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.
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
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.
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Under 600kms
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.
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 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.
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
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
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 Hotelis 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
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
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.
