Blue Mountains
Three Sisters & rainforest
World Heritage escarpments, waterfalls and lookouts. Train from Central or drive.
- Best for
- Nature lovers
- Where
- ~1.5–2 hrs west
- Price guide
- Free–$$
Get out of the city
The best day trips from Sydney
Mountains, wineries, rainforest and coastline — all within a couple of hours. These are the best day trips from Sydney, with travel times and what not to miss.
The short answer
The best day trips from Sydney are the Blue Mountains (90 min–2 hrs), the Hunter Valley wine region (2–2.5 hrs), the Royal National Park (1 hr) and the south coast town of Kiama (2 hrs).
| # | Pick | Why it's here | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Blue Mountains | Sydney's best day trip | ~1.5–2 hrs west |
| 02 | Hunter Valley | Wine, cheese, long lunch | ~2–2.5 hrs north |
| 03 | Royal National Park | Coastal walks | ~1 hr south |
| 04 | Kiama | Seaside charm | ~2 hrs south |
| 05 | Southern Highlands | Cool-climate escape | ~1.5 hrs south-west |
| 06 | Palm Beach & Pittwater | Summer Bay vibes | ~1.5 hrs north |
| 07 | Hawkesbury River | Slow day out | ~1 hr north |
| 08 | Central Coast | Easy escape | ~1–1.5 hrs north |
Hunter Valley
Australia's oldest wine region
Semillon and shiraz cellar doors, long lunches and hot air balloons at dawn.
- Best for
- Wine lovers, groups
- Where
- ~2–2.5 hrs north
- Price guide
- $$–$$$
Royal National Park
The world's second-oldest national park
Clifftop walks, secluded beaches and the famous (tide-dependent) Figure Eight Pools.
- Best for
- Hikers
- Where
- ~1 hr south
- Price guide
- $ (park fee)
Kiama
Blowhole & coastal town
See the blowhole, walk the coast and eat fish and chips by the harbour.
- Best for
- Families
- Where
- ~2 hrs south
- Price guide
- Free
Southern Highlands
Bowral, Berrima & wineries
Gardens, antiques, cool-climate wineries and country pubs.
- Best for
- Couples
- Where
- ~1.5 hrs south-west
- Price guide
- $$
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)Palm Beach & Pittwater
Northern Beaches tip
Climb to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, swim and lunch by Pittwater.
- Best for
- Beach days
- Where
- ~1.5 hrs north
- Price guide
- Free–$$
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)Hawkesbury River
River cruises & oysters
Ride the Riverboat Postman (weekdays only), eat oysters and explore quiet river towns.
- Best for
- Relaxed day
- Where
- ~1 hr north
- Price guide
- $$
Central Coast
Beaches, lakes & lookouts
Uncrowded beaches, lakes and lookouts an hour up the M1.
- Best for
- Families
- Where
- ~1–1.5 hrs north
- Price guide
- Free
Frequently asked questionsThings you might ask
What is the best day trip from Sydney?
The Blue Mountains is the most popular and arguably the best day trip from Sydney — about 90 minutes to two hours by car, or two hours by train from Central to Katoomba.
Can you do the Hunter Valley as a day trip from Sydney?
Yes — it's about 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Book a tour or a driver so nobody has to skip the wine.
What day trips can you do from Sydney without a car?
The Blue Mountains, the Royal National Park (via train to Otford or Loftus), Kiama and the Central Coast are all reachable by train.
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