Wonderful Day Trips from Sydney

As a Sydneysider who dreams of returning, I was able to take several day trips from Sydney. These trips were a great way to see the local area and I wouldn’t have enjoyed my time in Australia without them.

Day trips to Sydney allowed me to see beautiful national parks, charming villages and other sights. These places were a great place to discover hiking and beautiful sunsets. I can’t wait to return to each location.

But I didn’t get to see all of my destinations so fellow travelers shared their knowledge. This list includes all the top destinations within 3 hours of Sydney’s Central Business District.

Manly

30 minutes north from Sydney Central Business District

Manly is a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, Sydney CBD. However, Manly feels like it’s far away from Sydney due to its sandy beaches and oceanside feel. Manly is a great option for a sydney day tours without requiring a car.

Manly is all about the beach and the sea. Take a walk along the coast to find the best place to learn how to surf. You can snorkel by walking east along the beachside path to Shelley Beach. A kayak is also an option to explore the area.

• Clear View Kayak Rental (4 hours)

Instead, head west and you’ll find the Manly Wormhole. This hidden tunnel in the cliff leads you to stunning sea views.

The famous Steyne Pub on the Seafront is a great place to grab a bite when you’re hungry. Hugo’s on Manly Wharf offers something more special.

Enjoy a haunted ghost tour at North Head, a historic Quarantine Station high up on the cliffs overlooking Sydney. What to Expect from a Q Station Ghost Tour

Get there by ferry from Circular Quay. You can choose from either the Manly Fast Ferry, which will take you there in just 20 minutes, or the slower but less expensive Sydney Ferries service.

Where to Stay in Manly. Where to Stay: The Q Station hotel is a great place to stay if you’re looking to extend your stay. These rooms are in buildings that used to be the Quarantine Station. The Quest Manly is a great option. These rooms are in apartments and offer stunning views of the sea.

Royal National Park

50 minutes from Sydney CBD

The Royal National Park is a great day trip from Sydney. The Park is located south of Sydney and easily accessible. It offers stunning beaches, rainforests and coastal bushlands.

The Royal National Park in Sydney is great for hiking, biking, surfing and whale watching during the annual migration of whales from May through October. You can explore stunning coastlines and scenic walking trails.

Audley is one of the most popular picnic spots in the Royal National Park. You can relax under a gum tree and enjoy a picnic, or paddle up the river in your hired canoe to find secluded swimming spots.

Bundeena has a beautiful beach and a cafe. You can relax on the sand, or take to the Coastal Walking Track. You can visit the Jibbon Head aboriginal rock carvings or hike up to Eagle Head Rock, Wedding Cake Rock or Curracurrong Falls. This waterfall plunges directly into the ocean from the high cliffs.

Garie Beach is a great spot for surfing. This stretch of sand faces the open ocean, and it has a consistent swell. A beautiful spot with swimming facilities for the whole family is located near Wattamolla. The inlet has a picnic area and children can safely swim and paddle in it.

How to get there: While driving into the Royal National Park is the easiest way to get there, you don’t necessarily need to have a car in order to enjoy it. You can take a train from Sydney Central up to Cronulla. You can take the ferry over to Bundeena and then a shuttle bus will transport you from Bundeena to the most visited places in the Park. The Royal National Park is a great place to visit if you are looking for the best things in Sydney. It’s a popular day trip from Sydney, and is worth the effort.

Where to stay near Royal National Park: Stay in comfort in Cronulla at Rydges Cronulla Beachside or Quest Cronulla Beach.

Palm Beach

1 hour north Sydney

Palm Beach, located about an hour north of Sydney, is a lovely seaside resort. It’s great for surfing and other watersports. The beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and many attractions.

It is situated at the top of the peninsula so that you can enjoy the surf beaches, which are some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast of Australia. The side facing the Pittwater Lagoon is quieter. Although it can get crowded in summer, the beach is spacious enough to allow you to find a spot away from the crowds.

Hiking to Barrenjoy Lighthouse is one of the most popular things to do in Palm Beach. It’s located at the top of the peninsula, and offers some of the most beautiful scenery. Enjoy panoramic views of the most beautiful beaches on Australia’s east coast, and easy hiking.

Although it is steep at times, it takes only 30 minutes to complete. You don’t need to be a prodigy runner or have a lot of fitness. Barrenjoy Lighthouse makes a wonderful picnic spot and is worth the short hike.

How to get to Palm Beach – There are two options to travel to this incredible Sydney day trip destination: You can drive or take the bus. The L90 bus connects Sydney CBD to Palm Beach. It takes approximately 1:30 hours.

Book a Northern Beaches Day Trip

You can find a place to stay close to Palm Beach. If you’re traveling with a larger group, you might want to rent the Bnb in Burrendong or the Palm Beach Bed & Breakfast. The Refuge Cove is another great option for accommodation near Palm Beach.

Stanwell Tops

1 hour south Sydney

Stanwell Tops can be found just over an hour from Sydney. You can also travel by train, which will take about 1.5 hours. Stanwell Tops, a gorgeous suburb on the coast of New South Wales’ Wollongong is Australia. It is a great day trip from Sydney, as it is only a short drive away.

You will find plenty of activities in this area. However, the main attraction is Stanwell Tops Lookout. This is the best spot in the area if you go towards Lawrence Hargrave monument. You can spend hours here watching people hang-glide.

The Sea Cliff Bridge is a must-see if you’re driving down for the day. The bridge spans 665m in length. You can also park your car and walk it. The view from the summit is well worth the detour.

Scarborough Hotel is the best place to eat. It has stunning views from the cliffs and a beer garden that is undoubtedly the highlight of your trip. You may see a whale from the shore depending on when you travel there. This is the ideal place to spend a day in Sydney, with live music most afternoons. The food is also quite good.

Where to Stay in Stanwell Tops Headlands Austinmer Beach can be found near The Scarborough Hotel, if you are looking for somewhere to stay over night. These apartments are perfect for a weekend getaway at any time of year.

Blue Mountains National Park

1:30 h west Sydney

Blue Mountains, located west of Sydney, are the most popular day trip destination from Sydney. You could argue that you haven’t been to Sydney if this National Park has not been visited. The Blue Mountains are named after the blue haze that blankets the area, which is caused by the eucalyptus tree. They are a natural paradise.

You will find waterfalls such as the Wentworth Falls (187m high), cliffs, eucalyptus forest, and, in some cases, ancient rainforests. You can also visit the Railway tunnel in Lithgow if you’ve always wanted to see glowworms in caves.

You can make many day trips from Sydney to see these incredible places. There are always new things you can do in the Blue Mountains.

If you have only one day to explore the area, or if you are just starting out, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk should be your first choice. It runs from Katoomba through Leura. Echo Point Lookout offers the best views of the Three Sisters from many of the scenic overlooks along the route.

You will also pass Katoomba Falls as well as the Leura Cascades. This walk is a great combination of all that the Blue Mountains has to offer.