North Coast

North Coast
Often called the Holiday Coast by Sydney-siders, this sand-strewn fantasyland of the northern NSW coast caters equally to leisurely backpackers, die-hard surfers, and hordes of families. Newcastle and Port Macquarie, with urban shores only a day from Sydney, draw holiday-makers itching to sunbathe, water-ski, or wet their surfboards At the other end of the spectrum, inland eco-activist centers Lismore and Bellingen thrive on highly productive agricultural land punctuated by scenic national parks and fast-flowing rivers. (more…)

New England

New England
A lovely, scenic alternative to the coast, with rustic beauty and a cooler year-round cli¬mate, the New England Highway begins in Sydney, continues along Hwy 15 to Bris¬bane, and is serviced by most major bus lines. Most of this 380km stretch of road is dotted with inviting country towns. The highway traverses the Hunter Valley, with scenery transforming from Newcastle’s industrial machines and coal ships, along Maitland’s vineyards, past Singleton’s army base and mines, and through Muswell-brook’s coal mines and Scone’s horse stud farms. It then begins the dramatic climb up the Dividing Range from Tamworth to Armidale, in New England proper. (more…)

South Coast

South Coast
The coastal towns south of Sydney, strung together by the Princes Hwy, are far less tourist than their northern counterparts. While industry dominates many of the larger towns such as Wollongong and Bega, the smaller coastal towns in between are some of New South Wales’ undiscovered treasures. With a string of beautiful beaches on one side and mountainous escarpment on the other, the South Coast is certainly worth a visit. Cool winters cause the area to be particularly deserted between June and August; the windy coastline retains a certain charm.

Snowy Mountains

Snowy Mountains
Australia’s highest mountains, the Snowies are a winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarders. Too low, to maintain year-round snow, the mountains attract hikers in the warm months. Kosciusko National Park, home of Mt. Kosciusko (2228m; Aus¬tralia’s highest peak) and 9 other mountains reaching over 2100m, covers much of the area. Car entrance fees for the park are a steep; take advantage, when possible, of winter bus service. The Snowy Mountains Hwy and the Alpine Way, major routes through the area, feature rambling, boulder-strewn countryside, and clear passage for most of the year.

Hume Corridor

Hume Corridor
As the major route between Australia’s two largest cities, the Hume Highway provides fast travel without too much in the way of scenery. Upgrades are slowly making the road into a divided freeway for the entire route, but at present some stretches are still two-lane and heavily trafficked. It takes nine to ten hours to cover the 872km between Sydney and Melbourne along the highway, but taking scenic detours along stretches of the Old Hume Hwy where it parts from the new can help spruce up the monotony with some beautiful historic villages tucked away in the countryside.