Best winter road trips around NSW: ultimate travel guide

Plan the adventure of a lifetime using our guide to the 10 best winter road trips in NSW. Our travel experts have compiled a range of ideas, from quick coastal getaways to week-long outback extravaganzas. Plus, we’ve thrown in a heap of extra information like distances, recommended durations and much more!

10 best winter road trips around NSW

1. The Blue Mountains

Total distance: 280 km | Recommended days: 1 to 3 days | Route Map

If you’re looking for a short NSW winter road trip, you can’t beat the Blue Mountains.

Start by visiting some of the major attractions like the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. Ride the world’s steepest passenger railway at Scenic World before continuing over the mountains to Lithgow, gateway to the iconic Jenolan Caves and the Glow Worm Tunnel track in Wollemi National Park.

Return to Sydney via the winding Bells Line Road and stop for lunch in the apple-growing town of Bilpin before stretching your legs in The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.

2. Southern Highlands

Total distance: 330 km | Recommended days: 2 to 4 days | Route Map

A winter road trip through the NSW Southern Highlands promises charming country towns and sleepy seaside villages.

Spend a few hours exploring the photo-famous sights around the Royal National Park , including Wedding Cake Rock and the Figure 8 Rock Pools. Continue southward along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive and stop to do some whale watching from the 665m Sea Cliff Bridge.

Stay in the historic seaside towns of Kiama or Berry before following the lush green countryside through Kangaroo Valley. Grab a photo of Hampden Bridge (Australia’s last surviving wooden suspension bridge) and return to Sydney via quaint country towns like Bowral.

3. Central West NSW

Total Distance: 800 km | Recommended Days: from 5 - 10 days | Route Map

Get a taste of the Australian Outback with a winter road trip around Central West NSW.

Ride the historic Zig Zag Railway before stopping for the night in Mudgee , famous for producing some of the best food and wine in Australia. You’ll want to spend a few days in Dubbo so that you can check out all the major attractions, including the brilliant Western Plains Zoo , Old Dubbo Gaol and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience.

Visit the Parkes Observatory and learn about its role in the Apollo 11 Moon Mission before visiting historic country towns Forbes and Cowra. Enjoy great produce and a vineyard tour in Orange before returning to Sydney via Bathurst and its iconic Mount Panorama Racing Circuit.

4. Hunter Valley

Total distance: 364 km | Recommended days: 2 to 4 days | Route Map

What better way to spend your winter than a road trip to the Hunter Valley , Australia’s oldest wine-growing region.

Tour over 150 wineries and cellar doors in the area to sample some of the world's best Semillon and Shiraz. Many vineyards also offer a range of l ocal artisan cheeses and chocolates for you to taste and take home.

Don’t miss the chance to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride before throwing on your chef’s hat and taking a cooking class in Asian or European cuisine.

Stay at the Wine Country Tourist Park Hunter Valley , a small family-owned park where you can hire push bikes and ride around the nearby vineyards.

5. The Long Paddock

Total distance: 640 km | Recommended days: 3 to 5 days | Route Map

Winter is the perfect time for a road trip through Outback NSW. And it doesn’t get much more outback than the Long Paddock, a route that follows the historic Cobb Highway.

Starting in Moama , ride an old paddle steamer along the mighty Murray River before heading north. Along the way, stop and enjoy meals in some of Australia’s oldest outback pubs such as The Royal Mail Hotel and Ivanhoe Hotel.

Don’t miss The Australian Shearers Hall of Fame or the historic Hay Gaol , two of the highest-rated attractions in country NSW. Plus, be sure to check out the Pioneer Museum in the beautiful sandstone streets of Wilcannia.

6. Canberra and the Snowy Highlands

Total distance: 500 km | Recommended days: 4 to 7 days | Route Map

Winter is the best time to see Australia’s Snowy Mountains in all their glory! Stop in Canberra on your way to Kosciuszko National Park and visit some of the Capital’s top-rated attractions such as the Australian War Memorial , Parliament House and Questacon.

Stop and relax on the shore of Lake Jindabyne before visiting ski resorts like Perisher or Thredbo. Try your hand at skiing or snowboarding or simply hire a toboggan and slide down the slopes!

If you want to warm up after a day on the slopes, drop by the Wildbrumby Distillery and enjoy Schnapps tasting. On your return journey home, consider tracing the NSW South Coast (see below).

7. The Riverina

Total distance: 740 km | Recommended days: 4 to 5 days | Route Map

Take a winter road trip through NSW’s Riverina Region and gorge for days on delicious local produce. Starting in Wagga Wagga, ride the mini steam trains around the Botanic Gardens before visiting the nearby Adelong Falls.

Enjoy a locally crafted beer at the Tumut River Brewing Co. before driving to Tumbarumba and marvelling at the live Boggy Creek Show about Australia’s rugged stockmen. The next day can be spent taking an open-air cart tour around Altina Wildlife Park , home to lions, zebras, giraffes, wild dogs and much more!

Be sure to visit the Italian Museum in Griffith and try some of the best Italian restaurants in the country. Afterwards, treat yourself to the delicious snacks on offer at The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory.

8. Pacific Coast

Total distance: 1,738 km | Recommended days: 5 to 8 days | Route Map

Want to escape the cold weather and get some sun? Take a winter road trip along the Pacific Coast Drive to northern NSW.

Stop in the dolphin-watching capital of Australia, Port Stephens, before continuing to Myall Lake National Park and admiring the historic Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse.

Be sure to spend a few days in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour , where you can visit the amazing Sea Acres National Park and the Big Banana Fun Park. Finally, conclude your winter road trip in beautiful Byron Bay , where you can spend a few days soaking in the sun on Main Beach.

9. Broken Hill to Byron Bay

Total distance: 1,700 km | Recommended days: 5 to 7 days | Route Map

If you want the full-blown Outback experience, consider taking a winter road trip from Broken Hill to Byron Bay.

Start with the Broken Hill Sculptures and Living Desert Sanctuary before moving on to the Line of Lode Lookout , where you can learn about 800+ miners that have lost their lives in local mines.

When you arrive in Bourke , be sure to take a dip at the historic wharf before driving up to Mt Oxley for panoramic views over the dusty plains. In Lightning Ridge , soak for a few hours in the Artesian Bore Baths and visit the Chambers of the Blackhand underground art gallery.

10. South Coast

Total distance: 1,086 km | Recommended days: 4 to 6 days | Route Map

The NSW South Coast is a great winter road trip because it’s much quieter compared to the summer months. Start slowly and soak in the sun on the sugar-white sands of Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay.

Continue to port towns like Ulladulla and Batemans Bay , where you can get some of the best seafood in the country. And don’t miss the iconic Mogo Wildlife Park , Australia’s largest collection of exotic animals.

Finish your winter road trip in the historic town of Eden , famous for its Killer Whale Museum. In the museum, you’ll see the full skeleton of ‘Tom the Killer Whale’, a legendary orca that used to lead a pack of killer whales in the waters off of Eden.

Organise your NSW winter road trip with Camplify

Now that you’ve got a few ideas for a winter road trip around NSW, it’s time to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

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For more travel inspiration all year round, check out our list of the top NSW road trips!

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