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Where to stop on a Sydney to Lightning Ridge road trip

Credit: Destination NSW

Melissa Mason Melissa Mason
If you love rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards and soaking your cares away in artesian spas, a Sydney to Lightning Ridge road trip will see you covered.

NSW is a state of many natures, and the Sydney to Lightning Ridge road trip covers a lot of them. From the peaks of the Blue Mountains to the vineyards of Mudgee, the clear, stargazing skies of Coonabarrabran to the dusty plains dotted with emus, there is so much to see and do on your way to the quirky mining town. Don’t rush it! Here’s where to stop, eat, stay and detour along the way to Lightning Ridge from Sydney.

Sydney to Katoomba

Echo Point Lookout, Katoomba
Echo Point Lookout is perched directly on the edge of a massive sandstone escarpment. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Distance: 103 kilometres
Drive time: 1.5 hours 

The first stretch out of Sydney isn’t exactly exciting, but when you reach the edge of the city and start climbing into the Blue Mountains, you’ll feel as fresh as the mountain air. You could barrel straight through this part, but spending a day or two exploring the region is worthwhile, even if you’ve been a million times. The Blue Mountains has some of the best bushwalking in NSW, plus great cafes and restaurants, not to mention the cool antiques and vintage stores you’ll lose an afternoon in.  

Where to stop

  • Fidelity Coffee for a cappuccino that’ll rival your Sydney local
  • Echo Point Lookout, which never gets old no matter how many times you’ve visited
  • Rustico for delicious wood-fired pizza

Where to stay

  • Splurge on Lillianfels, a luxury resort and spa in Katoomba. You’ll be a stone’s throw from the Three Sisters, yet feel like you’re a world away from other tourists thanks to the two acres of gardens that surround you. 

Insider tip: Traffic can be a nightmare through the Blue Mountains on weekends, so head off early from Sydney and leave for your next leg early, too. 

Katoomba to Mudgee

Logan Wines, Mudgee
Logan Wines is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Mudgee’s Wine Region. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Distance: 171 kilometres
Drive time: 2-2.5 hours 

Now you’re in the romantic countryside that has inspired artists and musicians for centuries. The drive from The Blue Mountains to Mudgee is spectacular, with rolling farmland, historic villages and paddocks of sheep. Don’t be surprised if you start questioning whether you should pack it all in and move to the bush.  

It would be remiss to pass through Mudgee and not stick around for a night or two to enjoy everything on offer. The foodie scene punches wildly above its weight, and there are plenty of boutiques to shop and world-class wineries to explore before you continue on. 

What to do

  • Visit the picturesque First Ridge winery, winner of many awards and home to some delicious Italian varietals.
  • Browse the boutiques and homewares stores in town. Try Willow Collective for fashion and Cedar Cicada for homewares.
  • Grab coffee at Alby & Esthers, one of the best cafes in Mudgee.

Where to stay

  • The Paragon Hotel is one of those classic country pubs where the food’s good, and you can grab a bed upstairs without breaking the bank. You’ll have a shared bathroom, but that’s part of the fun. For a more luxe experience, turn your attention to The Clairfield Hotel. 

Insider tip: Love history? The tiny town of Gulgong is just 25 minutes outside of Mudgee, and is often used as a film set thanks to its frozen-in-time feel, with expansive verandahs and historic buildings that run the main street.   

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Mudgee to Gilgandra

Gilgandra Motel, NSW
This three-star property is highly regarded by road-trippers for its quiet location. (Credit: The Gilgandra Motel)

Distance: 173 kilometres
Drive time: 2 hours  

Head further into the NSW countryside, then spend an afternoon enjoying the charming historic town of Gilgandra. It may be small, but it is gorgeous for an overnight stay, with the Castlereagh River meandering through its centre, and plenty of cute cafes and cosy pubs to enjoy. 

What to do

  • Spend the morning sipping coffee and browsing homewares at Kildari Collective. 
  • Check out the Coo-ee Visitor Information Centre and learn about the famous WWI recruiting march.
  • Enjoy classic Australian Chinese for dinner at Dragon & Phoenix Restaurant.

Where to stay

  •  The Gilgandra Motel is no frills, but is known for its country hospitality and clean rooms. 

Insider tip: There’s a great cycling trail along the Castlereagh River, and you can easily hire bikes at the Visitor Information Centre if you haven’t brought yours along. 

Gilgandra to Coonabarabran   

Pilliga Pottery in Outback NSW
Pilliga Pottery’s gazebo on stilts is a rustic oasis in Outback NSW.

Distance: 95 kilometres  
Drive time: 1 hour 

This is when the landscape starts opening up properly. The roads get straighter, the skies get bigger and you’ll likely share the highway with more kangaroos than cars by late afternoon, so be careful about driving at dusk. Don’t miss a night in Coonabarabran, known as Australia’s astronomy capital thanks to strict light controls to ensure dark skies and a high altitude. 

What to do

  • Book a stargazing session to fully immerse yourself in the incredible night skies on offer.
  • Head out to the Warrumbungles for a bushwalk through unique rock formations. 
  • Book a day tour of Siding Springs Observatory, one of Australia’s premier observatories.  

Where to stay

  • Drive around 30 minutes out of town and you’ll find Pilliga Pottery, a unique and quaint spot to stay the night. In the morning, explore the grounds, including the pottery studio.  

Hidden gem: Keep an eye out for roadside stalls selling local honey and fruits, depending on the season. Some don’t even have signs, just an honesty box and folding table beside the road. 

Coonabarabran to Narrabri   

Narrabri Big Sky Caravan Park, Outback NSW
The spacious Narrabri Big Sky Caravan Park is just a 5-minute walk from the Narrabri town centre.

Distance: 120 kilometres
Drive time: 1 hour 

A drive through the Pilliga forest feels like you’re leaving civilisation and heading into the ancient past. Huge eucalypts and pine trees tower over the Newell Highway, and if you feel like the area is eerie, you wouldn’t be alone. Legend says the Pilliga Princess haunts this stretch of road at night. Spend the night in Narrabri, one of the larger towns this far west of Sydney, and stock up on snacks for your final leg. 

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What to do

  • Grab takeaway from Yield (you’ll find its great, but semi-secret, cafe out the back of the homewares store) and cross over to Narrabri Creek to enjoy the peace of its banks.
  • Check out the Old Gaol and Museum for historical insight into the area’s past.

Where to stay

Practical tips

  • Fill your tank in Coonabarabran as there won’t be fuel until Narrabri.
  • Don’t drive at night, especially along this stretch. You might not encounter the Pilliga Princess, but you will see a lot of wildlife on the road.

Narrabri to Lightning Ridge 

Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower, Pilliga
Admire the scenic views from the Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower. (Credit: Narrabri Shire Council)

Distance: 250 kilometres
Drive time: 2.5-3 hours 

This will be your longest drive, so stock up on road trip snacks at the supermarkets in Narrabri before you head out. The final stretch into Lightning Ridge feels surreal. Rusty sculptures emerge beside the road, opal signs will appear out of nowhere and the landscape feels like something out of Mad Max.   

What to do

  • Grab brekkie in Wee Waa at House on Rose, which has a wonderful garden if the kids need to stretch their legs.
  • Stop in at Walgett and grab a coffee at Stone’s Throw or Blend & Co.  

Where to stay

There are so many accommodation options in Lightning Ridge! Check out our extensive guide for inspiration. 

Insider Tip

Burren Junction is home to one of the most remote spas you’ll find in Australia. Open to the public year round (although sometimes closed seasonally), the artesian bore baths are a great place to stop and relax in the expansive outback.   

Sydney to Lightning Ridge Road Trip: The Details   

Total distance: Around 760–800 kilometres, depending on your route and detours. 

Total drive time: Roughly 9–10 hours without stops.   

Best time to travel: Autumn and winter are ideal, because the summer temperatures in Lightning Ridge can soar above 40°C.   

Road conditions: Sealed roads for the entire route, but some stretches are quite isolated and lack mobile reception, so keeping a full fuel tank is crucial.

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Melissa Mason
Melissa Mason is a freelance journalist who loves road tripping and car snacks. Previously holding Editor roles at ELLE, marie claire, Broadsheet and Pedestrian.TV, she now writes travel and lifestyle content for a wealth of Australian titles like SMH, Mamamia and Urban List, as well as copywriting for international brands. Outside of writing, she loves walks with her dog Ted, a great Sunday afternoon with friends, and op shopping. If she could be anywhere right now it would be lounging on a hammock at a tropical resort with a great romantic fantasy book.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.