Feeling a bit of cabin fever and ready to get out and stretch your legs?
If you’re looking for adventure, road trips, and mouth-watering regional cuisine, you couldn’t ask for a better place to explore than the state of NSW.
If you’re based in Sydney, you’re probably familiar with some of the more popular day trips or weekends away, like the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, or the South Coast. There are plenty of Sydney day tours that make it easy to visit these areas, even if you don’t have a car.
But what if you want to skip the well-trodden path and head somewhere unique? There are so many amazing towns to be explored all throughout the state.
If you’re looking for undiscovered gems, we asked some of the best Australian travel bloggers for their recommendations. Here are some of the coolest and most unusual places to visit in NSW, ideal if you’re looking for a weekend away somewhere different.
Buronga
Buronga might be 1000 km from Sydney and less well known than its river neighbour Mildura, but don’t be fooled. This unassuming little town is a hub for unique travel experiences and is one of those small towns in NSW not many people know about.
The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, Orange World, and the Holden Motor Museum are all found in Buronga. Besides incredible rose gardens and native plant displays, the Botanic Gardens also has a musical playground that children will love.
Motoring enthusiasts can reminisce for hours as they walk around 30 plus beautifully restored Holdens. The tours through Orange World’s orchards are interesting and help build an appetite for all the orange food available there. From fresh fruit to ice cream, you won’t be leaving there deficient in Vitamin C!
Buronga is also a great base for exploring the region. Just 30 minutes away are the Perry Sand Hills. These ancient dunes of red sand are spectacular to walk around or slide down. Wentworth, a nearby town, has several museums and historic sites including the Old Wentworth Jail and the Murray-Darling Junction Reserve.
From Buronga, it is 90 minutes to Mungo National Park – a must do day trip. Mungo is beautiful and steeped in European and Indigenous history. Generally, it is accessible by 2WD, but check conditions before you go.
One of our favourite things about Buronga is the accommodation. The Buronga Riverside Caravan Park is right on the river and a great place to relax between seeing the sights. The birdlife and sunsets are wonderful!
Looking for more places to stay in Buronga?
-Curious Campers
White Cliffs
In my opinion, White Cliffs is one of the most unusual towns in NSW. As a town born from opal mining, it is a less well known cousin of Coober Pedy in South Australia. Similar to Coober Pedy, almost all of the homes and facilities are underground! If you understand the severity of the summer heat as well as the bitterly cold winters in the Australian Outback, you will understand that living underground is a great option as the temperature regulates to a more comfortable temperature year round.
One of the highlights of our visit to White Cliffs was to be able to stay in the Underground Hotel, which was an experience in itself. During the daytime we also enjoyed driving around the town to visit the many attractions which include opal stores, cafes, local history, as well as the opal mining areas. I would definitely recommend that you plan to stay in White Cliffs for at least two nights to enable you to have a full day to explore.
White Cliffs is located 1020km west from Sydney, and is easily accessible by conventional vehicles as a result of having a paved highway all of the way. You travel on the Great Western Highway most of the way until you turn north off the highway at Wilcannia and travel the final 72km to White Cliffs. Ensure you plan to travel these roads during the daytime as a substantial amount of wildlife will be on the roads at dusk and night time.
-Anne Sutherland-Smith from Pretraveller
Looking for unique hotels as well? We’ve got you covered.
Gulgong
Gulgong is located four hours from Sydney and a 20 minute drive from Mudgee.
Gulgong is the perfect day trip from Mudgee. It was a colonial gold mining town that was established in the 1870s. Whilst in Gulgong you can visit the Gulgong Gold Experience to learn more about the gold rush era.
There are 130 National Trust buildings still standing in Gulgong. To see them, wander Mayne and Herbert Streets.
We arrived in time for Brunch and asked a few locals where to eat and they all recommended The Butcher Street Café. We pass that recommendation onto you.
As you exit the Butcher Street Café, you will notice in the pavement engraved symbols. These symbols are part of a secret language created in Europe by travelling people.
Travellers will take notice of these symbols placed outside shops or farms as they travel around (the Gulgong Symbol Trail). Some of their meanings are:
- Dangerous people
- Money usually given here
- A good day’s work is found
- Good place for a handout
Henry Lawson, one of Australia’s most famous bush poets and writers, spent his early years in and around Gulgong. You can visit the Henry Lawson Centre in Gulgong.
We hope you enjoy Gulgong as much as we did.
– To Travel Too
Berrima
For a relaxed day trip or weekend away from Sydney, why not explore the Southern Highlands? Located just two hours south of Sydney, off the road to Canberra, Berrima is a charming Georgian village. Berrima was established in the 1840s, in a period of fast development in New South Wales. The town’s main street is the Old Hume Hwy, however it is no longer the main thoroughfare, meaning you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a small country town.
Today, Berrima is home to restaurants and specialty shops that showcase the area’s produce in terms of food, pottery, wool, artwork and homewares. The Old Berrima Gaol and Courthouse are interesting historic buildings, but the simple charm of Berrima can be experienced with a stroll around town, in order to view the many old stone cottages.
A day trip to historic Berrima is a good way to get away from the city and relax on the banks of the Wingecarribee River. All it takes is a wander around the shops and a casual meal at a local café. There are more upmarket options at the Eschalot Restaurant. A little further out of town, just off the Old Hume Hwy, the Bendooley Estate winery estate operates a restaurant within the Berkelouw Book Barn. There, you can combine your passion for books while enjoying a delicious meal, a perfect getaway!
-LesterLost
Don’t have time for a road trip? Here are some great off the beaten path adventures in Sydney.
Silverton
Some of the most unique towns around Australia are located within its vast Outback region. It’s like the combination of remoteness and extreme summer temperatures attracts only the most unique residents. The town of Silverton is no exception.
Located 25km northwest of Broken Hill, close to the South Australia border and nearly 1200km from Sydney, the town was established in the 1880s by mining prospectors. In the late 19th century it was a booming town, reaching a peak population of 3000, even containing a stock exchange. But with larger mineral deposits discovered around Broken Hill, Silverton went into decline and is these days home to only 40 residents.
Many of the remaining buildings that don’t house museums are home to a flourishing community of artists. Around town, some of the galleries that can be visited include John Dynon Art Gallery, Cowz Art Gallery and The Horizon Gallery. The centre of the town though is the distinctive Silverton Hotel, which has featured in countless commercials and movies, including Mad Max II.
The connection between the town and the Mad Max movies was cemented in 2010 with the opening of the Mad Max Museum, run by local Adrian Bennett. A highlight are the many original and replica vehicles from the movie, including two Interceptors. A desolate town in the outback, Silverton is straight out of Mad Max, albeit a lot more peaceful.
Looking for more cool places? There’s plenty to explore across NSW!
Junee
Junee is an old railway town in the Riverina district. It takes about four hours to drive there from the outskirts of Sydney’s south, straight down the Hume Highway and then turn right at Gundagai.
The most well-known attraction in Junee is Monte Cristo Historic Homestead. This homestead has been called the most haunted house in Australia after a series of tragic events that occurred on the property. In addition to ghost tours, Monte Cristo also hosts a Haunted Ball every year.
Once you’ve checked out Monte Cristo Homestead, you can head over to the Licorice and Chocolate Factory for a tour of the factory. While you are there, you can make your own giant chocolate freckle or some rocky road. Lunch is available in the café.
After you’ve had your turn playing Vertical Licorice Bowling, where you have to knock over bowling pins with a large ball of liquorice, you can visit the Roundhouse Railway Museum. If you’re a train enthusiast, you will enjoy being able to get up close and personal with locomotives and wagons of yesteryear.
Then, if you’re an NRL fan, you may like to visit the Ray Warren statue, with a view of the historic train station in the background.
In Spring, you can also start following the Canola Trail from Junee. The Canola Trail is a drive that takes in all the beautiful yellow canola fields while travelling through some nearby towns. It’s an attraction not to be missed.
Looking for more haunted experiences? If so, check out Manly’s Q Station and Cockatoo Island.
Eden
Located on the stunning Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, you’ll find the town of Eden. The most southerly coastal town in NSW, it takes approximately six and a half hours to drive from Sydney to Eden.
One of the most unique aspects of Eden is its long association with whales. During the migration season from May to November, the town is buzzing with whale watchers. These majestic animals love to stay close to shore and explore the deep water of Twofold Bay, upon which Eden is built. You can often spot some playful whales from various lookout points. Or, you can join a whale watching cruise to get a closer view.
Controversially, Eden was also a major whaling hub. The Eden Killer Whale Museum is a unique museum located in the centre of town. Here you can learn all about the sad history of whaling in the area and the circumstances that led to the whaling ban. You can’t miss the large skeleton of Old Tom, a killer whale that died in 1930. Here you’ll get a sense of just how large these creatures really are.
-Our Passion For Travel
Mudgee
Mudgee is a cute town in a valley, located about 270 km northwest of Sydney.
Mudgee is famous for its wineries, so one of the best things to do in Mudgee is wine tasting. There are over 60 wineries around Mudgee, so plenty of options to satisfy everyone. Don’t worry, if you can’t find a volunteer to be the designated driver— numerous wine tasting organizations offer full or half-day tours along different wineries around Mudgee.
Even if you don’t enjoy a good glass of wine, Mudgee still has plenty to offer. Check out the Baker Williams Distillery for a different kind of tasting. Or, one of the great restaurants or cafes that have popped up ever since Mudgee became the perfect city getaway. Mudgee bars and cafes are a perfect mix of local products and modern cafes. Roth’s Wine Bar, Alby & Esthers or The Mudgee Brewing Company, are just some examples of the many bars.
Lastly, Mudgee is not just a cute town for food and drink lovers. For active visitors, Mudgee is also a perfect getaway. From Mudgee you can visit The Drip Gorge, The Dunns Swamp, or the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve for an active hike or canoeing.
So whether you’re an adventurer, foody, or wine lover, Mudgee has got something to offer for everyone!
Looking for a farm stay in Mudgee?
-Lara, Both Feet On The Road
Dunbogan
Dunbogan is four hours north of Sydney, on the mid North Coast. It is just 30km south of Port Macquarie and is therefore often overlooked as a destination itself. Dunbogan is a suburb of the beautiful Camden Haven, where the Camden Haven River enters the Tasman Sea. In Dunbogan, you have got the best of all worlds – rivers, beaches and mountains.
On the river you can sail, kayak, fish and hire a boat to take out for the day. Highly recommended is a visit to Dunbogan Marina and Boathouse which is set on the banks of the glorious river-mountain outlook. They serve good coffee and café style food and rent boats out for the day.
Boating on the Camden Haven River is a great way to see and take in the natural wonders of the area – don’t forget to keep a close eye on the water, you shouldn’t be surprised if you see dolphins swanning about.
The mid North Coast sees remarkable stretches of sandy beaches. Head north to Port Macquarie (and beyond) for more known beaches; or south towards Crowdy Head and find yourself some hidden gems and 4WD tracks.
Overlooking Camden Haven is North Brother Mountain. There are walking tracks up the mountain or you can drive to the lookout and explore from there, giving great vantage points of the area. Other great places to visit in the area are Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Bago Maze and Winery and Miss Nellie’s Café in Kendall.
-Erin Parker, Love To Travel, Stay-Eat-Do
Or, if you love adventure, the Snowy Mountains and Thredbo are great options too!
So, which of these unique places to visit in NSW is first on your list? Safe travels!
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Ready to hit the road? Stay safe and take the road less travelled.
(Note: Each photo is courtesy of the contributor for that town.)
