New South Wales | Sydney to Orange Road Trip Itinerary

Enjoy everything from country roast dinners to cool climate Orange wines on this country to coast NSW road trip itinerary.

Day 1: Sydney to Cambewarra Mountains (via Kiama & Berry)

Distance: 190 km
Driving time: 2 hours (plus stops)

Pick up your Apollo camper in Sydney, fill the fridge and point the nose south. Once you’re past the city limits, the highway drops you into dairy country, surf beaches and classic South Coast towns.

On the way

• Kiama: Park up near the foreshore and wander to the famous blowhole for a leg stretch and some sea spray.

• Berry: A quick hop further on. Think good bakeries, boutiques and coffee – a handy spot for lunch or snacks for the van.

From Berry, the road winds up into the Cambewarra Range, with rainforest pockets and big Shoalhaven views.

Things to do

Drive up to Cambewarra Mountain Lookout for a sweeping view back over the coast and river, and a cuppa at the lookout café.

Where to stay

Moss Vale Holiday Park is a solid campervan base – powered sites, leafy grounds and an easy trot into town for dinner or supplies.

If you’d rather hug the coast longer, you can overnight at a Shoalhaven holiday park instead and hit Cambewarra Lookout either this afternoon or on Day 2.

Image: Destination NSW

Day 2: Moss Vale (exploring the Southern Highlands)

Distance: Short local driving 

Today’s a short-drive, big-scenery kind of day. You’ve already made it to the Southern Highlands, so you can take your time exploring.

Things to do

• Drop down into Kangaroo Valley for coffee, a browse through the little shops and a photo on Hampden Bridge, one of the last surviving wooden suspension bridges in Australia.

• Detour to Fitzroy Falls for easy clifftop walks and wow-factor valley views if the weather’s playing ball.

• Loop back into Moss Vale, or hop across to Bowral or Berrima for gardens, antique shops and a pub meal.

Where to stay

Stay a second night at Moss Vale Holiday Park so you don’t have to pack up and move after every little side trip.

Image: Instagram - @mitchell.wick

Day 3: Moss Vale to Bendalong (South Coast)

Distance: 110km

Travel time: 2 hours

Time to swap misty mornings for sea breezes again. Head back towards the Princes Highway and make your way down to Bendalong.

On the way 

• Swing through Milton or Ulladulla for a wander, a café stop and a supermarket top-up if you need it.

Roll into Bendalong, a serene little headland village with surf beaches on one side and calm bays on the other.

Things to do in Bendalong

• Hit Inyadda Beach if you’re keen for a surf or sandy walk.

• Wander down to the boat ramp in the afternoon; the resident stingrays often cruise in close to shore.

Where To Stay

• Holiday Haven Bendalong: powered sites among the gums, walking distance to the beaches and an easy base to just kick back for an evening.

Image: Destination NSW

Day 4: Bendalong to Kangaroo Valley

Distance: 90km

Travel time: 1.5 hours

Today you point the camper back inland to one of NSW’s prettiest little pockets: Kangaroo Valley.

Things to do:

Take the scenic route via Nowra, following the base of the escarpment before the road climbs into the valley.

Once you’re in Kangaroo Valley, you’ve got a few different things you can do:

• Hire a canoe or kayak and paddle a stretch of the river.

• Tackle a short bushwalk.

• Or just pull up at the pub or café and enjoy the view.

Where To Stay

Kangaroo Valley Holiday Park (Holiday Haven) – a relaxed, green park above the river with powered sites, cabins and room to breathe. It’s an easy stroll or short drive into the village.

Image: Destination NSW

Day 5: Kangaroo Valley to Canowindra

Distance: 340km

Travel time: 4 hours

Big view change today: you’ll go from rainforest-rimmed valley to wide open Central West paddocks.

On the way

• Head up through Goulburn – a good halfway pause for fuel, coffee and a quick look at the historic main street if you haven’t been before.

• Continue west to Bathurst. If you’ve got motorsport fans on board, a quick lap of Mount Panorama (at road-legal speeds!) is always a bit of fun.

Roll into Canowindra late afternoon, a small, welcoming town known for hot air balloons, cellar doors and heritage shopfronts.

Things to do (afternoon/evening)

• Wander the main street for galleries, antiques and a drink at a country pub.

• If you’re keen, look into a sunrise balloon flight for tomorrow (ballooning is weather-dependent, so it’s always “fingers crossed”).

Where To Stay

Canowindra Caravan Park – a relaxed, green park above the river with powered sites, cabins and room to breathe. It’s an easy stroll or short drive into the village.

Image: Instagram - @mitchell.wick

Day 6: Canowindra to Carcoar

Distance: 55km

Travel time: 40 minutes

Today’s more of a relaxed, village hopping day than a serious drive.

Morning in Canowindra

• Visit the Age of Fishes Museum if you’re into natural history

• Or just enjoy a slow start with coffee, a bakery visit and a bit more time in the galleries or cellar doors.

Then it’s a short trundle over to Carcoar.

Things to do in Carcoar

• Explore the “time capsule” main street with its bluestone buildings, little shops and quiet lanes.

• Drive out to Carcoar Dam for a walk by the water, a bit of fishing, or simple sunset photos over the lake. It’s an easy place to take a breather.

Where To Stay

• Carcoar Dam Camping Area: free lakeside camping with unpowered sites, toilets, cold showers, BBQs and picnic tables. If you’re self-contained in an Apollo campervan, this is a lovely, low-key overnighter.

(Prefer having power and full amenities? Base yourself at a caravan park in Blayney or Orange and drive into Carcoar for a day trip instead.)

Image: Instagram - @mitchell.wick

Day 7: Carcoar to Sydney (via the Blue Mountains)

Distance: 250km

Travel time: 3.5 hours

Final day, but there’s still plenty to see on the way back to Sydney.

On the way

• Head back through Bathurst and Lithgow, then up onto the Blue Mountains plateau.

Stop in Katoomba for lunch and classic valley views. You can:

• Wander out to Echo Point for the Three Sisters.

• Duck into Scenic World for a ride on the Skyway for some stunning, panoramic views, or the Scenic Railway for an adventure on the world’s steepest passenger railway!

From the mountains thereon, it’s a straight run back into Sydney to return your Apollo camper. If you’ve got extra time up your sleeve, you could also stay a night in the Blue Mountains at somewhere like Katoomba Falls Tourist Park and roll back into the city the following morning.

FAQs and quick answers

1. Is 7 days enough for this trip?
   Yes. Seven days gives you time for all seven stops without rushing, with only one longer drive between Kangaroo Valley and Canowindra.

2. When’s the best time to go?
   Spring and autumn are the sweet spots – mild days, cooler nights and good visibility for both coastal views and inland lookouts.

3. Is this route OK for first-time campervan drivers?
   Definitely. The roads are sealed and the daily drives are reasonable. Just take it easy on the escarpment sections and give yourself plenty of breaks.

4. Can I add Orange region itself into the mix?
   If you’ve got an extra day or two, you can easily drop Orange in between Canowindra and Carcoar (or as a loop from one of them) for cellar doors and restaurants.

5. Do I need to pre-book campgrounds in the Coast to Country drive?

In school holidays and long weekends, yes – especially Bendalong, Kangaroo Valley and any Blue Mountains stays. Carcoar Dam is first come, first served, so have a backup option nearby in peak times.

Ready to plan your Coast to Country NSW campervan holiday?

In one easy loop you’ll go from city to sea to highlands to hill country, with beaches, lookouts, village pubs and lakeside camping all in the mix.

Book your Apollo campervan in Sydney, lock in a couple of key park bookings (Bendalong, Kangaroo Valley, Carcoar Dam or nearby caravan parks, and a Blue Mountains option if you want an extra night), then leave some space in the plan for spontaneous coffee stops and side roads that look interesting.