Experiencing something new is a given on a New South Wales road trip, whether it’s your first time making the journey or you’re retracing a familiar route. From landscapes that reveal themselves to you in different ways throughout the year to new places to eat and stay that enhance your trip, there’s always a fresh discovery to make. Supercharge your next driving holiday with a pit stop at one of the atmospheric stays that have popped up along popular road trip routes.

Nod off in atmospheric stays north of Sydney 

Lean into the theme at QT Newcastle 

Expected to feel thoroughly renewed after a stay at QT Newcastle, for the latest outpost from the quirky QT hotel brand is themed around this very concept. Breathing new life into Newcastle’s century-old David Jones Building, the 104-room QT Newcastle celebrates the city’s regeneration from gritty industrial hub to stylish seaside destination, with design touches ranging from moody charcoal tones (a nod to Newcastle’s coal mining history) to aquamarine bathroom tiles evoking a quintessential Australian summer by the sea. Feel like you’ve met a local character before you’ve stepped out to explore the vibrant city.  

Sleep among koalas at Mansfield Estate, Grants Beach 

Discover what it’s like to sleep in a converted shipping container at the off-grid Mansfield Estate eco-retreat near Port Macquarie, which makes for an ideal stop on a Legendary Pacific Coast drive. Delight in spotting koalas snoozing in the trees dotting the 242-hectare property, which doubles as a wildlife corridor for the furry icons. And after relaxing by the pool, toast to a memorable end to a day with a gooey marshmallow roasted over the fire pit.

Channel your inner grand dame at The Eltham Hotel, Eltham 

If the lush country roads of the Northern Rivers lead you to the Eltham Hotel near Lismore, embrace the opportunity to linger at this historic pub after an evening of drinking and dining alongside welcoming locals by sleeping over. Learn more about local characters as you spend the night in style in one of its five recently renovated guest rooms dedicated to a grand dame from the region. Appreciate the country character of the Margaret, named for a local station master. Or experience a touch of old Hollywood glamour in the Delilah, inspired by a film star who retreated to the hinterland.

Spend a memorable night south of Sydney

Appreciate the designer touches at Black Barn Bowral, Southern Highlands

Prepare to be charmed by the transformation of an old barn in Bowral into a stylish farmhouse retreat at Black Barn Bowral, the latest venture from Australian fashion designer and top interior designer Collette Dinnigan. Walk on floorboards made from recycled Danish cheeseboards and feel old French marble bathroom floors being warmed by solar heating before slipping between the luxuriously soft Egyptian cotton sheets in your king-size bed.

Stay at a different kind of ranch at Oaks Ranch, Mossy Point

Put your feet up when you check in to Oaks Ranch, a newly renovated boutique hotel tucked behind Mossy Point on the stunning South Coast. With a superb on-site restaurant (hatted chef Josh Tyler is the hotel’s general manager), you needn’t bother venturing out for dinner after a long day on the road. Feel revived by the expansive views of the rugged mountain ranges of Deua National Park to the west as you sip a cocktail by the magnesium pool after a long day on the road, or play a round on the nine-hole golf course, which is complimentary for hotel guests.

Embrace the nostalgia at The Isla, Batemans Bay

Memories of beach holidays gone by will flood back as soon as you walk through the burnt-orange doors of The Isla, an 1980s hotel in Batemans Bay rebooted into an 18-room, retro-styled getaway. Relax under a sage-hued umbrella by the pool after a day’s driving, perhaps with a Poor Toms Negroni Spritz from the one-of-a-kind vending machine in the cantina. You’re on holiday, after all.

Experience country hospitality west of Sydney

Start your day on a gourmet high at Byng Street Boutique Hotel, Orange

Be tempted to stay longer in Orange after indulging in a delicious cooked breakfast at Byng Street Boutique Hotel, a historic homestead transformed into a vibrant 22-room hotel in the heart of the country town, an easy half-day drive from Sydney. It’s just a taste of the superb local food and wine offerings Orange has in store for road trippers, beginning with the Byng Street Local Store, a delightful café just a block down the road that makes a memorable lunch stop.

Experience an ultra-modern farmstay at Wilga Station, Bathurst

Experience a new kind of farm stay at Wilga Station, just outside of Bathurst in the NSW Central Tablelands, where a secluded modern hut with a roof of grass sits in perfect harmony with the grassy hill it’s perched atop. Fire up the wood fireplace, linger over your morning routine in the designer bathroom, and whip up a gourmet breakfast in the kitchenette with the local goodies you’ll find in the complimentary hamper. Treat yourself to a lie-in and enjoy the incredible views across the 105-hectare working sheep from bed. Road tripping with mates? Retreat to the station’s luxe Shearers Hall, which has room for 10 people.

Savour elevated pub fare at The Rockley Pub, Rockley

In 2022, celebrated chef Matt Moran brought new life to the tiny village of Rockley, just 35 kilometres from Bathurst, when he reopened The Rockley Pub. The menu offers a selection of elevated pub fare, from snacks to pub classics, with shared dining options for larger groups and a kid-friendly menu as well. If you're lucky, you might even be served by Moran himself. Before leaving, take a moment to explore the town's charming period architecture and scenic landscapes, perfect for a short drive.

Discover the heritage charm of Moira Station, Mathoura

Step back in time at Moira Station, an iconic pastoral property near Mathoura in the Murray region. Originally established in 1842, the station is steeped in Australian heritage, with stories of early pioneers, bushrangers, and indigenous tribes woven into its rich history. Now a luxury retreat, Moira Station offers self-catered accommodation for up to eight guests, with gourmet produce and serene surroundings. Set on 600 hectares adjoining the Murray Valley National Park, this secluded outback escape is just a 20-minute drive from Moama, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.

Prep for a historic road trip at Perricoota Station, Moama

Get a feel for the life of a stockman with a stay at historic sheep and cattle property Perricoota Station, just 25 minutes away from the starting point of The Long Paddock touring route in Moama. The Quarters is a quiet riverside retreat with eight rooms, while Watson’s is a five-bedroom Art Deco home. Book by the room or by the building, and when you want to get out on the beautiful Murray River, you can opt to hire a private pontoon.

Kick back with kangaroos at Callubri Station, Buddabadah

Wake up to uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains in one of the four Sky Suites at Callubri Station, a luxury outback farmstay experience in Central West NSW, then take a dip in the 12-metre mineral pool complete with swim jet. Spot kangaroos while sipping a sundowner following a fascinating farm tour, and then head back to the station to savour a three-course dinner under brass chandeliers in a former officer’s mess from World War II.