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

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For this post, I traveled at my own expense.

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.

You Can Find

• Where should I go on a road trip in NSW?
• Bushfires
• Map
• 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
8. Bombo Quarry Headland
9. Hyams Beach
10. Glasshouse Rocks Narooma
11. Cathedral Rocks Kiama Downs
12. Bermagui
13. Eden
14. Batemans Bay
15. Ulladulla
16. The Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range

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.

1 Mimosa Rocks

Mimosa Rocks National Park NSW Australia

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.

Mimosa Rocks National Park © JENNIFER EMPEY

2 Wallaga Lake

Wallaga Lake NSW Australia

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 my post for things to do.

Wallaga Lake  © JENNIFER EMPEY

3 Australia Rock

Narooma NSW Australia

**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.

Read my post to learn more and link to check for updates on things to do at Narooma.

Australia Rock © JENNIFER EMPEY

4 Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

Illawarra Ranges NSW Australia

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 in my post about the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

Illawarra Treetop Fly Adventure © JENNIFER EMPEY

5 Blue Mountains

Katoomba NSW Australia

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 my post about the Blue Mountains for more things to do.

Boar Head at the Blue Mountains © JENNIFER EMPEY

6 Camel Rock

Bermagui NSW Australia

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 © JENNIFER EMPEY

7 Kiama 

Kiama NSW Australia

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.

And, the Kiama Lighthouse is to 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.

In my post, you can find things to do in Kiama. And, you can read more in my post about the lighthouse and the blowhole.

Kiama Lighthouse © JENNIFER EMPEY

8 Bombo Headland Quarry

Kiama South NSW Australia

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.

Read about my experience at Bombo Quarry

Bombo Quarry Kiama © JENNIFER EMPEY

9 Hyams Beach

A White Sandy Beach in Jervis Bay NSW Australia

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.

Read my post to learn more about Hyams Beach.

Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay © JENNIFER EMPEY

10 Glasshouse Rocks

Glasshouse Rocks Narooma NSW Australia

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 © JENNIFER EMPEY

11 Cathedral Rocks

Kiama Downs NSW Australia

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 © JENNIFER EMPEY

12 Bermagui

NSW Australia

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 © JENNIFER EMPEY

13 Eden

Eden NSW Australia

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 © JENNIFER EMPEY

14 Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay NSW Australia

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 my post about the things to do at Batemans Bay.

Old Batemans Bay Bridge © JENNIFER EMPEY

15 Ulladulla

Ulladulla NSW Australia

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

Read my post about the things to do in Ulladulla.

Ulladulla Harbour © JENNIFER EMPEY

16 The Great Dividing Range

The Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range

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.

Read my post, where is the end of the rainbow?

Rainbow on the Great Dividing Range © JENNIFER EMPEY

Travel Essentials

For travel essentials like where to check the weather, beach information, and national parks in NSW, click here.

Map

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

Things to Do in NSW

NSW Roadtrip Destinations

Places to Go in New South Wales Australia on a Road Trip

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

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?