New England Highway

Stretching from the Hunter Valley up to the Queensland border, the New England Highway is a classic Australian road trip that winds through rolling green hills, historic country towns, and World Heritage-listed national parks. This is a journey of contrasts: you’ll drive past lush vineyards, ancient granite outcrops, and sheep-dotted pastures, then climb into the cool highlands of the New England Tableland. The highway is well-maintained and easy to self-drive, making it a perfect addition to any itinerary exploring northern NSW. Along the way, expect excellent local produce, artisan bakeries, and a genuine sense of rural hospitality.

Highlights & What to See

• Hunter Valley Wine Country: Start or end your trip in Australia’s oldest wine region, with cellar doors, cheese tastings, and hot-air balloon rides over the vines.
• Barrington Tops National Park: A Gondwana rainforest World Heritage area with dramatic escarpments, waterfall walks, and platypus-spotting in crystal-clear streams.
• Gloucester: A charming town at the foot of the Bucketts mountain range, known for its historic buildings and the Gloucester River.
• Walcha: Famous for its public art trail – over 50 sculptures and murals dot the town, plus nearby Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
• Armidale: A university city with a surprising number of museums (including the New England Regional Art Museum), grand old elm-lined streets, and access to Dangars Gorge.
• Guyra: Stop at the Big Lamb for a photo and sample local lamb produce; the town is also known for its crisp, clean air and starry skies.
• Glen Innes: Known for its Celtic heritage and the Australian Standing Stones – a megalithic monument celebrating the region’s Scottish and Welsh roots.
• Tenterfield: A historic railway town with a beautiful main street, the Tenterfield Saddler (made famous by Peter Allen), and nearby Bald Rock National Park.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least 3 to 4 days to drive the full length of the New England Highway from the Hunter Valley to the Queensland border, or vice versa. This gives you time to stop for a night in two or three towns, do short walks in national parks, and enjoy meals at local pubs and cafés. If you’re short on time, a 2-day blitz from Newcastle to Armidale covers the most scenic southern section. For a relaxed trip, break the drive into 100–150 km chunks, spending mornings exploring and afternoons driving.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens: A coastal paradise with sand dunes, dolphin cruises, and Tomaree National Park – a great start or finish to your highway drive.
• Myall Lakes National Park: Pristine lakes, forests, and beaches just north of Port Stephens, perfect for kayaking and camping.
• Kosciuszko National Park: If you’re coming from the south, detour via the Snowy Mountains for alpine hiking and winter sports.
• Waterfall Way: Branch off at Armidale to drive this scenic route through Dorrigo National Park and down to Coffs Harbour on the coast.
• New England National Park: A must-visit for the Point Lookout viewpoint – you can see all the way to the coast on a clear day.
• Northern Tablelands Wine Region: Explore boutique vineyards around Armidale and Glen Innes, producing cool-climate wines.

Please check official sources for current details.