10

Places to Visit Near Sydney

• Head over to the Hunter Valley, which is one of the best places to visit near Sydney, and is located around 250 kilometres from the city
  
• A perfect place for a weekend getaway, and a foodie’s paradise, the Hunter Valley is also one of the oldest grape-growing regions in the whole country
• It is also famous for producing a wide array of other local produce and artisanal foods, from chutneys and cheese, to oils, olives, chocolate as well as wine and honey
• Besides sampling the food and exploring the valley, you can also indulge in adventure activities like hiking along the nature trails in areas like the Barrington Tops in the Hunter Valley, helicopter as well as hot air balloon rides
  
  Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m. 

• Located around an hour towards the northwest of Sydney is the Hawkesbury River, which is said to be one of the most panoramic rivers in the country
• When looking for places to visit near Sydney, head over to the shores of this river, and indulge in a cruise here
• Explore the waterways on a boat, and pass by towns like Windsor, Richmond, and more, whilst also catching sights of heritage buildings, galleries, gardens as well as local markets
• During the Hawkesbury River cruise, you can also pass around the four national parks that surround the river, namely the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the Brisbane Water National Park, the Dharug National Park as well as the Bouddi National Park
  
  Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m. 

• When looking for places to go for day trips from Sydney, visit the stunning Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, located around 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD
• Ranked as the second oldest national park in Australia, this park is named after the Guringai aboriginal people who inhabited the area many hundreds of years ago
• During your visit to the park, you can come across numerous different natural landscapes, from quaint bay areas and bushland creeks, to dense rainforests, forests of eucalyptus trees as well as spectacular views of the coast from the West Head
• You can also enjoy hiking and exploring the nature trails in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, in addition to heritage walks, catching sights of wildlife species, birdwatching as well as boating

Location: Turramurra, Mount Colah, Sydney 2074, New South Wales, Australia
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

• Flanked by many kilometres of stunning surfing beaches and cliffs, the Royal National Park is another popular tourist spot located an hour to the south of Sydney
• Dating back to 1879, the park is a paradise for nature lovers and beach goers, and is the second oldest national park in the whole world
• Situated on a sandstone plateau, the park is characterised by indented valleys, bushlands as well as the Hacking River, that flows through the entirety of the park
• You can also enjoy a myriad of activities in the Royal National Park, from fishing and boating, to bushwalking, picnicking, surfing as well as swimming, whale watching and snorkelling, among other things

Location: V3J7+JF, Farnell Avenue, Audley Heights, Sydney NSW 2233, Australia

Timings: 07:00 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.

• Ranked amongst the most scenic places to visit near Sydney, Port Stephens is also a water sport haven for those looking to indulge in some adrenaline-filled adventure near the city
• Located around 200 kilometres from Sydney, Port Stephens is best known for its long bushy coastline, and is almost double the size of the Sydney Harbour
• It is here where you can spend the entire day indulging in different activities, from visiting more than 20 stunning beaches and snorkelling or diving at Fly point, to surfing, sailing, kayaking as well as paddle-boarding and enjoy different cruises
• You can also visit some of the popular tourist spots in Port Stephens during your visit, such as the Gan Gan Lookout, the Tomaree Headland Lookout, the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes and more

Location: Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia
Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

• Satiated around 80 kilometres south of Sydney is Wollongong, also known as the third largest city in the whole state, and home to the Grand Pacific Drive
• Known for its sandy beaches, biking trails, botanic gardens and a myriad of museums, Wollongong is also a hub for food lovers, and is known to offer delicious seafood dishes across a variety of different cuisines
• The Grand Pacific Drive in Wollongong stretches from the Royal National Park, all the way to Nowra, and sprawls across 140 kilometres along the rocky coastlines, beaches and the famous Sea Cliff Bridge
• When visiting this area of Australia, you can simply spend some time in the lap of nature, or enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean, whilst also experiencing the region’s vibrant nightlife

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 

Timings: Open 24 hours

• The Southern Highlands is one of the top places to go for Day Trips From Sydney, known predominantly for their lush gardens, wilderness areas rich in wildlife species as well as quaint country towns
• Located 90 minutes away from Sydney, the Southern Highlands makes up for the best place to see the native Australian animal and bird species in their natural habitat
• Home to the Morton National Park, it is in the Southern Highlands where you can find numerous waterfalls, walking trails as well as gorges surrounded by rainforests, along with animals like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, possums and platypuses
• The Southern Highlands is also home to numerous hamlets, such as Berrima, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bowral and more, which boast of having historic buildings, as well as boutique and antique shops, art galleries, museums and other tourist attractions

Location: Capital Country, New South Wales, Australia

Timings: Open 24 hours

• Located at a distance of around 130 kilometres away Sydney, the Kiama Blowhole is an amazing natural phenomenon and attraction that you must visit during your trip to the region
• You can find the Kiama Blowhole in the quaint seaside village of Kiama, complete with cutesy cafes, antique shops and other establishments
• When visiting the Kiama Blowhole, you can catch sights of the sea waves spurting out through a crevasse in the cliff, thereby forming a spectacular fountain, and seeming as if the water was defying the force of gravity by flowing upwards

Location: Terralong St, Kiama, Sydney, NSW 2533, Australia

Timings: Open 24 hours

• When looking for places to visit near Sydney, drive 127 kilometres towards the north of the city, to get to Lake Macquarie
• Often a rather offbeat place to visit in the region, Lake Macquarie lies tucked amidst Sydney and Newcastle, and is a great place for those looking to relax in the midst of nature
• In addition to soaking in views of this expansive lake, enjoying boating or sunbathing along the shores here, you can also enjoy horseback riding, nature walks, hiking and other activities around the lake

Location: Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia 
Timings: Open 24 hours

• Located an hour’s drive away from Sydney CBD are the stunning Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Area and one of the most scintillating natural landscapes in the region
• Home to eucalyptus forests, it is here where you can discover many thousands of acres of unspoilt wilderness areas
• Characterised by many flora species, rugged gorges, gushing waterfalls as well as aboriginal rock paintings, the Blue Mountains are also home to many hiking trails that you can explore during your visit
• Some of the major highlights of this stunning tourist destination include the Three Sisters rock formations, the Bridal Veil Falls as well as the Katoomba Scenic Railway, among others

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 

Timings: Open 24 hours