Grab a coffee at Bean Addiction Artisan Coffee Roasters, shop for tasty goodies at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, stock up on wines from the many famous cellar doors or just stretch your legs at Barossa Bushgardens.

Continue north east along the Sturt Highway to your first crossing of the mighty Murray River, then skirt it through riverland scenery into Renmark. Grab a bite under shady trees at Cinnamon Grove, just one of several eating options in town and nearby Paringa, then witness the river taming engineering of Lock 5 and the Paringa Suspension Bridge first hand.

Cross into Victoria and through the red earth, vines and citrus trees towards Mildura with its vibrant arts, shopping, wine and food scenes. Stop off at Junction Park in Wentworth on the way, where the meeting of two of Australia's biggest rivers - the Murray and the Darling - creates a spectacular swirling confluence.

Head over the Murray again into NSW and east to Balranald, nestled on the banks of another great Australian river, the Murrumbidgee, and the gateway to wetlands, rivers and natural attractions such as the World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park. Familiarise yourself with this geographically significant area with a trip to Balranald Discovery Centre before refuelling at the Discovery Cafe in the same facility.

Continuing east, the geography becomes increasingly open and barren as you enter the Hay Plains - one of the flattest, most featureless places on earth. Hay the town has more to offer; discover how shearing shaped the area at the Shear Outback museum, take in the beautiful gardens and historic architecture of Bishop's Lodge Historic House and Rose Garden, or just watch the sun go down from the Sunset Viewing Area north of town before dinner at one of its range of eating options.

Get a handle on the town's strong retail, artistic and epicurean heartbeat with a stroll around its CBD and a trip to Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, then savour the scientific wine making of Charles Sturt University Wines before dinner at the award winning Magpies Nest Restaurant & Bar.

Bathurst ishome to gorgeous heritage streetscapes, lovely parks, eateries, cellar doors, breweries, galleries and other attractions.

If you tire of the views, Katoomba's galleries, day spas, cafes, restaurants, shops and other enticements will keep you entertained, fed and ready for the short run down to big, bustling Sydney and its myriad attractions.