Ace Rental Cars Blog

Prepare to take the ultimate winter road trip with this guide of unmissable destinations as you make your way from the Blue Mountains to the Snowy Mountains. Pack up your Ace rental car with all the essentials and an extra warm jacket, and you’ll be ready to discover some of the must-see towns and cities as you make your way south through New South Wales.

• Heathcote National Park
• Kangaroo Valley
• Canberra
• Jindabyne

Heathcote National Park

• Bush walks
• Lake Eckersley

For your first stop on your ultimate road trip, stop in the Heathcote National Park and take in the serenity of the calm bush that surrounds. This slice of lush paradise is less than a two hours’ drive from the Blue Mountains and is filled with a range of bush walks that take you through all the best places for birdwatching throughout the national park. The Mooray walking track is an ideal walking path for most bushwalking abilities and joins up with the Bullawarring walking track, which will take you through to the Kingfisher Pool picnic area. Heathcote is home to a handful of lakes and pools, with the Lake Eckersley picnic area a great spot to find yourself when you’re in need of a relaxing break for lunch by the water’s edge. Even though Heathcote National Park is only just outside of Sydney/Eora, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the deep bush of the untouched Australian wilderness with how peaceful this pocket of bushland is.

Kangaroo Valley

• The Lookout Cambewarra Mountain
• Fitzroy Falls
• Friendly Inn Hotel

Less than two hours south from Heathcote National Park, head in your rental car along the coastal scenic route to the picturesque town of Kangaroo Valley. Nestled between the Southern Highlands and the coast, this quaint country village offers the perfect mix of small-town charm and easy-to-access nature. With sweeping mountain ranges and lush valleys of wilderness, Kangaroo Valley is a great spot to get cosy with a hot beverage as you overlook the hills and ranges below. The Lookout Cambewarra Mountain is the cafe to head to for stunning views of the surrounding landscape as you keep warm by a toasty fire. Stretch your legs with a walk around the nearby Fitzroy Falls and explore the waterfall as it plunges into the valley below. If you’re wanting to learn more about the history of the area, the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre offers Aboriginal Cultural walks that provide lots of information of the Aboriginal history of the region, which is home to the Traditional Owners of the Wodi-Wodi people. Finish off your stay in Kangaroo Valley with a hearty meal at one of the oldest pubs in the region, The Friendly Inn Hotel, a favourite among both travellers and locals alike.

Canberra

• National Portrait Gallery
• National Gallery of Australia
• Bentspoke Brewing Co

Stop by the nation’s capital city and discover some of the world-class art and culture on display in Canberra’s galleries. Winter is a great time to visit Canberra/Ngambri as so many of the exciting activities to explore in the city keep you out of the cold and inside the majestic buildings that house the art. The National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Australia are two must-sees when you pass through Canberra, and their convenient neighbouring locations means you can park your rental car in the underground carpark and easily walk between the spaces. At the Portrait Gallery, you’ll find both rotating and permanent exhibitions of some of the best portraiture from Australia and around the world. The National Gallery offers an eclectic mix of all kinds of art, from international pieces to local artists, as well as a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection. Make sure to check out Canberra’s renowned bar and dining scene, including the locally-loved brewery Bentspoke Brewing Co for up to 18 beers on tap that have all been brewed on site.

Jindabyne

• Ski fields
• Wine and dine

For the final stop on your ultimate winter road trip, stop by Jindabyne on your way into the Snowy Mountains and embrace the snow-strewn slopes of the ski fields. Jindabyne is a great place to use as a home base if you’re wanting to take advantage of the surrounding ski resorts of Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass. Jindabyne is also home to some great food and drink spots to indulge in at this final destination of your road trip. Sit back with a margarita and stunning views of the picturesque mountain ranges at one of the region’s only Mexican restaurants, Beach Burrito, or settle down with a classic pub meal at Jindabyne’s iconic Banjo Patterson Inn, located in the centre of town.

From the Blue Mountains to the Snowy Mountains, we’ve made it easy for you to make the most of your ultimate road trip this winter so that you can sit back and enjoy the ride.