The Best Day Trips From Sydney For A Stunning Weekend Escape

One of the things we love so much about Sydney is its superb surroundings. You can hop in a car or jump on a train, and find yourself on a secluded beach, in a breathtaking national park, or soaking up the fresh air of a quaint country town, with enough time to head home to sleep in your own bed.

Pack your tote or backpack, your beach towel or hiking boots, and check out our list of best day trips from Sydney.

The Best Day Trips From Sydney At A Glance

Jump to:

• Best Day Trips From Sydney By Car
• Best Day Trips From Sydney By Train

Best Day Trips From Sydney By Car

Bouddi National Park

Central Coast | 90 Minute Drive

Image credit: Bouddi National Park | Instagram

It’s easy to forget how close Sydney is to the Central Coast and its magnificent beaches and national parks, like Bouddi National Park. Just a 15-minute drive from nearby Avoca Beach where you can grab yourself a coffee and some breakfast, Bouddi is home to short walks, amazing picnic spots, and some of the best and most beautiful hidden beaches in NSW to tick off on your day trip.

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• If you’re up for it, pack some runners and take on the 8.5-km Bouddi coastal walk and make sure you stop at Gerrin Point Lookout, with secluded swimming spots along the way like the highly ‘grammable and easily accessible Maitland Bay Beach.

Wiseman's Ferry

Hawkesbury | 1 Hour Drive

Sitting on a bend of the Hawkesbury River and surrounded by rugged national park, Wiseman's Ferry feels worlds away from the city — even though it’s only about 60km northwest of the CBD. The historic river crossing is still in operation today, linking a sleepy village of old pubs, heritage buildings and leafy picnic spots with walking trails and scenic drives on both sides of the water.

Roll onto one of the two car ferries to explore the surrounding valleys or continue toward St Albans and the rural backroads beyond. Dharug National Park is home to preserved sections of the convict-built Old Great North Road, where you can wander short sections on foot or tackle longer bushwalks through sandstone country.

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• Family-friendly trails like the Grass Tree Circuit sit alongside picnic areas at Mill Creek, and the park also attracts mountain bikers and campers (with both vehicle and backpack camping areas available). 

Gerroa

Illawarra Region | 2 Hour Drive

Image credit: Visit NSW | Instagram

Perched at the northern tip of Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa is a mellow coastal village where river, bushland and surf all meet. With long sweeps of sand, calm estuary waters and panoramic headland views, it’s an ideal base for beach days, easy walks and slow-paced escapes.

Seven Mile Beach stretches for more than 12km, with gentle waves and shallow sections near the Crooked River mouth that are great for families and beginners. Surf schools operate along the beach in warmer months, and you can hire kayaks nearby to paddle the glassy estuary. 

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• Pull on your walking shoes for the Sand Track Walk through Seven Mile Beach National Park or wander the Gerroa headland — keep an eye out for migrating whales between May and November and dolphins year-round.

Couridjah Corridor Walk

Southern Highlands | 1.5 Hour Drive

Image credit: Sydney | Instagram

Looking to get a much-needed breath of fresh air and take on a long hike? The Couridjah Corridor Walk inside beautiful Nattai National Park is the spot. This 14-km walk has everything you need for a wholesome day trip, including the wetlands of Thirlmere Lakes, the Hawkesbury sandstone cliffs, eucalypt forests, gorges, and more wildlife than you can imagine.

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• The walk takes roughly four–six hours to complete, and you can access the national park through the town of Picton and leave your car at Bluegum car park.

Hawkesbury

Greater Sydney | 2.5 Hour Drive

Find yourself a designated driver (or extend that day trip to an overnighter) and head to Hawkesbury to sample local wines, craft beers and crisp ciders. Nestled in a valley overlooking Hawkesbury Creek, Jubilee Vineyard is an idyllic spot to kick back and watch the sunset with a wine in hand on your Sydney day trip. If you're checking out the area, head to tiny village of St Albans to check out the Settlers Arms Inn—a convict-hewn sandstone pub that's been pouring beers since 1836.

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• For a totally unique experience, a tour of a local pearl farm is highly recommended. Take a cruise along Hawkesbury River to a local pearl farm and see how Broken Bay pearls form, uncover the artistry and beauty behind pearl farming and learn about a different side of Aussie culture and history.

Wattamolla Beach

Royal National Park | 1 Hour Drive

Image credit: Sydney | Instagram

Tucked inside the Royal National Park, Wattamolla is one of Sydney’s most loved family-friendly day trip spots — a sheltered lagoon, golden stretch of sand and bush-lined picnic area all rolled into one. Spread out a picnic rug, fire up a barbecue, and spend the whole day drifting between the water and the shade of the palms.

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• The lagoon is ideal for gentle swims, floating on inflatables and beginner-friendly snorkelling, while the adjoining beach offers room to wander, paddle and spot seabirds along the shoreline.

Mount Ku-Ring-Gai

Greater Sydney | 45 Minute Drive

Image credit: Ku-Ring-Gai Living | Instagram

The stunning Ku-Ring-Gai is technically part of Greater Sydney, but being there still feels like an escape, so we think it counts as a day trip. Best of all, you can be there from Central Station in an hour without needing a car. To do the Mount Ku-Ring-Gai to Berowra Station track, get off the train at Mount Ku-Ring-Gai Station and into the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park for a hike, and the opportunity to swim, picnic, bird watch, and glimpse historic First Nations sites.

Insider Intel

• The one-way hike takes approximately four hours to complete, with a steep and rough track along the way, so make sure you pack a good pair of walking shoes. Once you’re done, jump back on the train at Berowra train station for the quick journey back to the city.

Best Day Trips From Sydney By Train

Three Blue Ducks Burradoo

Southern Highlands | 1.5 Hour Train

Image credit: Burradoo Park Farm | Instagram

The Three Blue Ducks team is planting roots in the Southern Highlands, with a brand-new venue set on a working farm in Burradoo. Due to open in early 2026, the project brings the group’s produce-driven ethos south, with a focus on regenerative farming, seasonal cooking and community-minded hospitality.

The new site will feature three complementary spaces across Burradoo Park Farm. The main restaurant will be housed inside a restored farmhouse and offer a more intimate dining experience than some of the Ducks’ larger venues, with a menu shaped by what’s growing on the property and from nearby producers. Expect thoughtful, produce-first dishes and a wine list championing Australian makers.

Alongside the restaurant, The Bakehouse by Three Blue Ducks will serve as the casual daily stop-in — think fresh sourdough, pastries, coffee and easy takeaway bites for locals and weekenders passing through. The final piece of the puzzle is The Farmhouse, part-larder and part-eatery, stocking pantry staples, small-batch preserves and regional goods, plus a simple breakfast-and-lunch offering built around the farm’s seasonal harvest.

Insider Intel

• Keep an eye on their social channels for opening announcements, menus and event updates as the venue takes shape in 2026.

Kiama

South Coast | 2.5 Hour Train

Image credit: Kiama NSW | Instagram

Keep driving past Wollongong and you’ll find the perfect little beach town for a day trip from sydney with fresh air, swimming, and pure relaxation. If you’re after a day on the sand, take your pick from the long slate of beaches lined up for your pleasure, like Bombo, Easts, Surf or Kendalls.

Once you’ve washed the sand off your feet, make your way into Kiama’s main strip for a ton of cafes and restaurants. Head to Flour, Water, Salt for some proper sourdough and bakery treats, and to Licked Gelateria for ice cream after a day trip in the sun.

Insider Intel

• Before you leave, you've gotta check out the famous Kiama Blowhole, which is just a stone's throw from the centre of town (look for the Kiama Lighthouse). This insane physical feat of nature shoots water 30 metres high, and is bound to blow you away.

Katoomba And Leura

Blue Mountains | 2 Hour Train

Image credit: Visit NSW | Instagram

We put these two Blue Mountains suburbs together because they’re right next to each other, and both perfect for a day trip from Sydney. Head to the main strip in Leura (right off the train stop) and check out the collection of cute shops and cafes. Make sure you stop in at Josophan’s for a cup of real hot chocolate and some award-winning chocolates to take away.

You’re then only a short walk or a very short drive away from breathtaking Blue Mountain views from Kiah Lookout and Bridal Veil Lookout, as well as the perfect day trip lunch spot at Leura Cascades Picnic Area. One train stop over, Katoomba is brimming with things to check out, like the Street Art Walk, local antique shops, and Mountain Culture Beer Co. for a drink and a bite to eat.

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• You’re also up the road from the iconic Three Sisters Walk, the Giant Stairway, and plenty of other walks and lookouts weaving through the Blue Mountains. 

Thirroul

Wollongong | 1.5 Hour Train

Image credit: Thirroul Beach Pavilion | Instagram

Jump on the train from Central to Thirroul, a short journey to one of Wollongong's prettiest beachside suburbs. 

Framed by steep escarpment on one side and long stretches of coastline on the other, Thirroul feels like a little seaside pocket that time forgot. About 70km south of Sydney, this chilled-out beach town blends surf culture, heritage streets and a laid-back village centre filled with boutiques, galleries and cosy cafes. Spend your morning walking the foreshore, floating in the ocean pool, or stretching your legs along the coastal cycle path before settling in for lunch nearby.

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• Hit Thirroul Beach for a swim between the flags or wander to the headland rock pools at low tide. The ocean pool is a favourite for lap swimmers, while the grassy reserve behind the sand is perfect for picnics.

Bowral

Southern Highlands | 2.5 Hour Train

Image credit: Visit Southern Highlands | Instagram

A short drive southwest of Sydney, Bowral continues to be the ultimate small-town day trip, with loads of charming cafes and shops on Bong Bong Street. Pop through High Street for food, shopping, and one of the best country patisseries in Australia, or visit Dirty Janes Antique Market to browse all things vintage.

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• Being the proud home of one of history’s greatest cricketers, you can get your tourist on at the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, or head to the surrounding areas which are chock-full of wineries, breweries, and hikes.

Main image credit: Visit Southern Highlands | Instagram

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