New South Wales | Sydney to Broken Hill Road Trip Itinerary

Discover the best of inland New South Wales on this 12 day road trip itinerary. Leaving from and returning to Sydney, experience spectacular inland Australia including Mungo National Park.

Day 1:  Sydney to Mudgee – via the Blue Mountains

Distance: 340 km
Driving time: 4 hours (plus stops)

Pick up your Apollo campervan in Sydney nice and early, load up on groceries and snacks, then head west on the Great Western Highway. The city falls away quickly and you’re into eucalyptus-clad hills and mountain towns.

​​Stops on the way

• Blue Mountains: Break the climb at Katoomba or Blackheath. Wander out to Echo Point for a view of the Three Sisters, or take a short clifftop walk if you feel like stretching your legs.

• Lithgow / Bathurst: Handy for fuel, lunch and a stroll along the main street before you cut north towards Mudgee.

Roll into Mudgee late afternoon. The heritage buildings, tree-lined streets and surrounding vineyards are a very gentle way to slide into holiday mode.

Things to do in Mudgee

• Walk the town centre and grab a relaxed pub or wine-bar dinner.

• If you’ve arrived with daylight to spare, you might squeeze in a quick visit to a nearby cellar door before sunset.

Where to stay

Base yourself either:

• At one of Mudgee’s in-town caravan parks, like the Mudgee Riverside Park or the Big4 Mudgee Holiday Park, if you prefer to be closer to town, or 

• At Reflections Cudgegong River Holiday Park (about 30–35 minutes’ drive from town) if you like lakeside, semi-bush camping with hot showers and space to spread out.

Image: Destination NSW

Day 2: Mudgee – wine, country town time & short drives

Driving: Local only

With Sydney and the longest initial drive behind you, today is about enjoying Mudgee properly.

Things to do

• Pick two or three cellar doors for tastings and shared plates – there are plenty within an easy drive of town.

• Browse the main street for local produce, bakeries, homewares and coffee.

• If you want to move your legs between tastings, head out for a short walk or scenic drive into the surrounding hills, or detour to another nearby village like Rylstone or Gulgong for a change of scene.

Where to stay

Stay a second night at your chosen Mudgee campground or holiday park so you can leave the camper set up and come and go easily.

Day 3: Mudgee to Dubbo – via Gulgong & afternoon at the zoo

Distance: 128 km
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Have a slow breakfast in Mudgee, then roll north towards Dubbo. Today’s drive is nice and short, which leaves plenty of time for animals.

On the way

Stop in Gulgong, a former gold rush town with narrow streets and old shopfronts. It’s a great little coffee and photo stop – feels like stepping back a few decades – then you’re back on the highway.

Arrive in Dubbo late morning or around lunchtime.

Things to do

Head straight to Taronga Western Plains Zoo for the afternoon. You can:

• Hire bikes and ride the loop

• Drive between sections in your camper

• Or walk portions of the circuit and focus on a few favourite animals

If you’d rather take it slower, do half the zoo this afternoon and keep the option of a quick early-morning visit tomorrow for any sections you missed.

Where To Stay

Discovery Parks – Dubbo, just a short drive from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, with powered sites, a water park and family-friendly facilities, is an easy base for campervans.

Day 4: Dubbo to Cobar – zoo top up (optional) & into copper country

Distance: 300 km
Driving time: 3 hours 10 minutes

If there was something you didn’t get to at the zoo yesterday, you can duck back in for an early-morning visit when the animals are active, then roll out late morning. Otherwise, enjoy a slow start and aim to hit the road by mid-morning.

On the way

• Follow the Mitchell Highway west. This is classic inland NSW driving – long views, big skies and roadhouse stops.

• Nyngan makes a handy halfway break for fuel, a bakery lunch and a quick stretch of the legs.

Arrive in Cobar mid to late afternoon. You’ll notice the mine infrastructure and red dirt as you approach.

Things to do

• Visit the Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre for a quick hit of mining and local history.

• Time it right and head up to Fort Bourke Hill Lookout  for sunset over the mine and town – it’s one of the best ways to get your bearings.

Where to stay

Cobar Caravan Park sits at the western end of town and offers large, powered sites with slabs, shade and good amenities, suited to bigger motorhomes.

Day 5: Cobar to Broken Hill – big outback run

Distance: 457 km

Travel time: 4 hours 45 minutes (longest day, plan an early start)

Today is your longest driving stretch, but it’s also where the landscape really opens up and starts to feel properly outback. Aim to leave straight after breakfast so you arrive in Broken Hill well before dusk!

On the way

• Keep fuel and water topped up, and make use of roadhouse stops to break things up.

• Wilcannia is the main halfway town. Refuel, grab a snack and take a short walk by the Darling River to see some of the impressive old sandstone buildings. 

As you approach Broken Hill, the landscape opens up, and the mining headframes start to appear on the skyline.

Things to do

• Drive up to the Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial lookout for a first big view across Broken Hill and the desert beyond.

• Wander Argent Street for heritage pubs, shops and galleries, then settle into a relaxed dinner – you’ve earned it after the big day.

Where to stay

• Broken Hill Tourist Park – powered and ensuite sites, pool and modern amenities. A comfy, decent-size park that works well as a base.

Day 6: Broken Hill – art, Silverton & desert light

Driving: Local only

With the longest drive done, today is all about soaking up Broken Hill and the surrounding country.

Things to do

Visit the Living Desert and Sculptures – a series of sandstone sculptures on a hilltop with huge views, especially nice at sunrise or sunset.

Take a side trip out to Silverton for:

• A walk through the tiny outback “movie town”

• A drink or meal at the iconic Silverton Hotel

• A quick detour up to Mundi Mundi Lookout to see just how far the land stretches away.

Where to stay

• Second night at Broken Hill Tourist Park (or another Broken Hill caravan park if your client has a preferred partner).

Day 7: Broken Hill to Wentworth – from mining town to river junction

Distance: 287 km
Driving time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Today you’re swapping mines and desert hills for river red gums and the meeting of two major rivers.

On the way

Head south on the Silver City Highway. Expect big sky, low scrub and a few classic outback roadhouse stops – good for coffee, fuel and a chat.

Arrive in Wentworth, where the Murray and Darling rivers meet.

Things to do

• Walk or drive out to Junction Park and climb the viewing tower to see the two rivers coming together – often in two different colours when the Darling is flowing well.

• Wander the historic streets, pop into a museum or gallery, or just enjoy the riverside parks.

• If you’re keen on wine, you’re not far from parts of the Murray River / Mildura wine region – you might be able to squeeze in a tasting.

Where to stay

A Wentworth caravan park with powered sites close to the river (for example, a riverside tourist park or holiday park) makes an easy base for the night.

Wentworth to Balranald – following the river

Distance: 191 km
Driving time: 2 hours

Leave the Murray–Darling junction behind and head east towards Balranald, a small town on the Murrumbidgee River and a gateway to Mungo National Park.

Things to do

Roll into Balranald around lunchtime or early afternoon. Walk one of the riverside trails, or check out local wetlands and birdlife if conditions allow.

Use the afternoon to:

• Reset laundry, and supplies

• Or look into guided Mungo National Park tours for a future, longer trip – many travellers choose tours due to unsealed roads and changeable conditions.

Where To Stay

Balranald Caravan Park – grassy powered sites on the riverbank, with a camp kitchen and short walk into town.

Day 9: Balranald to Hay – across the plains

Distance: 155 km
Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Instead of pushing all the way to Wagga in one go, today is a short, easy hop to Hay – classic Hay Plains country.

Things to do

Enjoy the straight, open driving between Balranald and Hay – it’s a different kind of beautiful after all the hills and ranges earlier in the trip.

Once in Hay:

• Visit Shear Outback – The Australian Shearers Hall of Fame for a look at shearing culture and wool history.

• Call into the Hay Gaol Museum if you enjoy quirky local history and old buildings.

• Stroll along the Murrumbidgee River and find a shady spot for a late-afternoon picnic or drink.

Where To Stay

Hay Plains Holiday Park (or similar Hay caravan park) – powered sites and standard facilities, ideal for a simple overnight to break the journey.

Day 10: Hay to Wagga Wagga – through the Riverina

Distance: 270–280 km
Driving time: 3 hours

Today is a comfortable run across the Riverina to Wagga Wagga, with one or two easy breaks built in.

On the way

Narrandera makes a good halfway pause – grab coffee or lunch, have a quick wander in one of the riverside parks and top up fuel if needed.

Roll into Wagga Wagga mid-afternoon.

Things to do 

Head down to Wagga Beach and the riverside parklands for a walk, a play with the kids or a swim if it’s warm.

• Wander the main street for shops, galleries and a low-key dinner at a café, pub or restaurant.

Where To Stay

• Horseshoe Tourist Park (or your preferred Wagga caravan park) – powered, drive-through sites in a relaxed setting near a lagoon, just a few minutes’ drive from the CBD.

Image: Destination NSW

Day 11: Wagga Wagga – rest day in a regional city

Driving: Local only

Nice to have a “catch your breath” day before the final stretch back to Sydney.

Things to do

• Spend more time along the Murrumbidgee River – walk, ride or just sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.

• Explore Wagga’s art gallery, botanic gardens or local markets if they line up with your travel dates.

• In late winter or spring, you’re well placed to explore parts of the nearby Canola Trail, with rolling yellow fields around Junee, Coolamon and Temora (check local info for the best current spots).

Where To Stay

Second night at Horseshoe Tourist Park (or your chosen Wagga caravan park) so you can leave the van set up and just come and go.

Day 12: Carnarvon to Billabong Roadhouse – easy reset day

Distance: 459 km
Driving time: 4 hours 45 minutes (the other “big day” – worth flagging)

Your final day is a straightforward highway run back to Sydney, with a couple of classic country-town pauses along the way.

On the way

Gundagai: Break up the morning with a stop for:

• The Dog on the Tuckerbox

• Bakery treats

• Or a walk near the old bridges and riverside parks

• Yass or Goulburn: Last fuel / meal stop before the final leg into the city.

Return your Apollo campervan at the Sydney branch, or if you’ve got extra time before heading home, this is the perfect moment to tack on a night or two in Sydney. Wander the harbour, explore your favourite neighbourhoods and swap outback red dust for city laneways.

Billabong Roadhouse Caravan Park / Campground: Fenced, powered sites right by the roadhouse with basic but clean amenities.

FAQs and quick answers

1. Is 12 days enough for this Sydney–Broken Hill loop?
   Yes. Twelve days gives you time to stop properly in Mudgee, Dubbo (for the zoo), Broken Hill and Wagga, with only two longer driving days that are clearly flagged.

2. Is this itinerary suitable for first time campervan drivers?
   Definitely. It’s all on sealed roads in normal conditions, with simple navigation and plenty of small towns to break up the drives.

3. When’s the best time to travel inland NSW?
   Spring and autumn are the sweet spots – not too hot out west, cooler overnight temps, and good driving weather. Summer can be very hot in the outback, and winter nights can be cold, especially around the plains.

Ready to plan your inland NSW campervan holiday?

In 12 days you’ll roll from harbour city to wine country, zoo days, outback art towns, river junctions and big-sky plains, before looping back through Riverina farm country to Sydney.

Book your Apollo campervan in Sydney, lock in key caravan parks in Mudgee, Dubbo, Cobar, Broken Hill, Wentworth, Balranald / Hay and Wagga, and then leave some space in the schedule for the things you only find once you’re out there – the great bakery, the tiny museum, or the sunset you weren’t expecting!