Swap city streets for sandstone culverts, convict carvings and bush solitude on this legendary mountain bike ride from Wisemans Ferry.
If you’re after a bike trail that feels bigger than the pedals beneath you, the Old Great North Road bike ride delivers. Set in Dharug National Park in the Central Coast region, this is no ordinary spin through the bush. The 86-kilometre return route traces part of a convict-built road from the 1820s, now protected as one of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.
As you pedal upwards, the story of the past reveals itself. Enormous buttresses rise along the roadside, culverts tunnel beneath the track and sandstone walls stand as silent witnesses to an era when labourers toiled with chains and picks. It’s a ride through history as much as through wilderness.
How hard is it?
Many riders turn around at Ten Mile Hollow campground. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)
Make no mistake, this is not a gentle spin through the bush. The Old Great North Road bike ride is rated hard, and with good reason. Steep climbs demand stamina, rocky sections test balance and the sheer scale of the ride requires preparation. The full return can take up to two days, and water along the way must be boiled or treated before drinking.
For those not ready to take on the whole stretch, shorter options make the experience more accessible. Many riders turn around at Ten Mile Hollow campground, about halfway along, or take on the 28-kilometre Devines Hill loop , a circuit that still packs in impressive stonework and wide views without the full commitment.
What you’ll see
Enjoy Hawkesbury River views. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)
What sets this ride apart is the combination of challenge and atmosphere. There are moments of true solitude, where the bush closes in and the only sounds are your tyres crunching over gravel and the calls of birds. Then, just as suddenly, the landscape opens up to reveal sweeping views across the Hawkesbury. The mix of natural beauty and built heritage makes it one of the most rewarding rides in NSW.
Tips for your ride
The Old Great North Road bike ride is a hard trail. (Image: John Yurasek/DCCEEW)
Start at Wisemans Ferry and follow signs to the trailhead.
Carry water and food – there are tanks along the way, but you’ll need to treat or boil any water.
Allow time – a full return ride can take up to two days.
Look after the heritage – some fragile sections request that you walk your bike to protect the stonework.
If cycling isn’t your thing
Do the Old Great North Road World Heritage walk if cycling isn’t your thing. (Image: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW)
If tackling the trail on two wheels feels daunting, there’s another way to experience its history. The Old Great North Road World Heritage walk is a nine-kilometre loop that takes around four hours on foot. It leads through many of the same engineering feats and scenic outlooks, offering a more contemplative way to step back in time without the same intense burn in your legs.
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.
Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.
Winter on the NSW South Coast
Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.
Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.
See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)
Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.
Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.
Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)
Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.
Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.
End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .
Sleep by the harbour.
Winter on the Mid-North Coast
A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.
First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.
Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)
Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.
Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.
Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)
The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.
Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.
At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.
Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.
Winter on the Central Coast
On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.
The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.
Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.
Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.
If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.
Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.
Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)
As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.
Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.
Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)
Winter in Wollongong
Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.
If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.
Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.
Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)
Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.
The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.
Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)
As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.
Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.
