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Easy day trips from Sydney

Cristal Dyer

03 Jul 2025 - 5 min read

You’ve ticked off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, done the beach hop, and squeezed in a few rooftop sunsets. So, what’s next? A day trip. From wine regions to mountain trails, and white-sand beaches to snow-covered slopes, there’s heaps to explore just outside the city.

Whether you’re travelling with mates, your partner, or flying solo, these day trips let you swap the city rush for fresh air, good food, and top views. Some are better with a hire car, others are sorted with a tour, but all are easy to reach.

Blue Mountains

Distance from Sydney: About 2 hours’ drive

Craving crisp air and jaw-dropping views? The Blue Mountains deliver. Think clifftop lookouts, rainforest trails, and famous sights like the Three Sisters. Add a few cosy towns and you’ve got a top-notch day out. If you’re into bushwalking, you’re certainly in for a treat. The national park here has countless trails leading you through lush bushland, behind waterfalls and along towering cliffs.

Recommended things to do in the Blue Mountains:

Blue Mountains and Sydney Zoo Day Tour: See the Blue Mountains and meet Aussie wildlife all in one day. This tour includes Scenic World rides, a visit to Sydney Zoo with a free koala photo, and return coach travel with morning tea.

Blue Mountains Sunset & Wilderness Day Tour: Have a sleep-in, then head out for clifftop views, forest trails, and a cracking Blue Mountains sunset. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos on the way home.

Small Group Blue Mountains Day Tour: See the Blue Mountains from every angle on this small group tour, with Scenic World rides, bushwalks, and a visit to a wildlife park. Wrap it all up with a cruise back into Sydney Harbour.

Southern Highlands and South Coast

Coast or countryside? You can have both. Start with a drive over the scenic Sea Cliff Bridge before catching the sea breeze at Kiama Blowhole, then wind inland to the Southern Highlands for waterfalls, gardens, and charming little towns.

Distance from Sydney: About 1-2 hours’ drive

Recommended things to do in the Southern Highlands and South Coast:

Skydiving Wollongong: Jump from 15,000 feet and feel the rush of free-falling at over 200 kph above one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines. With expert instructors, epic views over Royal National Park and the Illawarra, and safety gear sorted, this is one for the bucket list.

Explore Berry: This quaint town offers plenty of knickknack shops, cute cafes and some the best donuts in the area.

Chase waterfalls: The Southern Highlands is home to plenty of towering waterfalls that make quite the splash.

Hunter Valley

Distance from Sydney: From 2.5 hours’ drive

Craving wine, cheese, or chocolate? Sorted. The Hunter Valley is all rolling vineyards, long lunches, and lazy views. It’s one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and a favourite for day-trippers looking to unwind. And if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife, you’ve got a high chance of seeing some kangaroos hopping between the vines.

Recommended things to do in the Hunter Valley:

Horse Carriage Wine Tour with Lunch: Swap the car for a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy a slower way to sip your way around the Hunter. You’ll visit up to four cellar doors, enjoy lunch at Blaxland Inn, and stop in for cheese, chocolate, and olive tastings along the way.

Hunter Valley Wine and Dine Day Tour: Visit three boutique cellar doors, enjoy a vineyard lunch, and taste your way through local cheeses and handmade treats. A full day of good wine, good food, and great views in one of Australia’s best-loved wine regions.

Hunter Valley Helicopter and Gourmet Lunch Tour: Soar over Sydney before touching down in the Hunter for a long lunch among the vines. You’ll fly past icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, then settle in for a top-tier meal with vineyard views.

Port Stephens

Distance from Sydney: 2.5 hours’ drive

This coastal spot is made for beach lovers and thrill-seekers. Go dolphin spotting in the morning, then hit the dunes at Anna Bay in the arvo. It’s a haven for seafood lovers too, with a few oyster farms in the area.

Recommended things to do in Port Stephens:

Dolphin Discovery Cruise: Cruise out from Nelson Bay and spot playful bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. With indoor and outdoor seating, boom net rides, and a high chance of sightings, it’s a fun way to spend the morning on the water.

Port Stephens 4WD Beach & Dune Tour with Sandboarding: Zip across Stockton’s massive sand dunes in a 4WD, then grab a sandboard and slide down as many times as you like. It’s fun, fast, and easy to pick up so no experience needed.

Sydney Port Stephens Experience Tour: Start the day with a scenic drive and end it sliding down dunes and spotting dolphins. This all-in-one tour includes sandboarding, a Moonshadow dolphin cruise, and time to explore Port Stephens’ beaches and blue waters.

Snowy Mountains

Distance from Sydney: Up to 6 hours’ drive

The Snowy Mountains offer something you don’t always expect in Australia: snow. With a bit of planning (and an early morning drive), you can hit the mountains for a full day of skiing, snowboarding, or just soaking up the fresh alpine vibes. While it’s quite the one-day trip, there are affordable ways to see the snow in just a short visit.

Recommended things to do in the Snowy Mountains:

One Day Snow and Ski Tour to Perisher: Swap the city for the snow with a full day at Perisher. You’ll get 7 hours on the slopes plus return coach travel with onboard amenities and a scenic sunset drive back to Sydney.

Play in the snow: Spots like Corrin Forest (near Canberra) offer the chance to play in the snow, ride sleds and even learn the basics of skiing without going as far as Perisher or Thredbo,

Jervis Bay

Distance from Sydney: 3 hours’ drive

One of the best beach day trips from Sydney. Jervis Bay is known for its powdery white sand and clear blue water. Dolphins often tag along with boat cruises, and Hyams Beach is seriously photo-worthy.

Recommended things to do in Jervis Bay:

Go on a beach crawl: With some of the world’s whitest sands and unbelievably blue waters, Jervis Bay is home to plenty of stretches of sand.

Stroll the White Sands Walk: Connecting a few of the area’s beaches, this wooded walk can give you a bit of a break from the sizzling sun under the shade of trees.

Canberra

Distance from Sydney: 3.5 hours

Australia’s capital might be low-key, but it’s packed with big stories. From Parliament House to the Australian War Memorial, you’ll see the country’s history up close. Expect wide roads, green spaces, and more museums than you can count.

Recommended things to do in Canberra:

Take in the view from Mount Ainslie: High above the city, this view point offers incredible views of the War Memorial, Parliament House and the mountains surrounding Canberra

Check out museums and galleries: There’s plenty to choose from here, with Questacon for science lovers, the National Gallery of Australia for art buffs and the National Museum of Australia for a taste of Australia’s history.

Best self-drive day trips from Sydney

Hiring a car is a great shout if you want to explore at your own pace. It’s easy to pick up a rental in the city and be on the road in no time. You can stop for photo ops, take the long way round, or discover places you won’t find in a guidebook.

Day trips like the Hunter Valley and Jervis Bay are perfect for self-drive. You set the schedule and stay as long as you like. If you’re going further (like Canberra or the Snowy Mountains) you might prefer a guided tour so you can sit back and skip the long drive. Either way, it’s a solid way to make the most of your time in NSW.