Drives and road trips
The Grand Pacific Drive starts in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, winding through rainforest to the coast. Stay in Wollongong, NSW’s third-largest city where you’ll find quality seafood restaurants and the Illawarra Brewery.
The Legendary Pacific Coast meanders north of Sydney. Pretty towns and villages dot the route, which includes the Hunter Valley vineyards. You’ll need at least four days to enjoy the attractions along the route, such as the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.
Wonderful drives and road trips in NSW
Driving on well-maintained roads is a pleasure. Even better are good roads that take you through impressive scenery, including World Heritage areas. NSW has both. You’ll discover enchanting rainforest and secluded beaches, seaside villages and country towns, mountains and valleys, and the vast outback.
Three popular scenic routes start from Sydney: the Grand Pacific Drive, on the South Coast to Shoalhaven, the Legendary Pacific Coast drive up the North Coast, and the Greater Blue Mountains Drive, through the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.
The drives vary in length. You can do day trips on each route, but take several days or more and enjoy the attractions along the way. You’ll find plenty of accommodation choices and lots of things to do in the towns and villages you pass through.
Other scenic drives include the 300-km Snowy Valleys Way, through the Snowy Mountains, and the 200 km Waterfall Way on the northern tablelands of NSW. The Poachers Way is a food and wine trail; savour fresh produce and great wines in NSW towns near Canberra, three hours’ drive from Sydney.
Inland follow the Long Paddock, which runs for 600 km along the Cobb Highway, named after a famous stagecoach company. The Darling River Run is 730 km and follows the Darling River through outback NSW to its confluence with the Murray River, Australia’s longest river.
Grand Pacific Drive
Follow this scenic southerly route as it heads from the Royal National Park towards Wollongong, and further south to Kiama. Explore seaside villages, swim at quiet sandy beaches and marvel at areas of ancient rainforest along the way.
Greater Blue Mountains Drive
Tour the 18 different discovery trails that branch off from the main route and enjoy world heritage listed scenery along the way. Explore a selection of the many spectacular attractions of the Blue Mountains region.
Legendary Pacific Coast
Enjoy coastal scenery, spectacular national parks, abundant state forests, golden surf beaches and friendly villages. Visit the Central Coast, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Ballina and Byron Bay as you make your way north on this iconic drive.