
12. The North Coast Hinterland Adventure<\/h2>\n
![\"Corker](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Corker-Trail-Barrington-Coast-NSW-Credit-Catherine-Boyd-Destination-Barrington-Coast-175869-109.jpg\")
13. Coast to Country<\/h2>\n
![\"Wajaana](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Wajaana-Yaam-Gumbaynggirr-Adventure-Tours-155323-109.jpg\")
14. The Classic Australian Drive<\/h2>\n
![\"Gundgai](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Gundagai-DNSW-171818-109.jpg\")
15. The Kidman Way And Beyond<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Murray-Art-Museum-Albury.jpg\")
16. The Long Paddock<\/h2>\n
![\"Wilcannia\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Wilcannia-162604-109.jpg\")
17. NSW Food And Wine Trail<\/h2>\n
![\"Sample](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/68Sample-the-dynamic-food-and-wine-scene-in-Orange.jpg\")
18. Fossickers Way<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"Discover](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Nundle-Woollen-Mill-DNSW-159136-109.jpg\")
19. Tablelands Food and Wine Trail<\/h2>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Hilltops-Region-DNSW-164799-109.jpg\")
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/NSW_poster_map_600x470.jpg\")