The great Aussie road trip is an integral part of our culture, especially over the festive season. Self-drive holidays are popular with families looking to hit the road, covering long distances while enjoying vast landscapes and experiences in between.
Our regional towns may not always be the final destination but play an important role in a visitor’s journey and experience. Stopping for lunch in a small town’s main street, the parks and open spaces provide necessary amenities and facilities to reset and get visitors back on the road safely.
These holidays, we encourage you to Break, Play and Stay at one of more than 17,000 Crown reserves across the state. Managed through community partnerships with councils, corporations and volunteer boards, the Crown land estate supports recreation and tourism from parks and sporting facilities to community halls caravan parks, surf clubs, showgrounds, walking trails and campsites.
Playgrounds become temporary destinations, allowing children to burn off energy before the next stage of the trip. The myriad of green spaces on Crown reserves offer adults tranquillity, while providing time to learn about the communities they visit as they make their way to their destination.
When it’s time to stop and rest after a long drive, a range of accommodation options are available on Crown land to provide a perfect backdrop to pause and explore what the State has to offer.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“Crown land is held by the NSW Government on behalf of the public. These public spaces cater for all kinds of travellers whether you’re looking for a quick bathroom break on a long drive, congregating at a community meeting place like a showground or reserve, or stopping overnight.”
“The stories of NSW and its people are woven into the tapestry of culture and heritage showcased on Crown land. These summer holidays are the perfect time to explore our state, and I encourage everybody to get out and enjoy all the incredible sights and sounds NSW has to offer.”
Here are a few great spots to break, play and stay in NSW this holiday season.
Break in NSW
Break at Ryrie Park in Braidwood. Perched in the Southern Tablelands, Braidwood is a halfway point between Canberra and the NSW South Coast. Equipped with a basket swing, rope bridge, double flying fox, BBQ and picnic tables this is a perfect spot for families.
Break at Fingal Foreshore Park. A short drive from the Queensland border at Fingal Head you will find a narrow peninsula shaped by hot lava flows which formed massive rock pillars as they reached the cool sea. At Fingal Foreshore Park a new inclusive space awaits, focussed on nature play with water elements that reflects the area’s history and character.
Break at Urunga Wetlands. Formerly an antimony processing plant this rehabilitated freshwater paradise is now home to over 120 bird species. Stretch your legs and explore the wetlands on a 150-metre accessible boardwalk or other walking tracks in the park.
Play in NSW
Play at the Wiradjuri Walking Trail. See a different side of Wagga-Wagga on this 42-kilometre loop of the Riverina city. Perfect for walking or cycling, the Wiradjuri Trail explores riverbanks, hills and everything in between.
Play at Bathurst Adventure Playground. Adventurers both big and small can swing, fly and climb at this recently upgraded adventure playground just four blocks from Bathurst’s CBD. Featuring a dual flying fox, accessible swings, climbing structures and rock walls, this reserve can be enjoyed by all.
Play at Bidjigal Reserve. With towering eucalypt forest, weathered sandstone cliffs, sparkling creeks cascading over rocks and sheltered rainforest gullies, Bidjigal Reserve provides an island of natural habitat. Spend a day explore this extensive nature reserved in the Hills area of Sydney.
Stay in NSW
Stay at Diggers Camp. This off-the-grid primitive campground in the Northern Rivers region is a gorgeous, secluded spot on a headland overlooking the beach and is accessible only via a dirt road.
Stay at Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park. Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park prides itself as an inclusive holiday destination with a focus on accessible accommodation and facilities. Their brand new swimming pool features hoist access and concrete pathways connect most areas of the park, including an all abilities access BBQ where wheelchair users can access cooking facilities
Stay at Penrose Park. Just a 20-minute drive from Broken Hill you’ll discover the historic town of Silverton, and Penrose Park recreation reserve. Whether you’re after a quiet camping spot, family BBQ, an eventful weekend, or week away, Penrose Park has something special for the whole family.
