Day Trips From Sydney You Won’t Want to Miss!

It’s time to escape the hustle and bustle of the world renowned Sydney Harbour with one (or several) of these unique day trips from Sydney that promise to show you another side to New South Wales.

From historical monuments, and famous mountain ranges, to glow worm caves and even iconic Aussie TV sets. This list is full of day trip ideas for a truly unforgettable nature escape.

Can You Day Trip From Sydney By Train?

This list of unusual day trips from Sydney focuses on places easily accessible by car. However, many will be accessible as Sydney day trips by train or even bus. I will make a note of this under each listing, along with the time difference since public transport often takes longer.

Day Trips Within 1 Hour From Sydney

Let’s start off close to the city shall we! These Sydney day trips are ideal for people who don’t have much time and want to quickly get out into nature without any extended travel time.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (30 minutes)

Like many of the national parks around Sydney, the Gai Chase National park is rich with Aboriginal Heritage and offers some spectacular views over the coast. As one of the short day trips from Sydney, you could probably pair this with Palm Beach while you’re over that way.

You can drive almost all the way to the end of this peninsula if you want to see the views from West Head Lookout, or, park up at one of the car parks along the way to explore the sprawling tracks through the woodlands. It’s a bit of a theme here on Officer Travels but, during the winter months this is a great spot for seeing Whales pass on their migration, so keep your eyes out for that!

A couple of other things to do while you’re here include the Basin and Mackarel Tracks which wind down to a couple of beaches which are otherwise only accessible by ferry from Palm Beach. These tracks are drivable with 4wds or can be walked. 

Don’t miss the Basin Boonga art site which is located just before the trailhead for the Mackarel and Basin track! The carvings and paintings that you can see here are a significant part of Aboriginal cultural heritage in this area.

Royal National Park (40 minutes)

Under an hour from Sydney’s CBD, this national park is a balanced mix of everything. Beaches, coastal and bushland walks, it’s ideal for couples and families alike and an absolute must while you’re in the area.

Whale watching From The Coastal walk

If you’re wanting a long walk with some great views the RNP coastal walk is perfect. There are several starting points depending on your fitness and how long you want to walk for. 

This track starts at Bundeena and will take you all the way to Otford.

Covering 26 km in total it’s recommended to spread it out over 2 days, however, we found the Bundeena to Wattamolla Beach section of the coastal walk a perfect choice for a day trip from Sydney.

Not only does it throw you some amazing scenery but it’s a great viewpoint for migrating whales too.

For perfect whale spotting between June and November, head to Providence Point Lookout near Wattamolla Beach. Read more about the how to find Whales near here

The track is a bit steep in places and currently graded a 5 (learn more about the grading system here) which means they’re recommended for experienced walkers.

If you’re just doing a section of the track as we did, plan your route beforehand, know your limits and you should be ok.

They’re in the process of adding a boardwalk to sections of the walk to make it easier for the less experienced.

Beach Day or Aboriginal Historic Walk

If you simply want a day trip away from Sydney that involves relaxing by the beach or indulging in a bit of aboriginal history, then Bundeena Beach is where you need to be.

I know Sydney has its fair share of amazing beaches too but Bundeena feels so far removed from the city that it makes a nice change, it also isn’t full of other tourists.

Catch a nice sunrise here or head up the coastal Jibbon loop track and explore the aboriginal caves and carvings.

The Jibbon Track leads on to the Coastal Trail so be aware of the turn-offs and keep track of information boards so that you don’t lose the loop.

From Bundeena you can also venture over to wedding cake rock, a unique cliff face that is popular with visitors. So much so they have had to erect fences to prevent people straying too close to the crumbling edges. So be careful.

Due to its close proximity to airfields and helipads drones are not permitted within the Royal National Park so best to just leave them at home. Dogs are also not permitted inside RNP so this, unfortunately, one that fido will have to miss out on.

The Blue Mountains (60+ minutes)

The Blue Mountains are probably one of the most popular day trips from Sydney due to how easily it is to get there by both car, bus and train.

You can either drive 1-2 hours, depending on which part you choose to visit, or wait until the weekend when you can travel for the entire day for less than $10.

Getting to the Blue Mountains as a train day trip from Sydney is super easy! All you need to do is get the train from Central station to Katoomba where you can either walk or catch the buses to each location.

Something to remember; Weekends are the most convenient day for most people, which makes it the busiest day too.

Katoomba + The Three Sisters

You’ll probably have seen photos, they’re the first stop recommended when you search for the Blue Mountains, so you won’t be surprised that it’s one of the most popular places near Sydney; bear this in mind when planning your visit.

The walk from town isn’t too far, but there are also buses running frequently from the station. Once there, don’t stick to the overly tourist lookout point, explore the tracks or head to Eagle Lookout for a slightly less crowded view of the three sisters.

Wentworth Falls

We walked from Katoomba to the falls but there is parking or buses available if you prefer.

Depending on how much rainfall they’ve had, this track offers some spectacular waterfalls and there’s always good views to be had from here.

It does get busy depending on the day and time of year but when we went in the middle of summer it wasn’t too bad.

Black Heath + Hanging Rock

Out of all the spots in the Blue Mountains, we would say skip the three sisters and head to hanging rock.

Not only is it less touristy (no fences, no coach parking, no crowds) but we also think it has the best views.

While the lookout point does have parking, it is still down a slight dirt track but doable in a 2WD. The walk takes 50 minutes each way following a clear path.

You’ll reach Baltzer lookout first, this is where the official track ends and things get a little ‘risky’. Climb your way up the mildly steep track to find yourself on top of the world. Literally.

This lookout isn’t fenced, it isn’t smoothed out for easy viewing, it’s raw mountain cliffs and the views are breathtaking.

If you want to push your day trip into a rock climbing adventure, head to the left of Baltzer lookout and find what looks like a steep rocky landslide.

Believe it or not, down there is where you’ll find the perfect view point for hanging rock. Be careful. While it isn’t near the edge, it isn’t solid rock in some places and I lost my footing a time or two. Once on solid ground again take in the views and breathe a sigh of relief that you made it down in one piece. I hope there’s slightly less wind than when we were there!!

Palm Beach (50 minutes)

For those of you who watch ‘Home and Away’ (an Aussie soap opera, also aired in the UK, for those of you who don’t know) Palm beach should be at the top of your list of unusual day trips from Sydney.

Why? Because Palm Beach, in the North of Sydney, is home to the film location of this popular TV show.

It’s only 1 hour drive from Sydney, and if you’re lucky, you might even get the chance to meet some of the stars as this is still a live set where they film on a weekly basis (outside of the weekends)

Once you’ve soaked up the recognisable coastline, if you still fancy a walk then the lighthouse route is beautiful, if only a little tiring.

There are two routes from the beach, a quick way that’s steep with lots of steps or the long way that’s a winding path but not too steep. Each route will take you less than 45 minutes and the view from the top is 100% worth the chest pains.

It’s a fairly easy drive to Palm Beach making it one of the best day trips from Sydney by car, or, it’s a good option if you’re looking for day trips by bus. Hop on the B-Line (City Wynyard to Mona Vale bus) from Wynyard Station to Warriewood. This will take around 40 minutes and cost you under $5 one way.

If you have an opal card (which you should, if you’re in Sydney for any amount of time) you can track prices and routes on this website.

Long Jetty (1 hour 20 minutes)

Long Jetty is a unique little town on the Central Coast that we discovered while driving from Sydney to Brisbane, but it’d make a great day trip too!

This little town is a photographer’s dream as its lake consists of, you guessed it, Long Jetties.

In total, there are 3 historical long jetties that jut out from the beach: Parry’s, Watkins and the original ‘long jetty’ from which the town gets its name. 

Each one has its own history but ‘long jetty’ is the main attraction. At 351m long, it’s the longest jetty in New South Wales and was built in 1915.

Aside from the infamous long jetties, the streets in town are lined with vintage stores and trendy cafes which offer a more shaded place to stroll if you’re there for the day.

A day trip from Sydney by train is possible but it will cost you around $15 one way. Getting the train at central station towards Newcastle, you’ll hop off at Tuggerah Station and transfer to a bus that takes you the rest of the way to Long Jetty. This will take around 2.5 hours. We personally don’t think it’s worth it by train, but it’s an option.

Other Things To Do In Long Jetty

Around Lake Tuggerah is a 12km return cycle track to Chittaway Bay and back, or you can head in the other direction to a small town called The Entrance.

Bike hire is available at the innovation centre, or you could hire paddleboards and head out on to the water!

Pelican feeding takes place along here too by the rescue team, but it can get quite busy.

Watagans State Forest Abandoned Plane (1 hour 40 minute)

This state forest is just one hour inland from Newcastle and it’s perhaps the most unusual day trip from Sydney that you could do.

The abandoned plane at Watagans state forest isn’t overly well known, it isn’t signposted at the park, there are no official tracks to it and it appears on very few itineraries. It’s one of the rare true hidden gems near Sydney.

We stumbled across it thanks to the Wiki Camps app (I’ll link to its pin here to help you find it). The track up to the nearby car park is so steep we actually ended up parking in a pullover and walking for 20 minutes to reach it, but it was worth it.

Other Things To Do In Watagans State Forest

With over 40 aboriginal sites that have historical engravings and stories attached to them, there’s plenty to do to help you make the day of it.

There are also plenty of walking tracks and lookouts, including one track that goes to creek falls which looks beautiful after heavy rain.

Day Trips Over 2 Hour From Sydney (under 3 hours)

If you’re happy to travel a little bit further from the city for a day trip, here are a couple of options that are 2 hours from Sydney but under 3 hours.

A couple of these really do warrant a few days of their own, and could be done as part of a road trip to your next big city but if you’re flying in and out of Sydney, a day is ok.

Wollongong (2 hours)

I think Wollongong is often overlooked by tourists in Sydney, and I’m not sure why! It has a really nice atmosphere here and often feels quieter than Sydney while still holding on to a coastal city charm.

One of the best things to do while here, and one of the things that made it rank as one of the most unusual day trips from Sydney, is a trip to Nan Tien Temple which is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. It’s free to visit, or you can sign up to one of their many classes and retreats.

Other things to do in Wollongong include Mount Keira Lookout, the botanical gardens and the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens. If you’re an adrenaline junky, this is also a popular spot for skydiving! Kangaroo Valley is also easily accessible from here if you have your own car.

Wollongong is an easy day trip by train from Sydney. From Central Station it takes around an hour and a half and will cost roughly $12 one way.

Port Stephens (2 hours 10 minutes)

Want to get your adrenaline going without jumping out of a plane? Head to Port Stephens, just 2 hours drive from Sydney, and have a go at sand dune surfing!

Just a stone’s throw from the city of Newcastle, Port Stephens is home to beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and a whole host of activities from surfing to whale watching. There’s a reason it has the tagline Incredible By Nature!

Whether you want to hike to Tomaree Head Summit, visit Gan Gan Hill Lookout, or paddle with rays and reef sharks on the coast, Port Stephens is a great place to unwind away from the city.

For those of you who love good food and wine, Port Stephens is also a great launching pad for a tour of the Hunter Valley region, a popular spot for vineyard tours and wine tasting.

While it is possible to reach Port Stephens by public transport. It takes over 4 hours, so we don’t recommend it as a day trip if you don’t have your own car. If you want to spend multiple nights here though, go for it! Hop on a train from Central Station to Newcastle, then transfer to a bus that will take you the rest of the way!

Jervis Bay (2 hours 40 minutes)

Jervis Bay is a spectacular safe-swimming cove that is really popular with Aussies and tourists either visiting as a day trip, or as part of their road trip from Melbourne to Sydney.

If you’re in Sydney between November and March, Murrays beach in Booderee National Park is a great place to see Fairy Penguins either from the beach or during a wildlife cruise where you’ll also spot dolphins. If you’re travelling later in the year, you could also spot whales!

A visit to Plantation Point after sunset will reveal why this area really is magical… Bioluminescence! Tie it in with the beautiful white sands coastline, it’s a landscape photographer’s dream!

Like with all nature, it isn’t a guaranteed thing, but it’d be cool if you did get a chance to see it! You can learn more about the Bioluminescence at Jarvis Bay here!

Glow worm tunnel (2 hours 40 minutes)

Not too far from the Blue Mountains you’ll find a great opportunity for seeing glow worms in the wild.

Endemic to Australia and New Zealand, you really have to know where to look in order to see them for free out in the wild.

This track is well maintained and easily accessible for most people, and much less slippery under foot than other glow worm caves we’ve visited in each country.

The walk is around 3 hours return, and thankfully you don’t need to walk too far into the cave before you start to see the glow worms.

Remember, they only glow in the dark so switch all torches off and let your eyes adjust. Do not touch the walls or blow on them, their environment is finely balanced to keep them alive.

If you’re heading to Brisbane after Sydney and want to see more glow worms, checkout this post!

Jenolan Caves (2 hours 50 minutes)

While the Jenolan Caves ideally deserve a couple of days to really explore the area, they shouldn’t be missed. So if you’re short on time they’re the perfect candidate for a day trip from Sydney!

The Jenolan caves offer a unique look into how our earth was transformed into what we see today. They’re the world’s oldest caves, and Australia’s longest cave tunnels.

Complete with crystal clear lakes where you can see platypus, bush walks and the opportunity to explore the underground labyrinths, we don’t know anyone who wouldn’t enjoy it here.

What To Pack For These Day Trips From Sydney

As always, plenty of water is right at the top! Even when it isn’t super hot, they involve a lot of walking! So it’s best to stay hydrated.

Comfy shoes, a lot of these trips from Sydney involve steep walks or plenty of steps. Take it from someone who’s done them in flip-flops (or thongs if you’re Aussie…) it isn’t fun. Especially when the track turns to HOT sand.

Layers, it might be a sunny day but once you hit the cliffs or mountain ranges on some of these trips it can be windy and cold! Be prepared to layer up to avoid cutting your trip short because you’re cold!

If you’re only in the city for a short time and only have time for one of these places to visit outside Sydney, it’s a hard choice but we think Sydney’s Royal National Park has a lot to offer for those on a short time budget… especially if you’re here in whale season!

I think it’s safe to say that there are plenty of unusual day trips from Sydney that regardless of the time of year, you’re going to find something unforgettable to do. Have you been to any of these? What did you think? Join our Australia Facebook Group and let us know!

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