Explore the Riverina via the Classic Australian Drive

Day 2: Hay to West Wyalong

Get an early start as you'll want plenty of time to visit one of the Riverina's most surprising attractions: a 207-hectare bushland zoo that's home to lions, rhinos and zebra. Explore Altina Wildlife Park in Darlington Point on a 2.5-hour horse-drawn "zoofari" or opt for an immersive behind the scenes feeding experience.

To see some classic Australian fauna in the wild, call into Narrandera Nature Reserve, known locally as Koala Reserve because of its resident population of more than 200 koalas. Watch these cuddly critters graze on the towering red gums lining the Murrumbidgee River.

Narrandera is also home to one of Australia's iconic "Big Things" (the Big Guitar) plus the Two-Foot Heritage Walk, a self-guided meander past 50 of the town's historic sites and buildings.

Before heading north to West Wyalong, swing past Coolamon Cheese in the charming country town of Coolamon. This cheese "cellar door" produces award-winning handcrafted cheeses on site, including oil-infused fettas, vintage cheddars and indulgent double bries. Also well worth a look is the town's heritage-listed Up-to-Date Store. Once a grand department store selling everything from pianos to ploughs, it now hosts cultural exhibitions and still contains many original fittings, such as the innovative Lamson Cash Railway System.

Stay: Established in 1914, the Royal Hotel West Wyalong was recently restored to its former grandeur and now offers luxurious stays in a lavish heritage setting.

Eat: Drop into the Paragon Cafe on West Wyalong's main street for delicious homecooked food and freshly-pressed juices.

Day 3: West Wyalong to Gundagai

West Wyalong flourished after gold was discovered in 1893 and you can explore the town's vintage shop facades and ornate wrought iron verandahs on the self-guided West Wyalong Heritage Walk. Wyalong Museum also contains many gold rush-era exhibits plus a historic wood-panelled court room and military memorabilia honouring local Australian Victoria Cross winner Corporal Reg Rattey.

Head south to Temora for two more fascinating institutions. Temora Aviation Museum is home to one of the world's finest collections of flying vintage aircraft, including two Spitfires and Australia's oldest flying Tiger Moth. At the Temora Rural Museum, you'll find an eclectic collection of artefacts, ranging from fine china and delicate textiles to tractors and boxing memorabilia from promoter Jimmy Sharman.

Cricket fans will want to call into Cootamundra to see Sir Don Bradman's birthplace, a simple cottage that now contains an extensive collection of cricket-related curios. In nearby Jubilee Park, check out Captains' Walk, a series of 42 bronze sculptures celebrating Australian test cricket captains plus Unaarimim, a talented Aboriginal cricketer from the first Australian cricket team tour of England in 1868.

Stay: Housed in a former 19th-century convent, Flash Jacks of Gundagai is an elegant nine-room boutique hotel with commanding views and manicured grounds.

Eat: Planted Cootamundra offers wholesome meals made using local, seasonal produce plus great coffee and regional wines.

Day 4 – Gundagai

Before heading home, allow time to explore Gundagai's numerous attractions. Highlights include the famous Dog on the Tucker Box monument, a striking bronze sculpture honouring the life-saving efforts of local Aboriginal men Yarri and Jacky Jacky, the incredible Rusconi's Marble Masterpiece (a one-metre-high baroque sculpture made from 20,948 pieces of Australian marble), Old Gundagai Gaol and two National Trust-listed timber viaducts. Need a caffeine fix before the drive home? You'll find the best coffee in town at The Coffee Pedaler on Gundagai's main street.

Find more to explore in the Riverina at theriverina.com.au.

For more NSW travel inspiration head to visitnsw.com.