5 under-the-radar road trips to take around New South Wales

Crisscrossing the border of New South Wales and Victoria is Australia’s longest river, The Murray. Recently named as one of the best under-the-radar spots to visit in 2025 by travel publication National Geographic, now is the time to visit this remarkable destination.

From Sydney, head south to Goulburn where you can snap a picture with Australia’s famed Big Merino before continuing on towards Albury. This quiet country town is a perfect autumnal retreat, with its abundance of fresh, cold air, incredible food and produce, and stunning local wineries. Be sure to stop in at the contemporary and experimental Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), a cultural highlight of regional Australia.

From here you can explore Lake Hume, which is set to be one of the locations for a new multisport adventure trail opening later this year, allowing you to experience the wondrous river in a whole new adrenaline-filled way. Plus, it’s already been dubbed one of the best things to do worldwide in 2025 by Time Out. If a scenic river cruise is more your pace, step back in time with a trip up the river to Echuca aboard a paddlesteamer.

Take the scenic route to the Hunter Valley region and tick a few bucket-list worthy destinations off your list. Starting with the Blue Mountains, just a few hours’ drive out of Sydney, you’ll find jaw-dropping scenery and cosy eateries galore.

Next up, stop in wine country as you pass through Mudgee. Sip on drops at one of the many cellar doors, enjoy dinner with a view where the produce is likely to be grown and sourced right there from the property – and, if you want to rest your head, you can’t go past the tranquility of a farm-stay.

 Make a detour up to Tamworth, which is known for being Australia’s ‘answer to Nashville’ and home to the world’s second-biggest country musical festival. Whether or not you’re in town for this big shindig, you can check out the big Golden Guitar and the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Finally, arrive in the Hunter Valley for a day (or two) of wine tasting. In fact, we bet you could easily pass a whole week knocking on cellar doors, but since not everyone’s got time for that, check out our handy guide.

The Sapphire Coast is truly the jewel of NSW’s expansive coastline, rich with picture-perfect beaches, tranquil towns and rolling green hills. Start your journey down to the southernmost town of Eden from Sydney, where it won’t be long before the shimmering coastline comes into view.

Along the way, stop off at Mimosa Rocks National Park for a slice of nature where there are plenty of opportunities to bushwalk, swim, paddleboard and birdwatch. Next, make your way to the neighbouring seaside towns of Merimbula and Pambula, where you’ll find some of Australia’s most sought-after oysters, along with plenty of fun at the nearby Magic Mountain amusement park.

Arriving in Eden – a natural paradise that’s one of Australia’s best whale-watching spots – you’ll want to brush up on your marine knowledge at the Killer Whale Museum or spot one in the wild along the ‘Killer Whale Trail’.

Dubbed the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, the Riverina region will take you past plenty of picturesque scenery, but it's the chocolate, cheese and craft beer that are the real attractions.

 Starting in Griffith, one of country NSW’s prettiest little towns, you’ll find a paddock-to-plate ethos in all the local restaurants as well as an unmissable line-up of cellar doors to explore. Next, head to Junee, a heritage town reminiscent of a bygone era. Discover the town’s rail history at Junee Railway Roundhouse and then satisfy your sweet tooth with a hamper from the Willy Wonka-esque Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory.

Stop by the nearby regional town of Wagga Wagga for some craft brews at Thirsty Crow Brewery, followed by a stroll through the local Botanical Gardens. Finish up your trip in Tambarumba where you can explore the spectacular Snowy Mountains foothills by bike or on foot.

Roll down your windows and breathe in the salty sea air on this six-hour coastline drive from Sydney to Coffs Harbour. Although Coffs Harbour has been a holiday spot for generations, there’s more to the beachside destination than the Big Banana. Sure, the road trip might bring back childhood memories, but this time you’ll have the freedom to stop off wherever you please.

We recommend hitting the road early so you can roll into Newcastle with empty bellies around breakfast time. Time your visit with Newcastle Food Month in April, or stroll around the coastal city where there’s plenty of options to eat, drink and do on an average day. 

Hop back in the car and make your way to Forster South where you can skip the crowds at the quiet, long-streching beaches.

Stop off at the true-blue Aussie holiday town Port Macquarie where animal lovers are in for a treat. Other than being a top-notch whale-watching location, you can also visit the world’s first dedicated koala hospital, take to the sands on a camel safari, or get up close with more than 80 species of Australian mammals, reptiles and birds at Billabong Zoo.

 End the day in Coffs Harbour at one of the town’s seaside restaurants, or grab some fish and chips and head down to the beach at sunset. In case you’ve got time to spare, we’ve rounded up a bunch more things to do in town.

Ready to roll? Now that you’ve got your route, get your car road trip ready with a quick pitstop at mycar Tyre and Auto. Book your next logbook service with them and you’ll get 12 months free roadside assistance, giving you peace of mind no matter where your journey takes you (T&Cs apply).

Book in your service here.