GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE, NSW
It’s true, some roads are designed to get you from A to B and little else but The Grand Pacific Drive is definitely designed to wow! Leave Sydney and head south through the beautiful Royal National Park and down along to the impressive raised motorway known as the Sea Cliff Bridge that offers stunning views of the Pacific. Have lunch at the Scarborough Hotel before venturing down to Kiama (don’t miss the blowhole) and then you’ll reach Gerringong. It’s here that Jason Hodges took the Holden Trax to visit Buena Vista Farm, where you can take a 2-hour tour of the sustainable farm. With the Trax’ MyLink infotainment system, Jason was able to project his phone’s Maps app onto the colour touch screen using Apple CarPlay and find his way to the farm without a worry in the world. After the farm visit spend the night at the Mercure Gerringong Resort or one of the many fabulous AirBnBs in the area.
BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW
There’s nothing more beautiful than to drive amongst the serene, natural beauty of the Blue Mountains and Tara Dennis recently took the Holden Trax to do just that. Tara loved having a sunroof while being surrounded by so much nature and she was pretty happy to have the Trax’ blind spot alert while driving on some of those winding mountain roads. Make sure you hop out of the car for a spot of bushwalking past the Three Sisters or a ride on the cable car across Megalong Valley. Afterwards, Tara visited the studio of textile designer, Julie Paterson. You can see Julie’s work, and other Blue Mountains artists at regular events and workshops held by Mtns Made.
YARRA VALLEY, VIC
Love food, wine and gardens? Steer the car toward the Dandenong Ranges in the Yarra Valley. Make the first stop the beautiful Alfred Nicolas Gardens to see the waterfalls and verdant greenery. Then take in cellar doors like TarraWarra Estate where you can sample their cool-climate bounty under the guidance of winemaker Clare Halloran. Be sure to stop in for a long lunch and Locale, De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate’s trattoria, one of the best in the region.
SWAN VALLEY, WA
It’s so close to Perth city and yet you feel a world away once you drive through the Swan Valley. It’s not only a well-known winemaking hub, the Swan Valley is home to fantastic fresh produce and stunning scenery. They also have a splendid Cider and Ale Trail, which winds through local craft breweries. End your day at The Vines Resort, where luxury accommodation, delectable dining options and incredible service (plus golf if you’re keen) await.
