5 Awesome Day Trips In New South Wales Australia

Sydney is so jaw-droppingly gorgeous that no one would blame you if you never wanted to leave, but for visitors who’d like to see a little more of New South Wales, there’s a stack of great day trips to take around the Harbour City. From the white sand of Hyams Beach to the red wine of the Hunter Valley, discover the best of NSW on these five quick trips from Sydney.

Central Coast

Every weekend, droves of Sydneysiders make the one-hour journey up the F1 to spend their days off lazing around the beaches of the Central Coast, luxuriating in the region’s chilled-out vibe. The region is home to dozens of picturesque strips of sand — popular holiday spots like Terrigal and the Entrance, surf breaks such as Wamberal and Shelly Beach, and local favourites Avoca, Macmasters and Copacabana — as well as some of NSW’s best fishing spots, bush walks and camp sites. Head another hour up the coast and you’ll hit Newcastle, a historic coal mining city that’s enjoying a cultural renaissance at the moment thanks to its booming bar and cafe scene.

Blue Mountains

Hunter Valley

Australia is peppered with world-class wine regions — from the Yarra Valley in Victoria to Margaret River in Western Australia plus the dozens of wine-growing areas around the state of South Australia — and the fertile soils of the Hunter are the best grape-growing conditions of NSW. Found two hours north of Sydney on Newcastle’s doorstep, the Hunter Valley boasts more cellar doors than any other wine region in Australia. Sample some internationally acclaimed semillon at one of the area’s 120-odd wineries and gourmet eateries before pampering yourself at a luxury day spa. Hop on a day tour from Sydney so you can enjoy a tipple without worrying about the return journey down the F3!

Royal National Park

Situated on the southern edge of Sydney city, the Royal National Park is a 15,000-hectare oasis of beaches, bushland and beautiful swimming holes. Outdoorsy types have no shortage of fresh-air adventures to choose from: catch a wave at Garie Beach, marvel at the vistas from the stunning Bungoona Lookout and the iconic Wedding Cake Rock, splash around at Karloo Pool and Deer Pool, conquer one of the dozen bushwalks and biking trails, admire blooming wildflowers, watch whales during winter, and spot wildlife like echidnas and kookaburras. If you’ve got a little longer than a day to spend, pack your backpack and lace up your walking boots to tackle the two-day, 26-kilometre Coast Track linking Bundeena and Otford.

South Coast

Keep cruising further south of Sydney until you hit this dramatic coastal region, which is blessed with some of NSW’s most spectacular seaside scenery. Wind your way along the Grand Pacific Drive to the beach city of Wollongong before heading on to Kiama to check out the blowhole and the windswept coastal walking trail that hooks up with the equally tranquil town of Gerringong. Feeling really adventurous? Keep on driving to the Shoalhaven, home to Hyams Beach, officially the world’s whitest sand. Further inland, explore the old-world townships of the Southern Highlands and plan pit stops at charming villages like Bowral, Berry and Berrima.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.