Take a live-music infused road trip with Great Southern Nights

The gigs run through March and April, with performances in Sydney, Western Sydney, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Byron Bay, Albury and more.

Whatever type of music you’re into, you’re likely to see some favourites on the line-up with the talent on show including Missy Higgins, Jimmy Barnes, Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Kasey Chambers and Violent Soho.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said Great Southern Nights is not just about great tunes but represents a return to strength for the ravaged live entertainment industry and a chance to get out and support regional tourism.

“The live music scene makes a significant contribution to our social and economic wellbeing. As part of our roadmap to recovery it is vital that we get back on its feet,” said Mr Ayres.

“This will create jobs for artists and crew, revenue for venues and drive visitation to large parts of regional NSW that have done it tough over the past few years.

“Great Southern Nights celebrates the very essence of live music in Australia – it’s about getting artists on stages, gigs in venues, and audiences back enjoying performances by our talented creatives right across the State.”

Here’s a guide to some classic NSW road trips that you can mix in with Great Southern Nights… 

Middle Kids – 25 March @ Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Peking Duk & Friends – 31 March @ Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Spiderbait – 1 April @ Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff

If March rolls around and you don’t feel done with summer yet, head north for the tropical blue waters of Byron Bay. If you want a luxurious base for your adventures, you can lay your head at Halcyon House in Cabarita or Peppers at Kingscliff, or if you want something a bit cheaper and lowkey, stay right on the beach at Wake Up! Byron Bay. 

There’s always plenty to devour in Byron, you can get bougee at Bang Bang at Byron Bay, try out Paper Daisy at Cabarita or go farm-to-table at The Farm Byron Bay.

You can spend on your days on the idyllic shores, take a snorkelling tour out to Julian Rocks, swim and explore in the crystal-clear Brunswick River, or drive through the endless green hills of the Byron Bay Hinterland.

Amy Shark – 19 March @ Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga

Archie Roach – 10 April @ Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga

Northland – 25 March @ Kinross Woolshed Hotel, Albury

JK-47 – 31 March @ Albury Beer Deluxe, Albury

Julia Stone – 10 April @ Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury

To combine culture with some country charm, driving through Wagga Wagga and Albury will not only set you up to catch some world-class gigs – but you’ll also get the chance to indulge in culinary country delights, see some rural art and receive a welcome reminder that much of Australia’s most ravishing beauty lies nowhere near the coast.

Borambola Wines, The Wild Vine and Thirsty Crow Brewery will give you all the boozy delights of the countryside, with Birdhouse Bar & Kitchen and Uneke Lounge also great places for a bite in Wagga Wagga. Bundyi cultural tours can take you through the history of the local area, before you put your feet up on Wagga Beach on the Murrumbidgee River. Baylis Boutique Apartments is an easy accommodation option or grandeur of The Houston is a more indulgent choice. 

In Albury it’s all about the beauty, both in the landscape and artistically. After exploring the Murray River, maybe even taking a tour with Canoe The Murray, you can admire art at Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and the Murray Art Museum Albury, for brilliant art that will also tell you the stories of the region.

If you’re after a bite in the area, dine right on the water at the River Deck Cafe or try out Bistro Selle or Public House for more top-tier eateries. 

Atura Albury and Mercure Albury are great accommodation options, or stay at CIRCA 1928 if you want a slice of country luxury.

Missy Higgins – 21 March @ Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul

Sneaky Sound System – 24 March @ UOW UniBar, Wollongong

Jessica Mauboy – 25 March @ Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul

Baker Boy – 31 March @ UOW UniBar, Wollongong

James Reyne – 4 April @ Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul

The Jason Lee Band – 9 April @ Club Narooma, Narooma

Corey Legge & Genevieve Chadwick – 2 April @ Club Sapphire, Merimbula

A road trip down the New South Wales South Coast is a guaranteed non-stop show of turquoise-tinted waters, seafood specials and classic Aussie attractions. Depending on how far south you want to go, and which gigs you want to hit, Wollongong, Kiama, Nowra, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Narooma and the Sapphire Coast are all sensational road-trip stops.

If you stay in Wollongong, be sure to taste a tipple at Juniper Bar, enjoy burgers and live music at Papi’s, scramble up to the Sea Cliff Bridge lookout, or even test your tether at HangglideOz.

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, Headlands Austinmer Beach and Coniston Hotel are all great options for accommodation.

If you’re heading further south, you can spoil yourself with seafood at Narooma Oyster Tours and check out the seal colony at Australia Rock, take a dip at the Blue Pools in Bermagui, or take the kids to Magic Mountain in Merimbula.

The Veronicas – 18 March @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney

Sarah Blasko – 24 March @ State Theatre, Sydney

Wafia – 30 March @ Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst

Masked Wolf – 1 April @ Rock Lily at The Star, Pyrmont

Electric Fields – 8 April @ Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst

Jimmy Barnes – 17 March @ Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill

Casey Donovan – 21 March @ Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith

The Whitlams – 9 April @ Riverside Theatre, Paramatta

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to pay a visit to the harbour city, Sydney will play host to a number of shows in and around the CBD. The gigs in the western suburbs are also a great chance to get over to a lesser explored side of Sydney, where you can check out the new Sydney Zoo, sample some of the most authentic eats in Sydney at Taste Cultural Food Tours, or let the kids get a little silly at Raging Waters Sydney. SKYE Suites Parramatta or Novotel Sydney West HQ will be happy to have you.

For more information on Great Southern Nights and to purchase tickets, go to greatsouthernnights.com.au. Start planning your Great Southern Nights road trip and learn more about New South Wales’ diverse destinations and experiences at sydney.com and visitnsw.com