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Where to visit on a road trip in New South Wales Australia?

NSW Roadtrip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains then along the South Coast of NSW

NSW Roadtrip

First, I planned a NSW Roadtrip.

So, at the end of August and the beginning of September, I traveled by road from Victoria to Canberra, to Sydney. Then, traveled around New South Wales Australia.

Here, August is the end of winter, and September is the start of spring.

I had never been to the southern coast of NSW. So, after the Blue Mountains that was my main destination on the way back from Sydney.

Content

• Map
• Bushfires
• Travel Essentials

Where should I go on a road trip in NSW?

1. Mimosa Rocks
2. Wallaga Lake
3. Australia Rock Narooma
4. Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
5. Blue Mountains
6. Camel Rock
7. Kiama Lighthouse
8. Bombo Quarry Headland
9. Hyams Beach
10. Glasshouse Rocks Narooma
11. Cathedral Rock Kiama Downs
12. Bermagui
13. Eden
14. Batemans Bay
15. Ulladulla
16. The Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range

Map

You can see in the map below the places to visit in NSW by car

BushFires 2019

Then, it was only a few months later, that the areas I traveled, to were ravaged by the fires.

I would like to dedicate my post to all the brave people who helped to combat the fires and helped the people, wildlife, property,  and those affected by the fires.

Australia is a great southern land with much beauty and terror.

Tourists to the towns and regions affected by the fires in NSW and other states like Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and ACT. They would help these towns and the businesses affected by the fires. It's not just the towns that were directly impacted, other towns and regions have been affected by people staying away

The slogan #emptyesky has rained. Whereby, you visit with an empty esky. So that, you can buy food, drinks, and produce when you visit these impacted towns and regions.

 NSW Travel Essentials

• Find out the NSW Weather and Warnings at BOM
• Check the Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans and Rules in NSW
• Check for NSW National Park closures and alerts
• Look up the beach information and conditions, at Beachsafe, and the app, for instance:
  • If the beach is patrolled or unpatrolled, and if patrolled days and hours
  • Warnings
  • Current Temperature
  • Rips
  • Currents
  • Swell
  • Tide
  • Parking
• Look up NSW National Parks for details including alerts, visitor information, park entry fees, annual passes for beaches, lookouts, car parks, and picnic areas, road quality, vehicle access, weather restrictions, entry points, facilities, maps, safety, and prohibited.
  • Murramarang National Park on the South Coast NSW near Batemans Bay
  • Mimosa Rocks National Park on the South Coast near Bermagui
  • Gulaga National Park near Bermagui and Tilba Tilba
  • Blue Mountains National Park in country NSW and The Three Sisters in Katoomba
  • Eurobodalla National Park on the South Coast from Moruya Head to Mystery Head
  • Boewa National Park on the South Coast near Eden
  • Meroo National Park near Batemans Bay and Ulladulla on the South Coast
  • Budderoo National Park near Jamberoo and Nowra, inland from Kiama on the South Coast
  • Barren Grounds Nature Reserve near Kiama on the South Coast
  • Macquarie Pass National Park near Kiama on the South Coast
  • Killalea Regional Park near Kiama on the South Coast
• Download the National Parks NSW App
• Read the recommendations to leave the park, bush, and beach as you found it
• Don't feed the wildlife, find out the details
• Take water
• Find toilets

My favorite place on my travel along the south coast of NSW.

On the way, there was an Echidna in the middle of the road. So, I needed to hit the dirt to avoid a collision with the Echidna.

Imagine driving on a dirt road for kilometers. You feel like you drive up and down a big dipper. Along each side of the road, you are surrounded by tall trees. Mounds of shells.

At the entrance to the campground, there are two wallabies standing watching you in the middle of the road.

There are no other cars in sight. You are the only person there to experience the nature of this place.

The beach is made of pebbles. You walk over this gigantic uneven terrain of a mound.

On your way down to the pebble beach. You walk on the wooden planks of the boardwalk.

An area that is of Aboriginal significance.

And, you think to yourself. I love this place.

My favorite place that I stayed was at Wallaga Lake in a cabin. Wallaga Lake is near Bermagui on the south coast. Driving from the north, you'll drive over a one-lane bridge over  Wallaga Lake.

Outside of the cabin, you'll hear the sounds of the lake. Across the lake to the other side, you'll see Gulaga Mountain and Gulaga National Park.

And, behind you are the sounds of the waves of the ocean crashing at Camel Rock Beach.

Stay at the Lake and read the things to do.

Wallaga Lake

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

**Australia Rock and Bar Rock Lookout are currently closed to visitors, check updates and details.**

Would you believe there's a rock in the shape of Australia? And, when you look through the hole in the rock, it looks out over the ocean.

You'll find Australia Rock at the entrance of Wagonga Inlet. And, you veer left before the end of Bar Rock Road which goes up to Bar Rock Lookout.

At Bar Rock Lookout, you can see the breakwalls and Montague Island.

Learn more and link to check for updates on things to do at Narooma.

Australia Rock

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

There, you can walk along the track in the treetops or zipline through the treetops.

Have you experienced or planned to experience a walk through the treetops?

Learn more about the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

Illawarra Treetop Fly Adventure

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

In the Blue Mountains, there are many lookouts to stop and check out the view. The most famous is the Three Sisters at Katoomba. You can go on the Three Sisters Walk and see the formation closer. And you can go to the Boars Head Lookout, pictured below.

You can ride the scenic railway, go on the cable car, walk bush tracks, walk among the gum trees, climb the giant stairway, and see waterfalls. Read the post about the Blue Mountains for more things to do.

Boar Head at the Blue Mountains

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

Camel Rock lies on the beach along the southern coast of NSW. I walked up close and took some pictures on my first visit.

On a subsequent visit, I walked further around Camel Rock. And, to my surprise, would you believe there are more rocks the size of Camel Rock?

So, I was in photography dreamland. See my photography at Camel Rock.

And, Horsehead Rock is another place to visit which is nearby. You can view it from a platform on the cliff.

However, I didn't get to experience Horsehead Rock.

Camel Rock

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

The Kiama Lighthouse and Blowhole are easy to get to by driving or walking from the town. They are on Blowpoint Headland and within walking distance of each other.

Nearby is the Kiama Blowhole. It has you memorized waiting for the water to come blowing out of the hole.

Kiama Lighthouse shows a picture story of daylight, sunset, blue hour, and night art photography of my journey at the lighthouse.

Learn more about the lighthouse and blowhole.

Kiama Lighthouse

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

Along the south coast of New South Wales at Bombo, Kiama is the Bombo Headland Quarry.

It can be quite dangerous here when the ocean is wild. The unique structure of Bombo Quarry is a photography destination. It's better to go at sunset or sunrise instead of during a bright sunny day.

Experience Bombo Quarry

Bombo Quarry Kiama

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

There are many beaches in Jervis Bay. At Hyams Beach, the sand is white.

At the beach, the sun shone. The skies were clear. The waves crashed upon the shore. The beach is nestled close to the town.

I remember the white sandy beaches of Great Keppel Island in Queensland. The sand would squeak as you walked. You can experience what Great Keppel Island would have been like to holiday in 1980.

Learn more about Hyams Beach.

Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

From the cliff, at Narooma Cemetery you can see Glasshouse Rocks.

Getting down to the beach is not possible near the rocks because it's private property. I met a couple whilst I was there. They were looking for the way down to the beach.

It's near a white pick fence at the cemetery. It's too steep for me and needs to be low tide to go down.

Read my post about Glasshouse Rocks for more details

Glasshouse Rocks Narooma

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

Along a winding track, you can see Cathedral Rocks.

As can be seen, the tide was in, so I didn't venture far. The access was from Jones Beach, however, I was on the other side. Birds were sitting on top of Cathedral Rocks.

When the tide is out, there are rocks on the beach and a cave. So, access for me would have been tough anyway.

Read my post to learn more about Cathedral Rocks.

Cathedral Rocks Kiama Downs

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

Bermagui is the last major town before driving towards Mimosa Rocks National Park. Bermagui lies along the Sapphire Coast on the south coast of New South Wales.

In the town, there is a Visitor Information Centre which has information and maps about the area.

The boats are docked at the jetty in the harbour on the Bermagui River. You can see the fishing lines standing high in the boats, indicative of their use for deep sea and game fishing.

Learn more about things to do in Bermagui.

Bermagui

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

At Eden, I stayed at a holiday park that has Legges Beach and Twofold Bay as its doorstep. Which looked out further to the South Pacific Ocean.

The color of the red rock is amazing. See the blue of the water. And, experience the walk along the sand to Quandoa Point at low tide.

And, you can visit the Eden Lookout and Rotary Park for Whale-watching when it's whale season. The killer whale museum rings its siren so that you can sight whales from the shore. Visit the museum to see old Tom, and find out about the stories and history of whaling and Eden.

And, you can go on a whale-watching cruise.

You can stay at the beachfront holiday park in Eden.

Legges Beach Eden

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

I couldn't resist a quick stop at Batemans Bay as I traveled along the southern coast of NSW.

See the old Batemans Bay Bridge that crosses over the Clyde River in the picture below. Well, it's no longer there, it's been pulled down since I've been there. A new bridge has been built.

And, I remember driving past the turn-off to Mogo Wildlife Park.

As the bushfires ravaged New South Wales, they reminded me of the places that I had traveled.

Read about the things to do at Batemans Bay.

Old Batemans Bay Bridge

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

Ulladulla is another town along the southern coast of NSW where I made a stop.

It is situated on the Princes Highway. And, there is parking by Ulladulla Harbour Beach.

You can

• Have a picnic
• Go for a walk and stretch your legs
• Sit and watch the boats
• Grab something to eat at a cafe, bakery, or restaurant
• Get some fresh air
• Make a toilet stop
• Go to the shops
• Watch the birds and wildlife

Ulladulla Harbour

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

And, I have left the most amazing experience to the last.

You can drive from Eden to Canberra. And, across the Great Dividing Range.

The scenery wasn't what I was expecting. It was rather barren, within a plateau with ranges in the distance. And, it was cold and windy.

 As I was driving, I could see a rainbow. As I drew closer. there weren't any distractions. It seemed so huge across a paddock, not so far away.

It was like I could see the ends of the rainbow. I was in awe.

 Where is the end of the rainbow?

Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range

PHOTOGRAPHY © JENNIFER EMPEY

16 Places to Go in New South Wales Australia on a Roadtrip

NSW Roadtrip Destinations

• Things to Do at Narooma
• End of the Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range
• Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
• Things to Do at Kiama
• Things to Do in Bermagui NSW
• Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay White Sandy Beach
• Eden Beach Experience
• Whale Watching in Eden at the Lookout
• Stay in Eden
• Bombo Quarry
• Glasshouse Rocks NSW Where Are You?
• Camel Rock Beach Where Is?
• Batemans Bay Things To Do
• Ulladulla
• Wallaga Lake Things To Do
• Blue Mountains in NSW
• Sydney Melbourne Inland Roadtrip

NSW Tours and Things to Do

Thoughts

Of the 16 places, you can visit on the NSW Roadtrip, which would you pick to do?

Are you attracted by the beaches and coastal places?

Or, are the mountains, hiking, and activities your go-to destination?