Best Day Trips from Sydney

Sydney is a huge city with many hidden gems and tourist activities to do. In its surroundings, you will find amazing natural spaces with wildlife native to the Australian lands, which you will not be able to miss during your stay.

When you make your trip, you will not only have to partake of the best things to do in Sydney, you will also have a great offer of excursions that will allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with nature. For example, visit the Blue Mountains, the Royal National Park, Symbio Wildlife Park, Morton National Park, Nowra Park, among other natural lungs.

If the timing of your itinerary allows it, during your stay in the city you should join one of the day trips to the Blue Mountains from Sydney. You will get into the nature and live an unforgettable experience.

This activity can be done in the company of a driver-guide, who will take you from the center of Sydney to the western region of New South Wales. There, you will discover dream places such as the following:

• Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus and many more species.
• Echo Point Katoomba, with an important rock formation known as the Three Sisters, who, according to indigenous legend, are the protectors of the forest.

In addition, by participating in a day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney you will enjoy some unique attractions:

• You'll board a cable car and get a breathtaking view of the Jamison Valley.
• You will walk at a height of 270 meters above the valley via a bridge.
• You will descend by train at an approximate inclination of 52º, as if it were a roller coaster.

It is usual that after this experience you return to the city by sailing down the Parramatta River, ending in a kind of cruise on Sydney Harbour. You will get a different perspective of the city skyline at night, which, in addition, during the Christmas season in Sydney acquires a particular beauty due to the lights.

Details of interest

• Price: this type of excursion can cost from 110€ per person.
• Duration: this adventure usually lasts about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus, cable car, train and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will not have to worry about the cost of the cable car entrance, the train and the cruise, as they are included with the excursion.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually with these excursions you do not enjoy transportation to the hotel door.

Take advantage of your stay in Sydney to discover the natural scenery hidden in Australia' s national parks. Be part of an excursion from the city center to these magical destinations dotted with waterfalls, wildlife, cliffs and a fascinating wine culture.

You will travel by car to some of the region's nature reserves. Such is the case of:

• The Royal National Park, which shelters a tropical rainforest with native fauna and flora, the Curracurrong Creek, beaches and dreamy coastal landscapes, among others.
• The Macquarie Walk National Park, with its imposing waterfall of more than 80 meters, Fitzroy.
• Symbio Wildlife Park, where you can interact with some friendly koalas and learn about them. You will also see Tasmanian devils, emus, kangaroos and more.

In addition to exploring the Australian wilderness, these tours often include a stop for lunch and a guided tasting of regional wines. Without a doubt, this is a wildlife and waterfall bonding experience that can't be missed on your itinerary of the best Sydney tours.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this tour starts at approximately 187€ per person.
• Duration: the average duration of this adventure is 11 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will explore some of the most important national parks in Australia.
• Disadvantages of this option: the cost of lunch is not usually included in the price of the excursion, so you will have to assume this expense on your own.

If you want to get up close and personal with a couple of animal species native to Australian lands such as wombats and wild kangaroos, then you should visit some of the wilderness areas and national parks around Sydney. You will be able to connect with nature and enjoy amazing landscapes.

On a wombat and wild kangaroo watching tour you will visit a number of destinations where you can get up close and personal with these curious animals. You will be able to take some pictures and even interact with some wombats.

Some of the places that usually incorporate this type of experience include the following:

• Sublime Point overlook, with a privileged view of the Jamison Valley.
• The Macquarie Walk National Park; a protected area with rainforest and eucalyptus forests.
• Fitzroy Falls, located in Morton National Park. You will enjoy a fall of more than 80 meters and a rugged landscape.
• Budderoo National Park, with amazing virgin forest and beautiful waterfalls. In addition, you will find observation platforms and suspension bridges.
• A wombat and kangaroo camp, where you will observe in detail the behavior of these animals.

Details of interest

• Price: the average price of the excursion is 117€ per person.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transport: van.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know closely two species of animals native to the Australian lands, the wombats and wild kangaroos.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually these excursions do not include any type of food.

Approximately 40 minutes drive from the center of Sydney you will find the Royal National Park. This is a huge natural lung where an important sample of biodiversity is concentrated. You will enjoy a tropical rainforest, coastal landscapes, native Australian animals, waterfalls, beaches and much more.

In the park you will have the opportunity to explore the different areas of the nature reserve and follow various trails, which will reveal amazing destinations such as the following:

• The Wedding Cake Rock; a very popular viewpoint due to the panoramic cliffs it offers.
• The Eagle Rock, through which you will find the Curracurrong Creek, with a drop of about 40 meters to the ocean. Also, you will see birds such as the New Holland Eared Owl and eucalyptus plants, reeds, lilies, among others.
• Stanwell Park Beach, located towards the southern region of the park. It stands out for its sand dunes and blue waters.
• Symbio Wildlife Park, with native animals such as kangaroos, wombats, koalas, Tasmanian devils, emus, among others.

After this tour, you will surely return to Sydney in the evening, to continue discovering its history and natural-urban contrast. Perhaps join one of Sydney's guided city tours, or take a dinner cruise on the harbor, among other activities.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of this tour is about 203€ per person.
• Duration: this experience lasts approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transportation: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: the itinerary of this type of excursion is usually flexible, so it is likely that you will be able to choose the places to visit within the park.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually this type of excursion does not include drinks or snacks.

Another place you can explore from Sydney is the Hunter Valley region. This is a historic wine-growing area of Australia, where you can visit some wineries, learn about the wine production process and take guided tastings. Also, enjoy the vineyard landscape of this land with some wild kangaroos.

Day trips to Hunter Valley from Sydney usually start with a pick up in the city center, such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, among other destinations at your convenience. You will then travel for just over three hours along Sydney's north shore.

You will be able to tour some of the more than 150 wineries in the Hunter Valley for a wine and food experience. Among the most visited are:

• Tyrrell's Wines Winery, a family-owned business with more than 160 years, picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines.
• Krinklewood Vineyard, with award-winning wines, a huge vineyard overlooking the Brokenback Range and gardens.
• Brokenwood Wine Cellar, a time-honored tradition in the valley since 1970.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of this experience starts at 119€ per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts approximately 11 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will enjoy up close the wine culture of Australia.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you want to do extra tastings to those offered in the experience, you will have to assume the cost on your own.

If you want to disconnect for a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and get in touch with nature, then you should take a trip to the Illawarra Fly Treeto. You will walk along a footbridge located at least 30 meters above the park, enjoying an amazing natural scene.

For this adventure you will have to drive from Sydney to the Illawarra Fly Treet, about two hours by car. This is a destination that will amaze you with its scenic beauty, especially during the summer in Sydney when the canopy colors are at their most vibrant.

Upon arriving at the park, you will walk along a pair of metal walkways approximately 1.5 kilometers long, which rises above this natural region. You will have a privileged view of the Australian rainforest, its flora and fauna. In addition, you will see the Royal National Park and Lake Illawarra in the distance, among other destinations.

Details of interest

• Price: the average cost of the entrance to the park is 22€ per person.
• Duration: you will have no time limit as it is a self-guided experience.
• Means of transport: private car.
• Advantages of this option: the entrance fee includes an audio guide that will allow you to learn a little about the fauna and flora of the place.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to drive there and back, which could be uncomfortable for you.

Nowra Adventure Park is a great place to spend a fun time in contact with nature. You will be able to ride through the treetops across a series of zip lines, suspension bridges, and other aerial obstacles.

You will have to drive on your own from Sydney city center to Shoalhaven Zoo, where Nowra Park is located, about 2 hours and 30 minutes away. This is a place where vertigo and adrenaline combine to provide an unforgettable experience.

Among the options for fun that you will find in Nowra Park, the following stand out:

• Some 15 zip lines, which will allow you to move throughout the park from one tree to another.
• Rope courses for adults, with which you can reach 5 to 25 meters high while exploring the cliffs and trees.
• Ropecourses at about 2 meters, ideal if you are a beginner or visiting the park from Sydney with young children.
• Aerial obstacles, consisting of slack ropes, tunnels, suspension bridges, towers and climbing nets, among others.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of this treetop experience starts at around 59€ per person.
• Duration: this activity can last about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transportation: private car.
• Advantages of this option: you will have a previous training by the park staff, so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.
• Disadvantages of this option: although the park is located in Shoalhaven Zoo, you will not be able to access the animal area with the same ticket.

During your trip you can take the opportunity to join one of the day trips to Canberra from Sydney. There, you will discover many interesting places: museums, parks, monuments and historic buildings with fascinating architecture.

For this experience you will travel on a route of just over three hours by car from the center of Sydney to the capital of Australia, Canberra. Some must-see places to visit include the following:

• The National Museum of Australia, with temporary and permanent exhibits that reveal the nation's history and culture.
• The Canberra Commonwealth Park, which during the months of September and October hosts a large flower festival.
• The Australian War Memorial where you can take a few minutes to honor the nation's war dead and reflect.
• Mount Ainslie, with a 360º view of the entire city.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost of the tour is around 112€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned car.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the sights of Australia's capital in one day.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour does not usually include food and drink.

Sydney is a city with a privileged geographical location, due to the fact that it is only a few hours away from natural scenery of great scenic beauty. Therefore, making an excursion from the city is highly recommended during your stay. You will leave behind the hustle and bustle of the streets and connect with nature.

You can visit amazing places such as the Blue Mountains, where you will discover the true wilderness of New South Wales; the Royal National Park, with fauna and flora native to Australia. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the wine culture in the Hunter Valley region, have fun at the Nowra Adventure Park and much more.

There are a number of basic tips that will help you avoid inconveniences when embarking on a tour from Sydney. Some of them are:

• Wearclosed-toe shoes that keep your feet comfortable and protected. Remember that during the excursion you will be walking on uneven surfaces and it is best to have a good level of traction on your feet.
• Bring some snacks to recharge your batteries during the excursion. Keep in mind that not all of these experiences offer food and beverages.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast. This way, you will be able to wear appropriate clothing, i.e. light clothing, sunglasses or a hat for hot days and warmer clothing if your experience coincides with the winter season in Sydney.