The 10 Best Day Trips from Sydney

Scored a day off and want to spend it outside the city? There are plenty of spots that are no more than 2 and a half hours away from Sydney! From beautiful national parks to seaside hangouts and cultural stops, embark on the best day trips from Sydney for your well-deserved break.

There is the Blue Mountains day trip which is perfect if you want to spend a relaxed day amongst the mountains, and the Hunter Valley where you can marvel at the scenic landscape of vineyards and gardens. North of Sydney, you can go whale watching at Palm Beach, ride a sandboard in Port Stephens, go on a coastal walk in Avalon Beach, and ride river cruises along Hawkesbury River. When you head south, bushwalking at Royal National Park, skydiving in Kiama, and nature walks at Berry and Kangaroo Valley are the ideal itineraries for the best day trips from Sydney.

If you have a few days to spare, you can easily string nearby locations and make a weekend trip out of it!

To help you, we curated a list of the perfect destinations for the best day trips from Sydney that you can embark on, which are approximately less than 3 hours away from the CBD!

For a nature lover, hiker or daredevil, Blue Mountains is the perfect destination for day trips from Sydney because this region offers fascinating biking trails, gripping rock climbing and abseiling adventures, as well as stunning landscapes. This World Heritage site boasts some of the best lookout points as well as vibrant Indigenous history and local flora and fauna. 

Just 90 minutes west from the city, you can tour around Blue Mountains via a car or enjoy comfortably on a Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus! Take the train from Sydney Central Station and go to Katoomba Railway Station where you can board the bus.

From there, you get to explore the beautiful wilderness of the Blue Mountains in 90 minutes! Ride around wonderful destinations paired with live onboard commentary so you get to hear all the fun facts about the area. You may choose from 3 different passes:  the Boomerang, Lyrebird or Kookaburra Passes. 

The Lyrebird Pass gives you admission to Scenic World and access to its attractions—Scenic Railway, Scenic Cableway, Scenic Walkway, Scenic Skyway. The Kookaburra Pass is perfect for those who want to enjoy a world-class food and wine experience while the Boomerang Pass lets you on a 90-minute sightseeing bus loop filled with tour stops and highlights, a great itinerary for day trips from Sydney!

Try a different route for this day trip from Sydney by booking a Mystery Picnic in Blue Mountains! Whether you’re with family, friends or with your beau, enjoy the ultimate Blue Mountains getaway with stunning views overlooking the Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, eucalyptus forests and unspoilt bushland on a self-guided journey around the region! 

Solve interactive clues provided in your smartphone pointing to your picturesque picnic location and collect gourmet picnic food (a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits and crackers from local artisans) along the way! This unforgettable experience is perfect whether you’re aiming for quality family time or a romantic date. 

If you’re planning to take on the historic Six Foot Track on this trip, the Six Foot Track Shuttle bus is available for a hassle-free transfer to Jenolan Caves or Katoomba! 

The 3-day hike starts at Katoomba and takes you across cascading waterfalls and wild rivers into the Megalong Valley and village, crossing a thrilling swing bridge, and climbing the range before finding yourself arriving at Jenolan Caves. This trail takes you to several heritage sites, heath, lush woodlands and rainforest, cascading waterfalls and wild rivers. If you're not staying locally, your friendly driver can organise your drop-off at the train station for your connection back to Sydney.

An hour south of the city centre is Royal National Park, where the best nature day trips from Sydney happen. If you prefer less crowded places, we recommend spending a day here, marvelling at the scenic coastal cliffs and bushlands. You can get here via car or by taking the train from Central to Otford.

Nature buffs can take on the Bundeena Drive to Marley walk! Get the best of both worlds, bushwalking and beach strolling, when you trail onto the track winding through the bushes to Deer Pool. Continue walking until you reach the Little Marley Trail and spot the golden arc of Little Marley Beach where you can enjoy a quick dip into the ocean or a peaceful picnic by the shore.

For those who enjoy a bit more challenge, you can embark on a journey to see the famous Figure 8 Pools!  Located on a dangerous rock shelf, specific precautionary measures should be taken before continuing your trip so everyone is recommended to join a guided tour. 

Stop by the quaint seaside village of Kiama especially if you’re interested in this dairy country that stretches down the ocean. Don’t miss this chance to visit the famous Ice Creamery, where you can enjoy ice cream, sorbets, and their signature Hyper Hyper Coffee,  and Kiama Blowhole, the state's most famous blowhole. With a 2-hour drive south of Sydney CBD, you get to visit these iconic landmarks. Experience one of the best day trips from Sydney with a tour around Kiama.

While at Kiama, take a 30-minute drive via Jamberoo Rd and feel like the king or queen of the jungle as you overlook the Australian rainforest at the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk. The 1.5-kilometre trail lets you immerse yourself into nature and marvel at the breathtaking view of the rainforest as you walk through a steel walkway levitated 20-30 meters from the ground. Rest assured that your safety is ensured as this activity is suitable for all ages.

Also, half an hour away is the thrilling Tandem Skydiving Experience in Sydney Wollongong! Take a leap of faith on this unforgettable tandem skydiving experience over North Wollongong beach from up to 15,000 feet and enjoy freefall for a maximum of 60 seconds! Don’t worry about safety with the guidance of highly trained tandem jump masters and professional support staff. Make this memory unforgettable by availing of the optional video and photo packages, too!

Another treasure south of Sydney is the quaint Shoalhaven village, Berry, which is undoubtedly a favourite destination amongst visitors and Shoalhaven locals alike with its rolling green hills, historical buildings, and distinct food scene. From Sydney, you can take the scenic route past the Sea Cliff Bridge, and even extend your trip to explore the magnificent white sand coastlines of Jervis Bay!

Some of the best things to do in Berry on this day trip from Sydney is to check out the Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout, take the historic Berry Historical Walk, visit Berry’s best cafes, go wine tasting, and drive further down the coast to visit Jervis Bay.

Unwind at the picturesque countryside of Kangaroo Valley, located two hours south of the city, and enjoy a bunch of activities perfect for those who seek R&R. Make this one of your best day trips from Sydney by trying out everything Kangaroo Valley has to offer!

You can go wine tasting at Yarrawa Estate Winery or experience kayaking down Kangaroo River. Self-proclaimed gourmands can join the Flavours of the Valley Foodie Trail where they could indulge in the local produce available and unleash their inner chef! 

Another recommended destination while in Kangaroo Valley is Fitzroy Falls, an 81-metre waterfall that drops into Morton National Park. The visitor centre offers loads of information about local Aboriginal history and culture and is a great place to buy authentic Australian-made souvenirs as well.

Soak in the sun when you travel north of the CBD to Palm Beach, a hot destination perfect for the most relaxing day trips from Sydney!

Enjoy the coastal views when you hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse. You can try trekking on the 1-km Barrenjoey track or the more challenging Smugglers track up the lighthouse! You can explore the outside of the lighthouse while a guided tour is available if you want to check the interior. The lighthouse is known to be a great vantage point during whale watching season.

A day trip to Palm Beach wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its golden sandy beaches, and if you’re up for the most extreme, try out the 100-km Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk. Other water activities are also available for those who prefer to stay in Palm Beach like surfing or kayaking, and ferry rides. Fans of the iconic Australian television soap Home and Away can also venture into the Official Home and Away Tour to see featured sights of "Summer Bay".

Wine enthusiasts are encouraged to head to Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine-producing region and home to vibrant landscapes and vineyards. Just over two hours from Sydney, there are tons of exciting activities you can embark on while in the Valley.

Vineyards are a staple destination but if you want to try something different, there is a spectacular way to see them from above—with a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Hunter Valley region! Welcome the day as you marvel at the sun rising from the horizon and relax in the silence as the balloon soars through the sky and carries you to your landing spot. Once back, enjoy a gourmet champagne breakfast overlooking the vines.

Visit Brokenwood Wines, one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley, and get to experience a 45-minute guided wine tasting whilst seated in one of Brokenwood's unique circular tasting ‘pods’ and enjoying a selection of 6 Brokenwood Varietal and Single Vineyard wines. 

Of course, while you’re in Hunter Valley, don’t forget to visit the wonderful Hunter Valley Gardens, which boasts eight kilometres of walking paths winding through 14 hectares of gardens. 

Ten individually themed gardens—the Rose Garden, Storybook Garden, Indian Garden, Chinese Garden, Italian Grotto, Sunken Garden, Lakes Walk, Oriental Garden, Formal Garden and the Border Garden—showcase the artistry of gardens around the world and use both native and exotic varieties of plants. Find yourself surrounded by over 6,000 trees, 600,000 shrubs and over 1 million plants amongst the waterfalls, statues, murals and much more as you take a stroll through the gardens.

Plus, if you happen to visit from 27 March until 25 April 2021, you can discover amazing creatures like gigantic Spider-Saurus, cicada, frogs, creepy crawlies with the Mega Creatures display inside the garden.

Despite being a two-hour drive from Sydney CBD, Port Stephens is no doubt worth the trip. From its thrilling water activities to the breathtaking view of its beautiful bushy coastline, there aren’t enough hours in the day to try out all these activities during your day trip from Sydney.

Perfect for a family day out is the Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, an interactive aquarium dedicated to spread awareness and make a difference for aquatic life. You’ll get the chance to feed and pet a variety of shark and ray species, and experience ocean life with a tour of the aquarium. Upgrade your ticket to a Gold Pass to get the all-inclusive pass to get access to other activities that include The Shallows Encounter in wetsuits, the Zebra Shark encounter, the Tawny Nurse Shark feeding and also a tropical snorkel!

Thrillseekers will surely the Quad Biking and Sand Dunes Adventure along the Stockton Beach Sand Dunes!

Ride on a 400cc quad bike and roar through the Worimi Sand Dunes as you enjoy the thrill of speed safely with professional guides escorting you around the area and trailing the end of your convoy. You'll also learn about local Aboriginal basic survival skills in the Worimi Conservation Lands bush. The day ends with you sandboarding down the dunes. Get ready to zip down the highest of the sloping dunes!

Another must-do beach activity in Port Stephens is the Beach Tour and Sandboarding Experience! Explore the coastal landscape of Stockton Beach as well as Birubi Beach on a 4WD. Then walk along the shores for the fantastic views and photos on a beautiful backdrop and learn how to find the local Pipis (small saltwater clams) on the beach. After touring the beach, drive back to the dunes for an unlimited sandboarding experience!

Less than an hour away from Sydney CBD and 10 minutes away from Palm Beach is Avalon Beach, a surfers’ Mecca and a respite from the busy city life. This quiet beach undoubtedly is one of our most recommended spots for the best day trips from Sydney!

Surfers with more experience are encouraged to try riding out the waves in North Avalon while the south part gives out a mix of fun easy waves that beginner surfers can dive into. There are good surfing breaks along the beach, which are best when North Easterly winds come. 

Avalon is close by a variety of shops such as surf shops, homeware boutiques, wholefood stores, bookstores, seafood joints and intimate cafes.

Stretching at 120 kilometres, Hawkesbury River is Sydney’s longest and most diverse waterway. It is surrounded by four national parks - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Brisbane Water National Park, Dharug National Park and Bouddi National Park.

The best way to explore the river is via a river cruise tour, and there are plenty of options to choose from. The Riverboat Postman is the last official water-run postman in the country and they have been delivering mail to the isolated communities between Brooklyn and Spencer that can only be reached by boat. Locals can now take part in the experience as the tour skippers lead you with informative and entertaining anecdotes of the Hawkesbury River and settlements while delivering the mail.

On Sundays, when there’s no mail, the Sunday on the Hawkesbury cruise is available instead. Just like the Riverboat Postman, this cruise takes you to an informative historic commentary of the seven islands: Lion, Dangar, Spectacle, Long, Milson, Peat, and Bar Islands, and lets you travel past isolated communities that can only be reached by boat, and see the wreck of the HMAS Parramatta.