Our favourite day trips from Sydney

Only a few hours’ drive away from Australia’s iconic city, you’ll find some incredible spots to explore the regions of New South Wales. It’s an area rich with gorgeous views, tasty local produce, amazing wines, friendly locals and endless photo opportunities.

Want to get out of the city and explore further afield? We’ve got some great shouts right here – for all types of travellers! Whether you’re into boujie travel or you’re not afraid to get muddy on a bush adventure, we’ve got you covered!

1. Jervis Bay, the South Coast, & Wollongong

A gentle day trip for those who love coastal views set with beautiful beaches.

Drive through the gorgeous Royal National Park and arrive at Jervis Bay, making sure you take plenty of stops along the way to explore this gorgeous coastal beauty!

Although it is quicker to drive along the M1 on the Princes Highway, driving along the coastal road through Grand Pacific Drive is the best way to experience the beauty of this coastal area. It’s definitely worth the detour! This coastal drive goes through the Royal National Park, which showcases the beauty of this iconic New South Wales coastline.

With heaps of beaches enroute, this day trip to Jervis Bay offers a peaceful and chilled day away from the busy city. There are plenty of opportunities for hikes or gentle walks enroute! You’ll get some very pretty views on a clear day, so don’t forget your camera! You’ll want to snap up some of these iconic photos of the South Coast.

This coastal day trip from Sydney covers all the beach vibes if you’re after dramatic views of the ocean. Explore the magic of these New South Wales coastal views and don’t miss the endless photo opportunities! On your way to Wollongong, check out the hike at Mount Keira, which is the Aboriginal word for ‘mountain top.’ If you do the hike on a clear day, you’ll get heaps of views!

It’s a scenic journey that’s best completed if you leave Sydney nice and early in the morning. If you have time, spend the night in Jervis Bay to fully soak it all up.

Highlights:

• Drive along this beautiful coastal route
• See the whitest sand in the world on the White Sands Trail
• Hike to Mount Keira and get a photo from the top of the lookout
• Explore the small town of Wollongong

2. Hunter Valley Wine Country

For those who fancy exploring the finer parts of New South Wales! Perhaps you’re really into wine, or maybe you’re a foodie who’s itching to taste some local delicacies? Either way, the Hunter Valley wine region has some of the best gourmet offerings in New South Wales.

A trip to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without ticking off the Hunter Valley!

Visit the beautiful rolling hills of the Hunter Valley and sample some of the tastiest wine in Australia. Some of the first vines in Australia were planted here in the Hunter Valley, and taking a wine tour from Sydney will show you all there is to know about these iconic vines!

Make sure you explore the town of Pokolbin, in the middle of the Hunter Valley – it’s the region’s epicentre for shopping and markets, and is home to lots of local businesses. Locally made artisanal cheeses and local chocolates.

3. Blue Mountains National Park

A popular option for most people who visit Sydney. This is a day trip that’s highly suitable for just about anyone, no matter what kind of travel you’re into. These views are bound to stick with you forever!

Hop on a bus with us! We go to the Blue Mountains every day. Our Blue Mountains day tour is accessible for everyone.

Drive two hours west of the city, and you’ll get to one of the most iconic mountainous regions in Australia. These blue-tinted mountains owe their blue tinge to the release of eucalypt oils in the atmosphere. This creates an unmistakable blue haze over the mountains, which creates a stunning and mysterious view over these rolling ridges.

To really amplify your views of the Blue Mountains, make sure you get to Scenic World! This is the main attraction in the Blue Mountains, which offers visitors the chance to explore these deep, vast valleys from above. Travel around the mountains in different ways to truly experience the magic of these insane views!

You can either ride the Scenic Railway (which is the steepest railway in the world), the Scenic Cableway, or the Scenic Skyway. All three ways of exploring Scenic World will offer you a great opportunity to experience the views. Either hop on a tour bus or get yourself in the car.

4. Ku-Ring-Gai National Park

This beautiful part of New South Wales feels a million miles away from Sydney! Nature enthusiasts and those who want to discover the Indigenous culture will enjoy the Ku-Ring Gai National Park. And it’s not too far from Sydney at all, so you’ll be back in the city in time to explore Sydney by night after your daytime adventure.

Ever looked at the map of Sydney from a bird’s-eye perspective? It looks a little bit like a cabbage, with the land florets being separated by hundreds of bays that cut through estuaries and rivers that feed into the land from the ocean.

Ku-Ring-Gai National Park is one of ‘cabbage’ florets! It’s a well-visited area of natural beauty, most visited for its thriving birdlife. The Aboriginal culture is preserved in remnants here, as you can explore some rock art! There are lots of walks amongst the bush, or you can hop into a small boat and kayak around the river.

5. Canberra

The perfect spot for culture and history buffs! If you’re into architecture, the Australian Parliament, and history, then explore the capital city of Australia.

The city of Canberra is a well-visited capital city that is home to museums and galleries, and even a model village. Whilst there doesn’t seem to be heaps going on directly around the radius of Canberra necessarily, the city itself is full to the brim with things to do if you’re looking for educational culture experiences.

With lots of indoor, museum-based activities, art galleries and events all the time, you won’t get bored in Canberra on your day trip from Sydney!

Just three hours away from Sydney, Canberra isn’t too far away, making it a suitable day trip for those wanting to make it back to Sydney after their day out.