When the weekend rolls around, you may find yourself casting your gaze beyond the harbour city for a short escape. Luckily, Sydney is surrounded by plenty of small towns with abundant natural beauty, coastal vibes, outdoor offerings and good times. Read on to find the best weekend getaways in NSW that offer short trips full of character and excitement.
Weekend getaways within two hours of Sydney
Want an escape without spending hours on the roads or rail? These are some of the best weekend getaways from Sydney that’ll take a maximum of two hours to reach.
1. Royal National Park
One of the oldest national parks in the world and Australia’s first is just an hour’s drive from Sydney. The rugged and beautiful Royal National Park is perfect for those seeking outdoor adventures with many rainforests, beaches, coastal hikes and wildlife to discover. Read all about it here.
Visit it for: Bushwalks, swimming holes, lookouts and beaches.
2. Wollongong
Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, Wollongong is the perfect coastal escape with several golden beaches including Stanwell Park Beach and Wollongong City Beach. It also has a bustling city centre with plenty to do with the family.
Visit it for: Beaches, rainforests and attractions like the Nan Tien Temple.
3. Berry
Berry is around a two-hour drive from Sydney and filled to the brim with cute activities to do. It is famous for its many antique and specialty stores, heritage buildings and wineries. Berry is a great day trip spot from Sydney if you’re looking to get away from the city for a few hours. Don’t forget to make a pitstop by its iconic donut van and Berry Markets to find something unique. Here’s our full guide to Berry.
Visit it for: Cafes, boutique shops and gardens.
4. Mount Wilson
The village of Mount Wilson is packed with charm and character and an excellent short getaway from Sydney. It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy stunning views of the Blue Mountains and soak up all the spring colours, especially at the beautiful Breenhold Gardens.
Visit it for: Walks, lookouts and camping.
5. Kangaroo Valley
The small town of Kangaroo Valley is rich in village charm and wildlife and the perfect nature escape less than two hours from Sydney. Visit the heritage-listed Hampden Bridge, check out all the cafes and shops along Kangaroo Valley’s busy main street and go on a self-guided tour of the Pioneer Village Museum on your trip.
Visit it for: Rainforests, countryside, kayaking and bushwalks.
6. Bowral
If you love books and cafes, Bowral is the place to visit. Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, the largest town in the Southern Highlands is bursting with things to do. Get your art fix at Bowral Art Gallery or the Milk Factory Gallery, grab a coffee and bite at Plantation and stop by its many boutique stores to buy something special.
Visit it for: Bookshops, cafes, wineries and good coffee.
7. Bilpin
The small town of Bilpin lies one and a half hours from Sydney and it’s a great choice for outdoor adventure seekers on weekend getaways. Make sure to visit Bilpin Fruit Bowl for the freshest food and veg, enjoy a picnic at the beautiful Waratah Native Garden and gaze in awe at glow worms when the sun sets.
Visit it for: Apples, countryside and bakeries.
8. Blackheath
The town of Blackheath is well known for its many lookouts, walking trails and natural landscapes. Visit the Govetts Leap and Mount Blackheath lookouts for amazing views of the Blue Mountains, grab a bite at This Little Piggy Deli or buy something cool at the Victory Theatre Antique Centre.
Visit it for: Galleries, lookouts and local markets.
9. Kiama
The coastal town of Kiama is a 2-hour drive from Sydney and one of the most popular weekend getaways for locals looking to escape the city. The picturesque town is home to the Kiama Blowhole and gorgeous beaches like Kiama Surf Beach and Seven Mile Beach. The Kiama Coast Walk is one of NSW’s most scenic walks with seaside vistas and unspoilt beaches.
Visit it for: Beaches, blowholes and coastal walks.
10. Katoomba
Acting as something of a gateway to the Blue Mountains means that Katoomba has no shortage of dramatic scenery to marvel at, and the food options are pretty great too. Accessing Katoomba is easy with trains running from Central Station, and between the fresh air and the marvellous landscapes, it’s sure to be one of your more memorable weekend getaways. Our full Katoomba guide is here.
Visit it for: Night walks, waterfalls, and Scenic World.
11. Berrima
Exuding old-world charm, Berrima is a spot in the Southern Highlands renowned for being amongst Australia’s best-preserved historic villages. Autumn and winter are popular times to visit due to the crisp air and colour of the foliage, but you’re advised not to leave without sampling a glass or two from one of Berrima’s local wineries. Learn more about Berrima here.
Visit it for: History, wine, and great bakeries.
12. Dangar Island
Found on the outskirts of Sydney, Dangar Island is actually the only suburb of the city without cars. That naturally creates a peaceful atmosphere, where one can enjoy the Hawkesbury River and, if you time your visit right, jacaranda trees in bloom. It’s only accessible from the water, and you’ll need to find an Airbnb if you want to stay longer than a day, but it’s one we’d recommend. Check it out here.
Visit it for: Gentle walks, bird watching, and a break from motoring.
13. Mittagong
Reachable in just under two hours by either road or rail from Sydney, we’re drawn to Mittagong not just for the delectable pastries from Gumnut Patisserie, but also for the cute cottages and countryside views. Walks around Lake Alexandra or along the old railway lines of the Box Vale Walking track are a great way to explore the area. There’s more on Mittagong here.
Visit it for: Monthly markets, historic cottages, and pastries.
Weekend getaways further away from Sydney
Regional NSW is full of treasures, and these short trips from Sydney will show you the best of our brilliant state.
14. Hyams Beach
Boasting some of the whitest sand in Australia and turquoise blue waters, Hyams Beach is an excellent spot to visit from Sydney. Located three hours from Sydney, the gorgeous spot in Jervis Bay is also one of the most popular in NSW so be prepared to battle the crowds, especially during warmer seasons. Read all about Hyams Beach including things to do.
Visit it for: White sands, blue waters and natural landscapes.
15. Byron Bay
If an 8-hour drive from Sydney is not a daunting prospect for you, the iconic coastal town of Byron Bay is a must-visit. The shopping and dining scene here is excellent but you can’t fault the beaches and the famous Cape Byron lighthouse. If you’re lucky, you could even spot a humpback whale or two between June to November.
Visit it for: Beaches, shopping and food.
16. Orange
The country town of Orange is one of the most popular getaways for Sydneysiders thanks to its boutique shops, beautiful gardens and local markets. It’s great to visit all year round but it’s especially popular if you’re trying to get a glimpse of snow in NSW.
Visit it for: Wineries, restaurants and natural attractions.
17. Canberra
A three-hour drive from Sydney will land you in Canberra. The art galleries and exhibitions like the National Gallery of Australia and the Canberra Museum and Gallery are a must-visit. Other fun things to do include taking a tour of the Australian Parliament House, cycling around Lake Burley Griffin and hitting the wineries around town.
Visit it for: Art galleries, museums, and political intrigue.
18. Griffith
Popular for being the food bowl of Australia, Griffith is an excellent family-friendly destination with a variety of outdoor experiences for kids and excellent food and wineries for adults. Go bushwalking and birdwatching at the Cocoparra National Park, about half an hour from Griffith or learn more about the region’s history at the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum.
Visit it for: Food, wineries, outdoor activities
19. Port Stephens
Located about 2.5 hours from Sydney, Port Stephens has plenty of wonderful things to see and do. Stop by its lovely seaside villages like Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay and check out the majestic sand dunes of Stockton Beach and don’t forget to try sand boarding, quad and motorbike riding while there. Port Stephens is also an excellent spot for whale watching from May to November. See everything you can do in Port Stephens here.
Visit it for: Beaches, Quad biking, sand dunes
20. Grafton
Grafton is nearly a 7-hour drive from Sydney but its annual Jacaranda Festival makes weekend getaways here truly unforgettable. There are vibrant blooming trees, markets, entertainment and heaps of pomp and pageantry at the 10-day event that takes place in October but it’s just as photogenic during autumn.
Visit it for: The Jacaranda Festival, arts scene
21. Coffs Harbour
Nicknamed Coffs, the coastal town of Coffs Harbour is famous for many things, especially its many stunning beaches and excellent food scene. It’s also home to one of not just NSW but also Australia’s most famous “big things”, the Big Banana. The Solitary Islands Marine Park is a must-visit for its abundance of coral reefs and wildlife. Coffs Harbour is a 5-hour, forty-minute drive from Sydney, making it one of the more ambitious weekend getaways.
Visit it for: Beaches, underwater adventures
22. Port Macquarie
Rich in coastal vibes and outdoor adventures, Port Macquarie is a popular getaway for Sydneysiders. It’s excellent for swimming and water sports along with plenty of scenic hiking trails and wildlife experiences. Don’t miss out on the 19th-century Tacking Point Lighthouse and Billabong Zoo while visiting. Port Macquarie is a 4-hour, 30-minute drive from Sydney.
Visit it for: Beaches, hiking trails and natural beauty
23. Bathurst
A 3-hour, 20-minute drive from Sydney will land you in Bathurst, a city famous for its food and wine scene, gold rush heritage and rural villages. It’s also the perfect destination for lovers of motor racing in Australia. Check out everything you can do in Bathurst here.
Visit it for: Museums, wine and walking tracks.
24. Broken Hill
Why travel all the way to outback NSW you ask? This historic town has just nabbed second place in the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year awards and it’s well worth a long weekend trip. Famous for its connection to Hollywood – blockbusters like Mad Max 2 and Priscilla Queen of the Desert were filmed here, Broken Hill is also known for being Australia’s oldest mining town with plenty of history and dramatic landscapes on offer for out-of-towners. Sydney to Broken Hill is a long 12-hour drive or a 2-hour long flight.
Visit it for: Living Desert Sculptures and mining history
25. White Cliffs
Another outback NSW spot you have to see to believe is White Cliffs where life is lived underground and you can get your hands on rare opals if you’re lucky. You can even book a room at the White Cliffs Underground Motel and experience a slice of underground living yourself. Don’t forget to book a guided opal tour while you’re there. Read all about this unique NSW town here.
Visit it for: opal fields, underground living and desert landscapes
26. Jugiong
Located on the road between Sydney and Canberra (it’s about 3 hours from Sydney’s CBD), it’s worth stopping over in Jugiong, even if only for an afternoon. Previously a pitstop on the highway, Jugiong now has a burgeoning reputation as a culinary destination, propelled by options such as Long Track Pantry, Jugiong Wine Cellar, and The Sir George, which also offers boutique hotel rooms. Here’s all you need to know.
Visit it for: Local wines, a cracking roast dinner, and rural tranquility
27. Braidwood
The first town to be listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, Braidwood‘s fortunes were founded in gold way back in the 1850s. Today, the most tempting golden things here are the flaky pastries and delicious bread from the likes of Dojo Bread and The Braidwood Bakery, whilst the enviable range of boutique stores suggests you’ll want to bring the car to lug your purchases home. Braidwood has also featured in several films down the years, so eyes peeled for any camera crews. See our guide to Braidwood here.
Visit it for: Hollywood cache, shopping opportunities, and farmers markets.