10 of the best regional towns in NSW for a weekend escape
A holiday sounds nice, sure, but who has the time these days?
Once you’ve subtracted work, school, chores and the kids’ sport from your waking hours, it can seem like there’s barely enough left over for sleep – never mind organising a week-long family holiday.
But a trip away for some rest and relaxation needn’t be a bank-breaking saga. We’ve found 10 amazing spots in NSW that are only a couple of hours from Sydney or Canberra, yet provide a genuine escape from the concrete jungle.
1. Oberon
Want a quiet weekend in alpine splendour? Leave the Blue Mountains bustle to the tourists and take a scenic road into Oberon instead.
Spring is the perfect time to visit this region, with the weather warming up and the famous Mayfield Garden bursting into full bloom.
Winter in Oberon isn’t without its charms, though – you can go on a truffle hunt (the season runs from June to August) and get warm and toasty in front of an open fire afterwards.
Whenever you choose to stay, there’s plenty of affordable motel accommodation in town or you can splash out a little more and stay at one of the numerous farm stays and retreats in the area. RedGround Cottage combines it all – it’s located on a working truffle farm, has a log fire, and is in close proximity to Mayfield Garden and Jenolan Caves (scheduled to reopen in early 2027).
2. Braidwood
Braidwood tends to be one of those towns that holidaymakers pass through on their way to the coast, and it’s a shame because it’s worth experiencing as a destination in its own right.
While it’s perhaps a little too far from Sydney for a weekend getaway – nearly three hours if you factor in a rest stop – Braidwood is only 80 minutes from Canberra, making it an ideal option for those who live in our nation’s capital.
In addition to its well-preserved historic buildings, interesting array of shops and numerous places to eat, Braidwood is central to some beautiful countryside. Unique accommodation options abound, everything from the regal splendour of The Doncaster to a tiny house on the bushy grounds of Saddle Camp (where horse-obsessed girls can also enjoy a trail ride).
3. Berry
As much a rite of passage as a town for generations of NSW road trippers (thanks primarily to its famous donut van), Berry almost collapsed under the weight of its own popularity before the Princes Highway bypass went in.
Visiting Berry now is a more serene experience (outside school holidays and long weekends, anyway) and, as with Braidwood, staying for the weekend rather than treating it as a waypoint provides a different experience.
More time to explore its streets of eateries and boutique shops is an immediate bonus, but a weekend stay is also a good opportunity to absorb Berry’s rich history and the countryside that surrounds it.
Accommodation is dotted all around the town, everything from campsites in the local showground up to rustic retreats and high-end holiday homes. Enjoy an evening meal at The Berry Hotel (with its cute little dining room and central fireplace) just as colonial travellers would have 150 years ago.
4. Caves Beach
Only about two hours from Sydney, Caves Beach blends relaxed coastal charm with convenience. Its namesake beach features rock pools, sea caves and golden sand, making it ideal for swimming, exploring or simply soaking up the spring sunshine.
Nature lovers can enjoy scenic walks and discover the area’s abundant wildlife, while families can spend quality time enjoying the beach and nearby attractions.
The Caves Beach township offers numerous cafés and restaurants and, if nothing in walking distance takes your fancy, the larger coastal hub of Swansea is just up the road. Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows is a convenient option, with a restaurant, pub and children’s play area on site, and Caves Beach just a short walk across the park.
5. Wisemans Ferry
If you want a full country weekend without travelling into the boonies, stay in Wisemans Ferry and use it as home base to explore wilder parts of the Hawkesbury region.
Driving enthusiasts will love the labyrinth of twisting riverside roads and taking the punt across Webbs Creek on St Albans Road is something everybody should experience at least once. From there the road winds north to the charming village of St Albans with its historic Settlers Arms Inn. Constructed from convict-hewn sandstone, this pub has been feeding and watering travellers for nearly 200 years and it’s still a top stop for car clubs and curious tourists.
Wisemans Ferry was a vital outpost during the construction of the Great North Road, which would ultimately expand colonial NSW. It and satellite towns such as Sackville and Ebenezer are a living trove of modern Australian heritage and a haven for history buffs. On the way home, don’t forget to snap a photo of the mighty Hawkesbury River from the eyrie provided at Hawkins Lookout.
6. Stockton
If your ideal vision of a weekend away involves invigorating activity rather than pleasant vegetation, spend a couple of days at Stockton, across the Hunter River from Newcastle.
With the NRMA’s Stockton Beach Holiday Park providing a perfect launchpad, you’ll have direct access to the seemingly endless strip of sandy coastline that stretches all the way up to Port Stephens. Expect the usual coastal activities such as fishing, swimming and surfing, plus there’s a breakwall walk with the added interest of an historic shipwreck, the Adolphe.
A little further afield is Hunter Wetlands Park, which offers numerous opportunities for scenic walks and birdwatching. The Worimi Conservation Lands are a fine place to immerse yourself in some indigenous culture. They’re also popular with quad bikers and 4WD enthusiasts, while the 30-metre-high sand dunes offer an opportunity for ‘sandboarding’.
And to top it all off, Newcastle’s growing nightlife and restaurant scene is just a five-minute ferry ride away.
7. Yass
While it’s perhaps too much of a trek from Sydney for a weekend stay, Yass is a mere hour’s drive from both Goulburn and Canberra and delivers country charm, rich history and fresh farm produce in equal measures.
Visitors with an interest in historic architecture will find a plentiful supply, as Yass was one of NSW’s earliest inland pastoral settlements. Founded in 1823, a good many of its structures are still in excellent condition and a visit to Cooma Cottage or the Yass Railway Museum makes it easy to imagine how the town must have looked 150 years ago.
Like many of its country brethren, however, Yass has shrugged off its fuddy-duddy reputation in recent years and become a magnet for entrepreneurial foodies, with venues such as the Tootsie Gallery Café and Trader & Co. providing city-grade eats and coffee along with some country culture.
The region between Yass and Young is renowned for its orchards and no matter whether you prefer cherries, apples or blueberries, you’ll find a farm gate willing to sell you whatever is in season.
8. Toowoon Bay
The NRMA is always on the lookout for hidden gems to add to its parks and resorts portfolio, and one of the latest to join the fold is Toowoon Bay. Interestingly, even though it’s further north than many of the better-known towns on the Central Coast such as Avoca Beach and Terrigal, the travel time from Sydney is similar because the route in circumvents many busier roads.
On arrival in Toowoon Bay, you’ll discover a peaceful coastal destination that combines beautiful beaches, relaxed village vibes and plenty of opportunities to unwind. The crystal-clear aquamarine waters are ideal for swimming and kayaking, while the peninsula, of which the bay is a part, invites long walks on the beach.
The holiday park has a large pool, jumping pillow and play equipment among its facilities. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there are a few places in town or The Entrance Road in nearby Long Jetty has a procession of cafés, restaurants and pubs with every type of food imaginable – and even some dog-friendly options (such as Mr Sha Shas).
9. Burrawang
This minuscule village in the Southern Highlands was established in the mid-1800s as a dairy farming town and the second building erected (after the post office) in 1873 was a pub, which remains today as The Burrawang.
In recent times, new owners began undertaking much-needed renovations on what was formerly the Burrawang Village Hotel and the refurbishment was expected to be completed in winter 2026. But unexpected complications arose and at the time of writing it remains closed. When it is operating, the pub offers accommodation on site and enviable views across the valley towards Wingecarribee Reservoir.
Alternatively, many farm properties and cottages provide places to stay in the area surrounding the town. Just a little over an hour from south-western Sydney, Burrawang makes a charming and peaceful home away from home to explore popular Southern Highlands hubs such as Bowral, Berrima and Moss Vale.
10. Jamberoo
Hear this name and it’s probably the fun park – which has operated under various monikers over the years – that comes to mind. What fewer people know is the park derives its name from a gorgeous little village set amongst nearby farmland hills.
Originally founded as a logging town for cedar wood, many of the colony’s historic buildings remain, transformed into boutique shops and cafés. Chief among these is the historic Jamberoo Pub, built in 1857 and still serving customers more than 150 years later.
With the forests in this region now protected, Jamberoo is a superb place to get in touch with nature – head to the nearby Minnamurra Rainforest Centre and do the Rainforest Loop Walk for a chance to spot lyrebirds and maybe even a platypus. If you’re a motoring enthusiast, the roads between Jamberoo and Robertson are a driver’s delight.
Motel rooms, luxury cottages, resorts and glamping sites service the Jamberoo region, or you could flex your My NRMA Rewards app and get a discount on a stay at NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park, just 15 minutes’ drive from the Jamberoo township.
