Whilst Sydney is an incredible city, we love that there is so much to explore within a short distance. It’s hard to believe just how many incredible day trips you can make from Sydney: from hiking in the rainforest, to sipping wine straight from the vineyards to hopping on the local mail delivery service by boat on the mighty Hawkesbury River.
For day trip ideas we have you covered with a whole range of action packed options.
The best day trips from Sydney
These are the 15 best day trips from Sydney:
1. Bundeena in Royal National Park
Best for: Cliff top hiking, beaches, nature, views
Distance from Sydney: 56km - 1 hour 10
Accessible by public transport: Train & ferry
Royal National Park is one of our favourite places to day trip and - as with all the national parks on this list - you have a lot of options. If you don’t want to drive or just want a fun way of getting there you can actually take the cute old school ‘ferry’ from Cronulla which is a novel way of getting there!
Once you arrive there are a couple of cafes to grab some lunch or a coffee. If you pick a table outside you are almost guaranteed to be greeted by some over friendly Crimson Rosellas!
Marley Beach
If you’re not looking to do a walk you can hire kayaks or paddle boards from Bundeena Kayaks (they regularly have offers on Groupon) and hit the water. The water is generally quite calm, particularly in the shallows around Simpson’s Bay or you can go further into the park if you hire for a whole afternoon.
For hikers, Bundeena is one end of the renowned Coast Track which goes for 26km through the park to Otford. It’s a fair old trek for just a day though, so unless you are up for a challenge we’d recommend heading out on the 5.3km Jibbon Head Circuit.
It’s a fairly easy walk, with little elevation gain and you’ll get to see some fabulous beaches as well as Bundeena Lookout and even some Aboriginal rock engravings (which are in pretty good condition). It’s a great introduction to hiking in Royal National Park.
Jibbon Beach
Engravings by Jibbon Beach
2. Cruise the Hawkesbury River
Best for: Riverboat trips, hiking trails, history
Distance from Sydney: 75km - 1 hour 10
Accessible by public transport: Train
The Hawkesbury is quite a big area but most day trippers will be predominantly interested in the area around Wisemen’s Ferry, the oldest ferry crossing still operating in NSW! The quintessential experience is of course to get out on the river and one great way of doing it is aboard the Riverboat Postman. When I first heard about it on moving to Sydney I couldn’t believe that some people still receive their mail by boat! Whilst the boat delivers the mail you get to enjoy exploring the Hawkesbury River whilst being regaled by stories from the crew who have lived in the area their whole lives.
The 3 hour 15 minute mailboat cruise departs daily Monday to Friday which is why we still haven’t managed a trip on it yet as we always want to go on a weekend!
If like us, you only have weekends to make day trips you can explore the river by kayak instead. The kayaks are pretty pricey (as they all are in the Sydney region unless you are able to score a deal) but it’s a great way to explore the river independently.
If you want to explore the area on terra firma there are a number of great hiking trails, the most famous of which is the Convict Trail (Old Great North Road). This 10km loop through Dharug National Park offers you the chance to learn some history whilst also giving you great views of the river. There are information boards along the way to bring the area to life and if you don’t want to walk the whole loop you can just do the first portion up Devines Hill.
3. Road trip to Wollongong and Stanwell Tops
Best for: Beaches, the amazing sea-cliff bridge, cliff top picnic spot with a view
Distance from Sydney: 90km - 1 hour 25 to Wollongong and 57km to Stanwell Tops
Accessible by public transport: You can take the train to Wollongong
If you don’t mind a slightly longer journey we’d highly recommend taking the Grand Pacific Drive route through Royal National Park to Wollongong. This gorgeous drive makes for a good day trip in and of itself and as well as taking you through the forests of Royal National Park it will also take you over the famous Sea Cliff Bridge which is a bit of a Sydney must do.
Just 6km on from the Sea Cliff Bridge you’ll come to Stanwell Tops which is a magnificent lookout over the nearby beaches and headland. Bring a picnic because it’s also an excellent spot for hand gliding and paragliding and we’ve seen them take off from here every time we’ve been. It’s a wonderful place to sit and watch the action on a sunny day.
After Stanwell you can head on to Wollongong itself which has a number of things to do from fantastic beaches to the botanic garden and even Nan Tien Temple. If you’re planning to go inside the Buddhist temple remember to wear respectful clothing just as you would in Asia. The grounds with lotus ponds are a very peaceful place for a stroll.
If you want something more active you can cycle the 15km Wollongong To Thirroul Bike Track which we haven’t yet managed to do ourselves but comes recommended by my sister! It’s a mostly easy ride with beautiful ocean views, but it can get quite busy on the weekend.
Read next: Sydney vs Melbourne, which is the best city?
4. Visit one of Sydney’s best beaches - Palm Beach
Best for: One of Sydney’s best beaches, great brunch spot, Home & Away location 😂
Distance from Sydney: 44km, one hour
Accessible by public transport: Bus from QVB building in Sydney
Palm Beach is a really easy day trip from Sydney by car or by public transport, we’ve done it both ways. It’s also so much more than just a beach when you get there. Once you tire of the long sweep of golden sand we’d recommend heading to the Boathouse for brunch. It’s pricey but the view is fantastic, especially if you get one of the coveted seats on the verandah over the water and the food is also great.
You can’t leave the area without taking the 15 minute walking trail up to the lighthouse. It’s a steep hike but it offers some great views along the way and the chance to see both bays from above. Once you get to the top of the hill you can see out to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park which is beautiful and it’s a peaceful spot to sit and watch the boats out on the water.
If you are visiting between May and October it’s also a great whale watching spot. If you want to go into the lighthouse you can join one of the guided tours which operate on Sundays.
If you have time to squeeze in one more place head to the Bible Garden above the southern end of Palm Beach. It feels like your own little secret garden and it’s a tranquil place to sit and relax. It’s one of our favourite things to do in Palm Beach.
5. A taste of the tropics - Minnamurra Rainforest
Best for: Ancient rainforest, hiking trails, nature
Distance from Sydney: 115km - 1 hour 40
Accessible by public transport: No
Most locals don’t even know they have a thriving rainforest so close to the city and it’s the perfect place to escape to if you’re looking for a complete change of scenery. The forest is stunning and there are some fun swing bridges which are popular with kids (and adults!).
There are two walking trails through the forest, the shorter rainforest loop is 1.6km but if you want to see the waterfall - and we’d highly recommend it - then you will want to go for the two trails combined which totals 4.2km. The track up to the waterfall which branches off the Rainforest Loop is very steep, almost the entire way. The path is in great condition though and there are plenty of benches to take a break along the way.
Keep an eye out for Lyrebirds as you walk, you can often hear their telltale scratching sound as they kick up the dirt, we saw many on our first visit to Minnamurra. There is an onsite cafe which does a limited range of food and drink. Minnamurra is run by NSW National Parks Service so unless you are an annual pass holder you will pay a fee to enter, currently that’s $12 per car.
6. Winifred Falls and South West Arm Pool
Best for: Wild swimming
Distance from Sydney: 38km - 45minutes
Accessible by public transport: No
If you love wild swimming then there's no better place to head than to Winfired Falls. Located in the interior of Royal National Park, Winifred Falls has a large swimming hole at the base which is the pefect place to cool off on a hot day. It's just over a kilomtere through the bush from the car park to the falls, although the path is quite steep.
The great thing about visiting Winifed Falls is that there is another incredible swimming hole really nearby, so you can easily see both in one trip.
South West Arm Pool isn't signposted and is a little bit of a bush bash but we've got you covered with all the details on how to get there in this post.
7. Sydney’s best day trip - The Blue Mountains
Best for: UNESCO world heritage spot, hiking trails, waterfalls, mountains
Distance from Sydney: 100km - 1 hour 30 - 2 hours
Accessible by public transport: Train from Central in Sydney to Katoomba or Blackheath
The Blue Mountains are full of wonderful day trip opportunities which are great for hikers and non hikers alike. if you’ve never been to the mountains before we’d recommend starting with Katoomba, this is the main hub for tourism in the mountains and has a range of excellent hiking trails.
The 6.8km Prince Henry Cliff Track takes you through the forest (look out for lyrebirds) and round to the mountains most famous lookout, the Three Sisters, before continuing round to Katoomba Falls and Scenic World. Views along the second half of the walk are magnificent throughout with endless layers of mountains and tree covered valleys.
Mountains sunsets
Three Sisters in Katoomba
If you prefer something less active head to Scenic World, where you can take a cable car across the valley and even down on to the valley floor before taking the worlds steepest railway back to the top (and yes it’s definitely a bit white knuckle!). As well as magnificent views you have the chance to walk along the forest floor (another good place to see lyrebirds) and take in the lush rainforest as well as some of the coal mining history (the reason why the railway was built in the first place).
We spend most weekends in the mountains and have endless tips to share so if you are interested in other areas or more detail check out these posts or send us an email - best things to do in the blue mountains, our favourite day trip ideas and the most beautiful lookouts.
Scenic World
8. See the blowhole and more at Kiama
Best for: The blowholes, lighthouse, beaches
Distance from Sydney: 122km - 1 hour 50
Accessible by public transport: Train
Kiama is a picturesque seaside town on the South Coast and has plenty to offer for day trippers. There are many beautiful beaches in the area but it’s probably better known for its blow holes. To see Big Blowhole at its best (and the water at its best has been recorded at shooting up over 30m!) you’ll want a SE Wind/SE swell. If you’re visiting during a NE Wind/NE swell you might want to head for Little Blowhole instead which is best in those conditions. Both viewpoints for the blow holes are free of charge and a lot of fun, if you get a good swell prepare to get soaked!
If you’re a hiker you can’t miss the Kiama Coast Walk which goes for 20km between Minnamurra River and Werri Beach in Gerringong. The scenery is spectacular and whilst it’s a long walk it’s not too difficult and easily divided up into more manageable sections for those keen on a shorter walk (Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Blowhole to Loves Bay and Loves Bay to Gerringong).
If you’re a photographer, two of NSW’s most beloved landscape shooting spots are just outside Kiama, Cathedral Rocks and Bombo Quarry.
9. The wild beaches of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Best for: Hiking trails, beaches, ancient aboriginal art
Distance from Sydney: 45km - 55 minutes
Accessible by public transport: Not to most parts of the park
There are so many different parts of Ku-ring-gai National Park that you can make many day trips and still not have seen it all - I think we’ve been around 30 times and counting! For beach lovers we’d recommend heading over to West Head which has fabulous views over Pittwater and Palm Beach. It’s definitely one of our favourite lookouts in the park.
After taking in the view head along to the Resolute Track. This 5km circuit visits some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Sydney, West Head Beach and Resolute Beach.
If you catch these beaches on a quiet day they feel completely wild and untouched, they even look amazing in gloomy weather! Along the walk you’ll also get the chance to stop at Red Hands Cave for some indigenous rock art (it’s not as good as the cave by the same name in the Blue Mountains but it’s still worth a look).
If you’re not after beaches, our favourite trail in the park is the Sphinx, Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Circuit. This 10km loop track offers a gorgeous forest walk, fantastic rock formations and lovely views of Cowan Creek and even a few swamp wallabies if you’re lucky! There’s a fair bit of elevation along the way (roughly 500m across the whole track) but you can break up the route with a drink and ice cream at the Empire Marina. Another fantastic option in the same area is the Gibberagong Track, which has a real jungly feel, and even reminded us of Queensland’s Mosman Gorge at points!
10. A touch of glamour at Whale Beach
Best for: Beach, views, fine dining
Distance from Sydney: 43km - 1 hour
Accessible by public transport: Bus from Sydney QVB
There are lots of amazing beaches just north of Sydney and you could easily spend a day driving the coast and stopping at whichever takes your fancy. But if you’re looking for something really special, head for Whale Beach, and in particular Jonah’s restaurant.
It’s a good one for special occasions because it’s not cheap but the view more than makes up for it, looking out over the gorgeous Whale Beach. You can go for lunch or dinner and make sure you request a window seat!
For a cheaper option head to The Boathouse Cafe or Whale Beach Deli, run by the same people behind the one at Palm Beach. You don’t get the sea views but you get the same great food, friendly service and far fewer crowds!
After lunch you can head down onto the beach you’ve spent the last few hours admiring. Jonah’s is also very close to Palm Beach if you want to combine the two.
11. Paddle in the wilderness at Audley Boatshed
Best for: Kayaking, cycling, picnics
Distance from Sydney: 37km - 45 minutes
Accessible by public transport: Not unless you are prepared for a looong walk
Technically Audley Boatshed is located in Royal National Park but it’s quite different to other parts so we’ve separated it out. There are two main things you can do at the Boatshed, both of which are a lot of fun. You can head out on the water, renting either a row boat, kayak, canoe or aqua bike.
We went for a canoe and though they are pretty old we had a great laugh heading out to explore Kangaroo Creek. The water is completely still so the paddling is really easy and as soon as you are away from the main hub by the boatshed it’s really quiet and peaceful. A great way to spend the afternoon.
There is barely a price difference between hiring a boat for two hours or the whole afternoon so pack a picnic and make a whole day of it.
If getting out on the water is not your thing you can also hire bikes and cycle into the national park along Lady Carrington Drive (20km return if you do the whole thing). The scenery is beautiful, through the forest and alongside the Hacking River but it was a bit harder than we were expecting.
The bikes are pretty old (can you see the theme here?) and whilst it didn’t make a difference to us on the water, cycling was not as easy as it would be on newer bikes. It’s also a little hillier than we anticipated but don’t let our unfitness put you off, we had a great time on the ride and actually ended up saving someone’s life - but that’s a story for another time!
12. Hike and whale watch at Botany Bay
Best for: First landing of Captain Cook, nature, hiking trails, whale watching
Distance from Sydney: 17km - 25 minutes
Accessible by public transport: Bus from Museum in the city
So technically this is in Sydney itself but it always feels like a proper escape from the city so we count it as a day trip! Kurnell at Botany Bay is the first place Captain Cook landed in Australia in 1770 and there is a plaque along the paved walkway commemorating that fact.
Unless that is of particular interest we’d actually recommend heading to Cape Baily Lighthouse. The walk to get there from Cape Solander is just 3.5km each way and the ocean views are absolutely stunning. It’s one of the best places in all of Sydney to whale watch if you’re here between May and October.
Another great part of this area to explore is La Perouse, which is on the Botany Bay headland just across the water from Kurnell but a 40 minute drive away! It’s rumoured there will be a ferry service reinstated, but currently it is only possible to get between the two by land.
La Perouse has a gorgeous beach which is one of the few in Sydney with very calm water so it’s perfect for swimming and a nice break from the surf. There’s also a very popular nudist beach, Little Congwong Beach, if you’re so inclined.
Once you’ve finished at the beach there are some lovely walking trails, our favourite is the Cape Banks Circuit. This 6.9km walk has some truly incredible views from the headland as well as taking you to some great beaches and forest. It’s also a great whale watching hike in season.
If you’d prefer a bit of history instead you can visit Bare Island which is right beside the main beach at La Perouse. The only way you can visit is by guided tour and your guide will take you through the history of the fort from 1885 when it was built to protect against Russian invasion to more recently when it was used to film Mission Impossible 2.
Longer drives
13. Wine & dine in the Hunter Valley
Best for: Wine tasting, fine dining
Distance from Sydney: 165km - 2 hours
Accessible by public transport: You can get to Singleton by train but it’s a long day, and then you can’t get around easily without a car!
The Hunter Valley is Sydney’s closest premier wine region and a day trip here won’t disappoint. The main area for day trippers is Pokolbin and there’s plenty of great wineries to choose from. We also love the area of Broke, where the vineyards tend to be smaller and the service more friendly and personal.
Most wineries offer tastings and almost all incur a fee, some will refund it on the purchase of a bottle.
The view from Audley Wilkinson
Food is also fabulous in the Hunter and we’d recommend stopping at one of the wineries for lunch if you’re in the mood for a splurge. For something more affordable we love Cafe Enzo which has delicious food and an atmospheric setting (since writing this Cafe Enzo has become much more expensive but it’s still a lovely spot). Our recommend for something more budget friendly would now be to picnic at one of the vineyards.
The Hunter is also a good place to stock up on great regional produce before heading back to the city, it’s hard to resist the Smelly Cheese Shop and the Hunter Valley Olive Co.
If you want to go beyond the food and wine we have some hidden gems for you in this post.
14. Find rural bliss in Berry
Best for: Country Village, dining, cafes
Distance from Sydney: 140km - 2 hours
Accessible by public transport: Trains from Central in Sydney and Kiama
Berry makes for a great day trip from Sydney with lots of variety on offer. It’s a pretty little town and there are plenty of amazing cafes and boutique shops to start your day. We’d recommend the Milkwood Bakery if you’re looking for a pie fix but our absolute favourite if you want something sweet is the Berry Tea Shop.
It’s the only cafe that we’ve ever been to in Australia which feels like you’ve just landed in England. There’s a tea menu, scones (of course!) and a multitude of homemade cakes - our faves are the pear and chocolate and white chocolate with raspberry. It’s one of our favourite things to do when we visit Berry.
After pottering around the town you can take the scenic drive, past rolling farmland, to Shoalhaven Heads if you’re keen for a little beach time.
If you’re up for a little exercise we’d highly recommend hiking up to Drawing Room Rocks. The 3.5km return trail is mainly uphill on the way but the view more than makes up for the steps, it’s one of our favourites in NSW. The rock formations at the top are perfect for sitting and absorbing the stunning scenery. If you don’t mind walking down and then driving back to Sydney in the dark then it’s a wonderful sunset spot.
The view from Drawing Room Rocks
15. Experience a taste of the desert in Port Stephens
Best for: White sand beaches, hiking trails, views and wildlife
Distance from Sydney: 208km - 2 hours 35
Accessible by public transport: Car is recommended
Port Stephens make an ideal weekend away from Sydney but it can be done in a day if you can’t spare a weekend. There are lots of things to do in Port Stephens but with just a day we’d recommend heading for the Worimi Conservation Lands (Anna Bay - one of the best beaches in NSW) for a landscape you would not expect to see so close to Sydney!
Walk far enough into these incredible sand dunes and it’s not hard to imagine you’ve just strayed into the Sahara Desert. If you want an adrenaline rush it’s a fantastic place to try sand boarding or dune bashing. You can take a tour or bring your own 4WD, you’ll just need to get a Worimi Conservation Lands Beach Vehicle Permit if you want to do this independently. We’ve got full details on how to make the most of the sand dunes independently or as part of a tour in this post.
The Sand Dunes at Anna Bay
After the sand dunes head for Tomaree Head for one of the most famous views in the area. From the summit of the 2.2 return walk you’ll be able to see many of Port Stephens most famous beaches and maybe even a whale or two if you are visiting between May and October.
If you’re a wildlife lover you could also choose one of the four hour wild dolphins swims - the closest place to Sydney you can swim with wild dolphins.
Sand boarding at Anna Bay
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Are you planning a trip to Sydney? Which is your favourite day trip from Sydney? Let us know in the comments below!
