Located on the coast and surrounded on all sides by national park, Sydney is perfectly positioned for adventure.
Over the years, I’ve taken countless day trips from Sydney — sometimes taking the car for a leisurely drive along coastal roads, and sometimes hopping on a train to reach a hiking trail through ancient forest.
Every time I venture out, I’m amazed by the variety of landscapes that are within easy reach. In just a few hours, you can find yourself gazing over mountain valleys, sipping wine among the vines, cruising with dolphins, or walking barefoot on the whitest sand in the world.
I’ve put together this list of things to do near Sydney that show off the very best destinations for locals looking for a weekend escape or visitors short on time. Here are my top picks for the best Sydney day trips, complete with personal tips and recommended tours that will make exploring easy!
Quick summary:
From mountain lookouts to coastal drives, these are the best day trips from Sydney. Explore the Blue Mountains, Grand Pacific Drive, the Hunter Valley, spot wildlife in Port Stephens, visit Canberra’s landmarks, or unwind on the white sands of Jervis Bay.
Recommended tours:
🌄 Blue Mountains with Scenic World & Wildlife Park – Visit the Three Sisters, ride the Scenic World cableway, and see Aussie wildlife at Featherdale.
🍷 Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour – Combine wine tasting and native wildlife encounters on a small-group day trip through the Hunter Valley.
🐬 Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise & Sandboarding – Spot dolphins, visit a koala sanctuary, and go sandboarding on the giant dunes.
🚌 Sea Cliff Bridge, Waterfalls & Wineries Tour – Drive the Grand Pacific coast, walk the iconic bridge, and enjoy rainforest views and wine tasting.
🐚 Jervis Bay Dolphin Watching Cruise Day Tour – Cruise the turquoise bay, relax on Hyams Beach, and visit nearby coastal lookouts.
🏛️ Canberra Day Tour from Sydney – Visit Parliament House, the National Museum, and the Australian War Memorial.
The best day trips from Sydney:
Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney
Just a 2-hour train ride or a 90-minute drive from the city, the Blue Mountains are Sydney’s ultimate escape into nature. I’ve been to this region multiple times, and it never fails to impress — even on a day when the weather isn’t perfect (though a clear day does help with the scenic views).
The town of Katoomba makes a great base for exploring. You can ride the Scenic World cableway for sweeping views of the Three Sisters, tackle a bushwalk around Wentworth Falls, or watch the sunset at Lincoln’s Rock, one of my favourite lookout spots.
👉 Read more: How to visit the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney
If you don’t want to deal with transport or park fees, a guided Blue Mountains tour is the most stress-free way to go. Many include hotel pickup, wildlife encounters, and stops at top lookouts.
🌄 Recommended tour: Blue Mountains Day Trip with Scenic World & Wildlife Park — includes all the highlights plus a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Hunter Valley day trip from Sydney
The Hunter Valley is the ultimate day trip for food and wine lovers, and it’s only 2 hours north of Sydney. My husband and I first visited the region years ago for a wedding, but when we returned a few years later to explore properly, we finally understood what makes it so special. Endless vineyards and gourmet produce make the Hunter Valley a relaxed countryside escape.
👉 Read more: How to visit the Hunter Valley from Sydney: Best wine tours & where to stay
If you’re planning a day trip, I’d suggest skipping the stress of driving and joining a tour with wine tasting included. You’ll see kangaroos and koalas at a local wildlife park before stopping at a few boutique wineries to sample award-winning wines and cheeses, with the option to add a winery lunch for the full experience.
🚐 Recommended tour: Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour — combines wine tastings, native wildlife encounters, and scenic countryside views on a relaxed small-group day trip from Sydney.
Port Stephens day trip from Sydney
About 2.5 hours north of Sydney is Port Stephens — a coastal paradise that perfectly blends relaxation, wildlife, and a touch of adventure. I visited the area a few years ago and joined a dolphin watching cruise on the calm turquoise waters of Nelson Bay. Watching pods of playful bottlenose dolphins dart alongside the boat and surf through the waves is a truly delightful experience.
The region is also home to beautiful beaches, scenic lookouts, and the Stockton Sand Dunes, which stretch for over 30 kilometres along the coast. These golden dunes are the largest mobile sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, and you can actually go sandboarding right down them!
If you’re visiting from Sydney, the easiest way to experience it all in one go is to join a guided day tour. The one below combines a dolphin watching cruise and a visit to a koala sanctuary with a sandboarding adventure on the dunes.
🐬 Recommended tour: Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise & Sandboarding Day Trip — includes dolphin cruise, koala sanctuary visit, 4WD sandboarding adventure, lunch, and return transfers from Sydney.
Sea Cliff Bridge & Grand Pacific Drive day trip from Sydney
The Sea Cliff Bridge is one of those spots that looks like it’s been lifted straight out of a travel brochure — and honestly, it’s just as cool in real life. I’ve driven over this curvy coastal bridge a few times now, and the views of the Pacific Ocean are unbeatable!
The best way to experience the bridge is as part of the Grand Pacific Drive, which runs from Royal National Park down to Wollongong. Stop at Stanwell Tops Lookout for panoramic coastal views, and if you’re up for wildlife encounters, pop into Symbio Wildlife Park in nearby Helensburgh to see koalas and kangaroos up close.
👉 Read more: How to visit the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge from Sydney
If you prefer not to drive, a guided day tour from Sydney will take you to scenic viewpoints along Grand Pacific Drive, plus you’ll venture inland to see temperate rainforest, sandstone gorges and towering waterfalls.
🚌 Recommended tour: Sea Cliff Bridge, Waterfalls & Wineries Tour — a small-group day trip featuring coastal viewpoints, rainforest walks, and wine tasting.
Jervis Bay day trip from Sydney
Down on the NSW South Coast, about 3-hours drive from Sydney, you’ll find Jervis Bay — a slice of paradise famous for its powdery white beaches, turquoise water, and friendly resident dolphins.
When I visited this area for the first time a few years ago, I was completely blown away by how pristine and peaceful it is. The sand is so bright it almost squeaks underfoot, and the water is the kind of clear blue that makes you want to dip your feet in.
The bay’s star attraction is Hyams Beach, which holds the Guinness World Record for the whitest sand in the world (and yes, it’s every bit as stunning as the photos suggest). The White Sands Walk connects several beaches and offers plenty of opportunities to spot dolphins gliding offshore or kangaroos lounging by the dunes.
👉 Read more: How to visit Jervis Bay from Sydney
If you’re planning a day trip from Sydney, joining a guided tour is the most relaxed way to take it all in. This full-day trip includes a dolphin-watching cruise around the bay, stops at local beaches like Hyams Beach, and time in the seaside village of Huskisson for lunch.
🐚 Recommended tour: Jervis Bay Day Tour and Dolphin Watching Cruise — includes transport from Sydney, dolphin cruise, beach visits, and guided stops in Huskisson and Booderee National Park.
Canberra day trip from Sydney
If you’ve ever wondered what Australia’s capital city is like, a day trip to Canberra from Sydney is worth the journey. It’s about 3-hours drive each way, so it makes for a full day — but between the architecture, museums, and cultural landmarks, there’s plenty to make it worthwhile.
I’ve visited Canberra a few times now, and I really love it. Despite being the political heart of the country, the city has a relaxed, spacious feel, with scenic views of Lake Burley Griffin and plenty of parklands to wander. And if you happen to visit in spring, you’ll get to see Floriade, the city’s famous flower festival that paints the parks in a sea of colourful blooms.
👉 Read more: A guide to visiting Canberra, Australia’s capital city
If you only have one day to see the capital, a guided Canberra tour is a great option as it packs in the best of the city without you needing to plan a thing.
🏛️ Recommended tour: Canberra Day Tour from Sydney — includes Parliament House entry, museum visit, War Memorial stop, and guided sightseeing around Australia’s capital.
This full-day trip from Sydney includes a tour of Parliament House, free time at the National Museum of Australia, and a stop at the Australian War Memorial to reflect on the country’s history. You’ll also take in the panoramic vista from Mount Ainslie Lookout (my favourite view of Canberra!).
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