Things to do in New South Wales
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through New South Wales.
See and do
Viewpoint · Katoomba
Echo Point and the Three Sisters
The classic Blue Mountains view: three sandstone pillars over the Jamison Valley.
Viewpoint · Byron Bay
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Easternmost point of mainland Australia with a lighthouse and whale views.
Walk · Thredbo
Mount Kosciuszko summit walk
Easy road-based hike to the highest point on mainland Australia.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Dorrigo
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk
Elevated walkway over the canopy at the entrance to Dorrigo National Park, plus short rainforest walks.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Mungo
Mungo National Park Walls of China
Crescent of eroded dunes in a dry lake bed, with 40,000 years of human history.
- Activity
Activity · Katoomba
Scenic World
Steep railway, cableways and a boardwalk through the rainforest under the cliffs.
- Cave
Cave · Jenolan
Jenolan Caves
Some of the oldest open caves in the world, reached by a grand drive.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · BlackheathHidden gem
Evans Lookout
Big-sky view over the Grose Valley with far fewer people than Katoomba.
- Garden
Garden · Mount WilsonHidden gem
Mount Wilson and the Cathedral of Ferns
A tiny hilltop village of big European trees, with a fern gully walk.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Kanangra-BoydHidden gem
Kanangra Walls
Sheer sandstone cliffs and a big-sky lookout at the end of a long country road.
History · Sydney Harbour
Cockatoo Island
A convict-built island in the middle of the harbour, reached by ferry.
- Beach
Beach · Royal National Park
Wattamolla
A lagoon and waterfall beside a beach, in the Royal National Park.
- Town
Town · Catherine Hill BayHidden gem
Catherine Hill Bay
A preserved coal-mining village with a jetty and a wide beach.
- Walk
Walk · Morton National ParkHidden gem
Pigeon House Mountain (Didthul)
A steep walk and ladders to a summit with views over the Clyde Valley.
- Walk
Walk · TilbaHidden gem
Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) summit walk
A rainforest climb to a sacred mountain with big views.
History · Beowa National ParkHidden gem
Green Cape Lightstation
A remote lighthouse at the edge of the state, with wild coastline.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Blackheath
Govetts Leap lookout
A waterfall plunging into the Grose Valley, with walks along the cliff edge.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
A tall waterfall with lookouts, a swim spot above it and walks that drop down the cliff.
Walk · Palm Beach
Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk
A short, steep climb to a sandstone lighthouse at the tip of Palm Beach.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Ku-ring-gai Chase
West Head lookout
Sweeping views over Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury from the end of the peninsula.
- Walk
Walk · Shoal Bay
Tomaree Head summit walk
A short, steep climb to a headland with views over Port Stephens and the ocean.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Coalcliff
Sea Cliff Bridge
A curving bridge along a sea cliff, with a path for walkers and cyclists.
- Beach
Beach · Hyams Beach
Hyams Beach
Famously white sand and clear water in Jervis Bay.
Wildlife · Narooma
Montague Island (Barunguba)
A nature reserve island with fur seals and penguins, reached by boat from Narooma.
- History
History · Echuca
Port of Echuca Historic Wharf
Paddle steamer wharf with cruises.
Swimming hole · Bermagui
Bermagui Blue Pool
A rock pool cut into the cliffs, with a staircase down.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Dorrigo
Crystal Shower Falls (Wonga Walk)
Flat rainforest walk to a waterfall you can step behind.
Waterfall · Wollomombi
Wollomombi Falls
Among the tallest waterfalls in Australia, seen from clifftop lookouts above a deep gorge.
Waterfall · WalchaHidden gem
Apsley Falls
Apsley River drops into a gorge with several lookouts, set well off the main tourist trail.
History · Hill EndHidden gem
Hill End historic village
Old goldrush town on a dirt road, now a quiet village with museums and kangaroos.
- Walk
Walk · Broken HillHidden gem
Mutawintji National Park
Red-rock gorges with Aboriginal rock art and rock pools, run by traditional owners.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Ebor
New England National Park Point Lookout
Cliff-edge view over rainforest and valleys, sometimes above the clouds.
- Walk
Walk · Tenterfield
Bald Rock National Park
Giant granite dome with a short, steep climb and views over the border ranges.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Narrabri
Mount Kaputar National Park
Extinct volcano with big views, alpine-style woodland and pink slugs after rain.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · CaperteeHidden gem
Capertee Valley lookout
One of the largest enclosed canyons in the world, with a huge valley view.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Nightcap
Minyon Falls
100 metre drop into a rainforest gorge with a lookout and a walk to the base.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · KyogleHidden gem
Border Ranges Tweed Range Scenic Drive
Mountain road through World Heritage rainforest with lookouts over the Tweed Valley.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Broken Hill
Living Desert Sculptures
Sandstone sculptures on a hill outside Broken Hill, best at sunset.
History · BrewarrinaHidden gem
Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps
Ancient stone fish traps on the Barwon River, among the oldest human structures in the world.
- Walk
Walk · Coonabarabran
Whitegum Lookout, Warrumbungle
Short walk to a lookout over the volcanic spires of the Warrumbungles.
Cave · Tumut
Yarrangobilly Caves and thermal pool
Limestone caves and a warm natural pool in the northern end of Kosciuszko.
Town · Silverton
Silverton
Dusty outback village used in many films, with a famous pub and galleries.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Silverton
Mundi Mundi Lookout
Flat plain stretching to the horizon, so wide you can see the curve of the earth.
- Town
Town · Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge opal fields
Opal mining town with car-door tours, a walk-in mine and artesian baths.
- Town
Town · Broken Hill
Broken Hill town
Outback mining city with galleries, heritage pubs and the famous Palace Hotel.
- History
History · Arakoon
Trial Bay Gaol
Ruined sandstone prison above a sheltered bay, with a short walk down to the beach.
- Garden
Garden · Mount TomahHidden gem
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah
Cool-climate gardens on the Bells Line of Road, with a lookout over Wollemi.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Megalong ValleyHidden gem
Megalong Valley drive
A steep, twisty drive down into a quiet farming valley below Blackheath.
Scenic drive · BilpinHidden gem
Bells Line of Road
The quieter route across the mountains, lined with orchards and roadside stalls.
- Town
Town · Wisemans FerryHidden gem
Wisemans Ferry
Cross the Hawkesbury on a free cable ferry, then drive the Old Great North Road.
- Beach
Beach · Fingal BayHidden gem
Fingal Spit
A sand spit that joins the mainland to Fingal Island at low tide.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · WatagansHidden gem
Watagans National Park drive
Cool forest drive with lookouts and picnic spots between the Hunter and Central Coast.
- Winery
Winery · BrokeHidden gem
Broke Fordwich wineries
A quieter side of the Hunter, with small wineries and a village feel.
- History
History · Beecroft PeninsulaHidden gem
Point Perpendicular Lighthouse
A remote lighthouse on the tip of the Beecroft Peninsula, with sheer cliffs.
Swimming hole · Bondi
Bondi Icebergs pool
A cliff-edge ocean pool where waves crash over the lap lanes.
History · Seal RocksHidden gem
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Seal Rocks
A clifftop lighthouse with whale-watching and a wild coast beach below.
- Winery
Winery · Pokolbin
Pokolbin cellar doors
The Hunter's best-known wine district, with dozens of cellar doors close together.
- Walk
Walk · Jamberoo
Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park
A boardwalk through subtropical rainforest near Kiama.
Roadside oddity · Kiama
Kiama Blowhole
A blowhole that fires seawater into the air when the swell is up.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Stanwell Tops
Bald Hill Lookout
A headland lookout with views of the Sea Cliff Bridge and a hang-gliding launch.
Food stops
Food truck · Berry
Berry Donut Van
A bright orange donut van that has been serving cinnamon donuts for decades.
- Pub
Pub · TibooburraHidden gem
Tibooburra Family Hotel
Remote pub with murals by Clifton Pugh and a lively bar.
Pub · Broken Hill
Palace Hotel Broken Hill
Famous hotel with a painted ceiling, as seen in a classic road movie.
Pub · Silverton
Silverton Hotel
Old pub that has featured in movies and TV ads, with decent meals.
- Pub
Pub · TilpaHidden gem
Tilpa Hotel
Timber and iron pub on the Darling River with walls covered in traveller messages.
- Café
Café · Gundagai
Niagara Cafe
1938 Hume Highway cafe in Gundagai, reopened in 2022 after a restoration.
- Bakery
Bakery · Robertson
Robertson Pie Shop
Southern Highlands pie shop near the Big Potato.
Bakery · Cowan
Pie in the Sky, Cowan
A long-running pie shop beside the Pacific Highway, a classic road-trip stop.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · Ulladulla
Ulladulla Harbour fish co-op
Fresh seafood off the boats at a working harbour.
- Pub
Pub · NundleHidden gem
Peel Inn Nundle
Country pub with big meals and live music some weekends.
Pub · Hill EndHidden gem
Royal Hotel Hill End
Historic pub that still serves meals and drinks in a goldrush village.
- Pub
Pub · Wollombi
Wollombi Tavern
Heritage-listed village tavern on the Great North Road in the Hunter hinterland.
Places to stay
- Campground
Campground · Murramarang National Park
Pebbly Beach campground, Murramarang
Camp behind a beach where eastern grey kangaroos graze on the sand, on the south coast.
Lodge · Beowa National ParkHidden gem
Green Cape keepers' cottages
Stay in a lighthouse keeper's cottage at the edge of the state.
- Campground
Campground · Murramarang National Park
Pebbly Beach, Murramarang
Camp among wild kangaroos on the beach.
- Campground
Campground · Evans HeadHidden gem
Black Rocks campground
Beach-side camping in Bundjalung National Park, with kangaroos around dusk.
- Campground
Campground · MungoHidden gem
Mungo Main Camp
Camping in the heart of the park with shearers' quarters nearby.
- Campground
Campground · Coonabarabran
Camp Blackman, Warrumbungle
Large campground in the national park, known for dark skies.
- Campground
Campground · Mungo National ParkHidden gem
Mungo Main Camp, Lake Mungo
Outback camp on the edge of a dry lake where Aboriginal remains are 40,000 years old.
- Campground
Campground · Mutawintji National ParkHidden gem
Homestead Creek campground, Mutawintji
Red-rock gorge camp with Aboriginal rock art and rock wallabies, north of Broken Hill.
- Campground
Campground · KempseyHidden gem
Hungry Gate campground, Hat Head National Park
Small back-to-basics camp behind the dunes, a ten minute walk from the beach.
- Campground
Campground · South West RocksHidden gem
Smoky Cape campground, Hat Head National Park
Private pockets of coastal forest below Smoky Cape lighthouse, with fishing, diving and beach walks.
Campground · EdenHidden gem
Bittangabee campground, Beowa National Park
Bush camp by a tiny bay near old stone ruins, with no phone signal and superb lyrebirds.
- Campground
Campground · BexhillHidden gem
Rummery Park campground, Whian Whian State Conservation Area
Small rainforest-edge camp with 18 sites, walks to Minyon Falls and mobile reception only at set spots.
- Campground
Campground · TathraHidden gem
Middle Beach campground, Bournda National Park
Seven-site beach camp on the Sapphire Coast, an 80 m walk from the car park.
- Campground
Campground · CobargoHidden gem
Cascades campground, Wadbilliga National Park
Six-site riverside wilderness camp on the Tuross River.
- Campground
Campground · Depot Beach
Depot Beach campground, Murramarang National Park
Beachfront camp under spotted gums with kangaroos on the grass and powered sites.
- Campground
Campground · Coonabarabran
Camp Wambelong, Warrumbungle National Park
Creekside camp with views of Belougery Split Rock and walks from the tent flap.
- Campground
Campground · CoonabarabranHidden gem
Camp Pincham, Warrumbungle National Park
Walk-in tent camp beside the visitor centre in a dark sky park.
- Campground
Campground · MoruyaHidden gem
Bendethera Valley campground, Deua National Park
Remote riverside valley camp with swimming holes and a trek to Bendethera Cave.
- Campground
Campground · TibooburraHidden gem
Fort Grey campground, Sturt National Park
Dune-country camp in the NSW outback with walks across Lake Pinaroo when dry.
Campground · TibooburraHidden gem
Mount Wood campground, Sturt National Park
Billabong camp beside a heritage-listed 1880s station homestead complex.
- Campground
Campground · Beowa National ParkHidden gem
Wonboyn Lake campground
A quiet lake campground at the end of the road in Beowa National Park.
Campground · Killcare
Bouddi National Park, Putty Beach campground
Camp behind a beach in Bouddi National Park, minutes from Killcare.
Campground · Sydney Harbour
Cockatoo Island camping
Pitch a tent or book a glamping tent on an island in Sydney Harbour.
- Campground
Campground · Glenbrook
Euroka Clearing campground
Camp among grey kangaroos in an open clearing in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
Rated 4.7 by drivers · 700,000 downloads
