Is it just us or are we all sick of sticking to the same old weekend routine? Well, it’s time to jump in the car and start exploring some of the amazing spots our beautiful region of NSW has on offer.
From finding secret new beaches to hiking up mountains and dining at charming country pubs, Sydney has it all.
Here are six awesome day trips to take around Sydney that will give you a mini-adventure fix.
Just two hours drive southwest of Sydney's CBD, Kangaroo Valley is home to lush rainforest, sparkling creeks and lots of fresh air. The main street, which dates back to 1870, boasts a charming tearoom and old school country pub with lots of local characters. It’s definitely worth taking a walk through the wildflowers and bushland of the spectacular Fitzroy Falls and getting a country pie at the Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop; they claim to be the best in Australia!
With a cute name and even cuter town, Berry, around a two-hour drive directly south of Sydney, is well known for its excellent produce and delicious food scene. Must visits include the Berry Sourdough Bakery for wood-fired pastries, the Hungry Duck restaurant for modern Asian and Silos Restaurant hidden inside the local vineyard. Yum. If you time your visit well, you can also catch the Berry Produce Markets (held on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month) that offers organic produce, antiques and handmade goods.
The quaint village of Leura in the Blue Mountains is just asking for a day trip or weekend getaway. Take in the fresh mountain air and get your daily cardio with a hike up to the breathtaking waterfalls of Leura Falls or the Lawson Waterfall Circuit. Obviously, you’ll also need to make a beeline to Josophan’s, on the main street, for delicious and award-winning chocolates. No trip to Leura is complete without a long lunch at Solitary Restaurant overlooking the stunning scenery of Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary.
If you’ve seen the photos of Gary Pepper Girl blogger Nicole Warne in her beachside base of North Avoca, you’ll get the allure of this chill beach town, an hour north of Sydney. North Avoca is the place to head when you want to relax and sunbake on the beach without all the crowds, traffic and parking issues of Sydney beaches. There are lots of great brunch options in town too: housed in the old general store, Like Minds is the place to go for coffee, while The Boy and The Rose Café make delicious spelt waffles. Bring your camera to catch the gorgeous sunsets.
Sophisticated country town Bowral, 115-kilometres southwest of Sydney in the Southern Highlands, is all about grand old estates, manicured country gardens and beautiful antique stores. Visit Bowral in spring and you can catch the Bowral Tulip Festival, while the sports lovers among us might be keen on the Donald Bradman Oval and Cricket Hall of Fame. The best part? Bowral is home to the award-winning restaurant biota, one of Australia’s most amazing nature-driven restaurants. The dining experience there is worth the drive alone.
Although technically still in Sydney, taking the hour drive to Palm Beach will have you feeling like you’re a world away from the hectic city scene. Palm Beach is super beautiful with golden sand and sparkling water, not to mention it’s the filming location of Home & Away. If you’re a diehard H&A fan you should definitely get on the ‘Flamin’ Galahs Tour’; if you’re not, take the picturesque walk up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Sydney’s northernmost point for great views. If you want to add a bit of luxe to your day, order all the fresh seafood at Jonah’s Whale Beach. Heaven.
Looking for more things to do in Sydney? Head here.
Design credit: Gabrielle Stjernqvist