Sydney is the most iconic and famous city in Australia. There are so many things to see and do, that it is almost impossible to list them all in one article. From the sparkling Harbour and magnificent bridge, to the beautiful golden sands of the beaches, there is no end of activities to keep even the most fussy of visitors happy. Then, once you are done with the sights of the city herself, it becomes time to look further afield. This is where day trips from Sydney really begin to shine!
With beautiful Newcastle to the north, Blue Mountains to the west, and a city that stretches up and down a glorious coastline for over 50 kilometers, there are day trips from Sydney to please everyone!
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Day Trips from Sydney
First, we will start with some day trips from Sydney that do not require a tour. Some, you CAN do with a tour, and I will link to the relevant tours. But all of these you can do on your own, especially if you hire a car to drive yourself. They are not hard, easy to find, and definitely rewarding!
Hit the Beach in Newcastle
Newcastle lies just to the north of Sydney, just over an hour up the freeway. A laid back, large country town at heart, Newcastle is famous for its vibe, atmosphere, and amazing white sand beaches. Stretching from far south of the city, to Port Stephens in the north, there are beaches here to suit absolutely anyone!
I am not just talking about normal beaches either. Stockton beach is so long that you can spend hours just driving along it in a 4WD. The sand dunes are so huge that they have filmed movies about the Sahara Desert there! The Beaches around the CBD boast such great surf that there is an annual surfing contest, that sees names such as Kelly Slater on the entry sheet. All this, and a walkway connecting them that features the best views of the coastline for miles around, and you just can’t go wrong!
Click HERE for a look at my Complete Guide to Newcastle.
Wild Dolphin Experience in Port Stephens
Port Stephens is just north of Newcastle, and is widely known as an aquatic playground. Surf, sand, boating, fishing and cruises have seen it hold the title of favorite weekend getaway for the people of both Newcastle and Sydney.
One of the most iconic things you can do in Port Stephens, is to book yourself onto a dolphin watching cruise. These boats know exactly where to find the dolphins, and you are guaranteed of a great time watching them frolic in the crystal blue waters of the surrounding coastline.
But did you know that you can also swim with the wild dolphins? Well, sort of. On this cruise, once you find the dolphins, you can get into the boom net in the water with them! Make your way to Port Stephens, and book yourself onto THIS tour. It is one of the only places in the world that you will get this experience!
At the right time of the year, you can also grab a whale watching cruise from Port Stephens. The boats will have you up close and personal with the migrating humpback whales as they regularly breach the surface, showering the occupants with sea water!
You don’t really need a cruise to see the dolphins at Port Stephens though. Even the whales can be sighted from any headland as they are migrating north. Just head to Port Stephens, and hit up a local for some advice!
Do Some Wine Tasting in the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is right next door to the city of Newcastle, which has long been known as the gateway to the Hunter itself. It is a wide, green and fertile valley running west from the coastline, and has historically served up the perfect conditions for vineyards to flourish.
Some of the very best wines in Australia originate from the Hunter Valley, and it has long been a favorite weekend getaway for wine lovers of Sydney. In fact, the first vineyards established in the Hunter Valley were specifically to serve the Sydney elite. To this day, the Hunter remains a wine lovers dream destination that just can’t be beat.
Like most wine producing districts, the Hunter Valley boasts more than just vineyards. Many Cheese shops have sprung up around the area, as have world class resorts and golf courses. During the spring and summer, there are regular open air concerts attracting some of the biggest talents in the world!
Head to the Amazing Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains west of Sydney got their name from the amount of Eucalypt hanging in the air above the millions of Gum Trees in the area. This causes a blue haze that can be seen almost constantly.
The mountains are a retreat for the people of Sydney, who head up the mountain roads on the weekends and holidays, to visit such iconic places as the Three Sisters, and Jenolan Caves. Anyone who visits Sydney, or Australia for that matter, needs to get to the Blue Mountains at least once. The views and scenery are second to none, and being so easily and readily accessible, you would be crazy to pass them by.
Click below for a great small group tour.
Visit Beautiful Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the most northern off all the beaches in Sydney. It is a decent drive, up through the northern suburbs to get there, which is why I include it as one of my day trips from Sydney. Plus, living on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, it was a drive that I would do regularly myself.
Palm Beach is located in the perfect spot, with its golden sands facing the Pacific Ocean, and a short distance away also facing onto the beautiful Hawkesbury River. Taking a hike along the beach, and up to the lighthouse on the point is a great way to spend an afternoon, and pretty cool spot for a picnic. It is no wonder that this suburb is the primary shooting location for one of Australia’s most popular and long running Soapie’s. (More on that later…)
Best Sydney Tours
There are some places, in nearly every city, that are just better seen by doing a tour. Sydney is no different in this regard, and some of the very best day trips from Sydney are best done on a tour. The other wonderful thing about tours, is that they open up the possibilities to those that have no transport, or way of getting around. They provide a way for people to get to far off and remote locations, that otherwise they would miss out on.
And who wants that?
Home and Away Tour
If you are a fan, or even if you are not, of one of the most popular TV Shows in Australia, then this tour is a must!
Taking you to the filming locations of Home and Away, you will get to visit and experience some of the most iconic locations in the show. You will get unique photo opportunities that are not normally available, and some wonderful insights from the professional guide. The day will end at beautiful Manly Beach, and seeing as most of the day will be spent at Palm Beach, this tour really spoils you if you love great beaches.
Having been to Palm Beach many times, and seen how up close you can get to the cast members when they are filming, it is no wonder that this tour almost guarantees you a chance to meet one or two of them. If you choose the right options, you will even have a special guest appearance ON your tour…
Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Tour
This tour is a great way to see all that the northern side of Sydney has to offer in one trip. To say that I am a fan of the northern suburbs is an understatement. Therefore a tour like this is something that I highly recommend.
On this tour you will get to ride the famous Manly Ferry, and therefore get some amazing views of the city along the way. Take a bushwalk alongside the Harbour. Check out some of the most famous surf beaches in Sydney, and explore the wonderful Ku-ring-gai National Park.
This is all before you even pop into “Summer Bay” to visit the set of Home and Away!
Blue Mountains Daytrip
One of the most popular (with good reason) day trips from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, is this 10 hour extravaganza. Taking you all the way to Echo Point to view the famous Three Sisters is just the start!
Depending upon what options you select, you can ride the Cableway, Skyway and Railway. Lunch in the Blue Mountains with some of the most amazing views in the world, and then meet some of the local wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Here you will be able to hand feed Kangaroos, and view other such Australian wildlife as Wombats and Crocodiles.
To add to what is already a great day out, this tour also includes a cruise! This means skipping the peak hour traffic and being dropped back at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.
Cruise Sydney Harbor and Taronga Zoo Tour
What better way to get to one of the best zoo’s in Australia, than to cruise one of the best Harbors in the world?
On this tour, take the rocket ferry from Circular Quay, across to the famous Taronga Zoo. Take the Sky Safari Cable Car across the zoo with the included tickets, and then spend the day exploring the zoo at your own pace. At the end of the day, head back to Circular Quay on the ferry once more.
This all inclusive tour takes the hassle out of one of the most popular day trips from Sydney. Well, actually, IN Sydney, but having it all nicely bundled up into one package makes it nice and easy!
Harbour Bridge Climb
Climbing the Harbour Bridge is one of the really unique things you can do in Sydney. The views are incredible, and who doesn’t want to be able to brag to friends back home that you did it?
The Bridge Climb offers two different tours, those being a 90 minute climb, or the 3.5 hour Climb. You will experience some of the best panoramic views of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Pacific Ocean from the top. You can even choose what time of day you wish to climb, as they are available at dusk, dawn, and all times in between!
The only way to climb the Harbour Bridge is with the official BridgeClimb Sydney. Check it out on the link below.
Scenic Helicopter Flight over Sydney
This is a tour option that I just HAD to include in this list. Simply because of the amazing views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The helicopter flights last for 20 minutes, and give you the perfect opportunity to take some incredible photos of some of the most iconic places in Sydney. Bondi Beach, Manly, and the entire Sydney Skyline will provide panoramic views that you simply will not get any other way.
Most tour options also provides pick up and drop off at your hotel, so makes for a perfect day out with minimum hassle!
Things to do in Sydney WITHOUT a tour
Within Sydney itself, there are plenty of things to do that do not require a tour. Even the locals can be found on warm summer weekends acting like a tourist, and in Sydney, that is not hard! I personally have spent many weekends doing the activities below, and miss doing them now that I am away. Trust me though, I will be back into it again when I return!
This list is not a list of day trips from Sydney. To the contrary, it is a list of day activities IN Sydney!
Visit Iconic Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in Sydney. No visitor to the city would not have it at the very top of their list of places to visit.
The confusing thing for locals is, why? It is definitely NOT the best beach in Sydney. Far from it. But like so many other places around the world, it has become famous, and despite the confusion, remains an iconic landmark of Sydney.
To get there is not hard, as Bondi is a seaside suburb not too far from the CBD. Simply jump on a bus and make your way there. What you will find is a lot of very hip and chic cafes and restaurants, plenty of things to spend your money on, and a crowded strip of sand with overworked lifesavers. If you want a swim, the beach can be a good place for it, but make certain to swim between the flags. They are there for a reason, and many visitors find themselves in trouble when they don’t adhere to the rules.
Spend the day at Manly
Now, when it comes to beaches, Manly really has to be near the top of the list. A chic northern suburb, Manly is perfectly placed with three gorgeous beaches facing the ocean, and docks facing the incredible Sydney Harbor. This makes it a perfect and easy place to visit, as the ferry runs all day from Manly to Circular Key in Sydney City.
You can spend all day at Manly, and still need to come back again. Just the beach itself will take you hours to explore. The promenade, malls, and back streets continue to serve up little cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. All this in one of the most laid back and friendly suburbs in Sydney.
If you are a surfer, or just enjoy the beach at all, then a visit to Sydney is not the same without heading over to Manly at least once during your stay.
Discover the Rocks and Darling Harbor
The Rocks was the site for the very first settlement in Sydney. It is therefore teeming with history, and features not only Australia’s oldest pubs, but funky and modern bars, cafes and restaurants.
There is always something going on in the Rocks, with markets every weekend featuring over 200 stalls. On Fridays, there is even a Foodies Market. For those that love history, art and architecture, you can’t go wrong either, with museums and historic buildings lining nearly every street.
The other vibrant CBD Harborside district is Darling Harbour. Here, you will find the perfect day out, and the ideal place to bring friends and family. Cafes, restaurants, bars and wine bars are only the start of what you will find. The Star Casino, Aquarium and Zoo. The Maritime Museum, Madame Tussaud’s, IMAX Theatre, ten pin bowling and laser skirmish. This place has something for everyone. Literally!
If you are visiting Sydney, and staying in the CBD, then your trip just HAS to start with the Rocks and Darling Harbour. No day trips from Sydney can really even compare to what you will find IN the city!
Take a drive along the Northern Beaches
This is always one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday in Sydney. Once upon a time, I lived on the north shore of the Iconic Sydney Harbour, and jumping in the car to cruise past all of the beaches was something that I would spend all week looking forward to.
Begin at Manly, driving along the promenade. Stop for an early coffee, and do some people watching as you gaze out across some of the most incredible sea views in Sydney. Continue on past Freshwater beach, Curl Curl and Dee Why. There are over a dozen incredible beaches along this drive! Whale Beach is worth popping into, and really flies under the radar due to its proximity to the more famous Palm Beach.
Once you arrive at Palm Beach, grab a fish and chips from the corner shop, and either sit on the grass enjoying the relaxing ambience, or head up to the lighthouse for lunch.
What more perfect way to spend a relaxing weekend?
Pose for photos at the Opera House
This one needs no introduction. If you are visiting Sydney, then you have to visit the Opera House. This amazing structure is as symbolic of the city as the Harbour Bridge is.
Get down to the Opera House as early as you can, and try to beat the crowds. Pose for photos on the steps, or a little further around the waterfront to try and get that iconic and recognizable angle.
If you are after some of the best places to photograph the Opera House, then here are some tips. Try Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and the Botanic Gardens. The very best place to get a classic photo of the Opera House, though, is on a FERRY! They pass right by the famous spot, so why not combine a trip to Manly with the perfect opportunity to snap one of your best holiday pics?
Check out the view from Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Tower Eye, or better known as Sydney Tower, is 309m tall and is the highest point in Sydney. It is also the second highest building in the Southern Hemisphere.
At Sydney Tower, you can expect to get the very best views of Sydney and the surrounding area. It can be seen from the Blue Mountains, so you can only imagine how high it is. The best ways to get the most of the views, though, is to do the Skywalk Tour. This 60 minute guided tour takes you OUTSIDE the tower, on a Skywalk that circles the perimeter 268m above the city streets.
Inside the tower is a restaurant, 4D Cinema, and observation platform. To access the Sydney Tower, head into the Centrepoint Shopping Mall from Street level and follow the signs.
Catch a Ferry to Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is Sydney’s amazing traditional Zoo, located right on the Harbor shores at Mossman. It is easily reached from Circular Quay by ferry, so makes for one of the best day trips from Sydney. Ferries run all day, but I would suggest getting there early, as this is a big zoo and you will want to see it all.
Taronga Zoo features daily shows, (the Seal Show is VERY popular), daily tours, and the chance to see both native wildlife, as well as exotic animals. The Zoo has a wild ropes adventure featuring zip lines and a bird’s eye view of the zoo itself, camping overnight IN the zoo with specific tours, and an interactive APP to help guide you around the zoo with ease.
Also take into account that Taronga Zoo features some of the very best views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, and you would be crazy to not at least check it out!
Summary
Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in Australia, if not the world. There are so many things to do in, around, and outside the city, that you really need to spend a bit of time there to cover them all! I hope that my list above of day trips from Sydney helps to narrow down your options, and that you enjoy your time in this wonderful city.
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