Five towns to stop by on NSW's Kings Highway

Getting in the car and heading off on a weekend away or a day trip to small and medium-sized towns down the highway can be a fulfilling experience with hidden gems and great local hospitality. Here are a few highlights down New South Wales' Kings Highway.

From: Batemans Bay on the south coast of NSW to Canberra.
Named after: Nobody seems to be sure although possibly after King Edward VII who was monarch from 1901-10; and the singular apostrophe has been dropped. Or it just sounded good.
Route number: B52
Length: 141km
Best bit: The steep climb (or descent) through bushland between Monga and Nelligen as the highway traverses the Great Dividing Range.

If you’re heading west towards Canberra you’ve probably already seen something of NSW’s South Coast. Batemans Bay is a typical town; a bit bigger than most and well established, a traditional seaside town not to be confused with Byron Bay or Noosa. But if it’s a magnificent surf beach you’re after, a taste of the region’s famous oysters or a walk through Murramarang National Park, the area is well worth your time.

Cross the bridge over the wide Clyde River and turn west onto the Kings Highway. The road quickly arrives at riverside Nelligen where you can hire a canoe or the less adventurous could settle down for lunch at the Steampacket Hotel and perhaps enjoy more oysters.

From Nelligen through to Braidwood the highway climbs some rugged country as it twists and turns over Clyde Mountain and it’s worth stopping to admire the view. Near the top is Pooh Bear’s Corner, a whimsical grotto of stuffed toys placed by locals and passers-by although the caves had the more serious purpose of being munitions storage during WWII if the road needed to be destroyed to block invading forces.

Braidwood is a historic gem, the town’s multitude of old buildings being classified by the National Trust, and strolling the galleries and shops under timber verandas is an activity in itself. The town dates back to the 1850s gold rush and you can visit old diggings at Majors Creek, or if it’s fresh produce you’re after try Wynlen House organic farm. A new type of gold is the black truffles grown in the area although they are more likely to have flown off to the world’s Michelin-starred restaurants than being available on the historic Royal Mail Hotel’s otherwise excellent pub menu.

Further on is Bungendore where you might want to join a truffle hunt and enjoy a degustation at Turalla Truffles or browse the range of handcrafted furniture and ornaments at the Wood Works Gallery.

The Kings Highway actually ends at Queanbeyan in the ACT and the local museum is a must-visit for history lovers. You wouldn’t go this far without visiting Canberra and its multitude of attractions including the National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial and Parliament House itself.

Related: Five towns near Canberra you should road trip to this weekend

Related: Five towns to stop by on the Monaro Highway

Related: Australia’s five best coastal drives