Sure, Sydney has enough to make even the most hardened traveler consider selling up and sticking to their roots, but venture a little further and you’ll soon discover that Australia’s The entire region is rich in amazing natural beauty, indigenous and colonial. Lots of home critters to date and spot.
The Blue Mountains attract trekkers for their epic bush-covered vistas and hidden valleys with prehistoric forests. Both the Hawkesbury River area and Sydney’s South Royal National Park offer wonderful walks with water views. The central coast stretches northward with uncrowded surf beaches and seabird-rich inlets. And the Hunter Valley is blessed with leafy country roads with producers of fine wine, chocolate and cheese.
These are the best day trips from Sydney.
Hike through rainforests and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains.
Travel time: 1.5-2 hours by car, 2 hours by train
The cool mist that gives the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains their name comes from a fine mist of oil that emanates from giant eucalyptus trees. There are eight integrated conservation areas up to 1100m (3609ft), with lush rainforests and epic waterfalls that can be explored on well-marked hikes (of varying lengths).
You will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour to gain an insight into the importance of the mountains to their traditional Aboriginal custodians. It is the homeland of six tribal groups: Darg, Gundingura, Wiradjuri, Vanarwah, Darkunjung and Tharwal. You’ll find one of the best displays of Aboriginal rock art in the region at the Red Hand Caves near Glen Buck.
The trees form a dense canopy of deep, and sometimes inaccessible, canyons and a landscape of chiseled sandstone. In fact, some of the valleys are so difficult to reach, a species of tree once thought to be extinct, the Wollimi Pine, was rediscovered in 1994 in a valley here.
Three of the most popular hiking areas for day trippers are Jamieson Valley, south of Katoomba, Grouse Valley, north of Blackheath, and the Wentworth Falls area. Some top picks include the Giant Stairway and the Grand Canyon Walk. Note: These gorges can be surprisingly cool year-round, so bring a warm layer.
How to get to Blue Mountain from Sydney: Trains to Katoomba take two hours from Sydney Central Station. You can then walk from here, or catch the Blue Mountains Explorer bus to explore the area, with options ranging from one-hour sightseeing tours to full-day hop-on hop-off tickets. .
Enjoy hiking, canoeing and photographing the Royal National Park.
Travel time: 1 hour by car, 2 hours by train and ferry
South of Sydney, the Royal National Park protects 15,091 hectares (3,7290 acres) of beautiful coastline stretching over 32 kilometers (20 mi). It is one of the oldest national parks in the world – declared in 1879. As well as deserted beaches, sea cliffs, heathlands and forests, the park also protects Australian animals, including wallabies, lyrebirds and rogue flocks of yellow-tailed black cockatoos.
Audley, at the confluence of Kangaroo Creek and Hacking River, is home to the main visitor center and is a great place to pick up park maps, have a picnic or rent a canoe for a river cruise. There are many walks in the park including the spectacular 26km (16 miles) Coastal Track, but unless you’re Usain Bolt, you only have one short marked trail to complete during a day trip. There will be time to do it.
The park is also home to the Insta-famous Figure Eight Pools, a series of eight-figure sea pools near Burning Palms Beach. Only visible at low tide, it’s a two-hour walk to the rock shelf so try to arrive in the morning and only visit when it’s safe to do so – the odd waves can (and do!) wash away visitors. Check. National Park website For details
How to get to Royal National Park from Sydney: The easiest way to visit is by taxi ($12 per vehicle per day). For public transport take the train from Cronulla (45-60 minutes) to Sydney Central Station, where Cronulla Ferries run hourly to Bundaina (45 minutes).
See Aboriginal rock art and bird life at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Travel time: 1 hour by car, 2 hours by bus
The majestic Hawkesbury River flows into the sea past honeycomb-coloured cliffs, historic settlements and tranquil bays and inlets. It passes through a series of national parks, including the magnificent Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Proclaimed in 1894, it takes its name from its original inhabitants, the Goringai people. Remnants of pre-colonial Aboriginal life are visible today thanks to the preservation of more than 800 sites, including rock paintings, middens and cave art.
Stop by for information about Ku-ring-gai and for a walk around the area. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Information Center at Bobbin Head (accessible by car). There is also a marina, picnic areas, a cafe and a boardwalk that runs through the mangroves.
Further inland, the riverside settlement of Wiseman’s Ferry (yes, that’s the name of the town) straddles a bend of the Hawkesbury River. This is another great place to access the Hawkesbury, and its natural surroundings are rich with bird life such as kookaburras and sea eagles.
The surrounding area retains the remains of the convict-built Great North Road, which was originally built to connect Sydney to the Hunter Valley and is now part of UNESCO. Australian convict sites are on the World Heritage List.. As well as walking, consider booking a boat tour or rent a kayak and head out on the river. Even better if you have time, as the Sydney locals like to do and stay longer on the houseboat.
How to get to Hawkesbury River from Sydney: Take the train from Central Station to Hawkesbury River Station and explore the river by boat. Buses also run from central Sydney’s Vineyard to Mona Vale and then to Church Point, where you can catch a ferry to the park. The journey there takes around 1-2 hours.
Discover secret beaches and forests along the central coast.
Travel time: Full day return driving tour
The Central Coast runs between Sydney and Newcastle and includes some beautiful beaches, national park waterfalls and a series of saltwater lagoons. Closer to Sydney, the southern end of the central coast near Ettalong can be accessed by ferry from Sydney’s Palm Beach. North of the mouth of the Hawkesbury are the picturesque Killcare Beach, Pearl Beach and Bodie National Park.
Beyond that, you’ll need a car and there are plenty of epic places to stop on a day trip north of Newcastle, including the pelican-filled town of The Entrance and deep, calm Lake Macquarie. Popular beaches for a dip along the way include Avoca or Terrigal.
More industrialized Newcastle is blessed with an eclectic mix of historic architecture, as well as a much-loved beach and sea baths. South of Newcastle Beach, under King Edward Park, is Australia’s oldest sea bath, carved by a convict. The bogey hole. When the surf hits its edge, it’s a space that expands into the atmosphere. The most popular surfing breaks are at Bar Beach and Merwether Beach, two ends of the same beach a little further south. Merewether has its own huge sea baths.
How to get to Central Coast from Sydney: If driving, take the M1 Pacific Motorway north from Sydney towards Newcastle where the Gosford exit will take you along the coast.
Take a food and wine tour around the Hunter Valley.
Travel time: Full day return drive, or coach tour
Scenic roads criss-cross this lush valley, but the country drive isn’t the main reason to visit. Just over two hours’ drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is renowned as Australia’s oldest wine region, with vines dating back to the 1860s. It’s a great day trip from Sydney for fine wine, fine restaurants, boutique beer, chocolate, cheese, olives. It is also a beautiful place to go on a hot air balloon while in Australia.
You’ll probably recognize some of Australia’s biggest names in New World wines, particularly Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay. The valley’s more than 150 wineries range from small-scale, family-run affairs to large-scale commercial operations, so let your nose guide you. Most cellar door tastings are offered either for free or for a small fee. You can get a copy of the Touring Map for free. Hunter Valley Visitor Create a hub and use it to find small producers.
If one doesn’t volunteer to stay sober, there are plenty of guided coach tours available, ranging from minibuses that only provide basic hop-on-hop-off transport between wineries, to full-on gourmet ones. to the extravaganza, some on bicycles, on horseback or in carriages. A classic car.
How to get to Hunter Valley from Sydney: If driving, take the M1 Pacific Motorway north from Sydney to Newcastle where the Hunter Expressway will take you into the valley.
This article was first published on July 25, 2021 and was updated on October 7, 2023.