Sydney to Mount Isa road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Sydney to Mount Isa drive: Newcastle to Scone
If not going into Newcastle, you need to head north-east along the Hunter Expressway towards Branxton. This is one of the gateways to the Hunter Valley wine region, although the most easily visited are around Allandale on the way.
At Branxton, join the New England Highway and head past Belford National Park. Daredevils may be interested in Skydive Hunter Valley at Whittingham, but the next sizable towns are the thoroughly underwhelming Singleton and Muswellbrook.
After Muswellbrook, the first town is Aberdeen, where you can hang out by the Hunter River in Jefferson Park.
There’s a potential detour to picnics, fishing and watersports-friendly Lake Glenbawn. Otherwise, Scone is the next town. The 4km Figtree Creek Track through Scone Mountain National Park is the highlight here.
The best places to stay in Scone
The top Scone accommodation options are:
- For a cheap, but surprisingly good quality motel: Isis Motel.
- For a bed and breakfast with an indoor pool: Strathearn Park Lodge.
- For town centre location: Portman House.
Sydney to Mount Isa road trip: Scone to Quirindi
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.
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.
Click through to the next section: Quirindi to Narrabri.