Beaches, mountains, wineries and urban escapes — we’re lucky enough to have it all within easy driving distance for perfect weekend trips from Sydney. Here’s 10 places we’ve been that we highly recommend if you’re looking to sneak away for a weekend escape.
All within two or three hours of the harbour city, there’s certainly something for everyone in New South Wales (and beyond!).
Best weekend escapes from Sydney
Southern Highlands
Where is it? 1.5 hours southwest of Sydney
What to do there: Visit winery cellar doors, hike to waterfalls and shop for antiques.
Where to stay: Berrima, Bowral, Fitzroy Falls, Mittagong or Robertson
Accommodations we’d consider: Peppers Craigieburn Resort (Agoda | Booking.com), Amaroo Valley Springs (Agoda | Booking.com), Berida Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com), Mittagong Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com)
Think rolling green hills, gushing waterfalls, manicured gardens and enough antique shops and knick-knacks to furnish a mansion (or three).
Often overlooked for the likes of the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley by most international tourists, us locals know that the Southern Highlands offers the best of both.
It’s a rather big region, too, with a bunch of towns to explore or stay in for the night. A weekend in Bowral or Berrima is all about the “slow life”—think cosy fireplaces in winter, the famous Corridor of Oaks, and a very serious commitment to the local pie trail. Meanwhile, remote stays in Robertson or Fitzroy Falls offer country retreats.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: The Dormie House in Moss Vale (Agoda | Booking.com)
Blue Mountains
Where is it? 1.5-2 hours west of Sydney (depending on where you go)
What to do there: Hiking, swimming in natural waterholes, waterfalls and cute towns.
Where to stay: Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath
Accommodations we’d consider: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains (Agoda | Booking.com), Kyah (Agoda | Booking.com), Hydro Majestic (Agoda | Booking.com)
Our very first day trip from Sydney when we moved here almost 15 years ago, the Blue Mountains will always hold a special place in our heart. Misty mountains, dramatic cliff faces and wide open spaces make this region that’s just 90 minutes away from Sydney feel like it’s 10 times further than that.
This World Heritage-listed wilderness really is the ultimate “reset” button after a busy week in the city. Beyond the iconic Three Sisters, spend your weekend exploring the artisan boutiques of Leura, cliffside trails in Blackheath or trekking through the Grand Canyon. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to swap skyscraper views for endless eucalyptus blue.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Sinofield Edu-Retreat in Leura, (Agoda | Booking.com), Blue Mountains Heritage Motel in Katoomba (Agoda | Booking.com)
Read more about our Blue Mountains trips:
Kiama
Where is it? 1.5 hours south of Sydney.
What to do there: Blowhole, beaches, coastal walks and wineries.
Where to stay: In the heart of town, nearby in Gerringong or inland at a farmstay.
Accommodations we’d consider: The Sebel Kiama (Agoda | Booking.com), Nova Kiama (Agoda | Booking.com), Kiama Shores (Agoda | Booking.com)
The New South Wales coast south of Wollongong is dotted with quaint coastal towns, with one of the first being Kiama. Perfect for day trips or weekends away, this town has beaches, nearby wineries and plenty of charm.
It’s main attraction is the curiously fascinating blowhole, which is much more impressive than you’d expect. We love a good coastal walk, so can also recommend checking out the Kiama Coastal Walk while you’re in town. It offers some of the most dramatic ocean views in the state, winding past volcanic rock formations and lush dairy pastures that roll right down to the sea.
✅ We’ve been here! (But haven’t stayed overnight)
Read more about our Kiama trips:
Jervis Bay
Where is it? 2.5 hours south of Sydney
What to do there: Beaches, coastal walks.
Where to stay: Huskisson, Vincentia, Calalla Bay
Accommodations we’d consider: Huskisson Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com), Jervis Bay Motel (Agoda | Booking.com), Dolphin Shores (Agoda | Booking.com)
With beaches that belong in the Caribbean, Jervis Bay is paradise… within driving distance of Sydney. There’s plenty of stretches of sand to choose from here, with Hyams Beach being the most famous (and busiest). But many of them have a very similar vibe. While the main town is Huskisson, there’s a few areas to stay in along the 16km-wide bay.
There are also plenty of places to go camping here, if that’s your thing. Overall, it’s a great place for beach and nature lovers; you can spend your morning dolphin spotting on a cruise and your afternoon hiking through the stunning Booderee National Park.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Izba holiday house in Calalla Bay (Airbnb), Ocean View Villas in Vincentia (Agoda | Booking.com)
Port Stephens
Where is it? 2.5 hours north of Sydney
What to do there: Beaches, costal walks, koala sanctuaries and plenty of fresh seafood.
Where to stay: Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay or Anna Bay.
Accommodations we’d consider: Bannisters (Agoda | Booking.com), Ramada Resort (Agoda | Booking.com), Hotel Nelson (Agoda | Booking.com)
Head a bit further north than Newcastle and you’ll be in for an absolute treat. Twice the size of Sydney Harbour, Port Stephens is home to a bunch of cute resort towns, more beaches than you can squeeze into a weekend, plenty of coastal walks and even celebrity-endorsed restaurants.
Here, you’ll find the impressive Stockton Sand Dunes, where you can go sandboarding or quad biking for a serious adrenaline hit. For something a little more low-key (but still heart-pumping), the hike up Tomaree Head provides a “post-card perfect” view of the bays that you’ll have to see to believe. (It’s where the picture above was taken!).
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Central Motel (Agoda | Booking.com), Peninsula Nelson Bay Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com), Hotel Nelson (Agoda | Booking.com), Oaks Lure (Agoda | Booking.com)
Read more about our Port Stephens trips:
Hunter Valley
Where is it? 2 hours north of Sydney
What to do there: Wine tasting, dining and gardens.
Where to stay: Pokolbin, Cessnock or Broke.
Accommodation we’d consider: Chateau Elan at the Vintage (Agoda | Booking.com), Spicers Vineyard Estate (Agoda | Booking.com), The Hunter Valley Stargazing Bubble Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com)
The first of many Australian wine regions we’ve visited over the years, the Hunter is a must for any budding oenophile. We’ve done a bunch of day trips and overnights here, but think the best way to experience it is to stay at least two nights, allowing for a full day of exploring the area… and so no one has to drive home after wine tastings.
Of course, there is more than just wine here. Plenty of restaurants, events and even gardens make it a popular place to visit. For something truly special, come in May for the Lovedale Long Lunch to get the best of the region’s wine and food.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort (Agoda | Booking.com), Nightingale Villas (Agoda | Booking.com), Talits Estate (Airbnb), Cants Cottage (Airbnb), Rothvale Vineyard Cottages (now closed)
Read more about our Hunter Valley trips:
- Best wine regions in New South Wales
- Our favourite wineries in the Hunter Valley
- Where to stay in the Hunter Valley
Mudgee
Where is it? 3.5 hours west of Sydney
What to do there: Wineries, hikes and dining
Where to stay: In town or on a vineyard
Accommodation we’d consider: The Clairfield Mudgee (Agoda | Booking.com), The Parklands Resort Mudgee (Agoda | Booking.com), Kavillo Studios ( Agoda | Booking.com)
Our favourite New South Wales’ wine region features rolling hills, friendly winemakers, plenty of farm dogs and, of course, good wine. There’s nothing pretentious about Mudgee, just a bunch of country folk who like to make good wine and share it with anyone willing to drive across the Blue Mountains for it. We’ve done a long weekend here, and have passed through on the way to the Warrumbungles, and definitely recommend staying a few days to make the most of your visit.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Mudgee Vineyard Motor Inn (Agoda | Booking.com)
Read more about our Mudgee trips:
Orange
Where is it? 3.5 hours west of Sydney
What to do there: Wine tasting and gourmet cuisine
Where to stay: In town or at a vineyard
Accommodations we’d consider: The Oriana Orange (Agoda | Booking.com), de Russie Boutique Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com), Yallungah Boutique Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com)
Known for both its great food and wine, Orange is the perfect gourmet getaway. It’s well known. for its high-altitude, cool-climate wines made from grapes grown in the ancient volcanic soil of Mount Canobolas. (But don’t worry, the volcano. is very much extinct.) Consider visiting during Orange Food Week in March or during the Orange Wine Festival in October.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: An Airbnb that is not longer listed, unfortunately.
Read more about our Orange trips:
Canberra
Where is it? 3 hours southwest of Sydney
What to do there: Parliament buildings, museums, galleries, lakeside walks and hikes to viewpoints.
Where to stay: Civic, Parkes, Kingston
Accommodation we’d consider: Mercure Canberra (Agoda | Booking.com), QT Canberra (Agoda | Booking.com), A by Adina Canberra (Agoda | Booking.com)
One of the places we visit most on this list as we have friends there, Canberra is very much an underrated city. Most people I know haven’t been back since their school excursions and don’t see the point. But, they’re missing out. Canberra’s packed with fascinating museums, inspiring galleries, interesting parliament buildings and a pretty diverse food scene. Come during September and there’s also the annual Floriade festival, which sees the city turn technicolour with fabulous floral displays.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: We usually stay with friends when we visit, but have also stayed at East Hotel (Agoda | Booking.com)
Newcastle
Where is it? 2 hours north of Sydney
What to do there: Beaches, coastal walks, coffee scene and great dining
Where to stay: Honeysuckle, CBD or Merewether
Accommodation we’d consider: Little National Newcastle (Agoda | Booking.com), Noah’s on the Beach (Agoda | Booking.com), Crystalbrook Kingsley (Agoda | Booking.com)
A weekend in Newcastle is often met with a simialr response to one in Canberra… why? But Newcastle actually has loads going for it. There’s stunning beaches (that you can actually park at!), lovely coastal walks, a great food and coffee scene and a great holiday vibe, even though it’s a city.
✅ We’ve been here!
Where we’ve stayed: Little National Newcastle (Agoda | Booking.com), Rydges Newcastle (Agoda | Booking.com)
Beach destinations near Sydney
If you’re after a summer holiday that’s focused arund a beach, then check out these destinations:
- Kiama
- Jervis Bay
- Port Stephens
Wine destinations near Sydney
Want to add to your wine collection? Check out these spots for weekend trips from Sydney for a wine-filled weekend:
- Hunter Valley
- Mudgee
- Orange
- Southern Highlands
City breaks near Sydney
Sydney isn’t the only urban centre in the area, Newcastle and Canberra both offer great urban escapes with plenty to do over a weekend, and enough to leave you wanting more.
- Canberra
- Newcastle
