It’s been a long week and you’re exhausted, but the weekend’s here! And one of the best ways to rejuvenate is to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and make the most of NSW’s glorious outdoors.
Whether you like to experience the serenity of a rainforest, feel the sand between your toes with a beach break, or simply wine and dine on some of the country’s best local produce, day trips (and overnighters if you really want to indulge) are all about helping you unwind. Here are our Top 5 day trips from Sydney.
#1 – Day-Trip-It Down The Coast To The Southern Highlands
A short drive down the coast from Sydney via the Royal National Park and a section of the Grand Pacific Drive (with its spectacular coastline views), you’ll find Wollongong, a coastal city scattered with lighthouses, cafes and beautiful beaches. Here you can splash about in the rock pools, perch yourself on your own patch of squeaky sand, or if you prefer your swimming pursuits a little less crowded, do some 50-metre-laps of the 1920’s style saltwater pool located just south of North Beach.
If you’re a keen nature spotter, head west to Mossvale and the Southern Highlands, where you’ll find Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve, a wonderfully tranquil area perfect for walking, picnicking and marvelling at the antics of over 90 species of birds. And if you’d like to extend your Sydney weekend escape a little further, spend the night in Goulburn and start the day with a brisk bushwalk of the Waterfall Track, or take a guided tour of the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve’s caves, which boasts some of NSW’s most impressive show caves.
#2 – Meander Your Way West Along The New England Tableland
Stretching from Coffs Harbour to Armidale, this 185-kilometre drive of the New England Tableland winds its way through five glorious national parks chock full of breathtaking waterfalls and is perfect for those seeking a nature-filled day trip from Sydney.
Traverse the suspension bridge along the Wonga Walk where you can explore the caverns behind the Crystal Shower Falls, check out the 100-metre-high Ebor Falls west of Dorrigo, or experience one of NSW’s highest drops at Wollomombi Falls, where you’ll view sparkling waters plunging 220 metres into the lush valley below.
If you’re keen to venture a little further out, why not enjoy a spot of kayaking around Bellingen on the North Coast, picnic beneath the ravines of Dangar Falls, or soak up the amazing view of Coffs Harbour, from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre’s rainforest canopy?
#3 – Banish the City Blues With a Trip To The Mountains
If you love bushwalking or simply soaking up the wonder of some of Australia’s most beautiful vistas, then a Sydney short break to the Blue Mountains should definitely be on your bucket list.
This World Heritage area offers wonderful opportunities for grand valley views, and sweeping outlooks of the Three Sisters rock formation and beyond. The Jenolan River Walk will afford a dip in the Grand Arch’s watering hole, the Grand Stairway offers a workout with its 1000 step descent, and if you’d prefer to simply sit back and soak up the majesty of this heart-stirring location, spend a day at Scenic World.
Here you can glide between the cliff tops on the Skyway Cabin while you marvel at the majesty of the Jamison Valley below, or get the heart racing with a trip onboard the Scenic Railway, one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.
#4 – Enjoy Water Frolicking Along the Pacific Ocean Coastline
If a Sydney day trip encompasses a host of water-filled activities, then set the GPS for a drive along the Pacific Ocean coastline, where you’ll experience views of some of NSW’s most striking landscapes.
Head north for a stop-off at The Entrance where you can enjoy our relaxing fish of the channel, soak up some sunshine at Nobby’s Beach in Newcastle or continue on to Nelson Bay for winter-time views of dolphins and humpback whales.
The Great Lakes region is perfect for kayaking, South West Rocks a great spot for views from Smokey Cape Lighthouse, and if you can spare the time for a two-day Sydney weekend escape, keep on driving to Tweed Heads, where you can test your mettle on one of Australia’s most famous surf breaks at Snapper Rocks.
#5 – Delight Your Tastebuds With A Trip to Central NSW
There’s no better way to experience a day trip from Sydney than taking a gastronomic-style tour of central NSW, where you can pick up a host of organic pantry treats from cellar-door wine and freshly laid eggs to local fruit and veg and super-gourmet truffles.
Head for Lidsdale for some fresh goat’s cheese, continue west to Orange for their farmer’s markets (and if travelling in late October, don’t miss Wine Week!), or sample some of the region’s juicy delights at one of Borenore’s local berry farms.
If an extended Sydney short break is on the cards, continue your journey to Canowindra for a stroll through an olive grove or orchard, grab some smokehouse-prepared deli delights from Cowra, enjoy a sip of divine wine from Dubbo, and then finish the day with the purchase of a sweetening takeaway from one of Mudgee’s honey farms.
Prefer a hands-on experience? Mudgee also offers earthy farm walks, where you can pick up a fridge-full of homegrown produce in preparation for the working week ahead!
Like to experience a Sydney day trip in absolute style? Contact Hughes on 1300 615 165 and hire one of our luxury chauffeured cars today.
