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13D Best of New South Wales Itinerary — Hidden Gems and Epic Getaways From Sydney Under S$2.3k

Stunning beaches, incredible national parks and wildlife, a colourful culinary scene — New South Wales has it all.

When I think of Australia, my mind drifts to family vacations as a kid. It’s the same for a lot of my friends, which created this impression that Australia was a destination for family holidays.

Over a decade later, I got the chance to revisit the land down under as an adult — staying in Sydney for a month as part of Airbnb’s Live Anywhere programme and it’s nothing like I expected.

For one, Sydney is bustling and vibrant — packed with world-famous beaches, lively neighbourhoods, and a great food scene.

And just a short drive from the city are many incredible experiences — like hanging out with adorable alpacas in the Central Coast and driving along the Grand Pacific Drive in the South Coast . Living here for a month allowed us to explore the must-visits but also the local neighbourhoods and hidden gems New South Wales had to offer.

So if you need help planning your first trip (or new ideas on where to go), we’ve put together our ultimate 13-day New South Wales itinerary with Sydney as a base.

Pre-trip Essentials

Travel documents: Update as of 6 July 2022 — Visitors to Australia no longer need to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD).

Connectivity: We got the Optus Flex 4G Traveller Plan at the Sydney Airport. A 30-day, 60GB SIM card costs AU$30 (~S$28.85)

Getting around: When in the city, public transport works best. No travel cards needed as you can tap your existing credit cards. When travelling out of the city, we rented a five-seater SUV from No Birds Rental for AU$49/day (~S$47)

Flight information and full budget breakdown at the end.

New South Wales Itinerary Overview

Google Maps here . Click to jump to each section.

Day 1: Sydney’s Iconic Attractions Day 2: Sydney’s Charming Neighbourhoods Day 3-4: Bondi and Watsons Bay Day 5: Cockatoo Island Day 6: Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park Day 7: Central Coast Day 8: Port Stephens Day 9-10: Blue Mountains Day 11-12: South Coast and Southern Highlands Day 13: Sydney and Flight Home

Day 1: Sydney’s Iconic Attractions

This itinerary starts off in New South Wales ‘ vibrant capital, Sydney ! Known for its gorgeous harbour, the iconic Sydney Opera House, and mild weather (no harsh winters here), this city is worth setting a few days aside for.

If it’s your first time here, these are some attractions you won’t want to miss:

Sydney Opera House

You can’t visit Sydney and not see the Sydney Opera House . This building is arguably Australia’s most recognised landmark, and is one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres.

Beyond being an architectural marvel, the Opera House hosts shows ranging from opera to ballet, comedy and rock — and festivals including Vivid S ydney !

*Pro-tip: Parking at the Sydney Opera House carpark is expensive (from AU$19 for the first hour). We’d recommend taking public transport!

Entrance fee: Free — Check out the current shows and tours which have separate tickets Opening hours: 9AM – 11PM (Sun – Thu), 9AM – 12:30AM (Fri – Sat) Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Circular Quay

Circular Quay is the heart of Sydney. It’s here you’ll get the best views of the city’s famous landmarks — the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and more!

It’s also Sydney’s main ferry terminal, connecting the city centre to harbourside stops like Watsons Bay, Manly and Taronga Zoo .

Be sure to check out Gateway Sydney — a dining precinct with tons of international options, like Chat Thai , Four Frogs Creperie and Betty’s Burgers .

On the weekends, there’s The Rocks market which has everything from free yoga sessions to live music and local artists selling handcrafted goods!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 130 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia

Sydney Fish Market

Seafood lovers have to make a stop at Sydney Fish Market . They’ve packed a lot into a small space — cafes, restaurants, wholesale retailers and even a cooking school .

We’re huge seafood fans, so we ordered a bit of everything — a grilled platter (~S$54.50), Sydney rock oysters (~S$12.92/six), and grilled cheese scallops (~S$11.48/three).

We bought a variety of seafood and enjoyed it outdoors on the harbourside boardwalk. Just beware of seagulls — they might want a bite of your seafood too!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 7AM – 4PM (Best to come early as food starts to sell out around 2PM) Address: Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd &, Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia

If you’ve got more days to spare, consider visiting Sydney’s Taronga Zoo — home to over 5,000 animals including Aussie natives like koalas and red kangaroos.

Feeling nostalgic? Head to the iconic harbourside Luna Park ! This amusement park has free entry, though you can buy tickets to enjoy the thrilling rides there.

Day 2: Sydney’s Charming Neighbourhoods

Sydney has many quirky neighbourhoods worth checking out — with plenty of cafe hopping, thrift shopping, and sightseeing to do! But if we had to narrow it down to two, our picks are Surry Hills and Newtown.

Surry Hills

First up, Surry Hills . This trendy district is a foodie haven — I’d liken it to Tiong Bahru in Singapore — only better. Besides cafes, Surry Hills has a retro cinema (with a rooftop cafe and bakery!), art galleries, and many thrift shops.

Four Ate Five

There are dozens of fantastic cafe options, and after much deliberation, we settled on Four Ate Five. They serve Middle-Eastern-inspired food and we had the shakshuka (AU$19.50) and 485 breakfast plate (AU$23).

The latter was an explosion of flavours with pickled veggies, falafels , pita bread — a fun take on your usual brunch dishes!

Cost: ~AU$18/main (~S$17/34) Opening hours: 7AM – 2:30PM (Mon – Fri), 7:30AM – 2:30PM (Sat), 8AM – 2:30PM (Sun) Address: 485 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia

Bourke Street Bakery

Stop by the original Bourke Street Bakery — people have been queuing up for baked goods here since 2004. They’re especially known for their ginger brûlée tarts and pork and fennel sausage rolls!

We ordered a chocolate cake and lemon meringue tart — both were very rich and not overly sweet!

Cost: AU$6 (~S$5.74) for a cake Opening hours: 7AM – 6PM (Mon – Fri), 7AM – 5PM (Sat – Sun) Address : 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Cuckoo Callay

Cuckoo Callay puts a unique twist on popular brunch food, by mixing in Korean and Southeast Asian flavours.

We had the “Return of the MacDaddy” which is essentially three brunch dishes in one — triple smoked bacon, mac and cheese, and poached eggs stuffed in a croissant.

Photo credit: Cuckoo Callay

We also tried the “Pimp Mi Goreng”. The burger patty is a chicken thigh wrapped in mi goreng and maple bacon, with kimchi. This combination shouldn’t work, but it does. 😋

Cost: ~AU$20/main Opening hours: 7:30AM – 3PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 3PM (Sat – Sun) Address: 413 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW 2010

Other recommended eateries include Paramount Coffee Project , Sample Coffee , Single O , NOMAD , Suzie Q Records and Reuben Hills .

Thrift Shopping

Photo credit: Destination NSW

Some thrift shops to check out are Uturn Recycled Fashion , Vinnies , Noffs Op Shop , and Zoo Emporium . The first three have outlets all over the city (including Newtown), but each store offers a different selection of secondhand clothing and accessories.

If Surry Hills was the posh, artsy older sibling, Newtown is the edgy middle child. This youthful neighbourhood is one of my favourite places in Sydney!

Just step out of Newtown train station and you’re right on the main street — a long row of cafes, murals, bookstores, and vintage shops.

Black Star Pastry

Ask any local for food recommendations and Black Star Pastry ‘s strawberry watermelon cake is likely to be on the list. This Instagram-famous cake has layers of almond dacquoise, cream and fresh watermelon and strawberries.

After hearing so much hype, I’m glad to report it tastes as good as it looks.

Cost: AU$11 per slice Opening hours: Varies depending on outlet Address: Multiple outlets incl. Newtown, Surry Hills and Sydney CBD

Elizabeth’s Bookshop

Despite owning a Kindle, I still love visiting bookshops — there’s just something comforting about flipping through pages of a book. Newtown’s Elizabeth’s Bookshop is a charming secondhand bookstore that’s been around since 1973!

There’s all sorts of books available but if you can’t decide on one (like me), they sell mystery books which also make for nice gifts.

Opening hours: 10AM – 10:30PM (Mon – Fri), 9:30AM – 10:30PM (Sat – Sun) Address: 257 King Street Newtown NSW 2042, Australia

Photo credit: @gelatomessina via Instagram

Many of my friends raved about Gelato Messina , claiming “it’s the best ice cream in Sydney”.

A bold statement, but justified. Messina offers 40 ice cream flavours — 35 permanent classics and five unique specials each week. The ice cream here is freshly churned in-store daily! I had the aperol sorbet special and Nicky glasses (coffee and salted caramel) and both were delicious.

Cost: AU$5.60 (~S$5.36) for a single scoop, AU$7.40 (~S$7.08) for double scoop Opening hours: 12PM – 10PM (Sun – Thu), 12PM – 10:30PM (Fri – Sat) Address: 262 King Street, Newtown 2042 (Note: There are 15 outlets in New South Wales)

Day 3-4: Bondi and Watsons Bay

Bondi is everything I imagine the Aussie beach life to be. Surfers bobbing on boards, waiting to catch their next wave, skateboarders cruising along the boardwalk, and locals in workout gear, takeaway coffee in hand.

We stayed in the Bondi area for a month during the Airbnb Live Anywhere programme and could not get enough of this bustling neighbourhood! Here are some of our favourite things to do in Bondi:

Surfing Lesson

We couldn’t visit Bondi Beach and not attempt to pick up surfing. Let’s Go Surfing is Bondi’s only official surf school and offers two-hour lessons for beginners!

The instructors here are seasoned surfers, and taught us useful skills such as how to read the waves and where the safe zones were. We also got to practise how to stand up on the board on the beach before heading out to the water.

Overall thoughts? I see why the locals love this sport so much — I felt pretty badass when I managed to catch a few waves.

Cost: AU$99 (~S$94.85) for a 2hr lesson — incl. rental of surfboard, wet suit, and sunscreen Opening hours: Check the website for exact timings as it varies Address: 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026

Speedos Cafe

Speedos Cafe was named the world’s most Instagrammable cafe in 2020. It’s located right beside Let’s Go Surfing, making it a convenient post-surf brunch spot.

Beyond the food looking extremely pretty, we appreciate the large portions and fresh ingredients used — the perfect fuel after a morning of surfing. We ordered the banana and chia pancakes (~S$23.70), soft shell crab burger (~S$23.70), grassy knoll bowl (~S$21.80), and acai bowl (~S$19). Everything tasted really good.

Cost: AU$22 (~S$21.08) for a main Opening hours: 6AM – 3:30PM Address: 126 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026

Bondi Icebergs

Bondi Icebergs is hands down the coolest swimming pool I’ve ever seen. It’s home to the Bondi Icebergs Club (a winter swimming club dating back to 1929!) and overlooks Bondi Beach.

You don’t have to be a member to enjoy the facilities here! Swim laps, or take it easy and soak in the views from the smaller pool or sauna.

There’s also a couple of dining options — like the Icebergs Club Bistro (casual dining) and Icebergs Dining Room (upscale Italian cuisine).

Entrance fee: AU$9 (~S$8.62) for pool admission Opening hours: 6AM – 6:30PM (Mon – Wed, Fri), 6:30AM – 6:30PM (Sat – Sun), Closed on Thu Address: 1 Notts Avenue Bondi Beach NSW 2026

Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay is located at the top of South Head peninsula, just a 12-minute drive (or 6km coastal walk if you have the time!) from Bondi Beach. From here you’ve got spectacular views of the city skyline and the Pacific Ocean.

A highlight is the iconic Hornby Lighthouse , right at the tip of Watsons Bay. During the winter months of May to November, you might spot migrating whales!

Cockatoos are also really common here.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 27 Military Rd, Watsons Bay NSW 2030

Where to stay in Sydney (4 nights) Hotel: Hotel Bondi ( from ~S$140/night ) is within walking distance from Bondi Beach. Hostel: Wake Up! Sydney Central ( from ~S$38/night ) is centrally located and a 6min drive from Surry Hills. Airbnb: Bondi Studio for 2pax (from ~S$122/night ) is near Bondi Beach.

Day 5: Cockatoo Island

Switch up your New South Wales itinerary by going glamping at Cockatoo Island — located right in Sydney Harbour!

This UNESCO World Heritage island was first established as a prison in 1839, where convicts were put to work, toiling away at ambitious building projects. Today, the island is an arts and cultural centre — the opera Carmen will be held there this year!

Cockatoo Island can be covered as a day trip, but we opted to stay overnight at the Waterfront Campground for a more unique experience.

Our Deluxe Waterfront Package (AU$155/night) tent included two single beds, sun lounges, towels, and basic toiletries. There are common toilet facilities onsite, with large and clean shower cubicles that come with hot water — always a luxury when you’re camping!

After checking in, we explored the island via a self-guided audio tour ( AU$6, S$5.74 ) to learn more about its history. Guided tours are also available.

We played old-school lawn games like Corn Hole or Ring Toss on the camping grounds. Guests can also play basketball (ball rental at AU$5, ~S$4.78) or head to Campground Cinema in the Convict Precinct for daily movie screenings!

Note: There are only two eateries on Cockatoo Island — Marina Cafe & Bar and Societé Overboard. Both close early, so we’d suggest packing food for an overnight stay. There’s a shared kitchen with a fridge and barbecue facilities.

We caught a stunning sunset and sunrise during our getaway at Cockatoo Island. It felt like we had exclusive, front row seats to the Sydney skyline — watching the city go to sleep at night and come alive in the day was a definite highlight!

Cost: From AU$99/night (~S$95.40) Opening hours: The Visitor Centre opens from 10AM – 3PM How to get there: Take the public ferry (F3 or F8) from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour or Barangaroo. It’s AU$6.21 (~S$5.93 one-way) — see ferry timings here

Day 6: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Drive to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park: 45min

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is Australia’s second oldest national park. There are numerous walking tracks here, and these are the two we experienced:

Topham Walking Track

The Topham Track is a short 3.7km return hike (2hrs) that traverses open woodlands. The trail is mostly flat and unassuming, but there’s a nice reward waiting at the end — stunning views of Refuge Bay.

There’s a secret sandstone cave at the end — it’s unmarked, but not far from the main path. Let us know in the comments if you manage to find it as well!

America Bay Walking Track

America Bay Walking Track is even shorter (1.8km return hike, 1hr), but we preferred this trail to the Topham Track. It starts off pretty flat, along a narrow path through bushland, before getting a bit more rugged.

But traversing across large rocks and unpaved trails are our favourite kind of hikes!

The view at the end didn’t disappoint either — a large rock platform and waterfall looking out to America Bay.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Entrance fee: AU$12/car (~S$11.48) Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 97R9+6H, Ku-ring-gai Chase NSW 2084, Australia

Drive to Central Coast: 1hr 10min

Where to stay in the Central Coast (1 night) Hotel: Chittaway Motel ( from ~S$157.90/night ) is a 17min drive from Long Jetty Hostel: The Entrance Backpackers ( from ~S$34/night ) is a 3min from Long Jetty Airbnb: Blue Bay Beach apartment for 2pax ( from ~S$117/night )

Day 7: Central Coast

The Central Coast offers a myriad of activities — coastal hikes, breakfast with alpacas, and even a wine tour!

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Breakfast with friendly alpacas? I honestly can’t think of many better ways to start the day. Iris Lodge Alpacas is home to around 70 alpacas, plus llamas, sheep, horses, and cows!

We got to hang out with the alpacas and feed them carrots, bananas, and hay. They’re exactly like what I imagined — soft and fluffy, and what happiness would look like if it took a physical form.

After touring the farm and feeding the animals, we enjoyed breakfast cooked by our hosts. It’s a simple meal of cereals, fruits, muffins, and sandwiches — but a hearty one.

Cost: AU$55 (~S$52.24) for 2.5hrs — Alpaca meet and greet sessions without breakfast are available too! Tour timings: 8:30AM (Sat – Sun, PH), open everyday during New South Wales school holidays Address: 33 Dunks Ln, Jilliby NSW 2259, Australia

Firescreek Botanical Winery

Australia is known for world-class wines, so it’ll be a crime to leave without some wine appreciation.

Firescreek Botanical Winery offers wine experiences, like Chocolate and Wine Pairing ! Guests are served four house brand botanical wines paired with handmade chocolates. Our favourite was the nectarine and elderflower wine — we ended up buying a bottle each (~S$27.50) to bring home.

We also went to a Foraging and Mixology Workshop where we learnt how to forage for garnishes and create our own cocktails. Pouring the ingredients so that the liquids don’t mix is actually harder than it looks, and takes a certain precision.

Still, I’d say we did alright for our first time!

Cost: AU$25 (~S$23.75) for the Chocolate and Wine Pairing, AU$45 (~S$42.75) for the Foraging and Mixology Workshop Opening hours: 10:30AM – 4:30PM (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon – Tue Address: 192 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate NSW 2250, Australia

Long Jetty is a small town in Central Coast, and is aptly named because there are three jetties found here. The longest one is a 351-metre jetty named, err, Long Jetty and it’s a great spot to catch the sunset over Tuggerah Lake.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 103A Tuggerah Parade, Long Jetty NSW 2261, Australia

Spending more time in the Central Coast ? Check out other activities like horse riding in Glenworth Valley , hiking in Wyrrabalong National Park or a hot air balloon ride in the Hunter Valley !

Drive to Port Stephens: ~1hr 40min

Day 8: Port Stephens

Tomaree head hike.

The Tomaree Head Summit Walk offers one of the best views of Port Stephens! It’s a short hike (2.2km return, 1.5hrs) up to the 161-metre high summit — the perfect vantage point for whale spotting from late-May to mid-Nov.

*Pro-tip:   Boat Harbour  is another area in Port Stephens where you’ll get many sightings of Humpback and Southern Right Whales during migration season!

Opening hours: 24 hours Address: Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay NSW 2315, Australia

Stockton Sand Dunes Quad Biking

The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes are one the main reasons why people flock to Port Stephens. At 32km long, they’re the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere!

The best way to explore the sand dunes is via a quad bike tour . Sand Dune Adventures takes guests through the epic sand dunes, with views of the coastline.

Cost: AU$110 (~S$105.13) for a 1hr tour — Guests have to be at least 16 years old to ride a quad bike on their own, those under 16 can ride pillion. No driving licence is required. Tour timings: 9:30AM, 11AM, 1PM and 2:30PM Address: 2163 Nelson Bay Rd, Williamtown NSW 2318, Australia

Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

Port Stephens is a great place to spot dolphins and whales! The area is home to around 100 bottlenose dolphins — meaning you can spot these playful creatures year-round.

Cost:  AU$38 (~S$36.32) for a 1.5hr dolphin watching tour, AU$75 (~S$71.68) for a 1.5hr whale watching tour Tour timings:   Varies Address:  Shop 7 The Cascade Walk 6 Stockton Street Nelson Bay 2315

Some excellent dining options in Port Stephens include Murray’s Brewery and Cookabarra .

If you’re looking to extend your New South Wales itinerary, consider venturing further north to Hunter Valley — a fantastic wine region!

Where to stay in Port Stephens (2 nights) Hotel: Port Stephens Motel ( from ~S$132/night ) — it’ll be a 4hr drive to the Blue Mountains the next morning. Alternatively, stay in Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures ( from ~S$245/night ) on the second night to break up the drive (2hrs in the evening, 2hrs in the morning). Airbnb: Nelson Bay terrace apartment for 2pax ( ~S$184/night )

Day 9-10: Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage-listed national park about 1.5hrs from Sydney. Its most iconic landmark is the Three Sisters — named after an aboriginal legend of three sisters who were turned to stone by a witchdoctor.

It’s a must-do on any New South Wales itinerary and often done as a day trip, but you can see a lot more if you stay a night here!

Blue Mountains Hiking Trails

The Blue Mountains comprises six areas (including Katoomba and Blackheath) and there are dozens of bushwalking trails to choose from.

We hiked the Prince Henry Cliff Walk (7km one-way, 3.5hrs) which starts at Scenic World and ends at the Gordon Falls Lookout. This hike features several viewpoints — like Echo Point (the main lookout point for the Three Sisters), Leura Falls and Elysian Rock Lookout (above).

A lot of the hiking trails overlap, so you can easily shorten or extend your hike! Other trails worth checking out are the Grand Canyon Walk (6.3km loop, 3.5hrs) and the more challenging Wentworth Pass Loop Walking Track (5km, 3.5hrs).

Read also: 3D2N Blue Mountains Itinerary: The Perfect Getaway Just 90-Minutes From Sydney

Besides hiking, the Blue Mountains is a haven for outdoor sports like canyoneering, rock climbing and abseiling! We went on a half-day abseiling tour with High and Wild Adventures which starts with a five-metre abseil as practice.

After gaining some confidence, we then progressed to 15m and 30m abseiling routes. While you’re hanging on the edge of the wall, take a peek behind you for grand views of the valley.

Cost: AU$90 (~S$85.49) for a 3.5hr tour Tour timings: 8:30AM/8:45AM — Check the date for exact timings Address: 207 Katoomba St (Inside the YHA) Katoomba, NSW 2780

Stargazing Tour

Photo credit: @pierreshootsphotos via Instagram

Experience the Blue Mountains in a new light (or total darkness) by going on a stargazing tour ! This tour is led by an astrophysicist, who’ll share how to identify constellations like Orion’s Belt.

They even bring along a professional-grade telescope — I could see the crevices of the moon clearly. During colder winter months, hot chocolate and warm blankets are provided.

Cost: AU$85/adult (~S$80.74), AU$55/child (~S$52.24, aged 4 – 15) Tour timings: After sunset — Check the schedule for exact timings Address: Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, Wentworth Falls Lookout, Sir H Burrell Drive

Where to stay in the Blue Mountains (1 night) Hotel: Blue Mountains Heritage Motel ( from ~S$110/night ) is a 1min walk to the meeting point for abseiling. Alternatively, the Fairmont Resort ( from ~S$305/night ) is walking distance from the hiking trails. Hostel: Blue Mountains YHA ( from ~S$23/night ) is beside the abseiling office. Airbnb: Leura cottage for 3pax ( from ~S$136/night )

Drive to South Coast: ~2hr

Day 11-12: South Coast and Southern Highlands

The last stop on our New South Wales itinerary is the stunning South Coast and Southern Highlands — home to the Sea Cliff Bridge, Jervis Bay and more!

Grand Pacific Drive

We’ve driven along the Grand Pacific Drive during our last trip to New South Wales so this time we wanted a more unique experience — by going on a motorcycle tour with Just Cruisin .

The hour-long ride goes through the Royal National Park, Sublime Point, Bulli Pass, Stanwell Park, and the famous Sea Cliff Bridge. We sat on a rare BOOM trike; there are only 200 of these bikes in Australia!

Our guide Steve is a total badass. He has an impressive collection of motorbikes and has over 50 years of riding experience. Unrelated but he’s also done over 700 skydives — which only solidifies his badass status.

Cost: AU$110/pax (~S$105) for a 1hr tour Tour timings: 8AM – 4PM (Hourly slots) Meeting point: Bald Hill (Stanwell Tops NSW 2508, Australia)

Symbio Wildlife Park

Australia is known for unique wildlife, so we squeezed in a trip to Symbio Wildlife Park ! This zoo is family owned and operated — home to Aussie natives like koalas, kangaroos plus other animals like cheetahs and red pandas.

It’s here you can get up close and personal with the animals, with experiences like kangaroo feeding and selfies with koalas.

Entrance fee: AU$39 (~S$37.32) Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5PM Address: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh NSW 2508, Australia

Bonus: Skydive at Wollongong

Hoping to tick skydiving off your bucket list? Wollongong has a drop site with views of Sydney’s stunning south coast.

Take a scenic plane ride up to 15,000ft before taking a leap of faith (with your tandem instructor) — you’ll free fall for around 60 seconds before the parachute gets deployed. Then it’s up to seven minutes of insane views.

Cost: AU$389 (~S$379) for a tandem skydive, minimum age 16 years old Timings: Hourly slots from 7AM – 12PM Address: Skydive Sydney-Wollongong, Stuart Park, George Hanley Dr, Wollongong, NSW 2500

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure

Illawarra Fly Adventure Treetop is Australia’s highest zipline. The Zipline Tour is inspired by the movement of a sugar glider (a gliding possum) and includes three ziplines — with the longest one reaching 106m!

The entire course is actually quite beautiful, blending in with the forest seamlessly. I love how the Cloud Stations are very minimalistic and don’t look out of place.

The zipline tour includes entry to the Treetop Walk , a 1.5km walkway 20 to 30 metres above ground. The highlight of the walk is the Knights Tower, a 45-metre high viewing platform that overlooks the surrounding forest. Free audio tours are available at the visitor centre.

Cost: AU$67.50 (~S$64.82) for a 1.5hr tour (incl. entry to Treetop Walk) Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM Address: 182 Knights Hill Rd, Knights Hill NSW 2577, Australia

Fitzroy Falls

Fitzroy Falls is an 81-metre waterfall — the highlight of Morton National Park . The Fitzroy Falls lookout is a short 150m walk from the carpark and is located at the top of the falls, giving panoramic views of the national park.

There are two hikes around Fitzroy Falls — the West Rim Track (3.6km, 1.5hrs total) and the East Rim Track (6.7km, 2.5hrs total). The former is the more scenic of the two, though it was closed while we were there.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 1301 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls, NSW, 2577

The Hungry Monkey Berry

The Hungry Monkey Berry is a nice cafe with an open, minimalistic interior. The food here is hearty and generously portioned — we ordered the bad boy burger (~S$16.26), buffalo wings (~S$13.39), roast vegetable salad (~S$19.14) and the OG loaded fries (~S$15.31).

Cost: ~S$18 for a main Opening hours: 6:30AM – 8PM (Wed – Sat), 6:30AM – 3PM (Mon – Tue) Address: 23 Prince Alfred St, Berry NSW 2535, Australia

If you’ve got more time to spare, drive further south to Jervis Bay . It’s a popular spot for dolphin and whale watching, as well as activities like snorkelling!

After heading south, head back north towards Sydney — there’s plenty more exciting experiences along the way:

Jim Wild’s Oysters

Jim Wild’s Oysters is a rustic family-run oyster farm, established in 1979. They sell two types of oysters: Pacific oysters and Sydney rock oysters. The owner’s daughter, Sally (Australia’s Oyster Shucking Champion in 2022!) taught us how to open fresh oysters.

Visitors can order takeaway, or dine in at the oyster shack. We had Sydney rock oysters (AU$25/dozen), grilled oysters (AU$30/dozen), garlic and cheese scallops (AU$12 for three) and prawns (AU$12/250g).

Everything was incredibly fresh and we kept ordering more — I might have overdosed on oysters but hey, I’d do it again.

Cost: AU$25/dozen (~S$24) Opening hours: 9AM – 3PM (Tue – Sun), Closed on Mon Address: Lot 2/170 Greens Rd, Greenwell Point NSW 2540, Australia

Berry Donut Van

The Berry Donut Van is the perfect road trip snack break. You can get one of their freshly made cinnamon donuts (~S$2.10), but we went straight for the Donut and Cream special — a fluffy donut on top of a mountain of rich vanilla ice cream. 🤤

Cost: AU$7 (~S$6.70) for the Donut and Cream combo Opening hours: 8:30AM– 4:45PM Address: Lot 2/170 Greens Rd, Greenwell Point NSW 2540, Australia

Lunch at General Store Berrima

We had lunch at General Store Cafe in a small town called Berrima in order to break up our long drive. They sell excellent brunch — like shakshouka baked eggs (~S$21.05), chilli scramble eggs (~S$22), and assorted cakes and pastries!

Cost: ~S$21 for a main Opening hours: 7:30AM – 4PM Address: 1/13 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima NSW 2577, Australia

Lolly Swagman in Berrima

Walking into Lolly Swagman felt like I was stepping into a candy store trapped in time. This store has every candy you can imagine from all over the world — Swedish Fish, Wonka Bars, Stroopwaffles, the works.

We were also pleasantly surprised to learn that one of the owners is Singaporean!

Opening hours: 9:30AM – 4PM (Mon – Fri), 9:30AM – 5PM (Sat – Sun) Address: 116 Old Hume Highway Berrima, NSW 257

Planning to stay overnight in Berrima? Check out the accommodation at Bendooley Estate for a rustic countryside getaway! There’s also a gorgeous Book Barn, wine cellar and restaurant on the grounds.

Where to stay in the South Coast (2 nights) Hotel: Sage Hotel Wollongong ( from ~S$198/night ) or Boat Harbour Motel ( from ~S$149/night ) Airbnb: Wollongong apartment ( from ~S$139/night )

Drive to Sydney: ~1hr 10min

Day 13: Sydney and Flight Home

Spend your last day exploring parts of Sydney you didn’t get to cover, before heading to Sydney Airport for the flight home.

An Epic New South Wales Vacation, Just 8 Hours Away

After a month exploring Sydney and the rest of New South Wales , I’m glad to say that it now holds many fond, vivid memories. Here’s what we spent during our 13-day road trip!

Budget Breakdown Accommodation:  S$762.29 Transport:  S$177.11 (does not incl. flights) Activities:  S$750.07 (does not incl. skydiving) Food & Misc:  S$547.08 Total:  S$2,236.56

Detailed breakdown for one pax here (prices are current at the time of writing). Flights aren’t included as prices fluctuate.

We got to fly Scoot Plus which includes larger seats with double legroom, two pieces of cabin baggage, up to 30kg of check-in, priority check-in and a wider selection of meals and drinks.

Fun fact: Scoot’s very first flight 10 years ago was to Sydney International Airport.

Scoot was named the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline last year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021!

They also pride themselves on having a youthful, friendly crew. Our coffee cups had adorable handwritten messages on them — a first for me on a flight, and definitely put a smile on my face.

A two-week trip exploring Sydney and New South Wales is actually quite good value for money. Flights aren’t crazy expensive, and activities are pretty affordable.

I’ve only just left, but I’m already eagerly looking forward to the next time I return.

Is there anything you’d add to this New South Wales itinerary? Share with us in the comments!

This post was brought to you by Destination New South Wales and Scoot .

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NSW Travel Guide

Why visit nsw.

NSW is home to more Australians than any other state. The state offers more diversity than any of its neighbours; there is a real outback, the country’s highest snowfields, a world-famous harbour and, of course, the much loved east coast beaches. You probably already have Sydney on your list, but there is so much more to NSW. When you begin to plan your itinerary, consider these facts:

• 870 national parks and reserves to wander
• 2137 km of coastline
• Six UNESCO World Heritage areas
• Australia’s oldest wine region
• a true red dirt outback and all the great characters that go with it.

So let’s start exploring NSW and see what takes your fancy.

Regions in NSW

You could easily spend a year exploring the many towns of NSW; however, most travellers stick to the coast. However, there is so much to see, including the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and outback!

The main regions of NSW are:

• Blue Mountains
• Central Coast
• North Coast Region
• New England
• Central NSW
• Outback NSW
• Snowy Mountains
• South Coast Region

There is enough variety in the state to keep you busy for years’ worth of holidays.

Featured NSW Road Trip

Exploring 8 Beautiful Port Macquarie Beaches

Nsw travel planning.

Our NSW travel guide will help you decide which region, town and cities in New South Wales you should visit on your next trip. We cover the basics of planning a trip and give you a quick rundown on the main tourist regions and the most popular things to do in Sydney and the states other key towns.

How to get to NSW

International airport.

New South Wales has one international airport, Kingsford Smith, which is in Mascot in the city’s south east. A second international airport is under construction at Badgerys Creek to the west of the city.

Key Domestic airports

There are small airports around the state; Rex  Airlines  service 18 of them if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.

The two main airports are:

• Sydney International – three terminals, one international and two domestic
• Newcastle – which offers direct services to Canberra, Melbourne, Dubbo, and the Gold Coast

Interstate Trains

You can take trains from Sydney to Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. All interstate services leave from Central Station, and tickets can be purchased via  CountryLink  or, in the case of the latter two, from  Journey Beyond .

Interstate Buses

Three companies offer travel between Sydney and the other capital cities.

• Greyhound  offers a national bus network
• Firefly  offer routes between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide
• Murrays  travel from Sydney to Wollongong and Canberra.

What’s new

Expert Tips for Visiting the Blue Mountains by Train in 2024

7 Days in Sydney-An Itinerary for a First Visit

How to get around NSW

Public transport.

Much of NSW is covered on the Opal Card; you can download the app on your phone or use your credit/debit card to tap on and off. Opal is used for ticketing in Sydney, Blue Mountains, Hunter Region, Central Coast, Illawarra, Southern Highlands.

Driving distances by average time taken

• Sydney to Wollongong – 1hr 30m
• Sydney to Katoomba – 1hr 30m
• Sydney to Newcastle – 2hrs 15m
• Sydney to Jervis Bay – 3hrs
• Sydney to Hunter Valley (Pokolbin) – 3hrs 20m
• Sydney to Orange – 3hr 30m
• Sydney to Batemans Bay – 4hrs
• Sydney to Port Macquarie – 4hrs 15m
• Sydney to Tamworth – 4hrs 50m
• Sydney To Jindabyne – 4hrs 50m
• Sydney to Dubbo – 5hrs
• Sydney to Byron Bay – 8 hrs 20m
• Sydney to Broken Hill – 13hrs

Numerous smaller companies offer domestic bus services to towns along the NSW coast.

Explore more of new south wales

Exploring the Gorgeous Tweed Valley

10 Tips for a Perfect Weekend in Sydney

Driving the Incredible Waterfall Way in NSW [Itinerary]

An Easy One Day Blue Mountains Itinerary by Train

Fun Things to add to your Coffs Harbour Itinerary

Ultimate Guide of Things To Do In Yamba NSW

Find the Best Things to do in Port Macquarie

The Best Animal Parks in Sydney

What is it Like To Stay at YHA Sydney Harbour? [Review]

Need more ideas? Join our Australia Travel Tips group where you can ask questions, stay updated with what’s happening and meet a bunch of friendly local experts ready to share their advice!

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Hit the road and discover all the incredible things on offer in our spectacular state. Whether it’s a classic drive along the coast, a food and wine trail through the countryside, or an epic Outback adventure, there’s a road trip for everyone in NSW.

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Q: How do I prepare for a caravan road trip?

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Q: How do I plan a road trip if I don’t own a car?

Visiting NSW National Parks

Q: What should I know before visiting a NSW national park?

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Q: What do I need to know before taking a road trip in the NSW Outback?

Plan your trip & arrive safely

Visit the Transport for NSW  page to access all the information you need.

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Q: How to prepare your 4WD for a NSW road trip?

Expert Guides

Expert Guide - Greater Blue Mountains Drive

Expert Guide - Grand Pacific Drive

Expert Guide - Legendary Pacific Coast

Expert Guide - Kosciuszko Alpine Way

Expert Guide - Waterfall Way

Expert Guide - Rainforest Way

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The 6 BEST NSW Road Trips – Epic Drive Itineraries [2024 Edition]

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

If you’re looking for some incredible NSW road trips that will take you from the coast into the mountains, we’ve put together the 6 best drives to add to your list!

Road tripping in New South Wales is a must for the intrepid traveller who wants to experience everything Australia has to offer.

From beaches, national parks and forests there are no shortage of things to see or do, particularly along the coast.

The following are some of the best road trips in NSW that won’t disappoint. Here is our list of 6 road trips in New South Wales that you have to do.

Table of Contents

Greater Blue Mountains Drive

Grand pacific drive, kosciuszko alpine way, mighty murray river drive, darling river run, waterfall way road trip, the 6 best nsw road trips for 2022.

Check out the table above for a sneak peek overview of the best NSW road trips and be sure to read through all the details below!

• Route – Sydney, Katoomba, Lithgow, Mt Tomah, Bilpin, Hawkesbury
• Distance – 220km
• Duration – 2 – 4 days
• Vehicle – Any vehicle is suitable
• Road Conditions – All roads are sealed
• Highlights – The Three Sisters, Scenic World (walkway, skyway, cableway and railway), Govetts Leap Lookout, Wentworth Falls, Lot of Hiking and Heritage Trails, the towns of Katoomba and Leura

You can explore the rugged wilderness of Australia’s iconic Blue Mountains on a four-day road trip.

This circuit will take you from the Lower to the Upper Blue Mountains and then around the Hawkesbury River with its orchards and gardens on your way back up again.

You can spend days exploring the wilderness of Katoomba , but don’t overlook the various towns along the drive.

The Echo Point Visitor Information Centre offers maps and information for your adventure while paying tribute to Sydney’s iconic Three Sisters at Jamison Valley .

The Blue Mountains are a hiker’s paradise, with trails winding through forests of eucalyptus and wattle trees.

After taking in the views from Victoria Pass, make your first stop at Hassan’s Walls for incredible vistas to Hartley Valley below or head straight down into Jenolan Caves – one of Australia’s top attractions!

Dating back 340 million years, these caves were once an important location for Gundungurra people as well as being popular among locals today.

Take Mount Victoria Road, heading left until you reach Bells Line of Road which will lead through Bilpin and then down into the Hawkesbury region where there are many stunning sights waiting for travellers who want to exploring more gorgeous scenery.

If beautiful natural beauty is on your mind while driving, don’t forget that the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah features over 6 thousand plant species as well as 244 hectares (600 acres)of wild vegetation. It’s the highest botanical garden in Australia!

The Hawkesbury River is the northern-western boundary for Sydney and offers an impressive watery wonderland with historic towns lining its shores.

• Route – Sydney, Royal National Park, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and the Shoalhaven
• Distance – 140km
• Duration – 2 – 3 days
• Vehicle – Any Vehicle
• Highlights – Bald Hill Lookout & Sea Cliff Bridge, Austinmer Beach, Wollongong’s Foreshore, Nan Tien Temple, Shellharbour Village and Killalea State Park, Kiama Blowhole, Hymes Beach

The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic drive in Australia that starts at the Royal National Park, crosses over the Sea Cliff Bridge and continues through Wollongong to Kiama .

Along this route, there are many jaw-dropping sights including Scarborough Beach , which displays one of New South Wales’s most famous beaches with its white sand and surf.

The drive starts in Sydney and continues to Nowra, about 140 kilometres (or around two hours driving) away along the beautiful beaches and cliffs overlooking Australia’s dramatic coastline.

Alongside stunning views from rainforests and rugged coastlines, travellers will be able to relax at any number of quaint towns situated alongside this iconic road trip through natural wonders- perfect for those seeking an authentic Australian experience!

READ MORE: Check out all the top Royal National Park walks you should tackle on the way.

The route along the Grand Pacific Drive starts at Sydney’s Phillip Bay in a suburb called Queenscliff, where road trippers will be able to see the famous Pylon Lookout and climb the nearby Bald Hill for more incredible views.

From here, you can head through Narooma and Bermagui before arriving at Culburra Beach on the coast of New South Wales.

• Sydney to Wollongong – 85 km
• Wollongong to Shellharbour – 21km
• Shellharbour to Kiama – 15 km
• Kiama to Shoalhaven (check out Jervis Bay while you’re there) – 72 km

• Route – Cooma, Jindabyne to Khancoban
• Distance –  170km one way 
• Duration – About 3 days
• Vehicle – Any type of vehicle but no large caravans as the road is very windy.
• Road Conditions – The road is sealed the whole way
• Highlights – Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre, Mount Gladstone Lookout, Mountain Biking at Thedbo or around  Lake Jindabyne, whitewater rafting expedition on the Snowy River, Wildbrumby Distillery, Kosciuszko Brewing Company, hikes in Kosciuszko National Park.

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way is one of the most iconic road trips in Australia. Located on the border of New South Wales and Victoria, you will experience a scenic drive with stunning views and beautiful landscapes.

The road follows the mountain up and down through the amazing Snowy Mountains which is the highest section of the Great Dividing Range.

There are many spots to stop for walks in the national parks and even mountain biking if you are keen.

You can go either way on the Kosciuszko Alpine Way. When we did the road trip, we went from Jindabyne and Khancoban as we were heading in this direction.

We started at Cooma and explored the beautiful historical town, which is a great place to stop for some coffee or food.

There are some short hikes near the town and the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre .

There are many activities you can do on the Snowy River, like trout fishing, kayaking and whitewater rafting.

After exploring Cooma, head to the Mount Gladstone Lookout just out of Cooma for a great view.

Coming into Jindabyne is a sight to see. As you roll over the hill you are greeted with the beautiful view of Lake Jindabyne with little hills around the lake and big mountains in the background. It is stunning.

Stay here and explore the area in and around the town of Jindabyne . There are so many activities to do on Lake Jindabyne and up in the mountains at Thredbo with hiking and mountain biking.

READ MORE: See what makes the cut on our list of the best Queensland road trips !

If you are here in December there is a rodeo celebrating the Man from Snowy River. And if you have mountain bikes with you, head up to Thredbo Resort through the Thredbo Valley and enjoy the adrenaline-pumping tracks.

You can hire bikes from in town or at the resort if you need them. There are great tracks also around Lake Jindabyne for the whole family.

Jindabyne is a great place to base yourself for the Kosciuszko National Park. There are a number of hikes in the area, do some mountain biking, go on a horse ride, go fishing or go kayaking.

Kosciuszko National Park is an all year round adventure paradise. You can explore the number of hikes in the area, do some mountain biking, go on a horse ride, go fishing or go kayaking.

After Jindabyne, you will head back out on the Alpine Way where it links the towns of Jindabyne and Khancoban over a mountain pass. You will follow one of Australia’s highest windiest roads.

This section of the Kosciuszko Alpine Way is a steep and narrow road. This is why it is suggested that vehicles towing large caravans do not drive on this road.

But the pass is very popular with motorbike riders thanks to the windy roads. Once you are over the mountain pass you will reach the town of Khancoban .

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way is a great New South Wales road trip.

• Cooma to Jindabyne – 62km
• Jindabyne to Kosciuszko National Park – 41km
• Jindabyne to Khancoban – 111km

• Route – Albury to Wentworth
• Distance – 830km
• Duration – 4 days to a week
• Highlights – Wagirra Trail, Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, Lake Mulwala, Big Reedy Lagoon Wildlife Reserve, Tocumwal Blowhole, Murray Valley National Park, Historic steam engines and paddle-steamers on the river, Morrisons Riverview Winery, Restaurant & Brewery, Balranald Heritage Trail, Mungo National Park

Along this iconic NSW road trip you will see diverse landscapes, taste amazing local food & wine and enjoy the spectacular activities and tours the Murray River has to offer.

This Murray River road trip itinerary follows the Murray River itself as it meanders from town to town.

You will visit beautiful historical country towns and you can immerse yourself in local Aboriginal tours and experiences as this area has some of Australia’s most significant Aboriginal history along the way.

The Murray River is 2,508km and runs along the border of New South Wales and Victoria, being Australia’s longest river.

From Albury all the way across to Wentworth, you can stop off where you like and enjoy the experiences that interest you.

The trip can take you up to a week or even 2 weeks if you like to take it slow. This area is really breathtaking.

• Albury to Howlong – 28km
• Howlong to Corowa – 29km
• Corowa to Yarrawonga-Mulwala – 45.5km
• Yarrawonga-Mulwala to Tocumwal – 55.5km
• Tocumwal to Echuca-Moama – 121km
• Echuca-Moama to Barham – 90km
• Barham to Balranald – 149km

• Route – Wentworth, Pooncarle, Menindee, Wilcannia, Tilpa, Louth, Bourke, Cobar, Hillston
• Distance – 950km
• Duration – 5 – 7 days at a leisure pace
• Vehicle – Any vehicle
• Road Conditions – Mostly sealed but there are unsealed roads
• Highlights – Aboriginal experiences, Mount Grenfell Historic Site, Kinchega National Park, Kallara Station, Tilpa Hotel, Bindara On The Darling, Mungo National Park, Mungo Woolshed, Gundabooka National Park, Dunlop Station.

The outback of NSW is a place where you can find invigorating hikes and scenic views.

The Darling River stretches 2,740km through the outback of New South Wales, going from the Victoria border where it meets up with the Murray River to all the way up to the Queensland border.

Travelling through the Darling River, Bourke to Wentworth route offers an unforgettable experience with ancient rock formations, historic landmarks and plenty of wildlife that will leave your friends jealous when they see photos from this incredible journey!

This natural beauty touring route can be undertaken either in whole or part and will not disappoint those seeking adventure for their next vacation destination!

The stunning views are only matched by rafting down different sections of its course that you choose based on your desires. There’s something here for everyone looking for an authentic experience just two hours outside Sydney.

From white water rafting and fishing in the Darling River to visiting Aboriginal communities offering cultural experiences surrounding this iconic river through outback New South Wales.

Aboriginal culture is strong in this area. And you can do anything from reading about their history on Mulgowan (Yappa) Art Site walk or experiencing it first-hand along with shearing techniques during a visit to Kinchega Woolshed.

This is said to be one of Australia’s most significant historic buildings still operating today!

For those looking for an escape after all that exploring, there are many tranquil spots beside Darling River where you can stop for a picnic lunch or set up camp under the starry desert sky.

Although only a fraction as long as its name suggests, there are still many things to see travelling 730km along this course between Brewarrina Junction and Walgett.

For example, you could stop at Barwon Falls or explore some ancient Aboriginal rock art sites.

With beautiful scenery in some of the best national parks, as well as easy farm-stays, you can get a real feel of outback life.

The route starts at Walgett then continues south all the way down until Brewarrina and Bourke with day one being 730 kilometres (454 miles) long.

You’ll find local attractions, such as Mungo National Park on its southern border, which is home to some of NSW’s most spectacular scenery. Or Kinchega Nature Reserve that offers an off-road experience like no other.

There are also unique experiences one could only find in Outback NSW. From learning about Aboriginal heritage at Lajamanu Community Museum to tasting delicious bush tucker prepared by locals while camping under the stars!

The Barwon River starts near Walgett, but the best way to experience Outback NSW’s towns and National Parks is by following a tour of these places that are not located along this path.

The route includes Lightning Ridge as well as other communities off the actual river, which flows from Brewarrina to Bourke before meeting with Bogan.

• Walgett to Brewarrina – 134km
• Brewarrina to Bourke – 98km
• Bourke to Louth – 99km
• Louth to Tilpa – 67km
• Tilpa to Wilcannia – 156km
• Wilcannia to Menindee – 155km
• Menindee to Pooncarie – 123km
• Pooncarie to Wentworth – 188km

• Route – Coffs Harbour to Armidale
• Distance – 185km
• Duration – About 2.5 hours
• Vehicle – Any vehicle is fine
• Highlights – Waterfalls in Dorrigo National Park, New England Tablelands, Gondwana rainforest, Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve in Coffs Harbour, Town of Bellingen, Solitary Islands Marine Park.

If you’re looking for a scenic drive in New South Wales, Australia that will take your breath away, then the Waterfall Way is where it’s at.

The Waterfall Way road trip runs east-west from the Pacific Highway to the New England Highway at Armidale in New South Wales.

The route passes through some of NSW’s most scenic countryside and has become well known as its best – and Australia’s third most beautiful tourist drive!

You could cover this richly diverse region (5 national parks!) in about 2 ½ hours. But with so many amazing stops along the way, why do that? We’d advise you to stay the night along the way and take it all in.

The drive starts at Coffs Harbour , where you can get your fill of stunning waterfalls before continuing on to rainforest, open woodlands or farmland if desired.

It’s a journey into one of Australia’s most stunning regions, travelling through various environments including coastal rainforests and farmlands.

While there is so much to see and do when planning an epic road trip around New South Wales.

These are some of our favourite places to go when we have a desire to hit the road and explore the wide open country.

Whether you’re interested in a drive along the South Coast, are searching for the best walking trails in the Alps or want to take in delicious pub meals at off-the-beaten-path bars in one country town or another, we’re confident that these six NSW road trips will be as memorable as they are enjoyable!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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You might think that traveling by car is the easiest way to get around but there’s lots of reasons why travelling by bus is actually the easy road.

Bus Fares Changes - April 2024

Mae gweithredwyr bysiau ar draws Cymru yn gwneud newidiadau i brisiau eu tocynnau fis Ebrill eleni. 

Travel Alert: Industrial Action

The train drivers' union ASLEF has announced strike action at 16 Train Operating Companies (not including TfW) between Tuesday 7 May - Thursday 9 May and a ban on overtime from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May.

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Latest Updates

Traveline Cymru is now part of Transport for Wales

Explore the transport options available in your searched location

Current Disruptions

Short notice service updates: please check for late notice timetable changes from bus operators, industrial action - may 2024, bank holiday monday services – 6 and 27 may 2024, principality stadium events – summer 2024, transport for wales - planned improvement works and late notice disruptions, great western railway - planned improvement works and late notice disruptions, crosscountry trains - planned improvement works and late notice disruptions, customer notice - disruption, bryn meadows 10k run, caerphilly – sunday 12 may 2024, trawscymru t8 - temporary diversion - from 01/05/2024 until 10/05/2024, download the traveline cymru app.

When accessing your public transport information, please:

See our ‘ Christmas and New Year Travel Information ’ page for an overview of festive travel arrangements from operators  

• Keep an eye on our Twitter page for details of last-minute service cancellations – @TravelineCymru

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Plan your journey all the way using the TfW app , Capacity Checker and journey check tools . Designed to make your journey run as smoothly as possible, they’ll tell you about any delays and how busy the train you plan to travel on is likely to be. 

Did you know you can now pay for your train tickets over three instalments using PayPal Pay in 3 if your purchase is over £30? You’ll find more information on this option when you come to the payment screen.

China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon's 'hidden' side

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• China expected to launch Chang'e-6 lunar mission this week
• Chang'e-6 to return with soil samples from moon's far side
• Chang'e-6 mission expected to last 53 days

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Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo. Editing by Gerry Doyle

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