3 Fantastic Road Trips from Sydney
Although not the capital of Australia, Sydney is by far the country’s most visited city. This is where the vast majority of tourists arrive Down Under; a city so iconic that it ranked among the world’s greatest. From the Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, from the Royal Botanic Garden to Bondi Beach, Sydney is chock-full with amazing attractions. However, this is a very busy place, too, so if you’d like to escape the urban chaos, consider the following three road trips from Sydney.
3 Spectacular Road Trips from Sydney
Set in one of the world’s greatest natural harbors, Sydney offers easy access to both the northern and southern New South Wales coasts, as well as inland wildernesses. In fact, you might be surprised to find out how easy it is to reach epic landscapes or deserted beaches. So, hop in your motorhome rental and go on these amazing road trips from Sydney!
Blue Mountains
Only two hours by car west of Sydney lies the vast expanse of the Blue Mountains. This rugged region of eucalyptus forests, sandstone formations, plateaus, waterfalls and cliffs is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Base yourself in Katoomba and hit the bushwalking trails, see Wentworth Falls, visit the Jenolan Caves or admire the iconic Three Sisters.
In addition to gorgeous natural scenery, the area also boasts many art galleries, landscaped gardens and the famous Katoomba Scenic Railway, claimed to be the steepest funicular railroad in the world. The entire region is of such value that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Grand Pacific Drive
If your time is limited and you can’t do longer road trips from Sydney, consider heading south on the 140-kilometer Grand Pacific Drive. This gorgeous coastal drive leads to Wollongong and passes by a variety of highlights.
First, stop in Royal National Park, the second-oldest national park in the world (after Yellowstone in the USA). This was also the first park with “national park” in its name. In fact, at first its name was simply “National Park”. Enjoy some hiking, barbecuing or birdwatching before continuing your drive.
Other highlights on the way include beautiful surf beaches, rain forests, pretty coastal villages and wineries. You can play it by ear and stop as you please. This is one of the easiest and relaxed road trips from Sydney, for sure.
Snowy Valleys Way
There’s more to Australia than wilderness and beaches and the Snowy Valleys Way shows you just that. This 300-kilometer road takes you into the Snowy Mountains, home to Australia’s highest mountain—Mount Kosciuszko.
The road runs through the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and Kosciuszko National Park, a region dotted with farm, orchards and cool-climate vineyards. Mountain streams and trails crisscross the landscape, offering everything from trout fishing to hiking and horseback riding. In winter, this is one of Australia’s premier winter sports destinations.
You might also be interested in learning about the history of bushrangers, the equivalent of outlaws in Australia, who used to be quite active in the region.
When you visit Sydney, we strongly encourage you to go on at least one of these road trips from Sydney. They are the absolute perfect addition to the world-class urban exploration in the city.