Explore in and around Sydney
Whether you are a resident, a tourist, a diver, or a non-diver you may like to see more of what the beautiful city of Sydney has to offer. Or you might simply want to explore further afield and plan some epic weekends away from Sydney.
This page includes a few tips on how to keep entertained in Sydney and in the surrounding towns. |
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Best day trips in Sydney
SPIT TO MANLY WALK: This is one of the prettiest walks in Sydney. Start from the north side of the Spit Bridge and follow the coastal track all the way to Manly. To start the walk you can follow down the looped path that starts on the eastern side of the road at Spit Bridge and leads under the bridge. From here you walk to Manly and pass some stunning beaches and coves and bushland with incredible vistas over the harbour. Ending at Manly you can finish for some well deserved drinks. If you have enough energy you could go to Shelly Beach and have a nice sheltered swim too.
MANLY: If you would prefer to spend the day in Manly without all the walking then there are fantastic options for surfing or snorkelling. You could just chill at the beach, body board, grab food and coffee, or head south from Manly Beach and walk round to Fairy Bower and Shelly Beach. Its good there – you might see some wobbegong sharks, rays and big blue gropers if you go snorkelling here. |
CENTENNIAL PARK: This is a beautiful park which has a huge population of birds. You can hire bicycles and explore the area, or just walk around. The trees are incredible. Make sure you are there for sunset so that you can see the bat exodus as approximately 40,000 mega-bats head out from the centre of the
park and go to feast at various locations across Sydney overnight. It is one of the most superb sightings in Sydney if you like wildlife. Another nice option in the summer months is to watch a movie in the park with Moonlight Cinema. |
Best of Surrounding Sydney (~1hr from city)
KU RING GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK: Take the car and drive out to Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park, specifically the West Head Lookout. Check out the stunning views. Head out on the walking track towards West Head Beach and Resolute Beach. Great bush walking and opportunities for swimming. Keep your eyes open for the goannas too!.
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BLUE MOUNTAINS: Get up early and drive to the Blue Mountains for a day of more hiking. If you just want to drive up and see the views without walking then head to Sublime Point Lookout on the way to Blackheath for Pulpit Rock Lookout, Govett’s Leap, Evans Lookout, and head to Katoomba for The Three
Sisters and go on the Scenic Railway. If you are keen on walking try out my favourite ones at the Wentworth Falls National Pass walk, or the Grand Canyon Walking trail. There are sooooooo many trails you will not be able to finish them in one day, one weekend, one week or even one month - so every trip to the Blue Mountains will include another adventure! |
NORTHERN BEACHES: Drive up to Palm Beach and slowly make your way down to stop at all the beaches on the way back towards Sydney. If you enjoy walking head up to the lighthouse at Palm Beach. Enjoy the orange sand beaches along Palm Beach, Avalon Beach, Whale Beach, Newport Beach and Narrabeen beach.
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CENTRAL COAST: The Central Coast is north of Sydney by about 1hr30. We love the Strickland State Forest for walking – it feels like you are miles away from civilisation (plus we can take our dogs). Check out the Pelican feeding area near Terrigal. Head to Umina Beach / Avoca Beach and enjoy. Easily done within a day.
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Best of New South Wales (~3hrs from city)
HUNTER VALLEY: Drive to Hunter Valley. Ideally stay overnight and book on a wine tasting tour (Two Fat Blokes was a good one we went on). Along the way, you could stop at Featherdale wildlife park and play with the Koalas and Kangaroos. Arrive at Hunter Valley and do some wine tasting. Polkobin has amazing options! You could maybe take a hot air balloon ride too?
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NELSON BAY: Just 2hrs40mins out of Sydney is the amazing Port Stephens Nelson Bay area. I definitely would recommend staying for 2-4 nights.
I highly recommend:
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NAROOMA: A fairly long drive (5hrs) but TOTALLY worth it. It’s the best! A huge population of seals live here and you can see them at Australia Rock, or snorkel with them – its incredible. Check out naroomacharters.com and let Norm and his crew treat you to a magnificant day out on the boat where you can snorkel of dive with hundreds of seals. Check out Potato Point (Beachcombers), with a HUGE population of kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, emus and echidnas. It’s the best. I would recommend staying at Beachcombers Beach Park as you will be surrounded by wildlife. Try out the cheese and ice cream in Bodalla at the Dairy.
Head to the stunning Mystery Bay area for stunning rock formations. Head to Tilba Valley Winery for a lovely lunch and wine session! I would recommend staying 2-3 nights or longer. |
KANGAROO VALLEY: One of my favourite places! Highly recommend to here for 2 nights. Highly recommend booking a property with a view in Cambewarra. Go for a walk at Fitzroy Falls. Check out Bendeela Picnic Area and Camping Ground where you will see loads of Wombats from 6.30pm onwards.
Take a drive to the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre for some stunning walks. |
SOUTH WEST ROCKS: I love this place and cannot get enough of it. The people are super friendly, there are plenty of options for eating, and the beaches are incredible. Little Bay is my favourite beach with the resident kangaroos that sometimes come down to the sand. The diving at Fish Rock is incredible with a cave (technically a swim-through) and loads of sharks, rays and turtles. If you are keen to dive check out South West Rocks Dive Centre or Fish Rock Dive Centre. Also make sure you go on the lighthouse walk and visit the Trial Bay Gaol.
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JERVIS BAY: This is a stunning and super relaxing area. With white sand, dolphins in the bay, bright blue water, and nice people Jervis Bay is a great place to stay for 2-3 nights or more. Recommend staying in Vincentia. Head to St George’s Basin golf area to watch the resident kangaroos relaxing on the lawns. Take a dolphin watching tour to see the resident dolphins. Go on the coastal walk and visit the white sand beaches – its stunning. The water is protected so it is very easy to go swimming here.
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