Five Great Daytrips From Sydney – Within a Two-Hour Drive

Sydney’s proximity to nature is one of the best things about the city, but sometimes you just need to get out a little bit further for some rejuvenation or adventure in the fresh air. For that, try these: five of our favourite daytrips. These quaint small towns, huge national parks and seaside coastal walks are beautiful year-round and less than a two-hour drive from Sydney.

The Blue Mountains: one hour from Sydney CBD

The world heritage-listed Blue Mountains are so-called because of the eucalyptus oil emissions from the region’s trees, which creates a dreamy blue haze. Less than an hour’s drive from Sydney, you never run out of things to do in the Blueys. Travel up Bells Line of Road for apple-picking and cider-drinking in Bilpin, check out the famous Japanese bathhouse in Mount Victoria, or stop by Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens to see the autumn leaves.

Kiama: two hours from Sydney CBD

Like many New South Wales coastal towns, Kiama is at its peak in summer when the surf beaches are packed, but it tends to clear out when the weather is colder. Two hours south of Sydney, the coastal walks here are stunning year-round. The Kiama Coast Walk is about 20 kilometres one-way, but it’s split into three sections, so you can take on one or two sections in a daytrip, with time to stop by Otis – a Middle Eastern deli on the town’s main drag from former Ottolenghi head chef Emily Herbert – for lunch.

Berrima and Bowral: 90 minutes from Sydney CBD

Bowral and Berrima in the Southern Highlands make a great pit stop on the way to the south coast, but these quaint towns are worth a day trip themselves. Bowral is the largest town in the region and features lots of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes (like The Press Shop for brunch), plus Corbett Gardens, which is fabulously colourful when the Tulip Time festival is on in spring and filled with autumn leaves when the weather gets a little colder. In Berrima, Eschalot is a must-visit: a seasonal, fine-dining restaurant from chef Matty Roberts in a historic cottage. The region is also surrounded by around 60 cool-climate wineries and distilleries. The Centennial Vineyards cellar door is a few minutes’ drive from Bowral.

Royal National Park: 70 minutes from Sydney CBD

Just outside of Sydney, the Royal National Park is a huge expanse of awe-inspiring coastline, rainforest, bushland and incredible scenery. Established in 1879, it’s one of the oldest national parks in the world and is perfect for a nature-heavy day trip. In summer, Wattamolla and Garie are popular beaches, but winter is the perfect time to go for a hike or a bushwalk (lots of whale-watching, less sweat). The Uloola Track takes you past Karloo Pools (a great natural swimming spot) and on to Uloola waterfall, while the famous Coast Track winds through sandstone cliffs and past coastal banksia from Bundeena to Otford.

Wollongong and Thirroul: 90 minutes from Sydney CBD

Driving from Sydney to Wollongong and Thirroul will take you over the incredible Sea Cliff Bridge: a structure on Grand Pacific Drive which hovers about 40 metres above the ocean.
Stop in Thirroul for a rummage through some local markets. Wombat is known for eclectic antiques and, on the second Sunday of every month, the Foragers Markets in Bulli are popular.
Then keep driving to Wollongong, and grab a coffee from Opus Coffee Roasters once you arrive, before cycling the Wollongong to Thirroul Bike Track along the coastline.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Destination New South Wales.