10 Best Weekend Getaways from Sydney

15 min readMar 11, 2018

There are loads of great weekend getaways from Sydney. The city has so much to offer — like Watsons Bay Sydney- but it is nice to experience something not so big city and a bit more non-urban Australia. Why not add a weekend getaway to your Sydney Itinerary?

Here are the 10 Best Sydney Weekend Getaways along with boutique hotel recommendations — and some food and wine choices of course!

1. Best Weekend Getaways from Sydney — Mount Kosciuszko

Why Go to Mount Kosciuszko?

To climb Australia’s highest mountain of course! And to see the little-discussed ski fields of Australia. Yes, it does snow in Australia!

Things to do in Mount Kosciuszko

1. Climb up the highest mountain in Australia

We began our walk in Thredbo at the bottom of the chairlift and went up the Meadows Nature Track. This was a lovely peaceful walk — hardly anyone on it.

We followed the path to where it meets the more challenging Merits track. This stretch was steep! Lots of water needed. This walk takes you up to the top of the chairlift where you join the Mt Kosciuszko Summit Walk.

From here the track got busy. We did the walk on Easter Saturday so I guess that is to be expected. From the top of the chairlift, it is a 9km round trip and relatively steepish. There was every type of nationality and language being spoken as we passed people along the way to the Mt Kosciuszko Summit. And very brave people with prams!!!

We decided to take the chairlift town as round trip from the village it had been a 24km walk up and down Mt Kosciuszko and we were rather weary.

We had a beautiful blue sky day and the scenery was stunning. Such a beautiful walk and so peaceful if you could ignore the many others seek serenity!

In hindsight, another nice option for the Mount Kosciuszko walk would have been to take the Merritts Traverse vs the Meadows walk. The more full-on option is to hop in the car and start the walk at Charlotte’s Pass.

At the very top, this connects with the Mt Kosciuszko Summit Walk. This one is about 42km round trip.

We did a packed lunch which was perfect. The only place to eat is the restaurant at the top of the chairlift. Which was nice (see the highest section) but I’m sure would have been busy and is a bit slow. Much nicer to stop and sit on the trail and eat and watch the world go by.

⇒If you’re heading to Queensland check out my posts on the best Brisbane Boutique Hotels and my Gold Coast Itinerary.

2. Enjoy the Highest…..

And when you get to Rawson’s Pass you can also visit the highest toilet in Australia!

3. Enjoy some Mt Kosciuszko Restaurants

We also did breakfast at Central Road 2625 on our final morning and it was fantastic. As I had burnt so many calories the day before I went all-in with the pancakes, banana, bacon and maple syrup. A fantastic breakfast! It’s not quite keeping up with the restaurants in Barangaroo or the best brunch places Melbourne has on offer but it is pretty darn good!

Mt Kosciuszko Accommodation

Thredbo Village is the main place to stay for the Mount Kosciuszko walk and it is very cute. Loads of lovely chalets and a nice little main square and road. Thredbo Village was much nicer than what we could see driving through Jindabyne which is the town at the bottom of the mountain.

We got a chalet which was fab — over 3 floors and massive. Our Thredbo chalet even had a sauna! We ended up cooking and staying in the chalet both nights as we had a nice wine and the living room was so big and comfy!

We found our place through stayz.com and the chalet was owned by . Our Chalet was called Knickerbocker. It has a lovely terrace with a bbq and everything you could possibly need.

In Thredbo, boutique hotel options are rather limited. Well, there aren’t really any and a chalet is the best option.

However, if you definitely want to stay in a hotel there are some absolutely fine options — they just aren’t boutique hotels. Imagine more your typical ski accommodation set up of the light wood and tiled floors and you will get what I mean!

The best options that are in Thredbo Village so have good access are:

Getting to Mt Kosciuszko

⇒ Looking to visit a few more major Australian attractions? Check out this post on 10 Popular Australian Landmarks

2. Sydney Weekend Getaway — Bowral

Why Go to Bowral?

It’s New South Wales’ Cutest Country Town! And as it is only a 90-minute drive it is a perfect short break from Sydney!

Things to do in Bowral

1. Hit the wineries

Lark Winery has a fabulous Rose that is heavy on the shiraz and the restaurant looked lovely (I didn’t think to book and they were full up when we got there).

Much closer to Bowral we headed to the lovely Artemis Winery where I picked up some lovely chardonnay. If you’re a fan of Australian wine don’t miss my post on things to do Mornington Peninsula — one of Australia’s loveliest wine regions.

Everything we ate at Centennial was lovely but the highlight was the fig, walnut and blue cheese salad. The cauliflower gratin was pretty sensational as well. All washed down with some pinot noir..

2. Go Bra and Antiques Shopping

There a couple of fantastic classic bookshops and loads of lovely shops selling candles etc. One of the big Bowral NSW attractions is antiques and they have loads.

Every nook and cranny at Dirty Jane’s Bowral is filled and it appears every stallholder is also a stylist in their spare time as they all look fabulous!

My favourite was Suzie Anderson Home — visiting her “stall” (it is much more than that) is like a mini trip to Southern France. Her taste is immaculate.

3. Enjoy Bowral’s Restaurants

There is a nice outdoor seating area at the Bowral Hotel that is also smoking friendly. The outdoor area is pretty much on the Bowral main street so we enjoyed a bottle of Veuve sitting on the wonderfully named Bong Bong Road!

And then it has this sort of Indian feel to it as well — and some amazing looking cakes. And most importantly Elephant Boy has fab coffee!

Bowral Boutique Hotels

The rooms are lovely but the best thing is the shared spaces and fabulous service. There is a lovely outside courtyard/winery at Links House that begs for wine to be drunk.

⇒ Planning a trip to Melbourne? Check out my posts on the Best Place to Stay in Melbourne for Boutique Hotel Lovers and the best Brunch Places Melbourne!

There are also sitting rooms in the front of Links house where port is suggested. The manager is an absolute delight and the night manager was the same. So genuinely friendly and helpful. I can’t say enough good things about Links House! Oh, and there is also a great DVD selection and a fabulous breakfast.

If you would like to check out some other Boutique Hotel options in Bowral, for those who are keen on full country house glamour, you might like the

Getting to Bowral

It takes about 1 ½ hours to drive from Sydney to Bowral traffic dependent of course. This makes it one of the best Sydney getaways for a weekend.

3. Short Trips from Sydney — The Blue Mountains

Why Go to the Blue Mountains?

This stunning mountain range is only one hour from Sydney. The Blue Mountains are possibly the most popular Sydney day trip — but an even better choice for weekends away near Sydney.

Things to do in the Blue Mountains

1. Visit The Three Sisters

A Blue Mountains getaway is not complete without seeing the Three Sisters. These three rocks form the iconic image most associated with the Blue Mountains. They are absolutely stunning.

I highly recommend going to see The Three Sisters Blue Mountains at the end of the day in the magic light the hour before sunset when they positively glow.

You can see the Three Sisters from Katoomba’s Echo Point. It is well signed and has a huge car park. Once you’ve arrived there it is a 5-minute walk to get to the viewing deck for the Three Sisters. You can decide from there how far down you want to walk to get shots

2. Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls are lovely! You can park not too far away and then head down to see them. This is an easy option. The better option is to include Wentworth Falls in a hike — see below! Several hikes around the Blue Mountains involve visiting Wentworth Falls.

3. Go on a hike

It was a relatively easy-going walk but a decent workout. There were quite a few steps and ups and downs! It took about 3 hours to get to Wentworth Falls and back. Definitely, take water and snacks with you as once you start walking there isn’t anything on the way.

4. Enjoy the Food

Have a wander around Katoomba as there are many interesting shops and cafes that are worth a visit. This is heaven if you are into antiques.

Blue Mountains Boutique Hotels

If you’re after a more traditional luxury country getaway try Lilianfells Resort and Spa. This stunning property is right on the edge of the national park making full-on day walks and evening luxury very compatible!

Somewhere Extra Special

If you’re looking for luxury weekend getaways Sydney options, you cannot beat the stunning Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley . The resort is located on a 7000-acre conservation area and consists of 40 private villas, each with a private pool and fireplace. You can also enjoy fantastic treatments at the on-site Spa.

⇒ Planning a weekend away with the one you love? Check out this post on the most romantic weekend getaways from Sydney

How to get the Blue Mountains

We drove to the Blue Mountains which took about a good hour but there are lots of public transport options and a hop on hop off bus once you get there. The Blue Mountains is one of the top short breaks from Sydney and super easy to get to and get around.

⇒ It is also possible to take the train — check out this great post on Blue Mountains Itinerary by Train Options. As Sydney’s most popular day trip there are lots of day tour options. Avoid the hassle of hiring car and dealing with Sydney traffic (which is terrible!):

⇒

4. Weekend Trips out of Sydney — The Golden Door

Why go to The Golden Door?

For one of the most detoxing and relaxing weekend trips near Sydney.

Things to do at the Golden Door

When it comes to relaxing Australia has some fantastic options like the Daylesford Spa region in Victoria. is one of Australia’s top health spas. It has a stunning location in the Hunter Valley. However, you won’t really be exploring the Hunter Valley as it is full of wine and there is no wine at the Golden Door. And no caffeine!

But there are many fantastic things to do at The Golden Door from early morning classes of Tai Chi Qi Gong to interesting and different seminars from all types of practitioners. Different types of classes are then held throughout the day.

The Golden Door Spa is open and ready for you to come and have treatments. And there are loads of kangaroos just hopping around the property which I really enjoyed!

I highly recommend the deep water running in the pool. Good fun and a great work out you don’t really feel till after. I took a cooking class with their chef whilst there which was excellent.

I picked up on some great tips on cooking with lower fat/calories without compromising taste which I am still using to this day.

What to Eat at The Golden Door:

The food at the Golden Door is absolutely delicious — albeit the portions can feel a little small if you decided to go down the heavy exercise route.

How to get to The Golden Door:

The Golden Door is 2 ½ hours from Sydney so it is perfect is you’re looking for short breaks from Sydney. It is an easy drive or they run a shuttle service.

6. Beach Getaways from Sydney — The Northern Beaches

Why go to the Northern Beaches of Sydney?

This is where Home and Away is set and filmed. Need I say more?

Things to do in the Northern Beaches

Visiting the Northern Beaches is a very easy thing to do from Sydney — depending on which ones you want to visit it is only about an hour’s drive. But much nicer to experience the Northern Beaches properly with a weekend.

This area is all about visiting beaches — here are a few to get you started:

⇒ Palm Beach is the home of Home & Away and has the fabulous Barrenjoey Lighthouse which provides amazing views.

⇒ is for hard core surfers, not so great for swimmers. There is a fantastic walk between Narrabeen and Warriewood Beach.

Northern Beaches Boutique Hotels

in Terrey Hills is a gorgeous boutique hotel.

Northern Beaches Restaurants

In Palm Beach check out for great views and food. Narrabeen has several interesting restaurants clustered around the water — for meat, for seafood and for a great breakfast.

How to Get to the Northern Beaches

Like most of Australia, the easiest option is to drive. The Northern Beaches begin only 20km north of the Sydney CBD so it is one of the closest weekend trips from Sydney Australia.

⇒If you’re heading to Perth don’t miss my posts on the Perfect Perth Itinerary for Boutique Hotel Lovers and my complete guide to Perth’s Rottnest Island Day Trip.

6. Weekend Trips from Sydney — Kangaroo Valley

Why go?

Kangaroo Valley Things to do

1. Explore the Kangaroo River

Use a kayak or a canoe to explore the lovely Kangaroo River 2. See Some Waterfalls Fitzroy Falls and Gerringong Falls are both only about 20km from Kangaroo Valley 3. Go Walking Kangaroo Valley is surrounded by Morton National Park which has loads of great walks.

Kangaroo Valley Boutique Hotel

Kangaroo Valley Restaurants

The Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop is at the Barengerry Old Store and claims to have the best pies in the world! For a good old aussie pub atmosphere visit .

Head to the at the Kangaroo Valley golf club for a decadent dinner. has a cellar door as well as crops from macadamias to avocados.

How to Get There

Kangaroo Valley is about a 2-hour drive from Sydney so perfect if you’re looking for weekend adventures Sydney has on offer.

⇒ Australia is a great jumping-off point to visit beautiful tropical Samoa! Check out my post on the 9 Best Resorts in Samoa.

7. Weekend Getaways Sydney — Jervis Bay

Why go to Jervis Bay?

The stunning white sand Australian beaches of which you have dreamed.

Things to do in Jervis Bay

1. See whales and dolphins

Jervis Bay is filled with3. perfect beaches with crystal clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling, scuba and swimming.

Go swimming, bushwalking or bird watching in this beautiful National Park.

Jervis Bay Boutique Hotels

Experience luxurious glamping at the lovely . That is pretty much it when it comes to boutique hotels. If that doesn’t suit have a look at taking an apartment or a villa/cottage — this is a great link to use — or have a look at these

Jervis Bay Restaurants

Jervis Bay has become quite the foodie destination! Even if you aren’t staying at Paperbark Camp try their treehouse style restaurant Asian highlights are or

How to Get to Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is about a 3-hour drive from Sydney, one of the slightly longer short trips from Sydney for the weekend.

8. Weekends from Sydney — the Hunter Valley

Why go to the Hunter Valley?

Wine, wine and more wine.

Things to do in the Hunter Valley

1. Take a Wine Tour

3. Gastronomy Shopping

There are loads of wonderful little shops crammed full of delicious gourmet cheeses, relishes, chocolate etc etc etc. Try the Lovedale Smokehouse and the wonderfully named Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop.

⇒ For more information about how to enjoy a Hunter Valley Getaway click here

Hunter Valley Boutique Hotels

A cosy option is Little Orchard Cottage.

Hunter Valley Restaurants

The Hunter Valley has a fantastic range of delicious eating options. Starting with breakfast check out or Two Fat Blokes. If you’re after some local steak try The flagship Hunter Valley Restaurant isMuse Restaurant.

How to Get There

The Hunter Valley is about a 2 ½ hour drive from Sydney. It is perfect if you’re looking for romantic getaways from Sydney.

If you don’t have time to stay overnight there are quite a few fantastic tour options from Sydney. You can try the classic, or perhaps combine your wine with some local wildlife or combine wine with both a cheese and a chocolate tasting!

⇒ Let someone else do the driving — Book your Hunter Valley Day Tour from Sydney

9. Weekend Flights from Sydney — Lord Howe Island

Why go to Lord Howe Island?

Have a World Heritage Island experience close to Sydney — only 400 visitors are allowed on this 11km long island at a time.

Things to do on Lord Howe Island

1. Dive, snorkel, and swim

2. Take long walks across the island and hang out with the seabirds

3. Go Fishing

Lord Howe Island Boutique Hotels

Lord Howe Island Restaurants

Anchorage is the number one restaurant on the island. is the choice for seafood. The restaurants at and Arajilla Resort are also both highly rated.

How to Get There

If you have a yacht then this is one of the two ways to get to Lord Howe Island! Otherwise, Qantas Link runs out of Sydney most days and Brisbane on weekends.

Lord Howe Island is a two-hour flight from Sydney. Lord Howe Island is perfect if you’re looking for romantic weekend getaways Sydney has to offer.

10. Weekend away Sydney — Mudgee

Why go to Mudgee?

Eating and drinking heaven — Mudgee is NSW’s latest gastronomy hotspot.

Things to do in Mudgee

1. Winery tour

2. Mudgee Farmers Market

The Mudgee Farmers Market is held on the 3 rdSaturday of every month. The Mudgee food and wine festival takes place in September.

3. Explore Wollemi National Park

Mudgee Boutique Hotels

Two great guesthouse options are Mudgee Homestead and Rosby.

Mudgee Restaurants

Starting with breakfast and/or coffee check out , and/or. The top two options for lunch and/or dinner are and

How to Get There

Mudgee is a 3 ½ hour drive northwest of Sydney.

⇒ And finally, another great option for a weekend getaway from Sydney is Wollongong — Click here to read all about Things to do in Wollongong

Flights to Sydney:

Yes, I am afraid it is a very long flight and there is no way around that! A stopover in Asia is often a good idea to break things up.

⇒ If there was ever a time to fly business class it is when you fly to Australia! Check out my reviews on these airlines which fly to Australia: Qatar Airway Business Class Review, Air France a380 Business Class Review, Thai Airways Business Class Review and Malaysia Airlines Business Class Review.

And as you may have heard Australia is big! Often the easiest to get to most of the Sydney getaways above and to be able to explore them properly is to hire a car.

Tours:

Heading to Australia solo? Group tours can be a great option. Here are a few websites worth visiting if you’re looking to join a group tour:

⇒ If you’re planning some solo travel don’t miss my posts on the best Singles Holidays over 40, the 30 best singles travel groups and some fantastic solo spa breaks.

Who Paid for What in this Post

I covered all of the costs associated with this cost. I wrote the first version when I was living in Sydney and now update it on my semi-annual returns and as I come across any relevant news.

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on them and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.

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