Sydney to Quirindi road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Sydney to Quirindi road trip: Muswellbrook to Scone

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 Quirindi 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.

Sydney to Quirindi drive: Quirindi attractions

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.