Best road trips

Three Villages Road Trip (5 days)

5 days – 4 nights – 332 km – Loop

Bowral, Kangaroo Valley, Berry

Who it suits: Nature lovers, couples

This road trip takes you through three of our favourite villages in NSW – Bowral, Kangaroo Valley and Berry. Each one is very different, but they all have a similar relaxed village atmosphere. The towns are quiet, so this itinerary works well for anyone wanting a relaxed exploration of the countryside. For us, the progression from Bowral (with the widest choice of activities and dining) to nature-focused Kangaroo Valley with a relaxed final night in Berry works particularly well. As the driving each day is fairly minimal, there is also the opportunity to divert into some of the national parks, with short walks, waterfalls and lookouts along the way.

DAY 1: BOWRAL

The first night on this trip will land you in Bowral, a gorgeous village in the Southern Highlands. Bowral is known for its cool-climate gardens, cherry blossoms, boutique shopping and dining. With a fairly easy first drive under your belt (just over 90 minutes from Sydney) you can spend the afternoon exploring Bowral and then picking one of the amazing restaurants for dinner – from fancy French dining to a low-key pub meal.

DAY 2 & 3: KANGAROO VALLEY

Day Two sees you driving around 45 minutes to Kangaroo Valley, with options for detours and stops along the way for waterfalls, lookouts, the Big Potato and really good cheese toasties. You then have two nights in Kangaroo Valley to get out on the river, explore the national parks, check out the wombats and kangaroos and have dinner in the local pub.

DAY 4: BERRY

You’ll leave Kangaroo Valley and head to Berry, driving around 30 minutes over Berry Mountain. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the village, browse the boutiques and have some piping hot donuts from the famous Berry Donut Van. The final stint back to Sydney on day 5 will take you around 2 hours.

What to know in advance: Accommodation in smaller towns can be limited, so book it in advance (especially during Tulip Time in Bowral). Dining options in Kangaroo Valley are also limited during the week, so either book ahead or schedule this part of the trip over a weekend for more choice. Check current NSW National Parks alerts before visiting any of the suggested waterfalls or walking tracks.

NSW Coastal Dining Road Trip (4 days)

4 days – 3 nights – 473 km – Loop

Killcare, Terrigal, Port Stephens

Who it suits: Food lovers, couples, groups

This road trip is built around the dining table – taking you through three different towns, each with a favourite restaurant for dinner. Although it covers three destinations in three nights, the daily driving is fairly minimal, giving you time for a beach swim or coastal walk to work up an appetite for your next meal. If you have more time, this itinerary can easily be stretched to six nights. There is enough to do in each location to spend two nights, including a full day, in each.

DAY 1: KILLCARE

The trip starts with a 90-minute drive from Sydney to Killcare. Killcare is the smallest town on your road trip and the short drive gives you ample time to explore the beach, the bay and part of the Bouddi Coastal Walk – or just spend the afternoon by the pool at your accommodation. Our recommended spot for dinner is Wild Flower Bar & Dining, the on-site restaurant at Bells at Killcare. It’s a stylish, coastal restaurant with excellent food and friendly service.

DAY 2: TERRIGAL

Day Two is just a short 20-minute drive to Terrigal. Keeping a short drive on day two gives you time for a relaxed morning in Killcare, then time to explore Terrigal when you arrive. On a sunny day, Terrigal Beach is perfect for a swim, Terrigal Lagoon is calm and ideal for paddleboarding, or you can walk The Skillion to look across Terrigal and look out for whales. Our full itinerary includes recommendations for sunset cocktails, then a Spanish tapas dinner at Amarilla, right on the waterfront.

DAY 3: PORT STEPHENS

On day three, you’ll then drive around 2 hours to Port Stephens. There’s plenty to do once you arrive – sand dune tours, whale watching, dolphin cruises, beach swims or coastal walks. In our itinerary we’ve recommended two of our favourite stays, each with an on-site restaurant. For a marina-based, boutique stay, The Anchorage has Hamptons-style rooms, family and adults-only pools and The Galley Kitchen restaurant and Moby’s Bar on-site. As another option, Bannisters Port Stephens is the natural base if Rick Stein at Bannisters is the main event for dinner. You really can’t go wrong with either choice.

DAY 4: RETURN TO SYDNEY

The return drive from Port Stephens to Sydney takes around 2.5 hours.

What to know in advance: Book the restaurants and accommodation ahead, particularly for weekends and summer stays. All the restaurants recommended do book out, especially on Saturday nights. Whale watching and dolphin cruises in Port Stephens don’t run every day, it depends on the time of year and the weather on the day.

South Coast Road Trip (4 days)

4 days – 3 nights – 300 km – Loop

Kiama, Gerringong, Berry

Who it suits: first-time road trippers, families, couples

This trip works well for anyone who wants a manageable road trip with minimal driving between stops. The itinerary includes Kiama, Gerringong and Berry, three towns in close proximity but each with a very different feel.

DAY 1: KIAMA

The first drive is around 90 minutes to 2 hours (depending on Sydney traffic) to Kiama. This is the busiest of the stops on the itinerary, with plenty of accommodation options, cafés, restaurants and activities. The first stop on arriving in Kiama is usually the famous blowhole. This natural feature is most active when south-easterly wind and swell conditions line up. It is unpredictable, but the coastal scenery still makes it a good stop in quieter conditions. The afternoon in Kiama can then include a beach swim, part of the Kiama Coast Walk, or a swim in one of Kiama’s two ocean pools.

Kiama then has a great range of options for dinner, from the local pub to share plates and cocktails.

DAY 2: GERRINGONG

The drive on day two is a short 15-minute trip to Gerringong. This laid-back beachside town is perfect for swimming at Werri Beach, in the ocean pools, hanging out in a café with a view, or visiting nearby wineries and the local brewery.

DAY 3: BERRY

Day 3 is another short drive, just 20 minutes, to the small inland town of Berry. Keeping the drive time short gives you a chance to relax in the morning in Gerringong before you head off, with enough time for breakfast and a last swim.

Berry is a beautiful small town, perfect for a leisurely afternoon browsing the shops, taking the historic village walk, or hitting up the Berry Donut Van. For dinner, Berry has excellent dining options, including the chef’s set menu at South on Albany. If you’d rather have something low-key and simple, there are also two pubs and several family restaurants.

DAY 4: RETURN TO SYDNEY

The final drive is then around 2 hours back to Sydney.

What to know in advance: Accommodation in Berry and Gerringong consists mainly of holiday houses and cottages rather than resorts or hotels. It’s best to book in advance to find something to suit your group. We have also included some hotel and motel-style accommodation options in the itinerary, which are more likely to have last-minute availability.

South Coast Road Trip (6 days)

6 days – 5 nights – 712 km – Loop

Kiama, Mollymook, Narooma, Huskisson

Who it suits: Beach lovers, wildlife lovers, food lovers, families, couples

This is our longer South Coast option, linking Kiama, Mollymook, Narooma and Huskisson across six days. It combines some of our favourite beaches with coastal walks, seafood, wildlife experiences and four very different seaside towns. Two nights in Narooma give you a full day at the furthest point of the trip, while the other stops each have one night.

DAY 1: KIAMA

The first drive takes you to Kiama, around 1.5 to 2 hours from Sydney. There is time for the blowhole, a section of the Kiama Coast Walk or a swim in one of the ocean pools before dinner.

DAY 2: MOLLYMOOK

On day two, the route continues south to Mollymook, where you can stop at Cupitt’s Estate, spend the afternoon by the beach and book dinner at GWYLO or Rick Stein at Bannisters.

DAY 3 & 4: NAROOMA

From Mollymook, it is around 1 hour and 45 minutes to Narooma. Fresh oyster stops along the way make this part of the drive particularly enjoyable, before two nights give you time to explore Australia Rock, spot seals from the headland and book a tour to Barunguba Montague Island. The island tours are weather-dependent, so having a full day in Narooma gives you more flexibility if conditions change.

DAY 5: HUSKISSON

The trip then starts working its way north, with one night in Huskisson. You can swim at Shark Net Beach, take a dolphin cruise or explore the beaches and walking tracks around Jervis Bay.

DAY 6: RETURN TO SYDNEY

The final drive back to Sydney takes around 2.5 hours, with Berry or Gerringong providing easy lunch stops if you want to break up the journey.

What to know in advance: This route covers substantially more distance than the four-day South Coast trip, so it suits travellers who want to see more of the coastline rather than minimise their time in the car. Book Barunguba Montague Island tours, dolphin cruises, accommodation and key restaurants ahead, particularly during school holidays and summer. Barunguba Montague Island tours depend on weather and sea conditions, so have a backup plan in case your tour is cancelled. We’ve included alternatives in the full itinerary.

Coast & Hunter Valley Road Trip (5 days)

5 days – 4 nights – 467 km – Loop

Terrigal, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley

Who it suits: Wine lovers, foodies, couples, groups

This road trip itinerary links together Terrigal, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley, with beaches, wildlife, cellar doors and long lunches. The two nights in Port Stephens give you time to relax and explore the area, visiting the beaches and national parks or taking a whale-watching or dolphin cruise.

DAY 1: TERRIGAL

The first drive is around 90 minutes from Sydney to Terrigal. With a fairly short first drive completed, you’ll have time to explore Terrigal, have a beach swim, walk The Skillion or even arrive with enough time for lunch at one of the beachside cafés. In the early evening, there’s time for a sunset cocktail looking out over the beach before dinner. Our itinerary includes a few of our favourites, from Spanish tapas to casual pizzas.

DAY 2 & 3: PORT STEPHENS

After a night in Terrigal and breakfast by the beach, it’s around 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive to Port Stephens. You can stop for fresh oysters on your way into Port Stephens, or head straight to the beach or poolside for the afternoon. A full day in Port Stephens then gives you time to book a whale-watching tour, a dolphin cruise, or a tour of the Stockton Sand Dunes. You are also spoilt for choice if you just want a relaxing beach day with several excellent beaches a short drive away.

DAY 4: HUNTER VALLEY

Day 4 is a 90-minute drive inland to the Hunter Valley for an afternoon wine tasting. The Hunter Valley has an excellent range of restaurants for a dinner in the vines.

DAY 5: RETURN TO SYDNEY

For your last day, have breakfast by a pond, stock up on any last-minute wine or cheese purchases and head back to Sydney. The final drive takes around 2 hours.

What to know in advance: Although all three locations have a good range of accommodation available, it’s best to book in advance, especially in peak season. Whale watching and dolphin cruises in Port Stephens don’t run every day, it depends on the time of year and the weather on the day.

Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip (4 days)

4 days – 3 nights – 890 km – one-way

Bowral, Gundagai, Albury, Melbourne

Who it suits: Families, couples, groups, travellers driving one way to Melbourne

This one-way road trip turns the Sydney to Melbourne drive into a four-day journey, with overnight stops in Bowral, Gundagai and Albury. Rather than covering the distance in one or two long days, the itinerary balances the driving across three different NSW country towns, with time for good meals, local walks and a comfortable overnight stay in each.

DAY 1: BOWRAL

The first leg is an easy 90-minute drive to Bowral, leaving most of the day for the Southern Highlands. You can browse the shops around Bong Bong Street, visit the gardens or the Bradman Museum and choose from a good range of restaurants for dinner. Bowral also has the widest choice of country hotels and cottages on the route.

DAY 2: GUNDAGAI

Day two is the longest section within NSW, with around 2 hours and 45 minutes of driving to Gundagai. Stop at the Dog on the Tuckerbox before reaching town, then spend the afternoon around the historic main street, take the self-guided gaol tour or walk beside the Murrumbidgee River. Gundagai is a small overnight stop, but it breaks up the route well before the drive to Albury.

DAY 3: ALBURY

From Gundagai, it is around 1 hour and 50 minutes to Albury. The shorter drive leaves time for the Murray River, the botanic gardens, MAMA or the shops, wine bars and restaurants around Dean Street.

DAY 4: MELBOURNE

The final leg from Albury to Melbourne is the longest drive of the trip at around 3.5 to 4 hours, with Glenrowan providing an easy place to stop along the way.

What to know in advance: This is a one-way itinerary, so you will need to plan your return journey or arrange a one-way vehicle booking. Book accommodation and dinner ahead in Gundagai, where choices are more limited, and allow extra time for the final drive into Melbourne if traffic is heavy. Bowral gets very busy during Tulip Time in spring, so be sure to book accommodation ahead if you are travelling then.