New South Wales is big, so the trick is choosing a direction. These routes start in Sydney; the first works without a car, the longer ones are easiest by road. Change them to suit you, and leave a little slack: driving days are long.
Sydney and the Blue Mountains
The harbour city plus the best day out by train.
First-timers on a short trip
- Day 1–3
Sydney
The Opera House, The Rocks, the Botanic Garden, a ferry to Manly and the Bondi to Coogee walk. See the Sydney guide.
- Day 4
Blue Mountains
Train to Katoomba for the Three Sisters and a cliff-top walk, or stay a night in the Blue Mountains.
- Day 5
Sydney
A last harbour day: Taronga Zoo by ferry, or a Harbour Bridge climb.
Swap the last day for a Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney if you prefer.
Sydney, mountains and wine
The city, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley.
Food, wine and scenery
- Day 1–3
Sydney
Three days for the harbour, beaches and neighbourhoods.
- Day 4–5
Blue Mountains
Two days in the mountains: Echo Point, Scenic World, Wentworth Falls and the lookouts at Blackheath.
- Day 6–7
Hunter Valley
Drive north (about three hours via the Putty Road or back through Sydney) to the Hunter Valley for cellar doors and a dawn balloon flight, then return to Sydney.
Without a car, do the mountains by train and the Hunter as a day tour from Sydney.
Sydney to Byron Bay
The classic north-coast road trip.
Beaches, wildlife and road trips
- Day 1–3
Sydney
The harbour city at a relaxed pace.
- Day 4
Hunter Valley
Head north to the Hunter Valley for a night among the vineyards.
- Day 5–6
Port Stephens
Dolphins, dunes and Tomaree Head at Port Stephens.
- Day 7–8
Coffs Harbour
About four hours up the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour, with Dorrigo’s rainforest as a side trip.
- Day 9–10
Byron Bay
Finish in Byron Bay, then fly home from Ballina or the Gold Coast.
Hire a one-way car from Sydney and drop it in Byron or at the Gold Coast; check the one-way fee.
The grand tour of NSW
City, mountains, wine, the South Coast and the high country.
Slow travellers and road-trippers
- Day 1–3
Sydney
The capital.
- Day 4–5
Blue Mountains
Two days in the mountains, with Jenolan Caves if you have a car.
- Day 6–7
Orange and Mudgee
West over the Great Dividing Range to Orange for cool-climate wine and food.
- Day 8
Back to the coast
A long driving day back east, via Sydney or Canberra.
- Day 9–11
Jervis Bay and the South Coast
Kiama, Berry, Hyams Beach and a dolphin cruise on Jervis Bay.
- Day 12–13
Snowy Mountains
Inland to Jindabyne and Kosciuszko National Park: skiing in winter, the summit walk in summer.
- Day 14
Sydney or Canberra
Drive back to Sydney (about six hours) or fly from Canberra.
A car is essential. In winter, check chain rules for the Snowy Mountains roads before you go.
Practical help
See how to get around, where to stay, and tours and tickets for each stop. For the far west, read the Broken Hill guide: it is best reached by plane or the weekly train.
