Road Tripping New South Wales – 5 Stunning Places Not to be Missed!
I guess we can all agree that Australia is beautiful. Especially Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland usually get mentioned for their unique natural sights. Even though Sydney is a highlight and Must-See for every visitor, the state of New South Wales (NSW) feels a little underrated. It is, however, one of the best road tripping territories you could find in Australia. With highlights around every corner, breathtaking coastlines and a beautiful hinterland, NSW is worth to be discovered. You could spend weeks exploring all the stunning places the state has to offer. We went on a few road trips around NSW and have all the tips on where to go and how to go! Let's get on the road!
The Best Way to Go - Rent A Campervan!
As mentioned before, I love road trips! I love everything about it – the driving, the exploring, the independence to go where and when you like. I honestly can’t think of a better way to explore a country. Admittedly not all countries are great to road trip in, but Australia is definitely one of the best. Campervans are the ideal vehicles to get around and are traditionally a popular option in Australia and New Zealand. They are easy to handle and there is not too much setting up to do. Once you reach your campsite. Since Australia is not the cheapest place, it’s great to have the option to cook at home and be independent. Yet, it’s not too much hassle to drive to a restaurant either. The actual van is not too big for you to require any special driving skills, but big enough to hold everything you could possibly need.
The Vans
I have good experiences with campervans from both Apollo and Travellers Autobarn. Both vans were equally easy to drive and use. A word of advice – pay good attention when they explain the van to you. We learned the hard way when we couldn’t find an integral piece to build our bed the first night! Listen and learn, my friends!
Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose vans of different sizes and outfits. All vans are kitted out with a kitchenette including a small gas stove, a fridge, as well as all cutlery and crockery. Your ‘living area’ is easily converted into your bedroom, including bedding, sheets, pillows and towels. For your outdoor comfort, all vans also come with two camping chairs and a table. Perfect to enjoy a meal and a few drinks outside after a long day of exploring. Pure bliss!
The Campgrounds
You can find well-equipped campgrounds anywhere you go in NSW! It’s always good to do a little research to ensure you find your perfect place at your intended destination. For most campsites, it is not necessary to make reservations ahead of time unless it’s school holidays or you head to popular spots like Byron Bay. A powered campsite usually costs about 50 AUD (about 32 EUR or 37 USD), give or take. It’s worth doing a bit of homework to find a campsite in your budget. Obviously, the more facilities your campground offers, the more expensive it is. Often, it’s worth having a look just down the road if you would like to save some money.
It doesn’t matter if you rent a campervan or if you rather stay in hotels, B&B’s or lodges – a road trip through NSW is a lot of fun with so much to explore and experience. Make sure to have enough time so you don’t have to rush through the beautiful landscape and unique places along the way. Do a bit of research, but keep some room for the unexpected and follow your nose!
#1 - Jervis Bay & Hyams Beach
Let’s start in the south at Jervis Bay, about a 3-hour drive from Sydney. The South Coast is so beautiful you could easily write a separate post just about this area. The centre of the Jervis Bay area, I guess, would be Huskisson. It’s a lovely little village with a nice pub, a few restaurants and a harbour from where you can go on Whale- and Dolphin Watching cruises. You find a holiday park right in Huskisson, but there are plenty more options along the bay. If you prefer an alternative to camping, try Airbnb. There are some lovely places in the area, especially great if you travel with a few people.
It’s easy to spend a bit of time in the area, going for walks along the beach or if the weather allows going for a swim in the bay. There is a beautiful little walkway along the coast between Vincencia and Huskisson. It’s perfect for both an easy stroll or a more serious jog.
If you are lucky, you might even get to experience the bioluminescent – the glow-in-the-dark – plankton during your stay! Every so often, this specific plankton can be found at the shores of Jervis Bay, which makes the sea glow at night. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience! We were told that the bioluminescent plankton was out when we were there. Unfortunately, we must have been too late since we only sow tiny bits of glow with a bit of imagination.
Hyams Beach
Make sure to visit Hyams Beach when you are in the area. The beach is known as the ‘Maledives of Australia’, thanks to its crystal clear, bright blue waters and white sandy beaches. It really is an unforgettable sight and worth spending some time at.
Funny story – we spent a week in Jervis Bay, mostly because of Hyams Beach. Once we arrived, we went on the hunt and believed to have found it. While it was beautiful, it wasn’t as great as what it looked like in the pictures. But hey – such is life! Nothing is as great as it looks in the pictures. So, we settled for the still beautiful beach. We spent a fair bit of time here, had sundowners and walks here. It’s safe to say that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. On the day we left, I studied the map of the area a little harder and realised that we had been to Vincencia Beach all that time. Hyams Beach was a good few kilometres further on! DOH! We, therefore, visited the actual Hyams Beach only once before we had to leave. Learn from our mistakes – read the map correctly!
#2 - Hunter Valley - Cessnock
We are now moving North of Sydney to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s outstanding wine regions. Only about a 2-hour drive from Sydney, you can find some of the best vineyards Australia has to offer. If you know your wines, the Hunter Valley is especially well-known for its Semillion and Shiraz varieties. From small, family-run vineyards to world-renowned brands, you can find anything in the Hunter Valley. Make sure you plan enough time to enjoy as many vineyards as you like and join a few tastings. The big question when wine tasting is always – how to get around? The Hunter Valley offers a few shuttle options. You can book the Vineyard Shuttle Service, where you can book wine tasting packages to take you to 3 or 4 wineries. Believe me, that’s plenty! Another option is the iHop bus, which offers Hop-On-Hop-Off options as well as wine tours. If you plan a wine tasting trip with a few people, it might make sense to even book a private transport to the wineries of your choice.
Cessnock
We stayed in Cessnock during our time in the Hunter Valley since it is a rather central point to explore the area. We stayed at the Wine Country Tourist Park just a few kilometres outside downtown Cessnock. While it might be a bit longer to walk into town for dinner, you can easily walk to the Mighty Hunter Valley! It’s a fabulous place that offers good beer, pub vibes, delicious food as well as a great outdoor area to enjoy the beautiful landscape with a drink. The Foghorn Brewery from close by Newcastle has an outlet here for all the craft beer fans. It’s also nice to take an occasional break from all the wine. It’s a great place to relax after a big day exploring the Valley.
While Cessnock is probably not the most picturesque town in the area, it is a great starting point to explore more. If you drive through the small country roads, you’ll find gems like Wollombi, a tiny historical village with loads of character. Stop here for a coffee and a pie after perusing the second-hand shop! It’s the best area to find some hidden gems! The local pub is well-known beyond Wollombi’s city limits and is surely worth a visit. The countryside around here is just amazing. Going for a drive to explore makes for a great day!
Make sure to stop in Newcastle on your way from Sydney to the Hunter Valley. Meanwhile, Newcastle still has a bad rep for being a not-so-pretty working city, I beg to differ! Merewether Beach and its surroundings are some of the most beautiful beaches around! The scenery is absolutely stunning and you can walk for miles along the footpath next to the coastline. Along the path, you find some great little beach restaurants for any type of snack. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some dolphins and whales from here. Do yourself a favour and stop here on your way further up the coast. It’s worth it!
#3 - Coffs Harbour - Emerald Beach
Driving further up the coast, you have to stop in Coffs Harbour! This lovely little coastal town, only about a 2.5-hour drive south of Byron Bay at the border to Queensland, just oozes small-town slow-living. You definitely feel that you are getting closer to the warm tropical climate Queensland is so well-known for. I can’t help but loving this slow little place. While many might argue that the Big Banana – one of Australia’s Big Things – is the highlight of Coffs Harbour, I would say the stunning beaches are. One of the most beautiful ones is Emerald Beach, just a few kilometres north of Coffs Harbour. The highlight here is spotting wild kangaroos that can be seen hopping along the beach and along the cliff paths. Maybe Australians find that kind of normal – I find it mindboggling! Obviously, wildlife is never predictable, but it is close to guaranteed to spot a few kangaroos hopping along the beach or the breathtaking cliff path. If you come by campervan and would love to stay close by, try the Discovery Emerald Beach Holiday & Caravan Park.
Have you heard about Australia’s ‘Big Things’? Often small country towns choose an – often random – symbol and create a giant sculpture of it. There are about 150 ‘Big Things’ all over Australia. For example, Coffs Harbour has a Big Banana, Ballina has a Big Prawn and Goulburn has a Big Merino Sheep. These are just a few of the Big Things I was lucky enough to have visited. But there is so much more to see. The Big Gumboot of Tully, the Big Golden Guitar of Tamworth or the Big Pineapple of Nambour are definitely some bucket list items. My dream is to one day drive all around Australia to see all the Big Things.
#4 - Byron Bay - Lennox Head
Oh Byron Bay – the golden child of NSW! Close enough to Queensland to have the great climate and tropical vegetation, yet still in NSW! If you are looking for the rich and famous of Australia (and Hollywood), Byron Bay is where you’ll find them. It is simply an undeniably beautiful stretch of land. The long stunning beaches, the lush vegetation and the historical lighthouse paired with boutique shops and fine eateries make just for a beautiful picture. While it still has a reputation for being a “Hippie” town, the hippies here are definitely not just living off love and fresh air. They carry cold hard cash.
It usually is quite busy in town. There are always many people perusing the boutique shops and showing off their toned bodies along the beach. Even public rental bicycles are iconic here. A walk along the beach path that goes up all the way to the Cape Byron State Conservation Park is perfect for a shorter or longer hike. Definitely, walk up the headland to the lighthouse for some spectacular views over the bay. Even campers find a place to stay right in the city. Try out the Reflections Holiday Park Byron Bay – you could not be any closer to the town or the beach!
Lennox Head
I have to say, I did love Byron Bay – how could you not?? It is, however, very busy and a bit pretentious at times. Sorry to say. We stayed for two nights at Lennox Head, about a 20-minute drive south of Byron Bay and I preferred it to busy Byron Bay. It is much quieter here, even though you can find a few hip and happening cafes and restaurants. The spectacularly beautiful Seven Mile Beach attracts not only surfers from all over the country it is also perfect for long beach walks and sundowner drinks. Make sure to also take a walk along the boardwalk, that takes you to Lennox Point and the Pat Morton Lookout. The cute town centre has it all – a supermarket, bottle stores and some great eateries.
We stayed in the Reflections Holiday Park Lennox Head. While situated a little outside the town, it’s still an easy one-kilometre walk to ‘downtown’ Lennox Head. Make sure to spend some time here if you prefer a quieter, less high profile experience! It’s a beautiful part of the world.
#5 - Dorrigo National Park
Last but not least, we make our way from the coast into the stunning Hinterland of NSW! The Dorrigo National Park is a World Heritage Site, home to ancient rainforest and dramatic waterfalls! The area is dotted with beautiful hiking trails and cosy villages. While hiking through thick forest, you poke out here and there to enjoy the breathtaking views and catch a glimpse of yet another waterfall. You can easily spend a good few days in the area. If you went for the campervan option, the Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park is a great place to stay.
A Must-Visit in the area is the Crystal Showers Falls Walk. A stunning little bush trail takes you through the ancient rainforest to the breathtaking Crystal Showers Falls. Close to the visitors centre, you find some great viewing decks overlooking the valley, offering some beautiful views. The drive alone through the Dorrigo National Park is fabulous. The small country road is surrounded by national parks and takes you from the coast via the cosy village of Dorrigo all the way to Armidale! As we ran out of time, we only spend the day in the Dorrigo area and stayed for the night in Armidale. We stayed at the rather simple Highlander Van Village. It was good enough for the night, but if you want to stay a few nights longer, maybe try the Armidale Tourist Park since it is closer to town.
If you have been around NSW yourself, I am sure you would have a million other places that deserve to be mentioned too. The area is truly jam-packed with highlights and stunning sights. You might not see the famous Uluru Rock, the Great Barrier Reef or the amazing coastline of Western Australia, but the next highlight is never far away in NSW.
No matter if you come from overseas or if NSW is your home, I bet there will be amazing to discover for everyone.
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I hope to see you next week again for more Australian adventures!
Have a fabulous week and until next time.
