Sydney to Cairns inland road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Sydney to Cairns inland road trip: Wingen to the Kamilaroi Highway

Near Wingen, Towarri National Park offers a fabulous swimming spot – the Washpools Waterhole by the Washpools Picnic Area.

Then, between Wingen and Murualla, Mount Wingen is a smouldering coal seam where rocks change colour. The 4km walk trough the Burning Mountain Nature Reserve showcases the vents breaking through the earth’s surface.

Keep going and you’ll reach Murrurundi, a decent lunch stop with a few cafés, art galleries and hotels. You can dose up on local history at the Murrurundi Museum.

At Willow Tree, branch off the New England Highway, and join the Kamilaroi Highway.

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Sydney to Cairns drive: Quirindi to Gunnedah

The next town along is Quirindi, where attractions include Bob’s Shed – best described as an overgrown collection of curiosities – and the well-meaning Quirindi Rural Heritage Village Museum.

The single most impressive sight, however, is the giant murals painted over the Graincorp silos in the town centre.

Top accommodation choices in Quirindi include the plusher than you might expect Best Western Quirindi RSL Motel and the Quirindi Sunflower Motor Inn.

After Quirindi, the Kamilaroi Highway weaves through rural landscapes towards Gunnedah, where you can take on the short walks to the Porcupine Lookout and Avards Lookout.

The Gunnedah Rural Museum does the local history thing, and there’s more silo art to admire.

If earmarking Gunnedah as the place to for an overnight stay, accommodation options include the very well-reviewed Gunnedah Lodge Motel and the pool-equipped Gunnedah Motor Inn.

Click through to the next section: Gunnedah to Moree.