Navigating New South
Wales
No trip to New South Wales will be
complete without spending at least a
day in Australia’s largest capital, Sydney,
for a taste of some of the country’s most
iconic landmarks, such as the architectural
marvels of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and
Opera House. The city is also known for its
rich multicultural heritage of hole-in-the-
wall cafes and galleries. Those who love
to shop will also enjoy Sydney’s Oxford
Street Paddington – spend extra dough at
boutiques at The Intersection, or pick up
unique finds at the Saturday Paddington
Markets. For just a lazy afternoon of
relaxation, catch a bus from the CBD to
Bondi Beach for a tanning session or head
indoors at the many cafes for a freshly
brewed cuppa.
The self-drive begins the next day to Blue
Mountains, which is just over an hour’s
drive from Sydney. The route up passes
by rolling grasslands, sandstone cliffs and
Hit the road, Jack
Start your engines and ignite a newfound passion for self-drive holidays by
cruising through Australia’s hinterlands. The winding roads that stretch through
the scenic outback or past the sapphire blue Pacific Ocean are calling out to be
explored. Your only limitation is how fast you want to go.
quaint colonial towns. Take a breather from
driving at the town of Bilpin for fresh local
produce before heading towards the Blue
Mountains. The picturesque mountain range
offers activities for everyone. Head to the
surrounding towns of Blackheath, Lithgow,
Oberon and Mount Victoria for charming
restaurants, and quaint antique shops.
Otherwise make a trip to visit the iconic
Three Sisters by heading to Katoomba, home
of Scenic World, which features a skyway,
cableway and walkway over the rainforest
canopy. There are also bushwalking activities
with tracks to suit all abilities. Be enthralled
by the wildlife encounters, majestic
waterfalls, stunning lookouts and misty
rainforests of Blue Mountains.
From Blue Mountains, drive three hours
to beachside Newcastle in the heart of the
Hunter Region. While an arduous journey,
there are plenty of sights along the way,
such as Pie in the Sky in Cowan for savoury
pies and aromatic cups of espresso. In
Newscatle, history meets coastal allure.The surfers’ paradise is surrounded by
eight idyllic beaches located close to the
CBD. Then there are the historical sites,
such as Fort Scratchley Historical Site that
are spectacular forays into the pioneering
history of European settlements.
Make the last stop of your road trip the
coastal city of Port Macquarie. It takes a
three-hour drive from Newscastle and road
trippers can make additional stops at Bago
Vineyards and Maze for morning tea and
play time in the largest hedge maze in New
South Wales, as well as at the Billabong
Koala and Wildlife Zoo for a chance to
cuddle Australia’s favourite marsupial. In
Port Macquarie itself, be greeted by salty
ocean air. At the beach, take on a dolphin-
spotting cruise, challenge yourself with
adrenaline-filled water sports or just hang
out on the white-sand beach. The town is
also rich in heritage and there are plenty
of historical buildings to explore, such as
the St Thomas Anglican Church, which was
hand-built by convicts.