Best Road Trips in New South Wales
One of the best ways to explore New South Wales is in a campervan, taking you along some of the most scenic drives to stunning waterfalls, rainforests and more.
In a campervan, you can visit different places at your own pace, taking your time exploring hidden gems and soaking in all of the beauty along the way.
Some of the best road trips you have to do in a campervan in NSW include
The Greater Blue Mountains Drive
Total distance: 1200km
Recommended days: 7-8
Best time to do the route: winter and autumn
Highlights: Blue Mountains National Park, Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Jenolan Caves, Haweskbury River
If you’re looking to plan a scenic road trip in NSW, then the Greater Blue Mountains Drive is definitely for you.
Begin your epic adventure by visiting the iconic Three Sisters, three rock formations sitting proudly in the Blue Mountains National Park. After visiting the popular site, hike the Katoomba Falls walk for stunning views from Juliet’s Balcony Lookout.
To continue on your road trip, head to the 340-million-year-old Jenolan Caves, one of the greatest natural wonders in Australia. The Jenolan Caves are tucked in a remote valley in the Blue Mountains National Park and are home to some of the most beautiful limestone formations and underground rivers in the world. They are definitely worth a visit on your road trip in NSW.
For something a little different on this road trip, head through the apple-growing town of Bilpin, where you can stop off for a cider tasting at a local brewery or wander around the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.
To end your trip the right way, camping in New South Wales wouldn’t be complete without parking up your campervan next to the river at Wisemans Ferry in Hawkesbury.
Pacific Coast Way
Total distance: 617km
Recommended days: 6-7 days
Best time to do the route: spring and summer
Highlights: Newcastle, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay
This scenic road trip in NSW takes you from Sydney to Byron Bay along the Pacific Ocean, where you will see nothing but breathtaking beaches, national parks and the rolling hills of the hinterland.
Start your summer road trip adventure in Newcastle with a seaside breakfast at the popular The Merewether Surfhouse, then head to the beach to catch some sun rays and dip in the crystal clear waters.
Continue north to Port Stephens, the dolphin-watching capital of the world, and you may be lucky enough to spot a few pods! To end the day, watch the sunset at Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse before heading to Myall Lake National Park to set up camp for the night.
Head towards Coffs Harbour and take a snap next to the Big Banana before heading to the beach.
On the last leg of your road trip, head from Coffs Harbour to the beach town of Byron Bay, the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and exploring. Some of the best things to do in Byron Bay include spending the day at The Pass, watching the sunrise at Byron Bay Lighthouse and visiting waterfalls in the hinterland.
Grand Pacific Drive
Total distance: 140km
Recommended days: 3-4
Best time to do the route: spring and summer
Highlights: Sea Cliff Bridge, Grand Pacific Drive, Southern Highlands, Kangaroo Valley
This coastal road trip in NSW takes you along the coastline from Sydney to Wollongong, past stunning beaches, seaside towns and over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.
Start your journey from Sydney and pass through the Royal National Park, one of the oldest national parks in the world and home to famous sights such as Wedding Cake Rock and Figure Eight Rock Pools (make sure to stop for a dip if it’s warm enough!).
Continue heading along Grand Pacific Drive, 140kms of coastal highway that includes the iconic 665m Sea Cliff Bridge. Because there are so many incredible road trips in the state, camping in New South Wales is aplenty, and one of the best places to camp for the night is Kiama, a coastal town situated between lush farmland and the ocean. While you’re there, check out the Kiama Blowhole as it blasts ocean water 30m into the air!
After a night camping in Kiama, wake up bright and early to head inland to the Southern Highlands via the beautiful forests around Kangaroo Valley and Australia’s largest surviving wooden suspension bridge, Hampden Bridge.
On the way back to Sydney, stop at one of the most charming country towns in the state, Bowral, home to the Bradman Museum and the International Cricket Hall of Fame.
Kosciuszko Alpine Way
Total distance: 178km
Recommended days: 4-6
Best time to do the route: autumn and winter
Highlights: Snowy Mountains, Kosciuszko National Park, Lake Jindabyne
No road trip in NSW would be complete without visiting the Snowy Mountains. This epic winter road trip takes you from Canberra to Kosciuszko National Park.
Pick up your campervan in Canberra and head south to the country town of Jindabyne before ascending into the breathtaking Kosciuszko National Park. Winter is the perfect time to do this road trip because the area is blanketed in snow, making it turn into a winter wonderland!
If you’re planning on hitting the slopes at Thredbo (biggest resort), Perisher (fewer crowds than Thredbo), Selwyn or Charlotte Pass, be sure to camp at one of the nearby campsites.
After a day or two of experiencing what the Snowy Mountains offer, head back to Jindabyne, where you can camp and wake up to stunning lakeside views.
If you choose to do this road trip in summer, you can go hiking, mountain biking and more in the surrounding countryside.
Waterfall Way
Total distance: 191km
Recommended days: 2-3
Best time to do the route: summer and autumn
Highlights: Bellingen, Ebor Falls, Dangar Falls, Mihi Falls
Waterfall Way is a must-do road trip in NSW as it takes you from the coast to the hinterland past some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
Start your waterfall adventure from Coffs Harbour on the coast and go through the tablelands to Bellingen to explore different hiking trails, stay at secluded campgrounds and visit the stunning waterfalls.
Follow the road to many spectacular national parks, including Dorrigo, New England, Cathedral Rock and Oxley. Along the way, you’ll stop off at stunning waterfalls, such as Dangar Falls, Mihi Falls and Ebor Falls.
South Coast
Total distance: 450km
Recommended days: 5-7
Best time to do the route: spring and summer
Highlights: Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach, Mogo Wildlife Park
The South Coast is arguably one of the most beautiful regions in the state, home to the breathtaking coastline, stunning beaches and incredible wildlife.
Pick up a campervan in Wollongong and start your coastal journey there. Although this road trip in NSW can be done any time of the year, the best time to do it and enjoy swimming at the beaches is spring and summer.
Either spend a day at the Wollongong beaches or start your journey driving down to Jervis Bay, where you will spend two days soaking up the sun or squishing your toes between the white sands of Hyams Beach. In the afternoon, sit on the beach and try to spot dolphins off the shore, and depending if you’re there before October, you may see some whales!
Continue south to the port towns of Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, where you can indulge in some of the best seafood in the country. While there, don’t forget to visit Mogo Wildlife Park, home to Australia’s most extensive collection of exotic animals, such as tigers, rhinos and zebras!
Your coastal journey will come to an end in the town of Eden, known for its Killer Whale Museum, and if you’re travelling between September and October, be sure to book a whale watching tour and be on the lookout for majestic humpback whales!
Hunter Valley
Total distance: 150km
Recommended days: 2-3
Best time to do the route: autumn and winter
Highlights: Beaches, vineyards, fine dining
If you’re planning a road trip in NSW but don’t want to head to the snow, why not head to the Hunter Valley and enjoy all the different wine varieties?
Pick up your campervan on the Central Coast and head to Nulkaba to set up camp at the Wine Country Tourist Park Hunter Valley, where you can hire bikes and ride around the neighbouring vineyards.
With over 150 wineries and cellar doors in the area to choose from, you’ll have to make a list of favourites to tick off! Some of the best wineries to visit in the region include Pepper Tree Wines, Tyrrell’s Wines, Winmark Wines and Wandin Valley Estate.
While you’re in wine country, apart from tasting delicious wines, one of the best things to do is take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vineyards; definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you can’t pass up!
Whether you’re planning a road trip in NSW in summer or winter, plenty of routes can be explored any time of year.
Because of this, camping in New South Wales couldn’t be more accessible! Pick up a campervan and camp on the beach, near a waterfall or in a snowy village!
Wherever you plan to go, the best way to explore New South Wales is in a Cruisin’ Motorhome!