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The best winter road trips from Sydney on a single EV charge

(Credit: Destination NSW)

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Don’t let a drop in temperature or petrol prices stop your epic road trip.

Road tripping is a quintessentially Aussie activity. Wide open roads, vista changing from coastline to red dirt outback, sing-along jams and more snacks than were necessary. Heck, even niggling with your siblings in the backseat is a core memory for a lot of families. And with so many cosy and dramatic winter destinations from Sydney, there’s no need to stop as the weather turns cold. Now, more and more Aussies are turning to electric vehicles (EVs) to combat rising petrol prices. The problem? While EV charging stations are increasing in quantity and quality, fully committing to longer winter EV road trips can still feel daunting.

Olympian Rock Lookout Blue Mountains National park
Winter views in the Blue Mountains are misty and moody. (Credit: Destination NSW)

The solution? Road trips that can be completed on a single EV charge, and they’re just as good in winter.

Most modern EVs have an average driving range of 400 to 600 kilometres on a single charge. While smaller models or older EVs may offer around 250–300 kilometres. This makes road trip options from main cities delightfully varied. Here are a few of our top picks.

200kms and under

whales in Jervis Bay
Spot whales in Jervis Bay over winter. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Road trippers from Sydney can keep it short and incredibly scenic. A drive to the Blue Mountains is about 100 kilometres, and it’s a destination that really nails the cosy winter vibes. As the mist settles over the area’s quaint suburbs, skip the longer hikes for cosy fireplaces, tasty treats and moody lookouts.

Or, opt for long walks along the white sand beaches of Jervis Bay, about 200 kilometres away. From mid-May to November, there’s a good chance of spotting whales, and dolphins play year-round.

Lean into the country charm and fresh produce of Berry in the Southern Highlands, about 160 kilometres from Sydney. A stop (or several) at the famous Berry Donut Van is a must while you’re there.

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

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Under 600kms

kangaroos in a misty field near mudgee, winter EV road trips
Drive to Mudgee on onve EV charge. (Credit: Destination NSW)

There’s no wrong time to make a wine trip, and Mudgee (260 kilometres drive) is one of the best in NSW. Drive there in a day and make the most of picturesque wineries, home-grown produce and an overall restful escape.

Come winter, a 500-kilometre road trip to the Snowy Mountains will see you hitting the slopes, particularly around Thredbo and Jindabyne. Or, stick to the alpine escape aspect and enjoy the alpine views from inside, hot chocolate in hand.

Dulcie's Cottage Merimbula
Get cosy in Merimbula. (Credit: Destination NSW)

A coastal road trip in winter just hits different, and the striking Sapphire Coast (450-500 kilometres from Sydney) is one of the best places to soak it in. Keep an eye out for southern right whales in the peak of their migration season, wander quiet beaches and treat yourself to fresh local produce, seafood and mulled wine beside a fireplace. Main stops will include Tathra, Merimbula and Eden.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au