Sydney has plenty to offer, but sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the city and enjoy a relaxing weekend away.
Fortunately, Greater Sydney and New South Wales are home to a range of great getaway spots—some just a short drive away, others a bit further but still manageable for a weekend.
Below, we’ve listed 15 of the best weekend trip ideas, arranged from north to south.
1. Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a bit of a long drive from Sydney, but we love it so much we had to include it on this list of weekend trips.
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of New South Wales, not far from the Queensland border, Byron Bay is a popular beachside town that draws travellers year-round.
With natural attractions and charming towns in the surrounding area, it’s an ideal spot for a short break when you need to unwind.
Unsurprisingly, Byron Bay has no shortage of great beaches, and the nearby hinterland is home to some stunning sights worth exploring.
Check out our guide on top things to do in Byron Bay for a complete list of attractions and activities.
2. Waterfall Way
Waterfall Way is a 185 km scenic drive between Coffs Harbour and Armidale, passing through New England and Dorrigo national parks, with numerous impressive waterfalls, such as Dangar Falls, as the main attraction.
With so many natural sights to explore, it’s one of the most popular weekend getaways in northern New South Wales.
One full day is usually enough to see most of the highlights, but spending two days gives you time to enjoy some of the walking tracks and take in all the lookout points at a more relaxed pace.
Read our Waterfall Way guide with a complete list of all attractions to visit plus itineraries to help plan your trip.
3. Nambucca Heads
Part of the Nambucca Valley, Nambucca Heads is a popular holiday spot on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. It sits just north of the expansive Nambucca River estuary.
The town is known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque river setting, backed by a scenic hinterland of mountains, valleys, and waterways.
Top attractions and activities include the V-Wall, Rotary Lookout, Shelly Beach, and the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club.
Read our guide on top things to do in Nambucca Heads for a complete list of attractions and activities.
4. Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is a well-known coastal town on NSW’s Mid North Coast, located at the mouth of the Hastings River, around 390 km north of Sydney. It’s been a favourite weekend getaway from Sydney for many years.
Famous for its beautiful beaches and waterways, unspoilt hinterland, and near-perfect climate, Port Macquarie is a great family-friendly holiday destination.
Highlights in the area include the Koala Hospital, the Breakwall, the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, and the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk.
Read our guide on top things to do in Port Macquarie for a complete list of attractions and activities.
5. Narrabri
Located 550 km northwest of Sydney, Narrabri is a small town in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales. It’s an excellent base for outdoor enthusiasts, with several national parks in the surrounding area.
Top attractions nearby include Mount Kaputar National Park and Pilliga Forest, both offering walking tracks, lookouts, and unique natural sights.
Highlights in and around Narrabri include the Australia Telescope Compact Array, the Pilliga Sandstone Caves, and the Mount Kaputar Summit.
Read our guide on top things to do in Narrabri for a complete list of attractions and activities.
6. Hunter Valley
Located north of Sydney and west of Newcastle, the scenic Hunter Valley has been one of Australia’s major wine regions since the 19th century.
The area is home to a wide range of wineries, from international labels to smaller, family-run operations—many of which offer cellar-door tastings and tours.
But it’s not just the wine that makes the Hunter Valley a popular weekend escape from Sydney. The region also features quality day spas, walking trails, and national parks.
7. Port Stephens
Located just north of Newcastle in the Hunter Region, Port Stephens is a popular coastal destination known for its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkelling and diving spots, and a wide range of cafes and restaurants.
Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay are the main towns in the area, offering plenty of accommodation options for a relaxing long weekend.
Go stand-up paddling, join a snorkelling tour, hike to the summit of Mount Tomaree, or explore the sand dunes on a quad bike—it’s easy to fill a weekend with outdoor adventures in Port Stephens.
8. Newcastle
Newcastle might not top everyone’s list of Sydney weekend getaway destinations, but NSW’s second-most populated city has plenty to offer.
After years of transformation and redevelopment, Newcastle is now much more than just an industrial hub. The city boasts beautiful beaches, coastal walks, ocean baths, lively pubs, a vibrant city centre, and more.
One standout attraction is the Anzac Memorial Walk, a picturesque 450-metre bridge and boardwalk dedicated to the memory of World War I soldiers. Several viewing platforms along the way offer sweeping views of Newcastle and its coastline.
Read our guide on top things to do in Newcastle for a complete list of attractions and activities.
9. Orange
While New South Wales has no shortage of excellent coastal getaways, heading inland can lead to equally rewarding adventures.
One of our top inland picks is the city of Orange, located in the Central Tablelands region, about 250 km west of Sydney.
Orange is a vibrant country town known for its wineries, lively pubs, and historic buildings, all set against a backdrop of scenic countryside. There are also several bushwalking trails nearby for those keen to go hiking.
Read our guide on top things to do in Orange for a complete list of attractions and activities.
10. Lithgow
Lithgow is a historic town on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, around two hours’ drive from Sydney via the Bells Line of Road or the Great Western Highway.
With its rich industrial heritage and the surrounding national parks, Lithgow makes for an unexpectedly great weekend getaway from Sydney.
It’s also a good base for visiting nearby attractions like the Jenolan Caves, Hartley Historic Village, and the Glow Worm Tunnel.
Read our guide on top things to do in Lithgow for a complete list of attractions and activities.
11. Katoomba
With so many walking tracks, lookouts, waterfalls, and tourist attractions in the Blue Mountains, it’s easy to spend a relaxing two or three days in Sydney’s most popular national park.
One of the benefits of a longer stay is the chance to explore beyond the main sights. While the Three Sisters and Scenic World are well worth a visit, there’s much more to see and do in the Blue Mountains.
Katoomba is one of the best towns to base yourself in, thanks to its central location and easy access to popular walks and viewpoints.
From Katoomba, it’s a short drive to other well-known towns and attractions, including Wentworth Falls, Blackheath, Leura, and Mount Victoria.
12. Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley is both a small village and a picturesque valley, located within Morton National Park, about 160 km south of Sydney. It’s home to scenic walking tracks, well-known waterfalls, and other popular tourist attractions.
The Kangaroo River winds through the valley’s rainforests and countryside, crossed by the iconic Hampden Bridge, a 19th-century, single-lane Victorian suspension bridge supported by sandstone towers.
Top attractions in the area include Belmore Falls, Pigeonhouse Mountain, and Fitzroy Falls. Also worth a visit is the Pioneer Village Museum, a family-friendly outdoor display of replica pioneer-era buildings and period artefacts.
13. Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay has long been a favourite holiday spot for Sydneysiders, known for its white sandy beaches and nearby national parks.
The name refers to both a village and a large oceanic bay on the South Coast of New South Wales. The area is home to Hyams Beach, which many claim has the whitest sand in the world. Whether that’s true or not, there’s no doubt it is one of the prettiest beaches in New South Wales.
If you’re spending a weekend in the area, be sure to explore the Beecroft Peninsula in the north and Booderee National Park in the south—both offer stunning natural scenery, incredible beaches, and historic lighthouses.
Read our guide on top things to do in Jervis Bay for a complete list of attractions and activities. Read our guide on Jervis Bay camping sites and caravan parks if you’re keen to go camping in this area.
14. Canberra
There’s no denying our nation’s capital is a unique city that’s taken on a bit of a hipster edge in recent years.
Australia’s largest inland city is home to excellent cafés, quality dining spots, and some of the country’s best museums and galleries.
A must-visit is the Australian War Memorial, dedicated to the members of Australia’s armed forces and support organisations who served in wars. It also houses an impressive national military museum.
Other key attractions include the old and new Parliament Houses, Lake Burley Griffin, the National Gallery of Australia, and Questacon.
Read our guide on top things to do in Canberra for a complete list of attractions and activities.
15. Thredbo
Mount Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales is Australia’s highest point, reaching 2,228 metres above sea level.
While best known as a popular ski destination in winter, the area also draws hikers and mountain bikers during the warmer months. Several walking tracks lead to the summit of Australia’s tallest mountain, offering breathtaking views across Kosciuszko National Park.
Thredbo is perhaps the most convenient and enjoyable village to use as a base. It’s the starting point of the main trail to the summit and offers plenty of family-friendly attractions, cafés, restaurants, and shops.
