Sydney is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. However, it is sometimes revitalising to get out of the city to see some of the wonderful landscapes that envelop this beautiful city. If you are one of those looking for a scenic getaway, there are several day trips you can do. Here are ten of the best day trips from Sydney.
Park in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains National Park is a beautiful getaway for day trips from Sydney. This beauty lies only 1.5 hours west of the city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with deep valleys, steep cliffs, and many eucalyptus trees. Begin your journey at Echo Point, where you will find the famous Three Sisters rock formation.
It has many walking trails that range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. You can take a ride on the Scenic Railway—the steepest passenger railway in the world—and walk on the Scenic Skyway for breathtaking views over Jamison Valley. The Blue Mountains have pretty towns like Leura and Katoomba, with small stores, cosy cafes, and old buildings to visit.
Hunter Valley, New York.
If you are a wine lover, do take a day out for the Hunter Valley. It is one of the biggest and most well-known wine areas in Australia. You will find opportunities to visit more than 150 wineries, taste some great wines, and indulge in delicious food.
Many vineyards offer tours where you can learn about the process of winemaking and find out some local history. There is also beautiful scenery that Hunter Valley has to offer, including rolling vineyards, beautiful gardens, and stunning views.
Visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, a 60-acre garden that is basically divided into seasons. Have lunch at one of the finer dining restaurants or indulge in some pampering spa treatments at a luxurious retreat.
Palm Beach
An hour north of Sydney, Palm Beach is a beautiful spot to spend the day. With a stretch of golden sand, crystal water, and stunning coastal views, Palm Beach has long been a favourite destination for many.
You can walk up to the Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse, which offers fine views over the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. Palm Beach is also known as the location for the TV show “Home and Away,” and you may even get to see some filming.
Refresh with a great meal at the oceanview cafes or restaurants after your wander along the beach. Or hire a kayak or paddleboard and see Pittwater’s calm waters.
Park Royal
On the south side of Sydney rests the second oldest national park in the world—the Royal National Park. Being a nature lover, it is one of the great places to visit. From lush rainforest and sandy beaches to dramatic cliffs, it displays a huge variety of landscapes.
The Coast Track is a 26-km trail with great coastal views, though it can be done in pieces if you’re looking for something a little shorter. A second major point of interest is Figure Eight Pools, which is a natural rock formation that makes perfectly round pools in the shape of an eight. Be sure to check the tides before going, as the pools are only accessible at low tide.
It’s also ideal for picnics; several dining points are available within the environment of nature.
Port Stephens
Situated on the coast 2.5 hours north of Sydney, Port Stephens is a beautiful coastal town surrounded by beaches, crystal-clear waters, and prolific marine life. Many of these cruises give visitors the chance to get out into the dolphins’ natural environment, which is the most popular thing to do around here. In addition, it has one of the largest sand dune systems in the Southern Hemisphere.
You can take an exciting 4WD tour or sandboard down the large dunes at Stockton Beach. Otherwise, if you want to relax, head to one of the beaches—Shoal Bay or Nelson Bay—for some swimming, snorkelling, or simple sunbathing. Here you’ll also find Tomaree National Park, which provides a hike up Tomaree Head for great coastline and island views.
Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands The Southern Highlands is a region approximately 1.5 hours drive south of Sydney. Cute villages, old buildings, and pretty gardens are some of the things in this area. Start off at Bowral, a town famous for its beautiful gardens, antique shops, and the Bradman Museum, dedicated to the cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.
Berrima is one of the best-preserved Georgian villages in Australia. You can wander around historic buildings, boutique shops, and cafes. The Southern Highlands is also home to some very beautiful gardens, with Corbett Gardens in Bowral and Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens.
Fitzroy Falls—Morton National Park—has a lovely waterfall and some great walking trails with scenic views.
Kiama
Kiama is a small coastal town, about 2 hours south of Sydney. Pretty and laid-back. The Blowhole, Kiama—a natural formation of rock that spits seawater high into the air when conditions are right. Not too far away is the Little Blowhole, which is smaller but no less impressive.
Kiama has some beautiful beaches, like the Surf Beach and Kendalls Beach. Swim, surf, or maybe just lie around on the sand. This Coastal Walk itself is simply superb, where you get breathtaking views of lovely beaches, rocky pools, and green hills with foliage. The walk is 22 kilometres long but you can walk any portion according to your comfort. After your coastal adventure, drop in at the Kiama Farmers Market for a taste of fresh produce.
Bay of Jervis
Jervis Bay is about 3 hours south of Sydney, certainly one of the most beautiful spots along the New South Wales coast. Sandy white beaches and crystal clear waters characterise the place. Hyams Beach forms part of these beaches and is said to have the whitest sand in the world. Also, Jervis Bay is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking.
This is an excellent place for whale and dolphin watching, with a huge number of tours taken out. Basically, on the outskirts of Jervis Bay lies Booderee National Park, with heaps of walking trails, gorgeous beaches, and lots of trees and plants. This White Sands Walk makes for a journey through beautiful coastal scenery and past some of the area’s most beautiful beaches.
Jervis Bay is home to a number of wild kangaroos, wallabies, and different species of birds.
Coast
The Central Coast is only 1.5 hours north of Sydney; it has so much to do for a fun day out. Terrigal is a fairly popular coastal town hosting a beautiful beach, cafe culture, and the Skillion, giving great views of the coastline.
Another coastal town adjacent to this place is Avoca Beach, with golden sand and surf-friendly waves. Take a visit to the Australian Reptile Park, which has different native Australian animals, including kangaroos and koalas.
Besides, it has some national parks, Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water National Park, where one can have bushwalking and picnicking with brilliant coast views.
The River Hawkesbury
The Hawkesbury River is a very beautiful and tranquil destination for spending a relaxed day. It winds through luxuriant bushlands, ancient towns, and some of the most spectacular valleys. A river cruise would present the best view of the Hawkesbury River and its history.
Windsor is a great starting point for your drive; it has lovely streets with colonial buildings and some very interesting shops. The nearby town of Richmond has some beautiful parks, gardens, and historical sites. The Ebenezer Church is the oldest in Australia and offers a great picnic spot.
The Hawkesbury River is ideal for fishing, kayaking, or just going for a walk. There are quite a few trails that have magnificent views of the river and the countryside.
Conclusion
Sydney has a lot of beautiful and varied places to which one can take a day trip. There’s something to please everyone with stunning coastal views, charming towns, and lush national parks, along with food and wine for gourmets.
Listing some of the finest places and day trips one could take in or around Sydney, visiting such places as the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Hawkesbury River, and Jervis Bay. Each of these destinations is really beautiful and full of rich history. Let one therefore get ready to explore the best of Sydney’s day trips and be filled with picturesque landscapes.