Sydney is one of the most popular destinations in Australia to visit, but there is so much to see beyond the city walls. If you want to see some quieter and more peaceful destinations, then check out some of the following super excursions. Easy to access and well worth the effort, you would be delighted by any of these seven great Sydney day trips, which will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
You can also rent a car or caravan to complete this itinerary at leisure. In this post, we have whittled down the list of stops that offers the best views from scenic overlooks, the most exciting trails to hike, and the most intriguing points of interest to visit.
7 Great Day Trips from Sydney, Australia
01 Hunter Valley
About 244.1 km from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is a popular city escape and a hotspot for foodies. With over 100 vineyards, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales’ oldest grape-growing regions and is also known for its fresh local produce and artisan foods, such as cheeses, chocolate, olives, and luscious golden honey. If wine tasting tours are your thing, then you are in for a treat. After trying out all the scrumptious foods, you can hike nature trails in the eucalyptus-scented wilderness of World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops and Wollemi National Parks or explore the region’s elegant architecture on heritage trails. For travelers who do not have much time to spare can go for a hot air balloon or helicopter ride to soak up the scenery.
02 Palm Beach
Home to stunning coastal views, sunny weather, and an infamous surf, Palm Beach is just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. This place is perfect for a relaxing day trip away from the hustle-bustle of the city. Expect hikes to some of Sydney’s best beaches, ferry rides, Home & Away spotting, iconic lookout points, and a pub that’s so big it even has an outdoor cinema in it. Go for a Cruise the crystal waters, tee off at the Palm Beach Golf Course, or grab a bite at the Boathouse after completing a Pittwater kayaking tour.
03 Blue Mountains
Pushed behind Sydney to the west of the city, sit the magnificent Blue Mountains. There are loads of hikes here, such as Hanging Rock and Wentworth Falls, along with Insta famed lookout points that you can drive right to like Lincoln’s Rock, Hargraves Lookout, and Blackheath Lookout. Next, you can head to Katoomba, situated in the heart of the Blue Mountains. You can also visit Yellow Deli- a cozy cafe in Katoomba for lunch or can try a mooch around the vintage shops on the same street.
There is also Scenic World to visit for the family and the steepest railway in the world. You can also stop by Leura, which is a gorgeous little town a few km away from Katoomba, and explore the Everglades Gardens.
04 Royal National Park
Situated south of the city, Royal National Park is certainly one of the most incredible day trips from Sydney. It is the world’s second-oldest national park and is most famous for the incredible figure-8 pools, which have become a huge Instagram hit.
There is so much to see and do in the Royal National Park that you will be hard pushed to extend your day trip. Here, you can go for a trek on the expansive coastal cliffs and walk through eucalyptus bushlands, swim under the waterfalls in Wattamolla, or paddle down Hacking River by renting a canoe from the Audley Boatshed. You can even spot whales migrating north for the winter. The easiest way to get to Royal National Park from Sydney is to drive. The vehicle entry fee here is approximately $12 per day.
05 Port Stephens
The beautiful Port Stephens is just an hour’s drive north of Newcastle and has something to offer for everyone. There are plenty of things to keep the visitors entertained like a toboggan run, dunes to explore, snorkeling, and much more. With a harbor double the size of Sydney Harbour, you can rent a boat to go dolphin watching. You can also go on a camel ride at Oakfield Ranch or sandboard the largest dunes of Stockton Beach.
06 Kangaroo Valley
If you are looking to escape to the countryside, then Kangaroo Valley, known as Australia’s most beautiful valley, is the perfect city. It is only 2 hours drive from Sydney, surrounded by rainforest trees, sparkling rivers, and waterfalls. Here you can find plenty of walking and kayaking opportunities down Kangaroo River. Go for wine tasting at the Yarrawa Estate Winery to sample locally made jams or try horse riding through the rainforest and grazing lands. You can also admire the Victorian architecture of the Hampden Bridge and the bushland views from Manning’s lookout. The Flavours of the Valley Foodie Trail also offers a range of hands-on classes in gourmet cooking, soap-making, gardening, and the art of high tea.
07 Hawkesbury River Cruise
About a couple of hours northwest of Sydney, the Hawkesbury is one of the most beautiful rivers in Australia. The small villages in the region and the main towns of Windsor and Richmond offer many tourist attractions including historical buildings, galleries, gardens, museums, and markets.
The Hawkesbury River is surrounded by four national parks that form a boundary of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, to the north of Sydney, Brisbane Water National Park to the south. To the northwest is Dharug National Park, and Bouddi National Park to the north of Broken Bay. All of these parks offer great hiking opportunities.