A (mostly) NSW travel guide for your regional road trips
Emily Graetz thinks you should head inland this winter break.
If summer calls for coastal road trips and long days in the water, winter demands a dreamy tour of NSW’s country towns. The 6 week break approaching might just be the best time for you to gather some friends and hire a car or enjoy some solo travel time and book a train to one of inland NSW’s regional treasures.
Albury
Sitting on the southern border of NSW, Albury is a major regional centre serving moody walking trails and unexpectedly delicious food. Take the meandering train 8 hours from Sydney to Wiradjuri country to enjoy the crispy fresh sights and sounds of Wonga Wetlands, Noreuil Park and the Weir. A walk down Dean St will leave you with too many cafes and restaurants to pick from (don’t be thinking country towns aren’t delivering on the cuisine) and make sure to stop in at Murray Art Museum Albury and the Albury Botanic Gardens. The Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is a local favourite as are the Farmers Markets over in Wodonga. For a foodie adventure, have brunch at The Proprietor, Dinner at Cafe Dalchini and Dessert at Monumental Ice cream. Finish the day with cocktails at Temperance and General or laid back drinks at Public House.
Mildura
Ok, I’ll admit - Mildura is actually in Victoria but given it sits on the border, I’m giving it a free pass. Situated on the glorious banks of the Murray River, Mildura is home to the First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee, the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri Traditional Owners. Mildura is a base for a whole range of amazing national wonders, historical sites and national parks. Visiting Mungo National Park where the remains of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady were found (making the area one of the oldest places to have been occupied by humans since ancient times) is a 1 hr 45 minute drive and absolutely a must. The park is part of the Willandra Lakes region - an impressive geographical and environmental site. Mildura Woodsies Gem Shop and Sunraysia Farmers Markets are popular to-do’s and the area also boasts a plethora of wineries and breweries for those fancying a beverage or two.
Tamworth
Home of the Golden Guitar and Australia’s largest music festival, Tamworth is one of the more well known of NSW’s country towns. But it isn’t just for the country music lovers! With plenty of museums and galleries to keep the historian and art-lovers entertained, Botanic Gardens and Len Waters Tours exploring the Kamilaroi Region, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a day outdoors, immerse yourself in the wildlife at Tamworth Marsupial Park before taking a stroll up the Kamilaroi Track to Oxley Scenic Lookout or Flagstaff Mountain. Best eats can be found at The Terris, The Pig and Tinder Box and Willow Tree Graze. Get your coffee fix at Le Pruneau and your cocktail fix at The Press. If that isn’t enough a day trip to neighbouring towns, Nundle and Armidale, or attending one of the musical performances at Tamworth’s conservatorium of music should keep you plenty entertained.
Forbes
Often overlooked for its bigger cousins, Dubbo and Orange, Forbes is an underrated gem. The extra connecting bus from Orange is well worth the effort though - this Central West town on Wiradjuri Land is perfect for those seeking a quiet getaway. Visit the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre to learn about local Indigenous culture and stories followed by a trip to The Platypus Gallery for free and local art and Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Trail for a country version of Sculpture by the Sea. If you fancy yourself a touch of shopping, don’t go past Little Extras Lifestyle and Made of Fridays for locally made clothing, jewellery, stationery and homewares. Eat in at Sweet Three Vintage Van for waffles and sweet treats by Lake Forbes (picnic blankets supplied) and the Bakehouse and Isabelle’s Place for freshly baked goods. If all else fails you can rely on one of Forbes’ many pubs to meet the locals and enjoy some live music. And hey, if that isn’t enough for you, The Dish (instrumental in broadcasting the first moon landing), Western Plains Zoo Dubbo and all things wine in Orange are just a short drive away.
Broken Hill
Home to the Wilyakali traditional owners, Broken Hill is a mining town hosting some impressive sandstone sculptures and geological wonders. Admittedly, your journey to Broken Hill from Sydney requires an extended road trip - it’s a 13 hour drive or 16 hour train trip (or a very expensive flight). When you do get there though, head to Line of Lode Lookout and Miners Memorial or join Mutawintji Heritage Tours for the day to learn about local Aboriginal sites, artworks and histories. You can find old-school milkshakes at Bell’s Milk Bar and brunch at the Silly Goat. Of course no trip to Broken Hill would be complete without a visit to the Palace Hotel which played an iconic role in the much loved Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The hotel hosts drag bingo, drag karaoke and year round two-up… what more could you want?
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Travelling around regional inland Australia requires planning and in some cases, lots of time on the road. But it’s well worth it. Make a big trip out of it and visit a few towns over the break or spend a week or two settling in to your favourite! Full of bustling communities, relaxing hideaways and everything in between, you’ll never be disappointed by what’s on offer.
With special thanks to Emily Godden and Lucy Cantrill for their local tips and advice.