Top five weekend getaways from Sydney
1. The Central Coast
Sydney’s much-improved motorway system has made the Central Coast a less daunting and more appealing weekend destination for Sydneysiders, especially those who live in the south and west. Its unique geography (hilly bushland, large lakes and long stretches of coast) plus its long history as a holiday destination mean it’s impossible to explore everything in a couple of days, but below are some highlights.
If you like native Australian animals and want to see them roaming free, Walkabout Wildlife Park is the place to go. On its fox-proof 80-hectare sanctuary you’ll encounter koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes, echidnas, cockatoos and much more. Walkabout Wildlife Park was also heritage listed in 2019 to preserve its Aboriginal sites, which are believed to be around 4000 years old. The park also has cabins and safari tents, so visitors can stay after dark.
For a more traditional zoo experience, head to The Australian Reptile Park . Its first opened in 1958 under the auspices of naturalist Eric Worrell and, since 1963, the park’s 26-metre diplodocus statue, Ploddy, has welcomed visitors. Worrell was famous for milking snakes and spiders of their venom to create antivenenes and the park still serves that purpose today. From comparatively humble beginnings The Australian Reptile Park is now a huge tourist attraction, with an array of exhibits and shows encompassing snakes, spiders, crocodiles, alligators, native Australian animals and much more.
When you’re ready for a break from the Central Coast’s exciting hustle and bustle, drive down Woy Woy Road to Staples Lookout , which provides breathtaking views down to Brisbane Water and beyond. Then rest your head at the NRMA’s Ocean Beach Holiday Resort , which backs onto the Umina Beach – ideal for a swim in the warmer months or a waterside stroll if you’re there in winter.
Pleasant drives aren’t the Central Coast’s forte unless you head into the hinterland, but a cruise along Empire Bay Drive offers a glimpse into local life on the Central Coast. Particularly interesting is the steep, narrow bridge to down St Huberts Island, which looks like it belongs in the Florida Keys.
This road eventually delivers you to Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre in Terrigal. Upon entry, you’ll encounter fish tanks that contain a Port Jackson shark, an octopus, and assorted marine species native to Central Coast waters, plus a man-made rock pool where visitors can touch sea slugs, periwinkles and anemones. Kids love the shark jaws hanging from the walls and the cross-section model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour will have you wondering how sailors spent so much time in confined quarters without throttling one another.
Breweries and distilleries have been popping up all over the Central Coast over the past 10-15 years and there are three within about 15 minutes of each other around Erina: Distillery Botanica , Six String Brewery , Firescreek Botanical Winery . Distillery Botanica and Firescreek are set on lush, landscaped grounds that provide a serene backdrop for tasting their wines and spirits, while Six Strings is just off the highway in an industrial chic building and serves up some inventive beers and pub food.
Nothing beats a local secret and one we stumbled across a few years ago is the Wyong Milk Factory . Tucked away in a nondescript corner between the motorway and the Wyong River, this precinct is a one-stop-shop for delicious milkshakes, chocolates, cheeses, loaded donuts, a bar (the Rusty Udder) and a children’s playground.
Afterwards you’ll be ready to burn some calories, so take yourself to Treetops Adventure Central Coast and tackle its adrenaline-charged ropes courses and zip lines.
2. The Hawkesbury
Weekend getaways from Sydney don’t come much easier than the Hawkesbury, especially if you live north of the M4 motorway. The Hawkesbury region stretches from Richmond in Sydney to the small locale of Putty in the north and Mount Tomah in the west. Within these boundaries lies a remarkable variety of country attractions and activities.
Two main thoroughfares pass through the Hawkesbury: Bells Line of Road (which heads west) and Sackville Road (which squiggles north). Even though towns along these roads are only a short drive from the Sydney metro area, they remain fiercely rural.
Bells Line of Road
Take a left at Old Bells Line of Road to check out Kurrajong’s pretty main street and selection of cafes and restaurants – everything from Mediterranean fine dining at Schembrae’s to hearty café fare among the trees at The Village Kitchen .
A bucolic town might seem an odd place for a centre dedicated to the beauty of sea urchins, but that’s exactly where you’ll find the Sea Urchin Science Centre and Gallery . Opened in 2018, it offers an “intimate guided tour to learn and gain an appreciation of the science and natural art form that characterises worldwide sea urchins.”
As you proceed to Kurrajong Heights, stop in at Bellbird Lookout , which offers majestic views view over the valley to the east. A little further on you’ll find Lochiel House , built in 1825 and serving the finest food in the region for decades. It’s open for dinner on Fridays, and lunch and dinner on the weekend. It also offers gorgeous rustic accommodation if you’re seeking a place to rest your head.
Bilpin is synonymous with apple orchards and you’ll find apples and plenty of other fresh-picked fruit at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl . If you prefer your fruit fermented into an alcoholic drink, Bilpin has that covered, too, with the Hillbilly Cider Shed , Bilpin Cider and the Old Shed Distillery all offering drinks and eats in comfortable country settings. If pies are more your thing, drop in at the Pie in the Sky Roadhouse on your return journey towards Sydney.
Sackville Road
The road north into the Hawkesbury kicks off at Windsor, which plays host to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum . Opened in 2008, it’s part of a historic precinct that includes Howe House, a historic property once home to the Hawkesbury Historical Society’s collection now kept in the museum. Earlier this year, the museum opened a special exhibit dedicated to the famous Windsor Bridge, which was completed in 1874.
If the museum gives you a taste for Aussie history, you can live it at the Australiana Pioneer Village . Back in 1970, a number of families from the surrounding area donated authentic 19th century stores and cottages, which were transported to the site. Volunteer power now maintains this important heritage site and visitors will find plenty to do – miniature train rides, tractor rides, colonial dress-ups and butter churning, to name just a few. It’s $2 for a bag of grain and a carrot to feed the horses, sheep and chickens, while the Damper Camp is a great place to stop for a morning tea of scones or damper (or you can bring your own picnic). Other stores offer everything from honey to leather goods to pewter trinkets hand-wrought on site.
If you like to drive, set out along the series of winding roads between Ebenezer and St Albans. Passing through lush farmland and roughly following the course of the Hawkesbury River, this route has several worthwhile stops along the way.
The historic Ebenezer Church is Australia’s oldest existing Presbyterian house of worship. Founded in 1809, it is still active and its sandstone buildings are in remarkable condition. Across the road is a tree looking rather the worse for wear but which is still very much alive – and is where the first services were held prior to the church being established.
Tizzana Winery , founded in the 1880s, was an experiment – Italian immigrant and renowned surgeon Thomas Henry Fiaschi planted five acres of vines and tried his hand at winemaking. It’s still around nearly 150 years later, so he must have done something right. It’s close to one of the Hawkesbury River punt crossings, and the road beyond takes you up to the historic town of Wisemans Ferry. Stop along the way at Hawkins Lookout – you can drive right up to the large viewing platform and grab a snap of the mighty Hawkesbury from on high.
Finish the drive with a meal and a drink at the wonderful old Settlers Arms Inn at St Albans. Alternatively, if you’re there Friday to Sunday, the Pickled Wombat offers simple meals and a range of beer, wine and mixed drinks.
3. Southern Highlands
Waterfalls are nature’s free show, running all day and providing an experience both relaxing and spectacular. The Southern Highlands is blessed with an abundance of waterfalls and two of the most accessible are Belmore Falls and Fitzroy Falls .
There are two roads into Belmore Falls, both involving several kilometres of gravel road and one requiring a creek crossing (so don’t take your low-slung sports car). Entry is free and the lookout is only a short walk from the parking area. This eyrie provides a bird’s eye view of the deep-cut valley, which in some ways is more breathtaking than the falls themselves, barely visible on the far side of the valley – you’ll need a camera with a decent zoom lens to get a close frame.
Unlike Belmore Falls, the road into Fitzroy Falls is tarmac all the way and boasts a generous carpark (although even it can fill up in busy periods). There’s a $4 parking fee, but that’s the only impost and you can stay as long as you like. This is just as well, because there are multiple walking tracks of varying arduousness leading to lookouts, as well as a café and gift shop on site.
Perhaps the most famous town in the Southern Highlands is Bowral. While Aussie cricketing legend Don Bradman was born in Cootamundra, he spent his formative years (three to 15) in Shepherd Street, Bowral. The Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame was originally dedicated solely to the Don, but these days it has expanded into a cornucopia of cricket history and memorabilia.
A good lunch option is in the neighbouring town of Moss Vale. Bernie’s Diner was first founded as a café back in 1925, by Greek immigrant E. ‘Bernie’ Bernardo. He sold it in the 1950s and then nearly 50 years later Bernie’s great-grandson, Ioanni (who had a background in hospitality and fine dining) bought it back into the family and revitalised it with a 1950s American diner theme. Expect delicious burgers, moreish chips, and milkshakes.
Much like Berry on the NSW South Coast and Leura in the Blue Mountains, Berrima has become a victim of its own success, at least on weekends. But if you can visit midweek, you’ll discover exactly why this long row of shops, cafés and galleries has become so popular. History wonks will also love Berrima Gaol (although it’s about to change, with plans afoot to turn it into ‘Berrima Quarter’, “a new and exciting place that can benefit the whole community whilst embracing and conserving the rich history and character of the site”.)
Burrawang Village Hotel (known amusingly as ‘The Wang’) changed hands recently and is now owned by local cattle farmers. They closed the hotel for a while to undertake some much-needed renovations and this pub is back to its charming best, with a new ‘seasonal comfort food’ menu and the same wonderful views from the patio area out the back.
Another good food stop is Robertson. It’s probably most famous for its pie shop at the eastern end of town, but it has loads of café options in the centre of town. The Open Road team often frequents Moonacres Kitchen , which has sandwiches and pastries to die for, while the best coffee in the Highlands is found at Elwrays Coffee & Burger Stop . Don’t forget to grab a snap with Robertson’s kitschy ‘ Big Potato ’ before you leave.
On the way in or out of the Southern Highlands, there are some truly epic drives through bush and farmland – Range Road, Tourist Road, and Kangaloon Road are a sports car enthusiast’s dream.
4. The Blue Mountains
Once stigmatised as ‘God’s waiting room’ and then plagued for many years by roadworks and traffic, the Blue Mountains is now one of the trendiest weekend destinations for Sydneysiders and international visitors alike. The list of potential stops is nigh on endless.
If you have ankle biters in tow, a good first stop is Nanna’s Teddies and Toys in Blaxland. Owner Dave Robertson and his wife used to run a well-known bedding furniture chain, but they shared a passion for teddy bears and decided to see if they could make a business of selling them. For a while they peddled teddy bears out the back of their furniture store and later set up a stall at a local market. Interest in their bear wares was sufficient that they decided to semi-retire and open a teddy shop in their beloved Blue Mountains. It’s now been going strong for more than 20 years.
The more cultured traveller will want to visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum a short way off the highway in Faulconbridge. Housed in what used to be the Lindsay family home, it exhibits sketches, paintings and sculptures from both Norman and his lesser-known but no less talented sister, Ruby. Most Aussies probably associate Lindsay with his children’s works, including his timeless book The Magic Pudding , but the greater sum of his art is better represented by the 1994 film Sirens . The walls are pendulous with nude paintings that are lascivious and yet have a sense of humour; you can almost imagine Lindsay’s eyes twinkling as he painted them.
The old Scenic Railway in Katoomba has evolved into Scenic World and is one of the Blue Mountains’ most popular attractions. As well as the original railway, it includes the Scenic Cableway (which takes visitors up and down the mountain), the Scenic Skyway (which goes across the gorge to the lookouts and waterfalls) and the Scenic Walkway an elevated boardwalk which passes through rainforest.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat and indulge in retail therapy, Leura and Katoomba are both good options (although try to avoid the lunchtime rush – they can get hectic). And no one visits the Blue Mountains without seeking out some spectacular views. Three of the most famous (for good reason) are Sublime Point , The Three Sisters and Govetts Leap . Don’t schedule your sightseeing on a foggy day, though, or chances are you’ll see nothing.
If you have a sweet tooth, drive down Mount Victoria and stop in at The Lolly Bug , which was extended and refurbished after falling victim to a fire a few years back. Hartley Historic Site is also worth a visit if you want to see a 19th century village almost untouched – and you can book a stay in one of its rustic but comfortable buildings.
5. The South Coast
The less pleasant aspects of a drive from Sydney to the south coast are now all bypassed, slashing travel times, so a weekend as far south as the Shoalhaven is more than feasible. The region between Wollongong and Shoalhaven Heads is bristling with things to see and do, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
A surprisingly good place to start is Shellharbour, which has spent more time in the news for its residential developments than its tourist appeal. But look beyond the Legoland sprawl of Shell Cove and you’ll find the ‘Shellharbour Classics’ remain. Addison Street in the old part of town is still a foodie haven with cafés, restaurants and bars, and it leads down to the esplanade that runs along Shellharbour Beach and the boat harbour. At the northern end you’ll find NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park , a fine base of operations for your weekend stay.
Just outside Shellharbour you can take a tour of the HARS Aviation Museum . HARS stands for ‘Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’ and a large part of the facility consists of hangars with planes in various states of refurbishment. Visitors can sit in the cockpit of certain planes and manipulate the controls or go on a ‘wing walk’ – a stroll along the wing of a decommissioned jet.
Old favourites are usually favourites for a reason, and the Kiama Blowhole has been a perennial favourite since European explorer George Bass first wrote about it in 1797. While it can be temperamental and more of a dribble-hole some days, when it’s in a good mood the blowhole puts on a spectacular display, shooting seawater 30 metres into the air.
Inland from Kiama are two very different tourist attractions – Jamberoo Action Park and Minnamurra Rainforest Centre . The former has been a hallmark of the region since the 1980s and these days it’s water-themed, with huge waterslides – although the terrestrial toboggans of the ’80s remain. Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, on the other hand, offers bushwalks through the temperate rainforest common to this part of the world. Lyrebird Loop Walk is a quick 1.6km return journey (ideal if you’ve made the mistake of bringing your kids along), while the Minnamurra Falls Walk is a more arduous 4.2km but rewards you with a spectacular viewing platform at the foot of the eponymous falls.
If you’re travelling outside high season, drop in at Gerringong and enjoy everything this beachside town has to offer without the crazy crowds that swarm it during the summer months. Another good town to explore in quieter times is Berry. There’s a lot more to Berry than its main street and famous donut van. The Berry Markets are held on the first Sunday of every month at Berry Showground and offer 200 stalls of all the country wares you’d expect – arts and crafts, clothes, cakes, and fresh fruit and veg. Hidden right at the back of Berry is The Treat Factory , where you’ll find chocolates and other confectionery, a dairy bar with milkshakes and gelato, and an on-site café open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon coffee. Berry is also famous for its history and you can absorb it all at the Berry Museum , which is open weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
