Sydney is the largest city in Australia and has a lot to offer its visitors. However, there are many other wonderful places that can be visited by car as day trips from Sydney. The Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Canberra are some of the most popular destinations for those who want to explore beyond Sydney.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It’s located on Australia’s east coast, making it a natural choice for travelers who want to explore beyond Sydney.
Sydney is also home to some of Australia’s most famous landmarks: The Sydney Opera House, which was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon; Bondi Beach; and Manly Beach (the latter two sites are featured below).
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, are approximately 2.5 hours west of Sydney by car. The town of Katoomba is home to many attractions including Scenic World (Australia’s largest tourist attraction), Echo Point lookout and Jenolan Caves. There are also several hiking trails such as Lissner Gardens that offer spectacular views from high above the tree line.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try abseiling down Narrow Neck Plateau for an amazing view over Mount Solitary with its lush green vegetation below your feet! You can also visit Featherdale Wildlife Park which features an array of native Australian animals including koalas; kangaroos; dingoes; crocodiles plus many more!
The Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is a region in New South Wales, Australia. It is known for its wine and its picturesque landscape. The area has most of Australia’s oldest wineries, dating back to the early 19th century.
The drive from Sydney to the Hunter Valley takes about 2 hours by car or train (if you’re feeling adventurous), so it makes for an easy day trip or weekend getaway destination if you’re looking for some fresh air and relaxation outside of the city center.
Wollongong
Wollongong is a coastal city in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 80 kilometres south of Sydney. Wollongong had an estimated urban population of 295,842 at June 2018 making it Australia’s 4th largest city outside Sydney after Newcastle (Newcastle), Gold Coast (Gold Coast) and Sunshine Coast (Noosa).
The Wollongong metropolitan area extends from Helensburgh in the north to Kiama in the south; its population was 433,211 as at June 2018 making it Australia’s 6th largest metropolitan area after Melbourne–Geelong Region–Warrnambool Region–South West Slopes Region (Mildura), Adelaide–Margaret River Region (Busselton), Perth-Mandurah Region–Peel Region (Perth), Brisbane Greater Capital City Statistical Area
Jervis Bay National Park
Jervis Bay is a great place to visit. It’s beautiful, and it’s close to Sydney car hire. There are many things to do there, like swimming or surfing in the ocean and hiking through the rainforest. You can stay in one of the many resorts that surround Jervis Bay National Park or camp at one of their many campsites. And if you get hungry while exploring this amazing part of New South Wales (NSW), there are plenty of places where you can eat!
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia and a great place to visit if you’re interested in politics, culture and nature. The city has many museums and galleries that showcase its rich history as well as some beautiful parks and gardens. If you want to explore beyond Sydney, Canberra should be on your list of day trips by rental car!
- Parliament House: This building serves as both home base for Australia’s political leaders (the Prime Minister) as well as being open for tours by the public. There are guided tours available during certain times throughout the year but these must be booked months in advance due to their popularity among visitors who come from all over the world just see where their elected officials work each day! You’ll also see lots of interesting artwork inside too–some created by children who participated in an art contest held here once upon a time…
- National Gallery: This museum houses over 100 paintings from artists such as Vincent Van Gogh or Claude Monet (who painted “Water Lilies” while living with his family outside Paris). You can also learn more about Aboriginal culture through exhibits containing artifacts created thousands years ago! It’s truly fascinating stuff!
There are great day trips to be enjoyed outside of Sydney.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next getaway, here are some of the best day trips from Sydney.
- Blue Mountains National Park: This national park is famous for its striking gorges, waterfalls and beautiful blue haze. Located only two hours west of the city center by car or train, it’s an easy place to explore with family or friends–plus there are plenty of places to stay in Lithgow if you want to spend more time there!
- Hunter Valley Wineries: The Hunter Valley is home to some of Australia’s best wineries (and some say one of the best wine regions in all of Australia). Try visiting a few different ones during your visit so that you can really sample their different styles–from sparkling wines made using Champagne methods all the way down through fortified dessert wines made from local fruit like cherries and apples.”
Conclusion
Sydney is a great city to explore and there are many day trips that can be enjoyed outside of it. The Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Wollongong and Canberra are just some of the places that are within driving distance from Sydney. If you’re looking for something different while on holiday in Australia then these destinations might be what you’re after!
