The article is written by Olivia Inwood
Wanting to venture out of the city this summer? These day trips are a perfect chance to explore the wonders that are just out of Sydney and not spend a fortune on transport! Here are our top 5 summer day trips out of Sydney:
Hunter Valley
(2.5 hours north of Sydney)
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and produces some of the best wine in the world. You can drive along the M1 highway and stop at the many wineries in the area for some cellar-door wine tasting. Many bus tours also depart from the Sydney CBD in the early morning, providing affordable wine tasting opportunities and tours of the region.
Fun Fact: The Hunter Valley has over 150 wineries, with some of the most famous including Brokenwood, Scarborough Wine Co Tasting Room and Tulloch Wines.
Jervis Bay
(3 hours south of Sydney)
Jervis Bay is located on the NSW South Coast and is known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Besides spending a relaxing day by the beach, you can go scuba diving along the bay or join the dolphin watching cruise from Huskisson Wharf. And if you don’t see any dolphins, you get a free return cruise!
Fun Fact: Jervis Bay has over 20 kilometres of the whitest sand in the world.
Kangaroo Valley
(2 hours south of Sydney)
Kangaroo Valley is part of the Southern Highlands and features picturesque mountain views. There are plenty of bushwalking opportunities and the Mortan National Park has a trail leading to the popular Fitzroy Falls. The only pub in Kangaroo Valley ‘The Friendly Inn’ was built in 1892 and is one of the oldest in the region, with a beer garden that provides breathtaking views of the rolling valleys and mountains.
Fun Fact: ‘Kangaroo Valley’ refers to the region and village, both named after the surrounding Kangaroo River.
Grand Pacific Drive
(2-hour drive along the South Coast)
Travel along the 140km of the Grand Pacific Drive; one of Australia’s best-known driving routes. Starting from the Royal National Park, this road heads south along the coast through Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Don’t forget to see the Blowhole, a natural rock formation that spurts water 20 metres into the air.
Fun fact: The engineering highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive is the Sea Cliff Bridge. From the viewing platform located near the bridge, migrating whales can occasionally be seen!
The Blue Mountains
(2.5 hours west of Sydney)
The Blue Mountains is an easy escape from the city, with the option of driving, catching the train or going on a group tour. Although there are many bushwalking tracks and sights to see, the highlights for a day trip are Katoomba and Leura. Katoomba features The Three Sisters rock formation, a legend of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, that can be viewed from Echo Point. The town of Leura is also a popular stopover point, with many boutique cafes and a well-known candy store.
Fun Fact: The Scenic Railway located at Katoomba, is the steepest passenger railway in the world, offering 360-degree views of the Blue Mountain ranges.
