Explore big cities and the beauty of nature with NSW road trips that offer fun for the whole family
New South Wales offers extensive opportunities for road trips that your family won’t want to miss out on. Whether you’re looking to relax by the sandy shores on the eastern coast or head inland to the mountains or the Southern Highlands, you’ll find all the natural splendour you could ever want to see. Additionally, several world-famous cities are located within the state, so your family can enjoy a new urban-oriented holiday trip if that’s more appealing to your unique interests. What matters most is framing your road trip around what your family will enjoy the most.
Best destinations for NSW road trips
The first step in planning any NSW road trip is determining your destination. You’ll find quite a bit to do all over the state, but there are clear areas of uniqueness you may want to visit or avoid depending on the kind of experience you’re looking for. For example, while you may find plenty of urban amenities and a sandy beachfront on the eastern coast, families looking for quiet and relaxation may be more comfortable with something further inland towards the Outback. With so much variety among NSW destinations, however, you’ll have no problem finding something that works for your family.
Embark on a NSW North Coast road trip
NSW’s North Coast is one of the most popular destinations for road trips that the whole family can enjoy. You’ll find fertile valleys around tranquil rivers, as well as the popular Pacific beaches. Communities like Byron Bay can be found in the area, so you can easily customise your road trip to the kind of experience you’re looking for whether it’s dedicated to the beachfront or includes diversity in locations. The A1 stretches all along the North Coast of New South Wales, so driving from place to place is easy. Just keep in mind that the North Coast requires several hours’ worth of driving to travel from the bottom to the top.
Venture out on a NSW Outback road trip
Families looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city won’t want to miss out on a NSW Outback road trip. On this trip, you’ll find picturesque, panoramic views of stunning landscapes throughout, including towering cliffs and massive valleys. You don’t have to worry about being too far away from the conveniences of the city, either. Historic river towns are prominent throughout the region, so you can always stop off somewhere and get all the supplies and comforts you need. If you live on NSW’s eastern coast, a road trip to Broken Hill is particularly popular.
Consider the length of NSW road trips
NSW may be packed full of adventure, but a lot of its top attractions are fairly spread apart. Even staying within the state can still allow for a road trip that takes several days to complete when you travel at a pace that feels like a holiday rather than work. That’s why you need to consider how long you have to dedicate to a road trip and how long your family is willing to stay in the car. Young children, for example, may not want to sit in the car for long periods of time, so if you’re going to a destination on the other side of the state, you may want to stretch out your trip over several days if not a full week.
Try long-distance NSW road trips
Discovering the hidden depths of New South Wales is one of the most memorable experiences you and your family can enjoy. You’ll find plenty to explore throughout the state, especially if you’re like most people and live near the eastern coast. Heading west could easily take you more than 12 hours of driving time, but you’ll find much to explore along the way, from the beach to the Outback. For example, driving from Sydney to Broken Hill will take nearly 13 hours to make the 1,145-kilometre trek, and that’s just one available path.