The Classic Country Drive showcases some of the best of inland NSW, from the Blue Mountains to the Central West wine country and Southern Highlands.
classic: adjective of the first or highest class or rank.
classic: colloquial extremely good. (Macquarie Dictionary)
The ‘Classic Country Drive’ is a huge loop that swings west out of Sydney through the Blue Mountains to the Central West wine country, then south to Canberra and back via the Southern Highlands.
The entire drive covers more than 900 km. However, this is countryside of such relaxed charm and beauty that the kilometres slip away unnoticed.
Tourism New South Wales suggests that you allow a week to cover the entire route. If these destinations are unfamiliar to you, you could take twice as long and still return home with the feeling that you rushed parts of the drive.
Winter or spring is a perfect time to tackle this route. In July, you might take in the Yulefest festivities in the Blue Mountains (pack some woollies) and the Cowra Wine Show. Or wait a few months and enjoy the explosion of spring flowers at the Oberon Daffodil Festival, Canberra’s Floriade and the Southern Highlands Garden Festival.
The drive begins by following the Great Western Highway up into the Blue Mountains. Your first opportunity to visit Blue Mountains National Park comes at Glenbrook. Follow the signs into the national park (entry fee applies) and onwards to Euroka Clearing, where you are virtually guaranteed to find grazing kangaroos. Further on, Red Hands Cave has Aboriginal ochre stencils.
Rejoin the highway and continue to Wentworth Falls. From here until Mount Victoria there are countless opportunities to side-track to some of NSW’s most spectacular valley views. Look for the signs to Echo Point, the Three Sisters, Evans Lookout, Bridal Veil Falls and Hargreaves Lookout, among others.
Just beyond the historic settlement at Hartley, the route detours south-west to the famous Jenolan Caves. Of the 300 limestone caverns here, nine are open for public tours and a further eight are available for organised adventure caving.
The most direct route from Jenolan to the neat little timber town of Oberon is steep and unsealed in part but well maintained. If you don’t fancy it, backtrack the way you came and take the sealed road.
Bathurst, 32 km from Oberon, owes much of its appeal to its history. It was Australia’s first inland settlement, founded in 1815 on the orders of Governor Macquarie. Its classic Victorian layout, parks and streetscapes make it a pleasant place to stroll. History buffs will find much to admire in Abercrombie House, the heritage courthouse, Historical Museum, Old Government Cottage and Machattie Park.
Leave town on the Mid Western Highway (Hwy 24) bound for Carcoar. This pocket-sized village is one of this route’s lesser-known treats, lined with galleries, museums, antique shops and coffee houses. Backtrack to Blayney and head north to Orange.
Orange and Cowra are two of NSW’s premier up-and-coming ‘foodie’ destinations. There are excellent restaurants and dozens of vineyards around both towns. Find out more at the visitor centres.
Orange is a genteel country town, with many fine parks and gardens. Nearby Mount Canobolas, an extinct volcano, is threaded with walking trails, lookouts and picnic spots.
Take the Escort Way south to Cowra, a haven for tasty treats. Visit the Mill winery, Australiana Corner or Ilfracombe for dinner. Other distractions include the scene of the desperate Cowra Breakout by Japanese POWs in 1944, the serene Japanese garden and the nearby Wyangala Waters State Park.
Continue south on Olympic Highway (41) until a rush of cherry orchards tells you you’re nearing Young, NSW’s cherry capital. A boom in wineries has added to the town’s appeal.
Continue south to Murrumburrah, then pick up Burley Griffin Way (Hwy 94) for the long run east to Canberra. The motor museum at Binnalong or Cooma Cottage and the Hamilton Hume Museum in Yass are possible rest stops.
Canberra has enough to keep most visitors entertained for several days. Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve make great day drives. There is a wine trail north of the city and countless attractions in town.
From Canberra, follow the signs east to Queanbeyan and then take the Kings Highway towards Bungendore, a regional centre for crafts.
Tourist Drive 8 heads north-east to Tarago and scenic Lake Bathurst. To the north lies Goulburn. The City Tourist Drive takes in major points of interest, including the old brewery, a cathedral and art gallery. The city is establishing itself as an adventure sports centre.
Take the Hume Highway north-east through Marulan, then switch to the infinitely prettier Tourist Drive 16. Enjoy a leisurely drive north through the Southern Highlands — a region of lush, rolling farmland, grand country houses, antique shops and busy tourist towns.
To conclude your drive, rejoin the Hume Highway north of Mittagong for the final leg into Sydney.
— by Steve Fraser
| Apr | Southern Highlands Antique Fair, Bowral |
| May | Fine Food With Altitude Festival, Blue Mountains, A Classical Winter, Goulburn |
| June | Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba Australian Craft Show, Canberra |
| July | Cowra Wine Show |
| Aug | Australian Science Festival, Canberra |
| Sept | Canowindra Show Floriade, Canberra Oberon Daffodil Festival Tulip Time |
For more great drive holiday ideas, look for the NRMA’s Great Drives series of publications. Includes: Great Drives of NSW II and More Great Drives of Australia.
For accommodation ideas, get the NRMA Accommodation Guide (members $7.70, non-members $15.95) available from your nearest NRMA office or visit www.mynrma.com.au
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