Here are the 12 best day trips from Sydney by car, including coastal towns and scenic inland getaways.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Sydney, New South Wales, several times over the last few years. Every time I go, I find myself visiting my favourite places while also exploring somewhere new. If you have an extra day in the city and want to get out, here are my recommendations for the best day trips from Sydney.

Renting a car for Sydney day trips

While you can visit some of these locations by train or bus from Sydney, I strongly recommend renting a car. Discover Cars allows you to search multiple car hire companies, compare costs, and ultimately save money. Renting a car for these Sydney day trips equals increased flexibility. For example, visiting more than one location in one day, like Berrima and Bowral or Berry and Kiama.

Best day trips from Sydney

1. Kiama

Fun fact: Kiama is my dad’s hometown, so I’ve visited the cute South Coast town several times. It’s approximately two hours south of Sydney CBD (along the glorious Grand Pacific Drive) and 30 minutes south of Wollongong. Here are my recommendations for a Kiama day trip:

• Start at the Kiama Blowhole. Here, you can see Kiama Lighthouse and go for a swim at the gorgeous rockpool.
• Walk along Black Beach and head to The Hungry Monkey for lunch. It is a popular local spot, and I can confirm the burgers are great.
• Visit The Pines Pantry next door to pick up ice cream for dessert or a takeaway afternoon treat.
• Check out the view from Pheasant Point Drive Lookout.
• Finish by visiting the boutiques along Terralong Street. I could’ve spent hours in The Collective Beat – it’s a great place to pick up a souvenir.

2. Berry

A further 20 minutes south of Kiama is the cute town of Berry. With country and coastal vibes, you get the best of both worlds. Spend the morning at Seven Mile Beach National Park before walking down the quaint main street. Milkwood Bakery has the most delicious pastries, the Berry Donut Van is an icon, and the Queen Street Cafe offers a high tea fit for a queen!

3. Kangaroo Valley

Kangaroo Valley is about 40 minutes inland from Kiama. Here are some of the best things to do in Kangaroo Valley:

• See the stunning views from Kangaroo Valley Lookout or Manning Lookout.
• Choose your adventure with Kangaroo Valley Adventure Company. There are several options, from kayaking the Kangaroo River to mountain biking and rock climbing.
• Enjoy lunch at The Friendly Inn.

4. Hunter Valley

Visiting the Hunter Valley is one of the longer day trips from Sydney. However, it’s worthwhile if you want to experience one of Australia’s best wine regions. Here are some casual dining options for lunch and the cellar doors you can choose from.

5. Palm Beach

Just over an hour’s drive from Sydney CBD, Palm Beach is the last destination of the Northern Beaches. It’s known as the stunning location of the iconic Australian TV show Home and Away. Palm Beach itself feels like it stretches forever. It’s a beautiful surf beach, but if you want a more chill beach day, head to the rockpool.

You can also walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for sweeping ocean views. For lunch, visit the Kiosk at Dunes Palm Beach for delicious focaccias, classic burgers, and fish and chips. 

6. Royal National Park

Royal National Park is about an hour’s drive south of Sydney. Australia’s oldest national park offers 15,000 hectares of rugged bushland, clifftop walks, and panoramic ocean vistas. Check out this post for the best things to do on a day trip to Royal National Park.

Take your pick of several walking tracks, the iconic Figure Eight rock pools, and beautiful beaches. There are 11, in fact, and my top picks are Wattamolla Beach and Marley Beach. The easiest way to visit Royal National Park is by car, and you must pay a small per-car entry fee.

7. Blue Mountains

Located less than two hours away, the Blue Mountains is one of the best day trips from Sydney by car. Several towns constitute the Blue Mountains, so this way you can see multiple in one trip. These are my highlights from my own Blue Mountains day trip:

• A stroll down Leura’s main street, where there’s a candy store, a book store, and a cute gift shop.
• A stroll along Katoomba’s main street with a detour to see the street art down Beverly Place.
• Visiting Scenic World, the area’s most popular tourist attraction. The views are beautiful, and riding the world’s steepest railway is fun.
• Seeing the Three Sisters in the picturesque Jamison Valley from the Queen Elizabeth Lookout.

Other places on my list I didn’t get to are Sublime Point Lookout and Lincoln’s Rock.

8. Newcastle

Newcastle is a major city north of Sydney. Combine surf and sand with street art on this Sydney day trip. The top things to do in Newcastle include:

• Enjoying the Newcastle Memorial Walk on the clifftop.
• Visiting Nobbys Beach with the family.
• Taking photos of the incredible street art.
• Stopping for lunch at {antojitos} – Newcastle West if you’re craving Mexican or Queens Wharf Hotel for affordable weekday lunch specials with a side of unparalleled water views.

9. Port Stephens

Keep going past Newcastle, and you’ll find yourself in Port Stephens. The seaside town is the best Sydney day trip if you want to spend time on or in the water. A dolphin-watching cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Port Stephens, besides snorkelling, scuba diving, and beach hopping (don’t miss the tranquil Nelson Bay Beach). Check out this unlimited sandboarding and sand dune tour if you prefer to stick to dry land. 

10. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

While this national park is a part of Sydney, it’s still a great day trip option. Here are some of the top things to do in Australia’s second-oldest national park:

• Cool down at The Basin.
• Stop at Bobbin Head, where you can fish, paddle, picnic, play on a playground, or enjoy lunch at Waterside Bistro. It is also a good starting point for several walks. 
• Alternatively, indulge at the iconic Berowra Waters Inn. It’s known for its modern Australian degustation menus with wine pairings.
• Enjoy a picnic at the Resolute Picnic Area.
• See the water views from West Head Lookout, and then hike to Resolute Beach.

11. Southern Highlands

Located approximately a 1.5-hour drive southwest of Sydney, the Southern Highlands constitutes several country towns. I’ll highlight two of the best towns below, but some of the other attractions not to be missed are Fitzroy Falls and Centennial Vineyards.

Berrima

Berrima is a charmingly historic country town. If you like architecture, you can visit several beautifully preserved historic buildings, such as the courthouse, the old jail, the Harper’s Mansion and the Surveyor General Inn. The town centre is relatively small, so you can easily park your car and stroll between these destinations.

Another reason Berrima is one of the best day trips from Sydney is that it has multiple antique shops. You might just drive back to Sydney with a carload of homewares, jewellery, and collectibles!

The Surveyor General Inn is a traditional 19th-century pub serving modern Australian fare (think elevated pub dishes). When you need to walk off your meal before hopping back in the car, take a stroll along the Wingecarribee River.

Bowral

Ten minutes down the road from Berrima is Bowral. It’s a little bigger but just as charming. Highlights here include the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame, Corbett Gardens, Bowral Art Gallery, and Dirty Janes. The latter is home to 85 unique vintage sellers if you have room after antique shopping in Berrima!

12. Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie is a 110-square-kilometre coastal saltwater lagoon nestled between Sydney and Newcastle on the Central Coast. This is an adventure lover’s paradise:

• Explore the sea caves at Caves Beach.
• Learn to surf at Blacksmiths Beach.
• Hike or bike through Wallarah National Park.
• Go for a swim at Belmont Baths.
• Let the kids have fun at Lake Macquarie Variety Playground.
• Follow the Creative Lake Sculpture Trail.

I mean it when I say the options are endless! While on the Central Coast, you might also enjoy surfing at Avoca Beach, hiking the Bouddi Coastal Walk, or visiting Norah Head Lighthouse. Make it a full day of adventures!

Best day trips from Sydney

I hope this guide to the most popular day trips from Sydney helps you plan your own adventure. As you can see, it’s clear that hiring a car is the best option when planning a Sydney day trip. It’s convenient and affordable if travelling with family or friends, and it lets you tick off multiple destinations in one day.

Before you go, here are some helpful Sydney blog posts:

• 30+ free things to do in Sydney
• Top-rated hostels in Sydney
• Fun things to do in Sydney

Thank you to Discover Cars for partnering with me on this post.