Looking for an amazing day trip under two hours from Sydney? Here are ten destinations within one to two hours of travel time and 150km from Sydney while offering spectacular scenery, activities for everyone, heritage, and more.
Hawkesbury River and The Riverboat Postman
Take the iconic cruise of the Hawkesbury River that departs from Brooklyn Public Wharf at 10 am each weekday, returning at about 1.15 pm. Morning tea and lunch are offered onboard as is a stocked bar for refreshments.
Sydney to Brooklyn Public Wharf: 54 min (61.0 km) via M1 – see map
The Blue Mountains
The World Heritage listed area offers a gateway to a range of extraordinary scenic walks, icons like the Three Sisters, waterfalls, tablelands, valleys, caves, and much more. There are also many excellent restaurants in the surrounding area, craft stores, and galleries.
Sydney to the Blue Mountains: 54 min (62.3 km) via M4 – see map
Royal National Park NSW Sydney
The Royal National Park offers endless places to explore and activities to pursue. Highlights include natural scenery, bush walks, coastal walks, beaches, waterfalls, picnic areas, areas for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and more.
Sydney to the Royal National Park: 40 min (35.9 km) via M1 and Princes Hwy/A1 – see map
Palm Beach
Popular for its surf and being the location of the TV series Home and Away, Palm Beach offers an idyllic seaside destination offering great surf, protected areas for swimming, coastal walks, the heritage-listed lighthouse, and the beauty of Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Sydney to Palm Beach: 57 min (44.2 km) via Barrenjoey Rd – see map
Wollongong
Take the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive and visit New South Wales’ third-largest city. Offering a regional coastal community with eateries, unique shops, galleries, the beach, and rainforests. Activities to do here including scenic walks, scuba diving, skydiving, surfing, fishing, and even skiing on the nearby Lake Illawarra.
Sydney to Wollongong: 1 h 19 min (89.8 km) via Princes Hwy/A1 and M1 – see map
Bowral
The epicenter of the Southern highlands offers heritage and history being home to the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame, elegant homesteads dating back to the late 1800s, gardens and vineyards. From here you can also take the Illawarra Tourism Route.
Sydney to Bowral: 1 h 21 min (117.5 km) via Hume Motorway/M31 – see map
Kiama
A relaxed seaside village that’s a pleasure just to spend a few hours wandering around. Attractions include the Kiama Blowhole, beach, golf course, Kiama Coast Walk, dolphin watching cruises, outdoor rock climbing and kayaking tours.
Sydney to Kiama: 1 h 42 min (120.8 km) via M1 also see Grand Pacific Drive
Lake Macquarie
The largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere offers an aquatic playground for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding while in the surroundings you can explore rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and ancient sea caves.
Sydney to Lake Macquarie: 1 h 42 min (136.3 km) via M1 – see map
Berry
The quaint country town is a little unique in that it offers a slice of everything ranging from the country charm, history and heritage, beaches, bush walks, and lookouts.
Sydney to Berry: 1 h 56 min (141.9 km) via M1 and Princes Hwy – see map
Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley offers a countryside escape with heritage, scenic walks, horse trails, food and wine on offer. Here you can enjoy activities inc. kayaking, canoeing, golf, wine tasting, and scenic walks to the Fitzroy Falls and the Gerringong Falls.
Sydney to Kangaroo Valley: 1 h 59 min (157.9 km) via Hume Motorway/M31 – see map