What’s the best thing about Sydney? Is it that exhilarating feeling as your train pulls up to Circular Quay? Is it the bizarre realisation that, as you stand on a ferry terminal, aquatic travel is par for the Sydneysider’s course? Or is it one of the major attractions, like the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, or Luna Park? (There’s really no shortage of things to do in Sydney!)
This is likely a tourist’s best answer. (And, believe it or not, there also are other places to visit in Sydney outside of Circular Quay.) However, ask a local, and they may just say that the best thing about Sydney is its central locality to weekend getaways not far from Sydney. Think day trips and even camping sites outside of Sydney.
Sydney: such a great starting point for adventure!
And what better way to kick off weekend getaways not far from Sydney than with our Weekender? Built for small- to medium-sized cars, our Weekender camper trailer is the lightest of our entire range. This is ideal for couples or a pair of besties who don’t mind snuggling in a little close. It’s compact, convenient, easy to tow, and just the right size for a couple of days away.
There is plenty of New South Wales to see, and you should put some time aside to explore its many locations. For a weekend away, however, we recommend something one to three hours outside of town. Venture much further and you may start to lose your weekend! Here are our top two weekend getaways not far from Sydney CBD.
One hour’s drive from Sydney: Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park is just across the water from Palm Beach—aka Summer Bay to Home and Away fans. It’s also home to The Basin: a shallow inlet and small beach just 42 kilometres north of Sydney CBD. For Sydneysiders, Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park is easily day-trippable, but it can also make for a great overnight stay. Set up camp at The Basin campground and you’ve got yourself two day trips’ worth of beach time and nature walks. This campground is actually the only place throughout Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park where camping is permitted.
A snapshot from inside Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park.
Family-friendly and ideal for one-night stays, The Basin campground is a green gem overlooking Pittwater—an open waterway of inlets and small creeks. This base is host to serene views from surrounding beaches, as well as an inland lagoon. It is surrounded by walking trails, and you can even rent out kayaks or paddleboards! For lunch, there’s a picnic area as well as barbecue facilities. Kick back on the wide, green lawn and keep your eyes peeled for kookaburras or wallabies!
Palm Beach, Pittwater
The advantage of extending this trip into an overnighter? You have two days to do the activities you would otherwise cram into one. Which beach will you explore first? Palm Beach and its heritage Barrenjoey Lighthouse? Flint and Steel Beach and its majestic views of Bouddi National Park? Or perhaps you want to check out Mackeral Beach via the 5.4km Resolute Loop trail. There are so many beaches at your fingertips ideal for swimming and boating. It’s hard to believe this is among the camping sites one hour from Sydney CBD!
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse (albeit obscured by wattles)
If you’d rather not swim, treat this as a hiking holiday. Among the notable walks is the Jerusalem Bay Track, which spans 13.4km one way. This classic bushwalk trails through steep bushland and may be challenging for folks new to hiking. It catches glimpses of the Hawkesbury River before arriving at Jerusalem Bay.
The 10-kilometre Berowra-to-Mount Ku-ring-gai track is a similar walk that trails along a different section of the Hawkesbury River. It takes about four hours to complete without rest stops. We do, however, recommend you stop and smell the roses. This track is dotted with lookouts atop the ridges of Cowan Creek. There is also a deviating track to Apple Tree Bay, where you can stop for a swim, have a picnic, or use the toilet facilities.
Two hours’ drive from Sydney: the Blue Mountains
Can we really discuss New South Welsh holiday recommendations without bringing up the Blue Mountains? We think not! This iconic tourist destination is anything from a 1.5- to a two-hour drive from Sydney CBD. Unlike Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park, this location hosts an abundance of campsites. Popular choices include Old Ford Reserve in Katoomba, Euroka Campground in Glenbrook, Blackheath Glen Tourist Park, and Lake Lyell Recreation Area in Lithgow, to name a few. These camping grounds range from free to moderate in price. The more you pay, the better your amenities will be. Aside from price and amenities, location may be another factor affecting your decision. Each campsite neighbours onto different features and attractions throughout the Blue Mountains. A good strategy? Choose some sights you intend to visit and choose a campsite nearby!
The beautiful Blue Mountains
Among the moderately priced locations is Blackheath Glen Tourist Park. By paying a little extra, you can earn yourself an ensuite site and/or a powered site. You also have the option to knock a little off the price by going with an unpowered site. You will have access to toilets, showers, a communal camp kitchen, and even WiFi spots (#instacampers rejoice!). Amenities aside, Blackheath Glen Tourist Park is a 10-minute scenic walk from the nearby village. Check out its restaurants and cafes, galleries and bookshops, and of course its lush green parks.
If you fancy a scenic mountain stroll, the Grand Canyon Track is only a seven-minute drive away (or 48 minutes, if you want to extend the walk). Starting at Evans Lookout, this 6.3 km hike takes three to four hours to complete. Throughout this trek, you’ll follow Greaves Creek until you loop back through the gorgeous gorges of Grose Valley. Little visual treasures to witness along the way: cascading waterfalls, sandstone walls, and native flora such as ferns and golden wattles.
The Grand Canyon Walking Track
Believe it or not, but the Grand Canyon Track is among the smallest walking trails of the Blue Mountains. There are also trails upwards of over 30 kilometres one way, such as the Anderson Fire Trail in Wentworth Falls, and Mount Hay in Leura. Of course, each trail has its own quirks and challenges, but there’s one thing they all have in common: stunning panoramic views of this iconic mountainside. Try one on for size and see how it feels.
Finally, you can’t visit the Blue Mountains without witnessing its most significant landmark: the Three Sisters. This landmark may just be an obscure rock formation, but it holds significance to the Aboriginal community. As the name may suggest, the Three Sisters represents three sisters who were turned to stone. This link to Aboriginal legend attracts millions of visitors yearly. The mystical quality to this attraction is its ever-changing character, which shifts throughout the day. Sunlight brings out its glorious colours, which shift and move with altering positions as do beads in a kaleidoscope.
The Blue Mountains’ most significant tourist attraction: the Three Sisters.
The Three Sisters shine throughout the night, being backlit until 11 pm nightly. Their contrast against the dark sky is simply stunning. The Three Sisters stand at 922, 918, and 906 metres respectively, and are situated at Echo Point in Katoomba.
What will your next stop be?
Of course, these are only two examples of the best weekend getaways just out of Sydney. There are so many other places to visit in or around Sydney that are waiting for you! However, we believe these two locations capture some of the short road trip highlights of New South Wales. Beaches are among some of the most popular places to visit in Sydney, and we decided to take the spotlight off Bondi and focus on the hidden gems around Ku-Ring-Gau Chase National Park. That being said, the Blue Mountains is a New South Welsh trademark, and we couldn’t create even a short list of recommendations without giving it a shout-out.
New South Wales hosts a wealth of picturesque locations for beach lovers and mountain dwellers alike. There is no shortage of beaches to bathe in or walking tracks to try! We hope this short yet detailed list has given you some recommendations, or a taster for some alternative places to visit in or around Sydney. Load up your caravan or camper trailer—perhaps our Weekender model?—and get going!
