If you feel like you’ve exhausted Sydney and have nothing new to discover in the capital of New South Wales, it might be time to start expanding your horizons to some pretty amazing places around it. Certain spots are only a ferry ride away while others might take a few hours to reach. Regardless, you are sure to have an enjoyable trip. Here are the best places around Sydney to consider.
Enjoy Manly Beach
Hopping aboard a ferry in Circular Quay will get you to the Manly suburb in only half an hour and you’ll have a chance to enjoy the charm of Manly Beach. On this classic Australian beach, you will see gorgeous sand and water, waves excellent for surfing, and beachfront stores and restaurants. If you’ve never had fish and chips before, this is the spot where you want to try it. Plus, because it’s so easy to get there, you can go to Manly Beach every day for some fun in the sun.
Visit the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Not too far away from Sydney, about an hour north, you will find Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Located in the Northern Beaches region, it is the second oldest national park on the continent. If you’re interested in seeing the local wildlife, you can see plenty of it here. In case it’s vistas you’re after, rest assured you’ll get stunning snaps. If you want to learn more about aboriginal history, here you can find indigenous sites with many paintings and engravings.
Explore the Southern Highlands
In case being in a bustling metropolis is wearing you out, you might be looking for a countryside escape. The perfect place for that is the Southern Highlands. Only two hours south of the state capital, you will find the area with dazzling village markets, wonderful wineries, and rolling hills. Furthermore, here you will find a range of local animals, including wombats, kangaroos, and platypuses.
Go to the Blue Mountains
A must while you are in Sydney is visiting the Blue Mountains. It will take you somewhere from 90 to 120 minutes to reach it, depending on how you plan to go there. Once in the Blue Mountains, you can choose from a wide array of activities. From taking photos of stunning valleys, mountains, waterfalls, and rock formations to going on hikes and strolling the botanical garden all the way to relaxing in a spa, there are many things you can do here.
Discover Hunter Valley
For wine lovers, a chance to learn more about the process of winemaking might be the perfect getaway. In that case, think about a trip to Hunter Valley, the most famous wine region of New South Wales. In addition to visiting plenty of wineries and trying some wines, there are other activities you can also do while here so consider prolonging your stay and looking for cozy Hunter Valley accommodation no matter if you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with family. Bespoke accommodation will provide you with everything you need to recharge your batteries before you tackle the hikes in the area and visit some local restaurants.
Relax at Lake Macquarie
Located between Sydney and Newcastle, Lake Macquarie might be just what you’re looking for if you want to immerse yourself in nature and slow down a bit. If you’re visiting Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, you can add this to your itinerary as well and keep driving until you reach it. You can explore the area on foot or bike while you can also try some water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and diving as well as kayak paddling or stand-up paddle boarding. You can also go boating and sailing if relaxing on land seems too tame.
Travel to Newcastle
If you’re down for visiting another city, why not take a trip to Newcastle? You can take your car or jump on a regular train from Sydney. If you decide to drive, you will see many stunning beaches along the way, so think about stopping for a moment and dipping your toes. When you get there, you should try the local beer and food. Then, there is also the Blackbutt Reserve that you can enter for free and see wildlife like peacocks and kangaroos and even have a picnic.
Take a trip to Tobruk Sheep Station
For an authentic view of the local culture, you can take a trip to Tobruk Sheep Station as the scenery is simply breathtaking. It’s located about 70 minutes from Sydney CBD, in the gorgeous Hawkesbury River Valley, which is something else you shouldn’t overlook. Here, you can see demonstrations of sheep-shearing, sheer mustering, and boomerang throwing. Moreover, you can learn how to make damper and billy tea. If you’re traveling with your family, this is a great spot to consider.
If you’ve grown tired of Sydney somehow, you might be looking for interesting things in its vicinity. These eight spots are a great beginning, and there is so much more to discover. Have fun!
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