Best Day Trips From Sydney
Unmissable Destinations to Include in Your Itinerary!
Home to the iconic Opera House, Bondi Beach, Harbour Bridge and birthplace of famous celebrities like Huge Jackman and Cate Blanchett, this stunning city has so much to offer. In addition to the various highly rated attractions, Sydney offers visitors a great starting point for some of the best day trips in Eastern Australia. Located just a few hours from the city there are countless family friendly activities for all ages to enjoy. Uncover some of the best day trips from Sydney.
Want more? Check out other Little Steps Australia guides!
Best Places To Visit With Kids And Family In Australia
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HAWKESBURY RIVER *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Stunning town surrounded by natureSurrounded by historical national parks and amazing mountain views, unwind and enjoy some peaceful family time at this charming little village. About an hour drive from Sydney’s city center, experience the quiet country roads and scenic routes along the way. Relax in one of their holiday house boats or hop onto a kayak tour to explore different parts of the nearby national parks. The river is also a popular area for water sports like wakeboarding and tubing.
Hawkesbury River, www.sydney.com/hawkesbury
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KANGAROO VALLEY *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Family-friendly destinationWell known for its waterfalls, cliff top lookouts, river water sport and fresh produce, Kangaroo Valley is the perfect getaway for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Every fourth Saturday of the month, you can grab some of the best local food at their market, which includes produce like herbs, pastries, honey and more! For those with little ones, Manning's lookout offers easy-to-manage walking trails with amazing greenery and views of the town.
Kangaroo Valley, www.visitkangaroovalley.com.au
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ROYAL NATIONAL PARK *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Amazing nature trailsHome to countless wildlife, Aboriginal sites and hiking trails, it is no wonder Royal National Park is one of the most visited parks in New South Wales. There are various family-friendly walking trails that lead to amazing lookout points, such as the Jibbon Beach Loop Track and Providential Point Lookout. Another iconic natural attraction is the Figure Eight Pools. As the area is quite dangerous due to the rock platforms, those with young children and elderly can still view the amazing formations from the Garawarra Farm Carpark.
Royal National Park, www.sydney.com/royal-national-park
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BLUE MOUNTAINS *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Scenic lookouts and viewsSoak in the captivating views of ancient rock formations and vast greenery stretching across 11,400 kilometers of land - this world heritage site is one landmark not to be missed! Approximately two hours from Sydney city center, Blue Mountains can be accessed easily via car or train. There are also guided tours and Hop-On Hop-Off buses that also allow you to explore the national park freely even without driving.
Blue Mountains, www.int.sydney.com/blue-mountains
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HUNTER VALLEY *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Various activities for all to enjoyUncover some of the best wineries and vineyards at one of Australia's oldest grape-growing regions. One of the best ways to appreciate the quiet countryside scenery is to hop onto their popular hot air balloon rides, where you can get unblocked panoramic views of the sunrise and town. There are also markets held monthly where local farmers will sell fresh produce and handmade items including cheese, bread, jewelry and more!
Hunter Valley, www.int.sydney.com/hunter-valley
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BERRY *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Coastal town with loads to exploreJust a 2 hour drive or train ride from Sydney CBD, Berry offers visitors the perfect blend of heritage and small town vibes. Located at the end of the Grand Pacific Drive, you can savor the amazing coastal views during your journey. In town, you can explore Berry’s history with their walking trails or enjoy locally made gourmet products and their wine tasting sessions. For those with children, you may also want to check out their newly opened Rotary Nature Play Park.
Berry, www.berry.org.au
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PALM BEACH *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Amazing coastal viewsEnjoy the seaside views and tranquil seas at the Palm Beach - perfect for beach lovers. From surfing spots, ocean pools and fishing to golf courses and food places, the beach is also a popular destination for whale spotting! If you are short on time, there are organized tours available which will bring you around the top beaches, historical sites and Aboriginal carvings.
Palm Beach, www.australia.com/en-sg/palm-beach
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IRUKANDJI SHARK & RAY ENCOUNTERS *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Interact with marine animalsGet up close and personal with the magnificent variety of sharks and rays at this fully interactive aquarium. Offering a safe space for both kids and adults to interact and learn about aquatic life under the guidance of trained staff and without harming the animals or environment. Visitors can snorkel or experience a private session with these fascinating creatures at an additional fee. Children below three years old also get to enter for free!
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, www.sharkencounters.com.au
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STOCKTON BEACH SAND DUNES *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Cultural coastal dunesCrowned the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, this 32 kilometer stretch of landscape is also known as the Worimi Conservation Lands. One of the most popular ways to explore the area is via a 4 wheel drive. You can also get onboard the Sand Dune Safaris, where you can learn about the indigenous history of the dunes and admire the amazing views of Stockton beach. Sand boarding and sand surfing is also another popular activity not to be missed here!
Stockton Beach Sand Dunes, www.visitnsw.com/worimi-conservation-lands
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TREETOP ADVENTURE PARK *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Obstacle course for all agesChallenge yourself through a series of thrilling high element courses up among the treetops in Australia’s forests. Featuring a range of exciting activities including flying foxes, tarzan swings, zipcoaster and obstacle courses at the TreeTop Adventure Park. There are courses designed specially for kids between 3 to 7 years old. Their exclusive Networld Sessions are also perfect for infants and juniors from 1 year old to 5 years old.
TreeTop Adventure Park, www.treetopsadventure.com.au
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ORANGE CITY *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Activities for the whole familyRich in heritage and culture, Orange offers plenty of nature sites and recreation options. The city is also a haven for wine lovers and foodies. For those with children, you can head down to the Orange Adventure Playground which features various climbing and sliding options to keep the little ones active. You can also pop by the Orange Botanic Garden, located right by the playground, for some chill walk or bird watching.
Orange City, www.visitnsw.com/orange
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SCOTLAND ISLAND *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Town by the harbor with easy walking trailsHome to a small community and accessible only by water, this gorgeous island is ideal for those looking for a quick and easy day trip from Sydney. Just a 50 minute drive from Sydney CBD to the port, hop onto a 10 minutes ferry which runs every half an hour to and fro the island. There are various walking trails located around the island and picnic spots for you and your family to chill out at.
Scotland Island, www.scotlandisland.org.au
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SYMBIO WILDLIFE PARK *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Get up close and personal with wildlifeLearn and meet some of the most amazing wildlife native to Australia and all around the world at Symbio wildlife park. This award winning family owned zoo also has other features like a playground and waterpark for the little ones to explore. One popular activity is the feeding sessions, where visitors can experience hand feeding goats, sheep and even kangaroos! Children below 3 years old can also enjoy free entry to the park.
Symbio Wildlife Park, www.symbiozoo.com.au
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GOSFORD *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Home to various attractions and activitiesExperience the wonderful mix of history, attractions and oceanfront views. For animal lovers, Gosford has a reptile park which boasts one of the largest reptile collections in Australia. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth at the Gosford Chocolate factory, producers of the popular Australian Nougat Limar, Bon Bon chocolate and the Sydney Marshmallow Co. The Gosford Regional Gallery also has a line-up of events, exhibitions and markets for you to visit if you are in the area.
Gosford, www.visitnsw.com/gosford-area
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BOTANY BAY *Best Day Trips From Sydney
Mix of heritage and natureDiscover the site of Captain James Cook’s first landing at Botany bay. This historical site has amazing sea views, beautiful coastlines and white sandy beaches, where visitors can scuba dive or have a picnic. During the months of June or July, the platform at cape solander offers great views for whale watching during the season. There are also various walking tracks around the national park which are mostly flat and short - suitable even for the young ones to complete.
Botany Bay, www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/botany-bay
Additional Info:
Check Out Other Day Trips From Sydney Here!
Canberra, www.visitcanberra.com.au
Snowy Mountains, www.int.sydney.com/snowy-mountains
Leura, www.visitnsw.com/destinations/leura
Jervis Bay, www.int.sydney.com/jervis-bay
Bowral, www.visitnsw.com/bowral
Terrigal, www.visitnsw.com/terrigal
Scenic World, www.scenicworld.com.au/
Kiama, www.kiama.com.au
Avalon Beach, www.sydney.com/avalon-beach
Glenworth Valley, www.glenworth.com.au
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