Summer in New South Wales is the best time for road trips. Long days, warm nights and a mix of beaches, mountains and wine regions all sit within driving distance of Sydney. Whether you’re flying in for a holiday, visiting family or just looking for a change of scenery, the right route (and the right car) can turn a simple break into a trip you’ll be talking about all year.
Karmo helps make road trip planning more fun because instead of limiting your route to what your leased or owned car can do, you can subscribe to a vehicle that actually suits your summer plans. An SUV for coastal hops, a zippy hatch for wine weekends or something more rugged for inland exploring; make your choice and keep it for as long as you need.
Use this guide to map out your next NSW road trip, then sort the wheels to match.
Most of these trips start from Sydney, where you can choose from a wide range of Karmo vehicles.
1. The Blue Mountains: Clifftop views and cool forest air
Drive time from Sydney: 1.5-2 hours to Katoomba
Ideal trip length: 1-3 days
Best for: Families, walkers, anyone needing a break from the city
The Blue Mountains are the classic Sydney escape. Head west and you swap traffic for tree ferns, clifftop lookouts and sandstone escarpments within a couple of hours. Base yourself around Katoomba, Leura or Wentworth Falls and you’ve got easy access to walking tracks, waterfalls, galleries and cafés.
In summer, the temperatures are often cooler than Sydney’s, so you get a bit of relief from the coastal heat while still enjoying clear skies and long days.
Summer ideas:
- Start early and walk one of the shorter trails before the heat builds
- Take in the must-see Three Sisters from Echo Point, then ride the Scenic Railway or Skyway
- Wander through Leura’s boutiques and cafés for a lazy afternoon
- Pack a picnic and find a lookout like Lincoln’s Rock or Govett’s Leap to soak in the views
Car tip: Any comfortable hatch or small or compact SUV will do the job here. Look for something with enough boot space for day packs and picnic gear, and good air-con for the trip back down the mountain.
2. South Coast: Sydney to Jervis Bay
Drive time from Sydney: ~2.5-3 hours (longer if you take the scenic route)
Ideal trip length: 2–4 days
Best for: Beach lovers, families, couples, easy escapes
Head south and you’ll find a string of coastal towns, national parks and beaches all the way down to Jervis Bay and beyond. You can take the fast route on the highway, or slow things down with the Grand Pacific Drive through the Royal National Park, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and past Wollongong, Kiama and the Shoalhaven.
By the time you reach Jervis Bay, you’re in white-sand, clear-water territory, ideal for a proper summer switch-off.
Summer ideas:
- Make sure to get some of the world’s whitest sand between your toes at Hyams or Murrays beach and listen to it squeak!
- Stop in Kiama or Berry for a coffee, bakery run or quick wander
- The abundant marine life makes it quite a unique destination, meet some of the locals on a dolphin cruise in Jervis Bay
- A nighttime stroll along the beach and if you’re lucky, under the right conditions, you’ll see Jervis Bay light up with bioluminescence, creating a surreal glowing blue ocean.
Car tip: A small or mid-size family SUV is perfect for this one, easy to park in coastal towns, but with enough space for beach umbrellas, esky, boogie boards and bags.
3. The Snowy Mountains: Alpine air and summer trails
Drive time from Sydney: ~6 hours to Jindabyne
Ideal trip length: 3-5 days
Best for: Hikers, mountain bikers, anyone who runs hot in summer
The Snowy Mountains aren’t just for winter; in the warmer months, the region swaps snow for wildflowers, hiking and lake time. Base yourself around Jindabyne, Thredbo or Perisher and you can mix alpine walks with bike trails and time by the water.
In summer, you’ll often get warm days and cool nights, perfect if you like your road trips with a bit of mountain air rather than coastal humidity.
Summer ideas:
- Walk one of the alpine trails in Kosciuszko National Park for big views without the snow
- Hire bikes and try a downhill or cross-country trail near Thredbo or Jindabyne
- Spend an afternoon at Lake Jindabyne, swimming, paddling or just lazing by the shore
- Join a guided fishing trip or try your hand at trout fishing if you want something different
Car tip: A comfortable car with good braking and handling is your friend here, especially on winding alpine roads. A 4×4 vehicle or larger family SUV is ideal if you’re packing bikes or bulk gear.
4. The Hunter Valley: Wine country and rolling hills
Drive time from Sydney: 2-2.5 hours
Ideal trip length: Weekend or long weekend
Best for: Wine lovers, foodies, couples, relaxed friend trips
The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, and it’s an easy drive from Sydney. With cellar doors, restaurants, day spas and hot-air balloon flights, it’s tailor-made for slow days and long lunches.
Summer here is warm, but the vineyards are at their most vibrant, and there’s always shade, air-con and a cold glass of something waiting.
Summer ideas:
- Pick a couple of cellar doors to visit rather than trying to do them all in one day
- Book a long lunch with a view and let the afternoon unfold slowly
- Wander through the Hunter Valley Gardens, a family favourite with the Storybook garden and a seasonal Christmas lights spectacular until Australia Day
- Consider a sunrise hot-air balloon flight to see the region from a whole new perspective
Car tip: This is prime small-car territory as distances are shorter, speeds are moderate and parking around cellar doors and villages is easier in a compact car. Alternatively, the Hunter caters to EVs very well with EV chargers are numerous – use Plugshare to find your nearest. For tastings, just make sure you’ve got a dedicated driver or plan to use local tours.
5. Pacific Coast Drive: Sydney to Tweed Heads
Drive time from Sydney: 10-12 hours total driving (best as a multi-day trip)
Ideal trip length: 5-10 days
Best for: Surf and beach lovers, long-haul road-trippers, foodies
If you want a big summer adventure, head north. The Pacific Coast Drive from Sydney to Tweed Heads (just south of the Queensland border) strings together some of the best coastal towns in NSW. Think Newcastle, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
You’ll move from city beaches to quiet coves, river mouths and national parks, with plenty of chances to stop for seafood, coastal walks and swims along the way.
Summer ideas:
- Break the drive into manageable legs, for example: Sydney → Newcastle → Port Stephens → Port Macquarie → Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay → Tweed Heads
- Spend a full day in at least one spot instead of trying to ‘collect’ every town
- Check off many ‘big’ Australia sights as you can – The Big Banana, The Big Prawn, the Big Pencil, The Big Mosquito, the Big Avocado…
Car tip: This is a trip where comfort really matters. Choose a prestige vehicle that’s happy on the highway for hours at a time, supportive seats, cruise control, good air conditioning and decent boot space for bags, beach gear and the inevitable ‘we’ll just grab a few things’ stops.
Choosing the right car for your NSW summer road trip
A great route is only half the story. The other half is driving something that actually suits your plans.
With a Karmo subscription, you can:
- Pick a vehicle that fits your trip, SUV for coastal runs, hatch for city and wine weekends, or something in between
- Keep it just for the summer
- Avoid the long-term commitment of buying or traditional leasing
- Swap into something different later if your plans change
Whether you’re chasing cliff views in the Blue Mountains, beaches on the South Coast, long coastal runs up the Pacific, or cooler days in the Snowies, there’s an NSW road trip that fits your style and a car that fits it too.
Book the time off, lock in a route, and then browse cars available in Sydney to choose a Karmo subscription that makes the journey just as memorable as the destination.
Please note: All drive times are approximate and will change with traffic and holiday peak periods, especially on weekends and public holidays. In peak summer, it’s worth leaving early, booking ahead, and giving yourself extra time between stops.
