Sydney's toll roads
Tolled roads include the Cross City Tunnel, Eastern Distributor, Hills M2, Lane Cove Tunnel, NorthConnex, WestConnex, M5 South-West, Westlink M7 and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel.
NSW & ACT car hire
Most NSW trips start at Sydney Airport (SYD) or Canberra Airport (CBR), and the choice decides your route: Sydney for the Blue Mountains and the Grand Pacific Drive, Canberra for the Snowy Mountains, about 2 hours 15 minutes from the airport to Jindabyne. Two costs catch visitors out: Sydney's toll roads, which the E-Toll casual pass does not cover for hire cars, and Kosciuszko National Park's per-vehicle entry fee, which rises to $29 a day in winter.
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Search New South Wales & ACT car hire
The search starts at Sydney Airport [SYD]; change the pick-up to any airport or city. Prices are in Australian dollars.
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Where to fly in and pick up
Sydney Airport (SYD)Best for: Blue Mountains, Royal National Park, Grand Pacific Drive, the south coastAbout 8 km from the CBD. Katoomba is about a 90 minute drive west, and the Grand Pacific Drive (140 km) starts in Royal National Park.Canberra Airport (CBR)Best for: Canberra itself, Jindabyne, Perisher and ThredboSeven brands list desks at the airport. Canberra is about a three hour drive from Sydney, and Jindabyne is about 2 hours 15 minutes from the airport.Newcastle Airport (NTL)Best for: Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, NewcastleThe Hunter Valley is about two hours from Sydney by the M1 but 50 minutes from Newcastle Airport, so flying here saves that leg if the Hunter is your trip.Ballina Byron Gateway (BNK)Best for: Byron Bay and the Northern RiversByron Bay is about 30 minutes from the airport and less than two hours' drive from Brisbane.Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS)Best for: Mid North Coast, Dorrigo, the Waterfall WayCoffs Harbour is under 6 hours by car from Sydney and just over 4 hours from Brisbane.Wollongong (city depots)Best for: Illawarra and the Grand Pacific Drive without Sydney trafficOn the Grand Pacific Drive. Pick-up here starts the drive part-way through, so you skip the Sydney end.
NSW and ACT rules that affect a hire car
Hire cars and the E-Toll casual pass
E-Toll's eMU Pass says it is not suitable for hire cars, and will not work on the airport's own motorway boom gates. Pay tolls through your rental company's toll option and ask at pick-up what fee it adds. E-Toll says a pass can be set up up to 72 hours after travel, but that is not a substitute for the rental company's arrangement.
Visitor licence
Tourists can drive in NSW on a current overseas licence for up to six months. If it is not in English, carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit.
Kosciuszko National Park entry
Entry is charged per vehicle: $29 a day from the Friday of the June long weekend to the Monday of the October long weekend, and $17 a day for the rest of the year. The $68 Short Breaks Pass is not valid in winter. You can buy a pass at the park entry stations, at NPWS visitor centres or from pay machines.
Snowy roads
The Khancoban to Cabramurra Road is closed in winter (June to October long weekends).
Snow chains
All 2WD vehicles need to carry snow chains on specified roads in Kosciuszko National Park between the June long weekend and the October long weekend. 4WD and AWD vehicles are not required to, but NPWS recommends carrying them. Chains can be hired at service stations and ski hire shops; ask your rental company whether chains can be fitted.
Road closures
Live Traffic NSW gives live updates and alerts for NSW roads, on its website and in its app. Check it before long coastal or mountain drives.
When to go
Winter peak (Friday of June long weekend to Monday of October long weekend)
Kosciuszko entry is $29 per vehicle per day. The Khancoban to Cabramurra Road is closed.
Rest of the year in the Snowy Mountains
Entry is $17 per vehicle per day. NPWS lists the Alpine Way (108 km one way, Jindabyne to Khancoban) as a scenic drive.
12 September to 11 October 2026
Floriade runs in Canberra's Commonwealth Park, so expect busier roads and parking around the city.
All year, Royal National Park
Open 7am to 8.30pm and may close for poor weather or fire danger. Entry is $12 per vehicle per day.
Every New South Wales & ACT pickup guide
Ballina Byron Gateway AirportThe nearest airport to Byron BayCanberra AirportCapital, snowfields and South CoastCoffs Harbour AirportMid North Coast and the Waterfall WayNewcastle Airport (NSW)Port Stephens and the Hunter ValleySydney AirportKingsford Smith desks and the motorway exitsSydney CBDCity depots, tolls and harbour trafficWollongongIllawarra coast south of Sydney
New South Wales & ACT drives and guides
Blue Mountains by carByron Bay by carGrand Pacific Drive itinerary140 km, Sydney to Kiama about 1 hour 30 minutesHunter Valley by carNSW car ferries with a hire carPerisher and Thredbo by carSnow chains and hire cars in NSWStockton Beach and hire carsSydney to Byron Bay driveSydney to Canberra drive273 km, about 2 hours 50 minutesSydney tolls in a hire car: costs and payment
Hire car rules across Australia
Car hire excess insurance in AustraliaRenting a car in Australia: what the rental rate covers, what counter excess reduction, standalone excess cover and travel insurance pay, and what they exclude.One-way car hire in AustraliaHow one-way car hire works in Australia: when a fee applies, what the rental terms say about interstate drop-offs, NT, WA and Tasmania, and kilometre limits.Child car seats in Australian hire carsChild car seat laws for hire cars in Australia: age bands, booster seat age by state, why overseas seats are not allowed, and what a rental company's terms say.Driving in Australia as a TouristVisitors can often drive on a valid overseas licenceOverseas Licence Rules by Australian StateVisitor driving periods differ across AustraliaCar hire age rules in AustraliaCan you hire a car under 25 in Australia? Avis and Hertz set a 21-year minimum, with vehicle limits and a surcharge for younger driversUnsealed roads and hire carsA 4WD does not give a hire car access to every gravel road, beach or trackHire Car Fines in AustraliaTraffic and parking fines can follow a hire car driver after returnCar Hire with a Debit CardA physical Visa or Mastercard debit card may be accepted, but a bond can reduce available funds
New South Wales & ACT car hire questions
Where the answer depends on your rental agreement, we say so rather than guess.
What is a good NSW road trip itinerary from Sydney?
Pick a direction by drive time. West: Katoomba is about 90 minutes from Sydney. South: the Grand Pacific Drive is 140 km from Royal National Park to Jervis Bay. North: the Hunter Valley is about two hours by the M1, Coffs Harbour is under 6 hours by car and Byron Bay just over eight hours.
What are the best day trips from Sydney by car?
From Sydney: the Blue Mountains (Katoomba is about 90 minutes by road), the Sea Cliff Bridge (665 m long, at Coalcliff on the Grand Pacific Drive) and the Hunter Valley (about two hours by the M1). Royal National Park is open 7am to 8.30pm and entry is $12 per vehicle per day.
What is a good NSW south coast road trip itinerary?
Start with the Grand Pacific Drive, a 140 km route from Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama to Jervis Bay. Pick up in Wollongong if you want to skip the Sydney end.
What is a good northern NSW road trip itinerary?
Coffs Harbour is under 6 hours by car from Sydney and just over 4 hours from Brisbane. Byron Bay is just over eight hours north of Sydney and less than two hours from Brisbane. Live Traffic NSW is the place to check for road updates and alerts before you go.
Do I need to pay Sydney tolls in a hire car?
If your route uses a tolled road, yes. E-Toll says its casual eMU Pass is not suitable for hire cars, so use your rental company's toll product and ask at pick-up what it charges on top of the tolls. Driving to Sydney Airport takes about 25 minutes in light traffic.
Can I fly into Canberra and drive to the snow?
Yes. Destination Jindabyne says the drive from Canberra Airport to Jindabyne is about 2 hours 15 minutes via the Monaro Way (B23) and Kosciuszko Road. Perisher and Thredbo are approximately 30 minutes' drive further, inside the park, so budget for the entry fee.