Whether you want to watch the whales, feed some kangaroos, or get stuck into gourmet food, Jervis Bay has it all. Just three hours down the Grand Pacific Drive, break up the drive with a stop at Bald Hills Lookout for a view of the Sea Cliff Bridge.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t rush back to Sydney. Make a weekend of it and stay at the By the Beach B&B<\/a>\u00a0(there are rumours of homemade bread as part of your brekkie!).<\/p>\n If time is against you, or if you just want to see more of Sydney, keep it local and head for Sydney\u2019s Northern Beaches. Lose yourself at iconic Manly Beach or in 20 or so more friendly seaside communities.<\/p>\n Make the short trip worth it with a stay at one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets\u2014Q Station Sydney Harbour National Park<\/a>. Named for its past as a quarantine station for migrants arriving by boat, there\u2019s history in every nook and cranny for those wanting to explore.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a soapies fan, pop over to Palm Beach for a chance to see Home and Away<\/em> being filmed. Ready for your close-up?<\/p>\n The secret is out\u2014you don\u2019t need to wait for winter to visit Thredbo Valley. And you\u2019ve got an excuse to say \u201cCrackenback\u201d again and again on your road trip\u2014bonus.<\/p>\n Take a break in Bredbo and explore the famous Bredbo Christmas Barn<\/a>, where it’s silly season all year round. If you need to refuel before you get back on the road, try out a counter lunch at the Bredbo Inn\u2014one of Australia\u2019s oldest pubs.<\/p>\n Treat yourself to a stay at the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa<\/a> and you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice for both activities and pampering. We highly recommend the all-terrain Segways\u2013 they\u2019re an awesome way to explore the alpine serenity.<\/p>\n Think outside the box of the usual winery destinations and head for Mudgee (a name that comes from the Wiradjuri term \u201cMoothi\u201d, which means \u201cnest in the hills\u201d). Flip a coin to pick the designated driver, then check out Mudgee\u2019s 40+ cellar doors. Or visit in September, when the annual Food and Wine Festival<\/a> is on.\u00a0Yum!<\/p>\n If you need to recharge before the last leg of your drive, turn off the main road towards Rylstone. 29 Nine 99<\/a> boasts dumplings that bring all the boys (and the girls) to the yard.<\/p>\n After all that, you\u2019ll be ready for a glass of wine and a comfortable bed. Try a few nights at the luxurious Ilkley Cottages<\/a>, where sophisticated meets cosy, and kangaroos happily hop past your verandah.<\/p>\n Get ready for an epic road trip to the capital of outback NSW. Whether you go direct through the Blue Mountains or by the slightly longer (but usually less busy) Riverina route, it\u2019s an awesome drive.<\/p>\n Broken Hill is no sleepy bush town\u2014it’s a thriving arts community, boasting Australia\u2019s oldest regional art gallery. It\u2019s worth a few days in the car for the Living Desert Reserve<\/a> alone, which includes 12 sandstone sculptures by global artists.<\/p>\n After immersing yourself in the local culture, relax on the grand balcony at the Royal Exchange Hotel<\/a>, close to local galleries and museums, and with famously comfy beds.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/d1c7ea74cb4be0e95de15d93c89dfb7f.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nRoad trip #2<\/strong>: Northern Beaches<\/a>\u201430km north of the CBD<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRoad trip #3<\/strong>: Lake Crackenback<\/a>\u2014500km south-west of Sydney<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRoad trip #4<\/strong>: Mudgee<\/a> wine country\u2014270km north-west of Sydney<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/967f10b487487f499f7fd95a8c2f83e4.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nRoad trip #5<\/strong>: Broken Hill<\/a>\u20141146km from Sydney<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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