Once you’ve sussed out the sparkling scenes at Sydney Harbour, it’s time to hop in your camper for an epic NSW road trip. We’re covering the top spots to visit near Sydney in your campervan.
There’s nowhere better to go chasing waterfalls in NSW than this. Thundering cascades aside, the scenic inland drive passes quaint riverfront towns and jaw-dropping national parks. Venture into New England for moody tall tree forests or Dorrigo for waterfalls and dripping rainforest trails.
Tiny Southwest Rocks still retains those easy-going coastal village vibes. A string of beautiful beaches straddles the townsite, and you’ll find historic sites and towering lighthouses just outside town. Head south down Hat Head Road for a charming national park and village of the same name.
This sprawling 14,000-acre lake is a paradise for campers, with scenic sites right on the water’s edge. Trudge wildlife-rich trails, paddle glassy waters, or kick back in your van and admire the view. The spectacular town of Seal Rocks is a quick drive away should you fancy a midday adventure.
Dreamy Port Stephens is awash with turquoise-tinged beaches—little wonder Sydneysiders flock here in droves. Once you’ve lounged around on its soft white sands, you’ll find lofty national parks and cragged headlands to hike. Hit One Mile Beach to hang ten with the surfie set.
This rough-around-the-edges port city amalgamates industrial grit and historic grandeur with dramatic coastal cliffs sprinkled in between. Epic swimming spots, booming surf breaks, and thriving nightlife ensure there’s always plenty to do. Best of all, it’s the most free-camp-friendly city on the eastern seaboard.
Some say Jervis Bay’s Booderee National Park boasts the best beaches in NSW, and who are we to disagree? The undisputed superstar is Hyams Beach, a blindingly white stretch lapped by calm turquoise waves. Less crowded yet equally pretty alternatives straddle the circumference of the bay.
Nestled amid dramatic tree-studded mountains, this sweeping river-cut valley unfurls in a lush carpet of green. Hiking, cycling, and paddling let you admire the splendid setting while its laidback townsite oozes with rural charm.
Savour a slice of country life in this tranquil food-producing zone. But don’t come expecting the outback—this fertile, high-altitude region comes blanketed in emerald green. World-class paddock-to-plate restaurants, technicoloured flower farms, and quaint rural towns abound.
Australia’s biggest city has enough attractions to keep an energetic traveller busy for days on end.
Snaking through the heart of the city is Sydney Harbour, a glimmering natural port peppered with sailboats and commuter ferries. Starting from the bustling Circular Quay, take a return trip on the Manly Ferry to soak up the scenery for a nominal fee. Upon return, walk (or cycle) across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and take a tour of the world-famous sail-shaped Opera House.
Stroll west to The Rocks for insight into Australia’s colonial past or east to wander around the luscious Royal Botanical Gardens.
Lined by swanky waterfront restaurants, Darling Harbour is a glamorous gastronomic and retail hub. In the thick of it all, leafy Hyde Park is among Sydney’s most-celebrated green spaces. Nearby, the Sydney Tower Eye has an elevated observatory with sweeping skyline views.
Sydney’s eclectic collection of world-class galleries and museums appeals to every conceivable interest. Crowd favourites include the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Powerhouse Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Australian Museum (to name a few).
The Romanesque revival-style Queen Victoria Building houses a slew of upscale shops, while nearby Chinatown is an atmospheric district for cheap Oriental eats.
Hit Bondi Beach to sunbathe on Australia’s most famous stretch of sand—don’t forget to snap a pic of the iconic Icebergs Club. If you’re feeling energetic, take the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk to admire sparkling shorelines on a scenic 6km hike.
Hankering to get acquainted with Australia’s iconic native animals?
Jump on a ferry to Taronga Zoo or venture west to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Alternatively, Darling Harbour’s Sea Life houses a stable of curious ocean-dwelling critters.
You don’t have to venture far from Sydney to find pristine wilderness.
Forty minutes north of the CBD, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a vast protected peninsula perfect for paddling and forested hikes. One hour to the south, Royal National Park is home to dramatic cragged cliffs and stunning secluded coves.
A one-and-a-half-hour drive west takes you to Katoomba, a charming hilly town and launchpad for the Blue Mountains National Park. Super-accessible Scenic World lets you admire the landscape from lookouts and cable cars. Hikers can trudge a myriad of breathtaking trails, from short 1km stints to remote multi-day forays.
For sun-seekers, Sydney’s Northern Beaches hosts a string of scenic sandy stretches—try Palm Beach, Avalon, and Curl Curl Beach.
A road trip to Southern NSW brings a bounty of breathtaking sites.
Start by veering off the Princess Highway to cruise over the spell-binding Sea Cliff Bridge. Next, you’ll hit the port town of Wollongong, with its panoramic peninsulas, beautiful beaches, and easy-going vibe. Further south, Kiama is a laidback coastal hamlet with cragged cliffs and a mind-blowing blowhole.
Venturing inland, the Southern Highlands features fertile hills full of thickly forested wilderness and cute farming villages (try Bowral, Berrima, Robertson and Moss Vale). Proximity to Sydney and top-notch produce have made it a mecca for gourmands. Budget travellers can make do with a meat pie from the famous Robertson Bakery.
Nearby, Kangaroo Valley is a quaint country village within a jaw-dropping basin. Wildlife-rich rainforests and scenic lookouts (don’t miss Fitzroy Falls) abound.
Back on the coast, Jervis Bay is home to the state’s most scenic white-sand beaches. Sugary stretches like Hyams Beach mimic the paradise-like scenery of Australia’s Tropical North.
Further south, laidback coastal towns like Mollymook, Ulladulla, and Bawley Point brim with tranquil inlets and booming surf breaks.
Batemans Bay serves as the no-fuss hub for NSW’s laidback South Coast region. Swing by Durrass to camp at the spectacular Murramarang National Park—book a spot at Depot Beach or Pebbly Beach.
Several other scenic coastal villages lie scattered along the South Coast, from holiday hotspots like Broulee and Tuross to upmarket enclaves like Congo and Guerilla Bay.
Unhurried campers could explore the Sapphire Coast, a vast, sparsely-populated region stretching to the Victorian border. Laidback Narooma is its northernmost town—don’t miss the magnificent Mystery Bay. Other enchanting coastal hamlets span Bermagui to Tathra and Merimbula to Pambula.
The lovely little towns of Eden and Wonboyn sit within spitting distance of Beowa (Ben Boyd), the Sapphire Coast’s most celebrated national park.
The coastline north of Sydney entails bigger towns and thicker crowds. Yet there’s still plenty of natural splendour to be found.
Cruise through Central Coast hub of Gosford towards small seaside settlements like Patonga and Pearl Beach. For a livelier coastal vibe, Avoca Beach, Terrigal, and the Entrance have brilliant beaches and vibrant social scenes.
All beached out for now?
The Bouddi and Brisbane Waters national parks boast striking hiking trails and kayak-friendly rivers.
Take the coastal route north to admire Lake Macquarie on your way to Newcastle, an unpretentious port city blending history and industry. Hit the Bogey Hole or Ocean Baths for calm sheltered swims, Fort Scratchley for antiquity, and Nobby’s Lighthouse for sweeping panoramas.
Oenophiles can detour inland to the Hunter Valley, NSW’s premiere wine-growing region. Framed by verdant rolling hills, this fertile basin is awash with quaffable vino and gourmet eats.
North of Newcastle, Port Stephens is a heaving holiday hotspot famed for its swimmable (and surfable) beaches—try Nelson Bay, One Mile Beach, Fingal Bay, and Shoal Bay. In the middle of it all, Tomaree National Park offers hilly hikes with breathtaking views.
Further north, Myall Lake has wonderful waterfront campsites, while Seal Rocks is home to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and more picture-perfect beaches.
Surfers will find barrelling breaks further north at Old Bar. Bushwalkers will love trudging the lush trails at Crowdy Head and Dooragan national parks.
Next up, Port Macquarie is a sizeable coastal hub replete with panoramic lookouts, lively bars, and intriguing museums. Hit the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre for natural splendour or the Koala Hospital for cute rehabilitating marsupials.
Crescent Head has a legendary right-hand break, while Hat Head National Park brings you bush camping and verdant forest hikes. Nearby, Southwest Rocks is a must for the striking Horseshoe Bay Beach. Historical sites like Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse afford more staggering views.
Once you’ve savoured the stunning estuary at Nambucca Heads, venture left onto Waterfall Way.
As one of NSW’s top road trips, the winding 170km route passes gushing falls, teeming rainforests, and charming rural towns. Worthwhile pit stops include Dorrigo, New England, and Cathedral Rock National Park.
Waterfall chasers should pencil in Crystal Shower Falls, Newell Falls, Ebor Falls, and Wollomombi.
The Northern Rivers region has abundant worthwhile spots, including perennially popular Byron Bay. But with such vast distances to cover, it’s best to rent your camper in the Gold Coast instead.
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