Most roadtrip routes between Sydney and Port Augusta will follow the coastline heading south from Sydney to Eden, crossing into Victoria to meet Melbourne, then following the Great Ocean Road before continuing up to Adelaide.
We've done that entire stretch too, but I'd also like to convince you that the inland route that goes straight east/west between Sydney and Port Augusta is also worth checking out. The entire stretch is just over 1,500km, 950km of which is the Sturt Highway, the section between Tarcutta and Galwer.
We're currently living full-time in our campervan, a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter, and exploring Australia, with a plan of "driving the lap" (completing the entire perimeter of the country). I first visited Australia in 2019, following the classic backpacker route, mostly visiting big cities, staying in hostels and traveling by public transport. This time, with the freedom of our campervan, we're trying to hit the lesser known spots and go slower.
We've driven along this inland route a number of times during our time in Australia between October 2025 and March 2026, stopping along the way each time at different places to eat, camp, shop, walk and explore. I've prepared a complete guide in geographical order from west to east (Sydney to Port Augusta), with links to lots of relevant blog posts to peruse along the way.
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Useful Information for a Roadtrip from Sydney to Port Augusta
Below is some useful information for preparing for your roadtrip from Sydney to Port Augusta. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Australia is English.
Currency: The currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar, denoted as AUD $. I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in AUD $!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between AUD $ and your local currency.
Data: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths with Optus.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
If you are visiting Australia long term, you might wish to put a physical Sim in your phone as AirAlo is geared more towards short term visitors on holiday. This way you can access a local phone plan. There are three main mobile phone network providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra has the best coverage across the country whereas Optus and Vodafone are good within cities. I recommend Telstra as it means you have the best coverage while you travel around the country, especially in rural areas.
We travel with a Starlink in our campervan which enables us to have unlimited WiFi wherever we are, even in places without coverage.
Visa: All passport holders except New Zealand require a visa to visit Australia. All arrivals must fill out an Australian arrival card before landing.
→ Check which visa you need for Australia.
Time of year to visit: Australia can be visited all year-round. A roadtrip from Sydney to Port Augusta can get cold and wet in the winter so I recommend visiting in late spring, summer or early autumn (October-April).
Length of stay: A roadtrip from Sydney to Port Augusta is about 1,500km. Across multiple visits, we've spent about two weeks exploring thoroughly. You could do it in a few days, but I think about a week is perfect to see it all.
Roadtrip from Sydney to Port Augusta
Normally, in my other blog posts, I write different sections: where to stay, where to eat and what to do. As I'm covering 1,500km in this blog post, I've decided to arrange the entire guide in geographical order from west to east (Sydney to Port Augusta) so you can read step-by-step about where to go, what to do, where to eat and suggestions for camp spots along the way. You can read it in reverse if you're starting in Port Augusta.
We are driving "the lap" around Australia, exploring the country in our campervan, so all my accommodation suggestions will be campsites. The best way to find camping spots is to use an app. We use Wikicamps Australia, a cheap app that has every single amenity listed (both free and paid) that you might need on the road. This includes things like where to fill up fresh water, where to dump grey water, where to empty toilets, where to stay, gas stations, information points and also has suggestions for things to do as you go.
→ Download the Wikicamps Australia app.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia's second-largest city after Melbourne and the capital of New South Wales. It's my favourite city in the country and a place I have spent much time both on my solo backpacking trip in 2019 and during our campervan trip with my partner in 2025-2026.
As there is so much to see, eat, do and explore in Sydney, I've written a comprehensive guide to my favourite city in Australia for all your planning and inspiration needs.
Camden
From Sydney, Camden is just an hour southwest. It's technically within the Greater Sydney area (and included in my Sydney guide) but worth a mention as you head out on your roadtrip.
Do: Stop in at the largest botanic garden in the country to learn about the native plants of Australia with over 4,000 species across over 1,000 acres. Pick up fresh fruit and veggies from the adorable Camden Fruit Barn.
Eat: We loved the Japanese All You Can Eat (AYCE) at Okami offering a delicious array of sushi and other Japanese food. You pay a set price and then you can order as much as you like off the tablet, each thing coming in a small portion size so you can try lots of things.
Stay: We camped at Camden Holiday Park the first night my parents joined us for van life, as it was not too far of a drive outside Sydney for their first day down under. It's a small campsite tucked on the east side of the Nepean River, just steps into town.
We've also driven the entire south coast of New South Wales between Sydney and Eden, a gorgeous coastal roadtrip.
→ Check out my complete guide to driving the NSW South Coast!
Australian Botanic Garden
Camden Fruit Barn
Okami
Camden Holiday Park
Goulburn
From Camden, Goulburn is an hour and a half southwest. We didn't do much in Goulburn other than stop for food on our drive.
Eat: We had fantastic Vietnamese food at NỘI, a family-run Vietnamese place in the heart of Goulburn offering creative and delicious street food with a twist, including amazing pho (vegan broth available, too!).
NỘI
Gundagai
From Goulburn, Gundagai is about two hours west. It's a delightful town with some lovely shops to wander around in, nestled in the rolling hills.
Do: Poke around in Junque & Disorderly, the local antique shop.
Eat: Stop for brunch or coffee at The Coffee Pedaler, the sister location to the one in Tumut. The service is fantastic and the food is so yummy.
Stay: We camped in nearby Muttama at the Muttama Rec Ground, a super quiet field just across the road from the Village Hall. There are no amenities so you must be self-contained but this is a great stopover spot when heading across the state. Say hi to the neighbouring sheep!
From Gundagai heading south, we've also driven the entire Snowy Mountains Highway, one our favourite parts of Australia.
→ Check out my complete guide to driving the Snowy Mountains Highway!
The Coffee Pedaler
Wagga Wagga
From Gundagai, Wagga Wagga is about an hour west. We really like Wagga Wagga and simply wandering around the lovely, welcoming town.
Do: Browse the clothes and accessories in the bright, beautiful Ted & Olive Boutique.
Eat: Have brunch at Larry's, a rustic spot right on the Sturt Highway with fantastic classic Australian brunch options. Stop for a healthy lunch at Fitz Cafe on Fitzmaurice Street.
Ted & Olive Boutique
Larry's
Fitz Cafe
Darlington Point
From Wagga Wagga, Darlington Point is just over an hour and a half northwest. This is our favourite spot to camp on this roadtrip and we stay here each time we make this crossing!
Eat: Grab pizza from the lovely Rivadestra. Considering Darlington Point is quiet town with not much around, we were so surprised to find such delicious pizza here! They stayed open late for us after a long day of driving and the pizza just hit the spot.
Stay: There is a fantastic free camp spot in the back parking area of the Punt Hotel in Darlington Point. They allow campers to stay for free and appreciate if you come inside the hotel for a drink or a pub meal. Every time we cross NSW, we stay here, because it's one of the few good free campgrounds for miles around. There are free, clean toilets across from the hotel.
Rivadestra
Punt Hotel Free Campground
Balranald
From Darlington Point, Balranald is about four hours west.
Do: Walk across the peaceful Ben Scott Swing Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River. There is also a nice bird-watching trail on one end if you're up for a short walk.
Ben Scott Swing Bridge
Lake Benanee
From Balranald, Lake Benanee is about 45 minutes west.
Do: Hang out lakeside at the peaceful Lake Benanee. Swimming and fishing are both permitted.
Stay: Right on the shores of Lake Benanee there is a free camp so you can properly enjoy the lake. There are free toilets, too.
Lake Benanee
Lake Tyrrell
From Lake Benanee, Lake Tyrrell is about an hour and a half south.
Do: Lake Tyrrell is a 120,000-year-old salt lake and, stretching 51,500 acres, it is the largest salt lake in the state of Victoria. What makes this spot so special - especially at sunrise, and worth the early wake up call - is that the salt lake, covered in just a few cm of shallow water, glows pink under the sunlight. Tyrrell means "sky" in Wergaia, the language of the Boorong Aboriginal people, as they are known for their knowledge of the stars and the lake has one of the clearest views of the night sky in the state. There are a number of different viewing platforms around the lake, but the main one is at the south end of the lake.
Stay: Near the lake, Nandaly Travellers Rest is one of the best free campsites we've come across. They've got free showers, free toilets and free power! Incredible. The perfect place to camp before catching sunrise at the lake.
Mildura
From Lake Tyrrell, Mildura is about two hours northwest. It's the biggest city on this roadtrip and has all the supplies and amenities if you need to stock up on something.
Eat: Have brunch at the vibey Nash Lane; they have a few locations and the one on Tenth Street is the best. We loved lunch at Noodle World, an authentic Asian restaurant serving up delicious noodle dishes from all across the continent and fabulous accompanying smoothies; like being back in Thailand!
Nash Lane
Noodle World
Waikerie
From Mildura, Waikerie is about two and a half hours west.
Do: Take in the views from the Waikerie Rotary Cliff Top Walk along the Murray River.
Eat: Have brunch at Illangi Gourmet Foods next to the Waikerie Silos, a fantastic spot to have a mouthwatering artisan brunch as well as browse their provedore with local goods and zero waste products. Grab a coffee from Cafe On McCoy, a cute spot right in town.
Stay: You can camp for free at the pretty Waikerie Silos right next to the Murray River.
From Waikerie, you can head south toward Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, famous for its beaches and wineries.
Waikerie Rotary Cliff Top Walk
Illalangi Gourmet Foods
Cafe On McCoy
Waikerie Silos Free Camp
Morgan
From Waikerie, Morgan is about an hour northwest.
Stay: There is a basic free camp just outside Morgan, a simple and easy stop over for your roadtrip. The exact location on Google Maps is here.
Burra
From Morgan, Burra is about 45 minutes northwest.
Do: Explore the historic town of Burra, take a stroll through the cute streets and check out the history in the Town Square. Visit the Midnight Oil House, an abandoned farmhouse famous for being on the cover of Midnight Oil's 'Diesel and Dust' album.
Eat: Grab cozy, homemade food at St Just Cafe, including delicious pastries, baked goods (with legendary scones) and smoothies. It's a local favourite and always busy. There is also a cute gift shop attached.
Midnight Oil House
St Just Cafe
Laura
From Burra, Laura is about an hour and 15 minutes northwest.
Do: Snap a photo of the Union Bank of Australia, opened in 1922 and painted a delightful pastel pink. I called it "a bank for the girlies" although it is no longer in operation.
Eat: Meryle's is home to a big antique / retro gift shop on one side with some cool vintage Australia road signs on display, and a cafe with delicious Golden North ice cream on the other. We grabbed coffee and two big scoops of ice cream to keep us going on our drive.
Port Pirie
From Laura, Port Pirie is about half an hour west.
Eat: We had a great dinner at the Indian Food Depot. The inside decor is a little empty but don't be discouraged because the food is delicious!
Mount Remarkable National Park
From Port Pirie, Mount Remarkable is about an hour and a half north.
Do: Hike through Alligator Gorge, a stunning gorge trail along a creek.
→ Check out my complete guide to hiking Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park!
Port Augusta
From Mount Remarkable National Park, Port Augusta is about an hour north. This marks the end of the roadtrip! Port Augusta is known as the Crossroads of Australia as it the point where both the north-south highway connecting Adelaide to Darwin and the east-west highway connecting Sydney to Perth all intersect. It's a port city but also the gateway to the Flinders Rangers and Australia's infamous outback.
Do: Take in the view from the Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout inside the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. Matthew Flinders was a British Royal Navy Officer. Of course, far and away from being the first to "discover" Australia (the Aboriginals have been around for over 21,000 years and are the world's oldest culture), he was one of the first Europeans to circumnavigate the country and to use the name "Australia". He also sighted and documented the Flinders Ranges, a gorgeous red mountain range in South Australia, in 1802. This lookout looks straight over towards them. You can simply enjoy the lookout at the parking lot or you can do the entire 1.4km easy loop for all the views. You can also stop in to visit the Botanic Garden, opened in 1996 and spread across more than 600 acres. Visiting the lookout is free and there is free parking, as well.
Eat: Have a delicious Indian meal at Curries by Beard Brothers. The service was excellent and I can highly recommend the paneer butter masala, their fluffy butter naan and their creamy mango lassi. Yum!
From Port Augusta, you can carry on your roadtrip and explore the incredible Eyre Peninsula.
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting the Eyre Peninsula!
Matthew Flinders Red Cliff Lookout
Curries by Beard Brothers
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
