Sydney to Broken Hill road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops on a Sydney to Broken Hill road trip include the Blue Mountains, Mudgee’s wineries and Dubbo. The 1,143km driving distance can be covered in 12h52m.
A Sydney to Broken Hill road trip is an adventure that shows off the changing faces of New South Wales. It starts in Australia’s justifiably famous global tourism magnet, then passes through wildly different landscapes on the way to one of the great outback towns. It’s a long, occasionally lonely drive, but one with plenty to see and do along the way.
Sydney brings harbour cruises on romantic tall ships, historic pub tours and behind-the-scenes visits to the world’s most famous Opera House. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
To secure the best Broken Hill accommodation before arriving, sort it here.
Sydney to Broken Hill distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Broken Hill is 1,143km. That makes for a driving time of around 12 hours and 52 minutes. Turn it into a road trip itinerary, however, and there are several good places to stop along the way.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
The aim of this Sydney to Broken Hill road trip guide is to help you pick out the best overnight stops and experiences for your tastes.
The quickest route from Sydney to Broken Hill leaves Sydney along the M4, passing Parramatta and the Prospect Reservoir.
It then crosses the Nepean River at Jamisontown. This is where the M4 becomes the Great Western Highway and starts climbing into the Blue Mountains.
Click through for the next section: Blue Mountains highlights.