The best NRL road trips in 2023

Avid rugby league fans who love to travel in a bid to watch their team play will have a number of fixtures to choose from in 2023 after confirmation of the NRL draw on Thursday.

• Click here to see your club's 2023 NRL Draw

The Knights will feature most on the road with part of their away schedule including four trips to regional venues while the Wests Tigers will also be doing plenty of travel across Australia and New Zealand. 

NRL.com looks at some of the best trips to put in your diaries for 2023.

Round 1

Warriors v Knights at Westpac Stadium, Wellington (March 3)

The Warriors will start their 2023 campaign against the Knights in Wellington, three years after the last NRL game was played at the venue in 2019. After finally making their return to home turf in 2022, the Warriors will take two home games on the road next year as part of their celebration post-COVID 19 restrictions. It will be the first time the Knights have played in Wellington and fourth time both teams have met in Round 1, the visitors holding a 2-1-winning record. New recruit Mitch Barnett will take on his former club while the Warriors will also roll out new recruits Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dylan Walker and Marata Niukore.

Round 5

Sea Eagles v Knights at Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee (April 1)

The Sea Eagles return to Mudgee for a third season and will fancy their chances at the venue after piling on 61 points in the last two big wins at the venue. Newcastle will again be the opponents on the road at the wine-famous town. It will be the second time they'll play in Mudgee and have a good record there themselves after scoring 45 points against the Dragons in 2019. With an afternoon game scheduled and a dry track likely, expect plenty of points in this one.

Round 8

Eels v Broncos at TIO Stadium, Darwin (April 21)

Parramatta's annual trip to Darwin will also continue into a ninth season with the grand finalists to host Brisbane for a second time at the venue. The Eels racked up a 46-6 win over the Broncos in the 2021 fixture but were well beaten by the Cowboys last start. With Eels fans getting ready for the winter blues, it's the perfect chance to soak in the warm temperatures up north and watch Clint Gutherson and the team in action. 

Round 9

Panthers v Wests Tigers at Carrington Park, Bathurst (April 29)

The Wests Tigers will visit Bathurst for the first time in their history for a match against defending premiers Penrith. It will be the ninth time the Panthers will play at Carrington Park and with over 11,000 - a record - at the ground in 2022, the fixture continues to go from strength-to-strength. Former Panthers Api Koroisau and Charlie Staines, and ex-Tigers forwards Luke Garner and Tyrone Peachey look set to line up against their former clubs.

Round 9

Raiders v Dolphins at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga (April 29)

The Raiders have taken their first home fixture against newcomers the Dolphins on the road with the town of Wagga to host its fourth NRL game at the venue. The Green Machine will want to get back in the winner's circle in the country region after dropping their last two games against the Knights and Storm in recent years. With over 8,000 attending in 2022, it's a game not to be missed next season. 

Round 12

Sharks v Knights at C.ex Coffs International Stadium (May 20)

The Sharks return to Coffs Harbour for a third time in their club history but will have new opponents in the form of the Knights after enjoying success against the Titans in recent years. Both these teams have played against each other at the venue before in trial games but never an NRL match. It will be welcomed news for the Knights, who haven't beaten the Sharks in the last five games in the Shire. 

Round 13

Warriors v Broncos at McLean Park, Napier (May 27)

The Warriors will hit the road in Round 13 to take on the Broncos in the first NRL fixture at Napier's McLean Park since 2015. It will also be the first time the Warriors have played at the venue in an exciting outcome for fans of both teams in the north island. With a crowd capacity of around 20,000 on offer, this match will be a home game not to be missed for the faithful. The match will also be the likely reunion of former Warrior Reece Walsh, who will take on his old club. 

Round 22

Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs at Scully Park, Tamworth (July 28)

The Rabbitohs make their way to Scully Park for the first time in over 40 years when they take on the Wests Tigers in Tamworth. It's the fourth time the venue will host a Tigers home fixture with another 10,000 expected to snap up spots either on the hill, in the stands or the surrounding balconies overlooking the ground.

Round 22

Bulldogs v Dolphins at Salter Oval, Bundaberg (July 30)

Canterbury return to Bundaberg for a consecutive after playing in front of over 8,500 at the venue last season against the Cowboys. While the Bulldogs fell short on that occasion, the 42 points scored on the day ensured plenty of entertainment from both sides. The match will be the first time the clubs will meet after the Dolphins' entry into the NRL. If you're lucky, you might also be able to see master-coach Wayne Bennett coaching from the sideline at the regional venue.

Round 24

Rabbitohs v Dragons at Barlow Park, Cairns (August 12)

South Sydney will return to Barlow Park in Cairns for the first time in four years with the Dragons set to make a maiden trip to the venue in August. It will be the seventh time the Bunnies have played at the ground, where they hold a 50% winning record after a narrow one-point win over the Cowboys in 2018. With Origin over and the club's big names set to take the field, there will be no better place to be in Cairns on a Saturday afternoon.

Round 24

Wests Tigers v Warriors at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton (August 12)

Rugby League will return to Hamilton in 2023 with the Wests Tigers taking their home game to New Zealand, where they'll meet the Warriors a month out from the finals. It will be the fourth time the Warriors have played at the venue while it's a first for the joint venture, who were part of their opponent's heart-warming homecoming to Auckland earlier this year.