This page of Sydney Getaways is required reading if you are you planning a weekend outside city? Want to add a short break away to add another dimension to your Sydney holiday? Need a staycation? With so many options with 2-3 hours from the centre of Sydney you could quite easily do something different every weekend for a year.

As often as we can, we leave the city to explore the rest of NSW and sometimes further afield. When we do, we share our best experiences here. 

We have divided this content into regions, north, south, west and of course the famous Blue Mountains, so what are you waiting for, make a coffee, get a pen and start planning!

We begin with the places closest to Sydney for when you just want a quick escape with only 90 minutes behind the wheel!

Head north over the Harbour Bridge and within 30 minutes, you are greeted by the green expanse of stunning Ku-ring-gai Chase and Brisbane Waters National Parks. Key spots in the holiday playground north of Sydney include: The Hawkesbury River, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, the beautiful beaches of Newcastle, and the adventure hot spot, Port Stephens.

Head south of the city and the first thing you hit is Australia’s oldest national park and the beginning of some of the prettiest coastal areas in the state. In under 2 hours, you will find Illawarra gems like Wollongong, Kiama and Gerringong. 

Another hour down the road and you come to the Shoalhaven and believe me that extra hour in the car is well worth your time!  Here you will find:  Jervis Bay with its white sand beaches, Mollymook and Milton and family favourite Batemans Bay with Mogo Zoo.

Country NSW might only be a few hours’ drive from Sydney, but you will soon feel worlds away. There is plenty to be discovered in the towns that fringe the capital from the gorgeous waterfalls and walking tracks of the southern highlands to the fabulous food and wine of Mudgee and the Hunter Valley.

Historic towns like Berrima, Bowral and surrounding villages in the south to the historic towns of Wollombi, Maitland and Morpeth in the north. If you head west over the Blue Mountains, you come to Lithgow, Mudgee, Bathurst, and Orange.

Head west out of the city and before you know it you have reached the UNESCO World Heritage wonderland of the Blue Mountains. While most visitors spend a day here a weekend or more is an excellent idea.

Explore more of NSW over on our Australia Your Way website.