From buffalo chicken pizza to desert sculptures and Silverton’s donkeys, Broken Hill gave us art, weather, and classic outback humour in equal measure. It’s a place that surprises every time — dust storms included.

From Nyngan’s riverside calm to Cobar’s quiet bush camp and the long road to Broken Hill, this stretch of outback NSW is a reminder that sometimes, the in-between days are the best ones.

Armidale gave us cool mornings, friendly markets, and the joy of finding real bookshops again. With gardens, heritage, and country calm, it’s the kind of inland town that makes you want to stay a little longer.

The NSW coast is busy, but not everywhere. From laid-back Woolgoolga to Bellingen’s Butter Factory and the mountain roads to Dorrigo, we found the quiet corners still holding their charm.

After braving Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Mullumbimby was an exhale. A leafy hinterland town of markets, vintage shops, and slow mornings at the showgrounds. Proof that the best stops aren’t always planned.

Every now and then, you meet people on the road who feel like old friends. Mel and Susie’s bush poetry, humour, and warm-heartedness made us instant fans — and lifelong mates.

We rolled into Lightning Ridge for the third time — this visit a little muddier than usual. After dodging puddles and slick backroads, both the moho and Jimny looked rally-ready and well-travelled.

From Burren Junction’s steaming thermal pool to Rowena’s country pub, this stretch of Northern NSW delivered good food, warm water, and muddy roads—proof that slow travel still brings the best surprises.

Narrabri surprised us with its blend of geology, science and relaxed country charm — from Sawn Rocks to market scones and a slightly embarrassing moment at the Telescope Array. A simple, easy stop on the Newell Highway.

We rolled into Baradine with no big expectations and left a few days later completely charmed.

While in town, we couldn’t skip a quick visit to the Big Bogan — cheeky as ever and just as good for a second round of photos.

A couple of days in Cobar gave us history, quiet station camping and a steady outback pace. From the museum to Glenhope’s big skies, it’s a relaxed stop between the central west and the far west.

As huge fans of space and science, this iconic landmark was a definite must-see, and it did not disappoint.

This incredible railway depot is one of the few remaining roundhouses in Australia, and stepping inside felt like stepping back in time.

Pies, saddles, and cool mountain air. Tenterfield surprised us in all the right ways. A heritage town with a big heart and small-town charm, perfect for slowing down and soaking it all in.

Sea breezes, dolphin sightings, and a pub by the bay. Ballina gave us exactly the kind of coastal calm we needed. A giant prawn, a quiet walk, and zero influencer chaos.

Canberra gave us politics, culture, frozen motorhome pipes, and a proper taste of ACT crispness. From Old Parliament House to Lake Burley Griffin, it was one of the most surprising stops of our shakedown trip.

From Bermagui to Batemans Bay, the coastal road carried us past dolphins, fish and chips, and a growing sense of ease. Small towns, quiet bays, and days that felt unhurried—finally finding our road rhythm.

Tilba Tilba cheese, Bermagui’s Blue Pool, and tall pub stories marked the moment we started finding our rhythm on the road — and learned that good cheese might just be worth every detour.

In Merimbula, we traded busy travel for slow days by the sea. We fixed our first flat tyre, ate oysters by the dozen, and learned that quiet time can be the best part of the trip.