Road Trips
Hit the road
The best weekend getaways and day trips from Sydney — south to Kiama, north to Port Stephens, west to the Blue Mountains, and everything in between.
South to Wollongong & Kiama
90 minutes south of Sydney — beaches, blowholes, and seafood
Wollongong
A coastal city with great beaches, a lively arts scene, and the Sea Cliff Bridge drive. Park near North Beach and walk the coastal path to the lighthouse. The Blue Mile is a popular walking and cycling route. Lots of cafes and restaurants along the waterfront. About 80km from Sydney — 1 hour drive. Train from Central Station to Wollongong takes about 1.5 hours. Must do: hang gliding at Stanwell Park (even just watching), Nan Tien Temple (largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere), and a swim at North Wollongong Beach.
Kiama
Famous for its blowholes — natural rock formations that shoot seawater into the air when waves hit. Two blowholes: the Big Blowhole (in town, easy access) and the Little Blowhole (quieter, 2km south). Best time is rough seas at mid-to-high tide. Also has beautiful beaches, rock pools, and the Kiama Coastal Walk. The Saturday market is great for local produce. About 120km from Sydney (2 hours). You can also take the train from Sydney to Kiama (about 2 hours). Perfect day trip or weekend getaway.
Grand Pacific Drive
Sydney to Wollongong via the Royal National Park and Sea Cliff Bridge. The Sea Cliff Bridge is a 665m cantilever bridge hugging the cliff face with ocean on one side — incredible views. Stop at Bald Hill (Stanwell Tops) for the iconic lookout over the coast. Continue through Thirroul and Austinmer — both great beach stops. Continue to Kiama for blowholes and lunch. Allow a full day. Tolls: none on this route if you go via the Royal National Park entrance.
North to Newcastle & Port Stephens
2–3 hours north — surf culture, sand dunes, and coastal villages
Newcastle
Second-largest city in NSW and a serious surf town. Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach (home to the annual Surfest competition) are the main beaches. The Newcastle Memorial Walk (ANZAC Walk) is a stunning cliff-top walkway with ocean views. Darby Street and Beaumont Street are the cafe and restaurant strips. King Edward Park and the Bogey Hole (a convict-built ocean pool cut into rock) are must-sees. The train from Sydney Central to Newcastle Interchange takes about 2.5 hours. About 160km from Sydney (2 hours drive).
Port Stephens
Known for its massive sand dunes at Stockton Beach (the Southern Hemisphere's largest mobile sand dunes) — you can go sandboarding or take a 4WD tour. Also famous for dolphin watching — pods of bottlenose dolphins live in the bay year-round (boat tours from Nelson Bay). Tomaree Head Summit Walk gives a 360-degree view of the coast (short but steep — 1 hour return). For whale watching go between May and November. Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay are beautiful for swimming. About 200km from Sydney (2.5–3 hours).
Central Coast
Halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast is family-friendly and easy. Terrigal and Avoca Beach are popular for swimming and surfing. The Skillion at Terrigal has a great lookout. Australian Reptile Park is a classic roadside attraction — crocs, snakes, and kangaroos. Bouddi National Park has great coastal walks with ocean views. You can take the train from Sydney Central to Gosford (about 1.25 hours), then connect to buses. Good for a day trip or a relaxed weekend.
Out West & Inland
Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, and the Hunter Valley
Blue Mountains
A World Heritage area just 90 minutes from Sydney. Key spots: Katoomba (Three Sisters lookout, Scenic World), Leura (cute village with cafes), Wentworth Falls (stunning waterfall and walking tracks), and Blackheath (Govetts Leap lookout). The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus is a hop-on-hop-off bus that covers all the main sights. Trains from Central Station to Katoomba take about 2 hours. Best visited midweek to avoid crowds. If hiking, carry enough water and check track conditions first — phone reception can be patchy in valleys.
Southern Highlands
An hour south of Campbelltown (about 1.5 hours from Sydney). Bowral is the main town: check out the Bradman Museum (cricket legend), antique shops, and the spring tulip festival (September–October). Mittagong and Berrima are charming small towns with historic pubs and antique stores. Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park is a stunning waterfall with easy walking tracks. Great for a weekend getaway with cooler weather — especially in autumn when the trees turn golden. Good cafes and cool-climate wineries.
Hunter Valley
Australia's oldest wine region, about 2 hours north of Sydney. Over 150 wineries with cellar doors open for tasting. Semillon and Shiraz are the signature wines. Many wineries offer cheese and chocolate pairings. Pokolbin is the main area — stay overnight if you're doing a full day of tastings (designated driver or tour bus). The Hunter Valley Gardens, ballooning at sunrise, and the Hunter Valley Zoo are great non-wine activities. Best season: spring and autumn. Book accommodation early for weekends and holiday periods.
Plan Ahead
What to check before you go, what to pack, and how to stay safe
Before You Leave
Check the weather forecast (BOM app or bom.gov.au). For national parks, check the NSW National Parks website for track closures, fire danger ratings, and park fees. Tell someone your route and expected return time if hiking. Download offline maps — phone service drops out in many regional areas and national parks. If driving, check your fuel — service stations can be far apart in regional areas. Fill up in the last major town before heading inland.
What to Pack
Water — at least 2L per person for a day trip, more for hiking. Snacks and lunch — food options can be limited in small towns and national parks. First aid kit (bandaids, antiseptic, ibuprofen). Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses — the Australian sun is strong year-round. Layers — even in summer, coastal areas can get cool in the evening. Power bank for your phone. Jumper cables if driving — a flat battery in a remote area is a bad time. Cash — some smaller cafes and markets are card-only, but some are cash-only.
Safety
Swim between the red and yellow flags at beaches — rips can be deadly. Check the BeachSafe website or app for patrolled beaches and conditions. If driving long distances, take breaks every 2 hours (driver reviver stops on highways during holiday periods with free tea/coffee). Avoid driving at dusk and dawn in regional areas — kangaroos are most active then and cause serious accidents. If you see smoke in summer, check the RFS Fires Near Me app before continuing. Phone emergency: 000 (triple zero).
Trip planner
Plan your next adventure.
The secret to a great Australian road trip is planning ahead. Check the weather, fuel up in the last major town, pack snacks and water, and always tell someone where you're going. Take breaks every two hours — driver fatigue is a major cause of regional accidents. A road trip is not about speed. It's about the stops along the way.