If you feel like your conversations, your travel guides and your social media feeds are dominated by the same five destinations, we’re here to help. We know that a destination doesn’t need to be popular to be special – that sometimes, as Robert Frost said himself, taking the road less travelled can make all the difference. Welcome to ‘Off the Beaten Track’, a series dedicated to the hidden gems. In this instalment, discover where to travel in New South Wales.
Bellingen and Dorrigo
A little south of Coffs Harbour, inland from Urunga, there’s a creative little river town just waiting to steal your heart. Bellingen boasts the perfect blend of arts, food and scenery. Here, you could be canoeing down the Bellinger River one day and strolling through an artisan market the next. For a bite, the Old Butter Factory – a restored early-1900s landmark that’s now a café and creative village – is the spot for brunch with a view of the Dorrigo hills. Beyond Bellingen, the 70-metre-long Dorrigo Skywalk and mystical Crystal Shower Falls are nestled in the Dorrigo National Park – part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area – making this region the ultimate all-rounder for your next getaway.
Seal Rocks and Myall Lakes
Why go to busy Port Stephens when these nearby destinations offer all you need? Whether it’s a historic walk with a spot of whale watching around the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse (built in 1875, it’s one of only two towers in Australia with an external stairway) or a hike along Treachery Headland, the walks in this region are tough to beat. Then there’s the Great Lakes Food Trail, which lets you eat your way from Bulahdelah to Blueys Beach – lucky, since the surf beaches will quickly have you working up an appetite.
Mudgee
Hunter Valley is synonymous with New South Wales wine tastings, but we’re making the case for a lesser known – but equally charming – part of the state. Mudgee’s wine roots date as far back as 1858, and it has since become home to more than 44 grape varietals and over 35 cellar doors. Our picks? Lowe Wines for an organic, biodynamic drop, or First Ridge for an award-winning wine tasting experience. When you’re not wandering the vineyards, wander back in time at nearby Gulgong. It’s here that you’ll find the oldest still-operating opera house in the Southern Hemisphere (the 1871 Prince of Wales Opera House) and the Cenny – a hotel so historic, it appeared on Australia’s first $10 note.
The Warrumbungles
For a ‘bucket-list without the crowds’ outback experience, it has to be Warrumbungle National Park. It’s Australia’s first International Dark Sky Park, making the elite list of ‘dark sky places’ in 2016 and drawing stargazers to Central West New South Wales ever since. During the day, lace up your hiking shoes and take on such walks as the Grand High Tops (a 14.5-kilometre loop past the Breadknife) or Mount Exmouth (17-kilometres return). Time your visit for spring and your hike will be made even better by the blossoming wildflowers. For accommodation, pitch your tent in Camp Blackman or book a hotel in Coonabarabran (‘Coona’ to the locals).
The Sapphire Coast
This stretch on New South Wales’s south coast may not receive the same hype as Jervis Bay, but it deserves to. The Oyster Trail – complete with five estuaries – gives seafood lovers something to wrap their lips around, while Eden’s whale history (including the Killer Whale Museum and the story of Old Tom) delivers big fun for the whole family. Beowa (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) boasts the 30-kilometre one-way Light to Light walk, which takes up to three days and can include a stay at the Green Cape Lighthouse. For a bite, the Tathra Hotel promises dinner with a view of the coast, and is on the official oyster itinerary. And if you plan accordingly, the highlight of your trip could be a tour to Montague Island – further north, off the coast of Narooma, it’s home to the state’s largest fur seal colony and little penguin colony, as well as a lighthouse built in 1881.
The Snowy Mountains
You don’t need to strap into ski boots to enjoy all that the Snowy Mountains have to offer – in fact, we’d argue this well-known region is even better in the off-season. The Snowies Alpine Walk has attracted hikers since it officially opened in December 2024, linking Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher and Bullocks Flat on a route that spans roughly 55km. Alpine villages abound, and the region offers an array of cosy lodges and cottages – from Numbananga Lodge and Creel Bay cottages to towns like Jindabyne. If you’re looking for an adventure on two wheels, mountain biking at the Cannonball Downhill and Lake Crackenback will get your blood pumping. And to settle your nerves, a dip in the thermal pool of the Yarrangobilly Caves or a drink at Wildbrumby – said to be Australia’s highest distillery – will do nicely.
Broken Hill and Silverton
These small border towns promise big personality. Roughly a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney, we’re not sure what first put Broken Hill on the map – though the cult-favourite film ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ certainly stuck a feather in it. Add to that Silverton’s Mad Max 2 Museum, and there’s no denying this tiny part of the country has made a surprisingly large impact on global culture. And there’s even more to discover here. From the Living Desert sculptures to the Silver City Mint, to the sights from the Mundi Mundi Lookout or Outback Astronomy, this region has plenty to see and do for those willing to make the trek. And no visit is complete without a stay at the Palace Hotel (the pub from ‘Priscilla’), so be sure to book ahead of time.
