15 of the best day trips from Sydney, Australia. 

Sydney may be the most famous city in Australia. 

From the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge, to the fun beaches of Bondi and Manly, Sydney has so much to offer. 

But if you’re staying in Sydney for longer than a few days, you may want to take some day trips outside the city. 

The areas of NSW that surround Sydney are packed with natural beauty and fun activities like hiking, camping, wine-tasting, and more.

There are some stunning sights to see, from the famous Sea Cliff Bridge, to the rich green hills of the Southern Highlands, to the chalky white cliffs of the Royal National Park. 

Enjoy these 15 amazing day trips from Sydney!

Read next: 21 Non Touristy Things To Do In Sydney

15 Best Day Trips From Sydney

All of these destinations around New South Wales are 2 hours away from Sydney or less.

At the end I’ll include my two favorite weekend trips from Sydney. They are 2.5 hours away, which is a bit much to do in one day.

All of these day trips I’ve done myself, and can highly recommend them to all other travelers in Australia!

Find more travel tips in my Ultimate Guide to Traveling Australia On A Budget!

1. The Blue Mountains National Park

The rugged mountain range of Blue Mountains National Park is one of the most popular day trips from the city. 

It’s only an hour west of central Sydney, so it makes a quick and easy excursion. 

For those without a car, you can also catch the train to Katoomba (one of the main towns in the Blue Mountains). 

Once you arrive is this beautiful area, there are so many fun things to do. 

Go hiking, swim in waterfalls, and hit some of the viewpoints that overlook majestic mountains and valleys. Also, check out the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden or visit Scenic World.

Pulpit Rock Walking Track and Empress Falls are two of my favorite spots in the Blue Mountains.

If you would prefer to book a tour, there are lots of highly-rated Blue Mountains day tours on Get Your Guide.

2. The Southern Highlands

This lush area of natural beauty and rural charm is one of my favorite day trips from Sydney. 

Rolling green hills, vineyards, waterfalls, and small towns are scattered all over the area. 

Some of the best things to do in the Southern Highlands are wine-tasting, wading in the natural pools on top of the massive Carrington Falls, and enjoying the view from the Hindmarsh Lookout near Belmore Falls. 

Be sure to stop by the towns of Bowral and Robertson as well. They have some nice quiet and adorable local shops and cafes. 

The Southern Highlands are a 2 hour drive south of Sydney. 

Also nearby is Kangaroo Valley, a similarly lush and beautiful area. It’s a bit further south from the Highlands, but it also has lots of waterfalls and hikes, and you can kayak on the Kangaroo River. If you have time, definitely consider checking out Kangaroo Valley as well.

Read next: 23 Stunning Waterfalls Near Sydney

3. Symbio Wildlife Park

For travelers in Sydney who want to see some Australian wildlife, this is an amazing place to go.

Symbio Wildlife Park is just over an hour south of the city.

This family-owned business is home to lots of native Australian animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and more. 

Animals are all treated with the highest level of respect and care. 

• Address: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh, NSW
• Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
• Website: https://symbiozoo.com.au

4. Kiama 

Kiama is a truly gorgeous town at the end of the Grand Pacific Drive.

Aside from stunning coastal walks and a quaint town center, Kiama is best known for its two blowholes. 

The Kiama Blowhole is a cavern of jagged coastal rock. When water rushes into the hole at high tide, it then shoots upwards out of the rocks like an erupting volcano. 

The Little Blowhole is the same, just a bit smaller. 

Both are cool natural phenomenons to witness. Try to visit during stormy weather when there’s lots of swell so you can see the blowholes in all their glory!

5. Royal National Park

As one of the most common day trips from Sydney, this huge national park is located directly south of the city. 

From central Sydney, it’s only about a 20 minute drive to get to the Royal National Park. 

Once you reach the park, the opportunities for adventure are endless. 

Complete the Royal Coast Walking Track and admire the dramatic white cliffs. Or float in the naturally symmetrical Figure 8 Pools. 

Surf at Garie Beach or cliff-jump at Wattamolla. Go camping, hiking, swimming, and more!

6. Bouddi National Park

This beautiful and peaceful national park is a great way to escape the crowds of Sydney.

Drive north of the city about 2 hours and you’ll reach the Central Coast Region. Then head towards the coast and you’ll reach Bouddi National Park.

There are 3 beachside campgrounds in the area that make for an enriching stay in nature.

The highlight of the park is the Bouddi Coastal Walk. It crosses over beaches and bush, and you’ll get to see some amazing coastal views.

7. Wine Tasting in the Hunter Valley

Going wine tasting is a super fun day trip from Sydney. 

You can either visit an urban winery in the city for a more local experience, or take a day trip out to the Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley is one of the most famous wine making areas of Australia, and it’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Sydney.

So it’s quite a hike to get out there, but it can be done in a day. You can book an organized tour that covers your transport and ensures you have an amazing experience in the Hunter Valley!

8. Kelly’s Falls

Located near Symbio Wildlife Park, this majestic woodland paradise is hidden from most tourists.

It’s all rather difficult to find, but worth the adventure.

If you leave Symbio Wildlife Park and head east on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, you’ll see a small sign on the side of the road indicating Kelly’s Falls.

There is a small picnic area, and a walking track that leads to the top of the main waterfall.

You can venture off the walkway and climb down a steep and difficult-to-find trail that will lead you to the bottom of the falls.

Here you get the best view, and you can even walk through the woods to a second waterfall.

This is the type of place you should visit with someone who knows the way, as it is a bit obscure and not well marked!

Read next: 1 Week In Sydney – Itinerary For The Outdoorsy Traveler

9. Wollongong

This small city about an hour south of Sydney is incredible. 

Wollongong is home to lots of university students, young working adults, and travelers. So it has a very multicultural and vibrant community. 

You can check out the art gallery, browse through the local street markets on Thursdays and Fridays, or indulge in the nightlife. 

In addition to the culture and cuisine of Wollongong, you can visit the beaches, hike the nearby Mount Kiera, relax in the Botanic Gardens, or go for a bike ride along the coastal path. 

Also consider driving just 15 minutes away to visit Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.

• Address: 180 Berkeley Rd, Berkeley NSW 2506
• Hours: 11am – 3pm Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 4pm on weekends
• Website: https://www.nantien.org.au/en/

Read more: 15 Best Things To Do In Wollongong

10. Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park and Palm Beach

This is the second oldest national park in Australia, after the Royal National Park.

Here you’ll find lots of hiking trails, wildlife, aboriginal art, and beautiful nature. Situated on the Hawkesbury River, there are lots of natural attractions in the area.

Go for a swim at Pearl Beach, kayak down the Hawkesbury River, or visit the nearby Brisbane Water National Park for more waterfalls and hikes.

Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park is just an hour north of the city, so it’s one of the easiest Sydney day trips.

Also nearby is Palm Beach, an affluent coastal town of Sydney just west of the park. Here you can embark on a short walk to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse and enjoy some incredible views. After the hike, spend the day walking around the scenic Palm Beach.

Combining the second oldest national park in Australia with the beautiful Palm Beach is one of the best Sydney day trip ideas!

11. Killalea State Park

For a fun day of surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, Killalea State Park is a fantastic day trip. 

Also known as The Farm, this local surfing reserve consists of a gorgeous beach with golden sand and turquoise water. 

Soft green hills surround the beach, and small tide pools sit at the edges of the sand. 

The long beach has small, easy waves for beginner surfers and bigger waves for more advanced surfers. 

Killalea State Park is about 1.5 hours south of Sydney.

Read next: NSW South Coast Road Trip Guide

12. Berry

This quaint, historic town 2 hours south of Sydney is incredibly charming. 

If you’re taking a day trip to Killalea State Park or Kiama, Berry isn’t too far away so you could stop here as well. 

There isn’t tons to do in Berry besides walk through the small town, admire the adorable shops, and chill out in one of the rustic cafes. 

The highlight of Berry is the famous Berry Donut Van. This little takeaway shop sells delicious, fluffy cinnamon donuts that are well-loved on the South Coast of NSW. 

It’s worth stopping in Berry just for the donuts!

• Berry Donut Van Address: 73 Queen St, Berry NSW 2535
• Hours: 8:30am – 4:45pm every day

13. Dharawal National Park

For forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and untouched natural beauty, visit Dharawal National Park.

It’s only about an hour drive southwest of the city so it’s one of the quickest and easiest day trips from Sydney.

This park is home to the traditional land of the Dharawal Aboriginal people, and there are still some remnants of the land’s ancestors, like drawings.

My favorite thing to do in Dharawal National Park is visit on a hot summer day and hike to a swimming hole.

The Jingga Walking Track and Minerva Pool Walking Track both reward hikers with large natural freshwater swimming holes.

14. Grand Pacific Drive

If I had to recommend just one day trip from Sydney, it would be this one.

If you drive south of Sydney along the coastal route, you’ll find yourself on the Grand Pacific Drive. 

This road actually stretches all the way to Kiama, but you can follow it for as long as you like. 

The most popular sight on this route is the Sea Cliff Bridge; a huge cliffside bridge that sticks out over the ocean.

There are also a few hikes through the Illawarra Escarpment where you can get a good workout and enjoy beautiful views over the coastline. My favorite is the Sublime Hiking Trail in Thirroul. 

Gorgeous beaches, nice cafes, and coastal walking and biking trains line this whole coastline. 

So spend a day exploring along the Grand Pacific Drive. It’s one of the best trips from Sydney as it’s just over an hour away and it’s packed with beauty. 

15. Stanwell Park 

At the northern end of the Grand Pacific Drive lies Stanwell Park, another one of the best day trips from Sydney. 

This quiet town is most well known for its large beach that is fun for swimming, surfing, and relaxing. 

Just north of Stanwell Park is Bald Hill, an amazing lookout point that provides sweeping views of Stanwell Park beach and the surrounding hills. 

You can also head just south of Stanwell Park to Coalcliff and hike the Wodi Wodi Trail. This bushwalk only takes about 30 minutes and offers incredible views from the summit. 

Bonus: 2 Best Weekend Trips From Sydney

(Can Also Be Day Trips From Sydney)

These next two destinations in NSW are about 2.5 hours away from Sydney. So it is possible to visit them as day trips, though that’s about 5 hours of driving to do in one day.

These are two of the most beautiful places in NSW in my opinion. If you’re short on time, you can see them in one day if you start early!

But I recommend spending at least 1 night and 2 days in these spots so you can really enjoy everything without rushing.

#1 Best Weekend Trip From Sydney: Port Stephens

Port Stephens is quiet and peaceful, and it’s 2.5 hours north of Sydney.

The coastline here is surprisingly rugged. There are many mountains, hills, inlets, bays, sand dunes, and islands, making it an incredibly scenic spot.

Visit one of the many beaches, including Fingal Bay, Zenith Beach, and Wreck Beach.

The best thing to do in Port Stephens is hike Tomaree Mountain. It’s only a 30-minute climb and provides an amazing view of the hilly coastline.

I recommend going at sunrise for beautiful lighting!

Also consider a boat tour or snorkeling in the waters of Great Lakes Marine Park or going sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Read more: 12 Fun Things To Do In Port Stephens, NSW

#2 Best Weekend Trip From Sydney: Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is 2.5 hours south of Sydney. This coastal area is also very peaceful and relaxing and is packed with picturesque beaches.

Completing the White Sands Coastal Walk is the best way to see all the best spots; you’ll weave in and out of the bush and stop at amazing beaches.

Be sure to visit the famous Hyams Beach, known for having some of the world’s whitest sand!

Jervis Bay and Port Stephens are both famous for whale watching in winter as well!

Read next: 18 Best Beaches In Jervis Bay

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Thanks for reading about these 15 day trips from Sydney!

After you’ve checked out the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and all the other classic city landmarks, I highly recommend trying one of these Sydney day trip ideas.

Spend the day exploring a less touristy part of New South Wales, as there is so much beauty and culture to see.

If you’re interested in applying for a Working Holiday Visa so you can spend more time in Australia, check out my Ultimate Guide to the Australian Working Holiday Visa!

If you’re just visiting Australia, I recommend visiting iVisa.com to check visa requirements.

For more travel articles about Australia, check out:

22 Fun Things To Do In Brisbane

10 Amazing Things To Do In Tropical North Queensland

Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip: The Ultimate Travel Guide

The Best Time To Visit Australia – A Complete Guide

Travel Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria

East Coast Australia Road Trip Guide (Noosa To Sydney)