Country NSW road trip: scenic drives and inland adventures

Looking for a Country NSW road trip that takes you beyond? This inland itinerary showcases the best of regional NSW, from historic towns and wide-open landscapes to lakes, rivers and off-grid escapes.

Perfect for a long weekend or extended getaway, this inland NSW road trip itinerary lets you explore at your own pace while discovering some of the state’s most underrated destinations.

The itinerary below uses a northern route, going from Tumut in the Snowy Mountains region in the south to Copeton Waters in Northern NSW.

Country NSW road trip at a glance

• Total Drive: 14hr
• Start: Tumut
• End: Copeton Dam
• Best for: Families, nature lovers and those seeking a relaxed inland adventure

Road trip highlights

• Start your journey in Tumut, exploring the Snowy Mountains, Blowering Dam and Kosciuszko National Park
• Stop in Gundagai for coffee, historic sights and a photo with the Dog on the Tuckerbox
• Slow down in Wee Jasper, perfect for stargazing, bushwalking and time off-grid
• Travel through classic country towns like Boorowa, Mudgee and Bathurst
• Step back in time in Hill End, a historic gold mining town
• Enjoy lakeside stays at Wyangala Waters, Lake Glenbawn and Lake Keepit
• Finish at Copeton Waters, ideal for fishing, boating and relaxing by the water

Outback road trip

Tumut: Start your country NSW road trip

Total Drive: 14hr

Before you leave Tumut, an idyllic spot in the Snowy Mountains region, make sure to spend some time exploring this stunning part of the world, like a trip to Mount Kosciuszko National Park or Blowering Dam.

Wee Jasper: off-grid stop on your NSW road trip

Drive time: 2–2.5 hrs from Tumut

Gundagai is the perfect first road-trip pause, with great coffee at Niagara Café or The Coffee Pedaler and a chance to stretch your legs along the historic Prince Alfred Bridge. Don’t miss a quick photo at the Dog on the Tuckerbox before heading on to Wee Jasper.

Where to stay:

Peaceful, tucked away and nature with a shade of green you won't see anywhere else, Reflections Wee Jasper is a must! Tip: Stay a bit longer and take a step back in time on the historic Hume & Hovell Trail. Wee Jasper also touches the side of Burrinjuck Dam, perfect for boating and fishing.

Rolling farmland and classic country towns on the way to Wyangala Waters

Drive time: 2.5–3 hrs from Wee Jasper

Boorowa makes a relaxed country coffee stop, with the Marsden Street General Store serving good brews and light lunches in a heritage main street setting.

Where to stay:

From there, it's just over an hour to Reflections Wyangala Waters. Stop, take a deep breath, and just enjoy the big skies and big waters of the Lachlan River. Stay in cabins or unpowered camping on the water.

Through the Central West to Lake Glenbawn

Drive time: 5 hrs

We're taking the scenic route through Mudgee and Bathurst - great places to stop to grab a bite or coffee. Hill End is also a great little spot to stop - a historic gold mining town with numerous cultural experiences to be found. Make sure to take some time to explore historic sites such as the Hill End Cemetery, School of Arts, and St. Barnabas Church.

Where to stay:

Pulling into Reflections Lake Glenbawn on the edge of Glenbawn Dam, you’re greeted by wide-open water, grazing kangaroos and a deep sense of tranquillity along the shoreline. The park blends sweeping lake views with vineyard country, and the cabins set high on the hill deliver truly epic outlooks across the dam, especially at sunrise. Spend your days bushwalking by the water, exploring Scone (the Horse Capital of Australia) or enjoying a winery lunch in the Upper Hunter.

Lake Glenbawn to Lake Keepit

Drive time: 2 hrs 30 mins

On the drive from Lake Glenbawn to Lake Keepit, wind through Scone’s horse country before stopping in Tamworth for lunch and a quick photo at the Big Golden Guitar, then continue on to Gunnedah, where the towering painted grain silos add an unexpected splash of colour to the landscape. As the scenery opens into wide plains and big skies, you’ll feel the shift into classic northern NSW countryside before arriving lakeside.

Where to stay:

Cruising into Reflections Lake Keepit, you’ll feel that big-sky country calm settle in as soon as you glimpse the broad waters and gentle bushland that stretch to the horizon. Here, it's all about switching off; cast a line for silver perch and Murray cod, glide across the water in a kayak or boat, or simply watch the sunset turn the lake gold. With a waterpark, BMX track, skate park and plenty of room to roam, Lake Keepit delivers that relaxed inland escape. Hint: Opt for a serious upgrade and stay in a Wilderluxe Glamping Tent - the ultimate in bush luxury.

Copeton Waters: finish your inland NSW road trip

On your final stretch, stop in Barraba or Bingara for a coffee or riverside break before continuing through granite country and farmland.

Arriving at Reflections Copeton Waters, the scale of Copeton Dam immediately impresses — expansive water framed by bushland and wide horizons. Whether you’re here to chase Murray cod and yellowbelly, launch the boat for a day on the water, paddle along quiet inlets or simply relax beside the shoreline, this park invites you to set your own pace. With lakeside cabins, powered sites and easy access to Inverell and Bingara, Copeton Waters is the kind of place where the road trip naturally slows, and the country adventure really begins.

Ready to hit the road?

From wide-open landscapes to historic country towns, a NSW country road trip is one of the best ways to experience the heart of the state. Plan your route, take it slow and make the most of your journey by staying at Reflections Holidays parks along the way.