NSW road trips to make your friends and family jealous

We’ve already covered epic road trips to take in QLD and now it’s time for NSW to shine. And boy does NSW shine bright when it comes to epic road trips that are guaranteed to make your friends and family jealous.

So without further ado, here are the best road trips in NSW to take in 2023 that will have others wishing they were in your caravan.

Enjoy the sea breeze on the Grand Pacific Drive

• Distance: 140 kilometres
• Suitable for: 2WD/4WD

Stretching from the Royal National Park just south of Sydney to the Shoalhaven region, this stunning coastal route takes you past deserted beaches, through seaside towns, across headlands, and over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.

It’s not a particularly long drive, but with plenty of stunning scenery, beaches to explore and seaside cafes to stop at, it’s worth taking two days for this short NSW road trip. Highlights include driving over the Sea Cliff Bridge, stopping for coffee in Wollongong, feeling the power of the famous Kiama Blowhole, falling asleep to the rolling surf at Shoalhaven Heads and enjoying the idyllic blue waters of Jervis Bay.

Take in the Mighty Murray River Drive

• Distance: 830 kilometres
• Suitable for: 2WD/4WD

Following the banks of the Murray River from Albury Wondonga to Mildura is one iconic NSW road trip not to be missed. Passing through the Murray Valley food bowl and by detour-worthy country towns, it’s not hard to stretch this road trip out a few extra days. So while many people do this in four, it’s much better if you have a little extra time up your sleeve. 

Highlights include paddling down the Murray River in a canoe, learning the fascinating stories of heritage towns such as Howlong and Corowa, cruising on a Murray River Paddlesteamer in the twin towns of Echuca Moama and exploring the unique landscape of Mungo National Park. 

Swap smog for clear skies on a Sydney to Lightning Ridge road trip

• Distance: 730 kilometres
• Suitable for: 2WD/4WD

Take the road less travelled on this NSW road trip to the historic mining town of Lightning Ridge in Outback NSW. Leaving behind the lush green of the Blue Mountains, your final destination is a stark difference in landscape compared to your starting point

Highlights include browsing antique stores at Katoomba, views from the Blue Mountains, sipping wine in the charming country town of Mudgee, noodling for opals and soaking in the artesian bore baths in Lightning Ridge. 

Many people do this road trip over four days one way but it pays to allow a few extra days in Lightning Ridge to take in all the activities and attractions. After all, you don’t want to miss your opportunity to strike it lucky on the opal fields. 

Recharge in the cool mountain air on a road trip to Jindabyne

• Distance: 460 kilometres
• Suitable for: 2WD/4WD

As you make your way from Sydney to Jindabyne on this NSW road trip, admire the changing landscape and recharge in the cool mountain air as you get closer to your destination. If you really wanted to, you could tackle this in one stint. But what would be the point of that? Instead, take a few days to get to Jindabyne and another few days to enjoy the alpine air once you arrive. 

Highlights include selfie stops at the Big Merino in Goulburn, the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma and, of course, the snow activities at Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass once you get to Jindabyne. Make sure to do the summit walk at nearby Mt Kosciuszko. 

Don’t worry if it’s not winter because mountain biking in the green season is just as epic here.