Top day trips from sydney

The best part about visiting Sydney is that there is quite a bit to do in the city. With beaches and national parks just an hour's drive away, it may take a lot of work to determine what you want to explore first. Whether you've had your fill visiting iconic sights or would like a different sort of experience, the places listed in this article are certainly worth trying.

Best Places To Visit In Sydney For Day Trips

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Everyone knows Sydney is a beautiful city with a fantastic harbour and iconic bridge. Yet for many Sydneysiders living in the city centre, simply seeing it from afar isn't enough. In fact, as one of the most remarkable bridges in the world, it would be hard to argue that anyone can leave without experiencing it first-hand.

On your visit to this magnificent site, you'll see graceful curves and elegant archways, which provide an unsurpassed view of the city's famous landmarks like sails on boats and grey skyscrapers towering over sea-green waves. View the city skyline from the top of a bridge built for walking!

Voyager of The Seas

Lovers of the ocean and its lifestyle will surely fall in love with a place like Bondi Beach, with its popular oceanfront area, excellent surf break, and surrounding cafes. One of the most amazing suburbs in all of Sydney is beloved by locals and tourists alike, making it a must-see for any visitor to Sydney.

Voyager of the Seas, which leaves from the city centre on Darling Harbour, is a different kind of cruise ship—an aquabus. This vehicle will take you out to sea and into the ocean, showing you all the beauty it has to offer.

North Head Historic Site

Sydney is an exciting place to visit: its beaches, national parks, and museums. Yet one of Sydney's most famous attractions is entirely off the beaten path for most visitors—North Head Historic Site and National Park.

North Head is perfect for enjoying the outdoors, with amazing views and activities such as walking, fishing, and bird-watching. Visitors on a full-day tour from Sydney would surely enjoy exploring this site.

Manly Ferry Tour

One of the ways to see Sydney Harbour is from the water, and there's no better way than with a trip on one of its ferries! Whether you take one of the local commuter ferry lines or opt for a more leisurely return trip on one of the tourist ferries, you'll be sure to love these relaxing rides across Australia's most prominent natural harbour.

Royal National Park

With its towering sandstone cliffs, deep natural pools, and lush rainforests, Royal National Park is a popular area for locals to enjoy the outdoors and escape the city. The park is an International Biosphere Reserve, making it one of Sydney's most important natural landmarks.

Port Stephens

Many things make this Australian seaside town a great place to visit, and there are many options for what you can do here. Whether you decide to stay in the city or get out and explore the country, Port Stephens is sure to fit any traveller's needs. The area is full of beautiful beaches, incredible scenery, and all sorts of water-based activities.

Australian Great Barrier Reef

If you're visiting Australia during summer (which is a highly recommended time for a visit), then it's safe to assume that one of your destinations will be the Great Barrier Reef. This is one of the largest natural wonders in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so visiting here is a must-do.

Hunter Valley Wine Tours

With rolling hills and lush green trees, the Hunter Valley wine region is a beautiful location and one of Australia's most popular wine regions. From the Hunter Valley, you can find both red and white wines produced with grapes from some of the finest growing areas.

The Blue Mountains National Park

Once you've spent some time wandering around Sydney and its beautiful harbour shores, it might be time to venture out further afield—and there's no better place to visit than The Blue Mountains! This picturesque area of Australia offers visitors everything they could imagine: waterfalls, beautiful forests, towering cliffs, and camping grounds.

Uluru National Park and Kata Tjuta National Park

For those travellers looking for a fun way to see a beautiful part of Australia, including the highlights of Kings Canyon and Uluru, this is the place to go! From Sydney, it's only a short drive west to visit Uluru, but besides the fantastic views, you can do many other things of your choice in this area.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is an impressive natural beauty and one of Sydney's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors will be driven through the park on a bus, enabling them to stop along the way at various points and take in the area's beauty.

Snake Valley Walk

One of the top ways to experience and enjoy Australia's natural beauty is by walking through it, and there's no better place to do this than in Snake Valley! The valley was established as a national park with spectacular scenery—wildflowers, towering cliffs, and waterfalls—and native Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, emus, and wombats.

Fitzroy Falls

If you're looking to take a scenic drive through the rugged Australian countryside, then there are few better options than Fitzroy Falls. This area has the added bonus of being the perfect spot to have your picnic or a relaxing walk through a beautiful landscape.

The Gold Coast Aquarium

Located along the coast in central Gold Coast, this popular aquarium contains more than 15,000 aquatic animals. It is home to Australia's only open ocean tank filled with hundreds of sharks! Visitors can enjoy some of the nation's best coastal marine life and learn about it in this beautiful place.

Byron Bay

Get a taste of the Australian coast with a visit to Byron Bay, where you'll find beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Of course, this city is famous for more than just its beaches and stunning ocean views—it's also home to a wide variety of colourful shops and restaurants that make it one of the most vibrant cities in all of Australia.

Warriewood

Another place where the gorgeous beaches and breathtaking ocean views are just the beginning is Warriewood, located on the southern coast of New South Wales. The area is a popular spot for tourists looking to get a taste of island life, and many visitors like to enjoy a beach picnic by the ocean.

Bondi Beach

Locals named Bondi Beach one of Australia's most beautiful beaches, illustrating how much people love this place. This stunning area features excellent sand and clear waters, making it perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.

Jamberoo Action Park

For many people, Australia is the place to go for an incredible outdoor adventure. Jamberoo Action Park has just that, with plenty of options for all-day fun in the sun (and some water) at this fantastic water park. Visitors can enjoy activities like whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and much more!

Ngurunderi and Ngalu Country

Located in Far North Queensland, this region is one of the last remaining untouched parts of Australia. There are thousands of indigenous plants and animals all over the area, from the native fauna to the world-famous Daintree rainforest.

"Ngurunderi Country" is an exciting place for a nature lover to visit—you'll see Australian wildlife like kangaroos and emus and listen to birds singing here.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a very iconic tourist attraction in Australia. The lighthouse is located on the Barrenjoey Head, which is also part of Sydney's New South Wales North Head National Park. Visitors can take a guided tour or take in the sights during a short visit to this fantastic tourist attraction.

Things To Know Before Going To Sydney

So you've decided to visit Sydney but need help figuring out where to start. There are many things that you should research before going on your trip to Australia's most exciting city.

What to wear

Sydney weather is highly unpredictable, so you should be prepared for all weather conditions. From rain to snow, several factors go into packing for this trip. If you're unsure what to bring with you, check out the Weather Channel's website for detailed information about Sydney's weather patterns throughout the year and what clothes you should bring.

Be prepared for heavy traffic

Sydney is a vast city, and the roads are always busy with vehicles. Add to this the fact that many locals use their cars to go from one place to another because public transit is not as well-developed as in other big cities worldwide.

If you're going to drive, you may want to set aside a lot of time for travelling each day—including trips across town! Traffic can be very slow, especially during peak hours.

Call ahead before visiting attractions

One amazing thing about Sydney is its incredible list of tourist attractions, but there are some things to look into before you go. Many of these places are closed during certain times of the year (winter, for example) or have limited access during specific periods for various reasons.

In general, if you want to see the Sydney Opera House or walk around the famous Bondi Beach—as well as many other things—your best bet is to call ahead to find out whether they're open.

Check out what is worth seeing

Before going on your trip to Sydney, take some time and think about what kinds of things you want to see while you're there. That way, you can make more informed decisions about places to visit and what to do.

For example, if you plan on visiting one of the museums in the city, you'll get a better idea of what exciting things to look at if you know beforehand that it's a museum.

Visit the National Trust for Australia

This organisation works directly with the government to ensure that Australian history and heritage are reserved for future generations. They also deal with issues concerning history, Aboriginal culture, and conservation—which means they have a lot to say about Australian life and social issues.

If you visit their website, you'll be able to access a lot of interesting information about activities and events that are worth checking out while in Sydney.

Keep in mind the cultural differences

Australia is known for its unique culture that sets it apart from other nations. Find out more about Australian culture before you visit to better understand how people think and act.

You can start by reading information online and learning more about different things like food, art, music, and dance. There's a lot to be learned, so use this trip as an opportunity to explore!

Prepare to eat more than touristy foods

Finding something tasty can be a challenge at first when you go somewhere new. But it does not have to be overly complicated. Tourist restaurants such as McDonald's, Subway, and Pizza Hut are not the only options—there are plenty of local eateries where you can find great food.

Groceries, in general, tend to be expensive in Sydney, so you should know what types of things you should and shouldn't eat before your visit (some people prefer local foods, and others do not).

Know which areas to avoid

Many people who go to Sydney wonder if they should avoid certain areas of the city because they're more dangerous than others. The truth is that the crime rate in Sydney is extremely low—although there are still some areas where you should take extra precautions.

For example, there's a high population of homeless people in the city and vagrants with mental health problems. Although these folks do not pose a threat to you, knowing what you may encounter can be challenging if you decide to go out at night. However, in general, Sydney's downtown core, known as the CBD (Central Business District), is a safe place during the day and at night.

Prepare for the beach

The beaches around the Sydney area are some of the most beautiful in the country. However, certain parts are more popular than others. That's why it's a good idea to start your visit by going to a beach that doesn't have any attractions, such as swimming pools, restaurants, or other places where people gather.

If you want to spend your time in an area with nice sand and clean water, go to Cape Solander in Kurnell or Kareela Bay Beach.

Keep in mind the wide variety of activities

Sydney is a city full of activities for all kinds of people. If you're looking for an event to go to on your trip, you should be prepared to find something interesting. For example, the Sydney International Film Festival takes place annually—you can attend it.

Or there are many activities around town where you can learn more about Australian life and culture, such as The Sydney Tambourine Collective.

Learn about Australian traditions

If you love history, this is a chance to learn much more about Australia's history and heritage from people from the country. If you like to learn about different cultures or are interested in knowing more about the Aboriginal way of life, this is an excellent opportunity for you. You can find exhibits in many cities and galleries where you can see different things from Australia's past.

Shop for souvenirs

Whether it's art, handmade crafts, or clothes from a local designer—you should have no problem finding something valuable to take home as a souvenir for someone back home. In Sydney, most of the art and design pieces are very creative—you can find plenty of great souvenirs! You'll notice that many shops sell beautiful and unique Australian designs in their stores.

Go For Guided Tours

If you love history, you'll want to go for a guided tour in Sydney. You can catch one of many tours offered by the Sydney Opera House or by the Australian War Memorial. Or you can get a private tour to learn more about any area that interests you.

Additionally, if you're interested in visiting a museum, research places like the Art Gallery of New South Wales or the Museum of Sydney (a great museum with many unique displays).

Why Choose Sydney For Your Day Trips

Sydney has so much to offer visitors, so it's sometimes tricky for most people to decide where to go. If you still need to decide whether Sydney is the right destination for you, here are the top reasons why visitors choose Sydney.

The city is alive all-day

You can start your morning with breakfast in the city's heart and then spend the rest of your day enjoying some of the best things in Sydney. You can go out and walk through interesting parts of town, visit museums and see attractions—plenty of options will keep you occupied throughout your stay in Australia's largest city by area.

Sydney is a multicultural city

Whether you like it or not, Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities. It's easy to see this fact when you look at the locals because so many nationalities live there. Whether you want to learn more about Australian culture and the way of life, or you prefer to discover your own culture through visiting other places, this is an opportunity to do all of these things.

Great opportunity for outdoor experiences

For those who seek the thrill of a great adventure, you're in luck! Sydney is one of the greatest cities that you can explore. Whether it's a boat ride on Australia's most prominent natural harbour or you like to go hiking through beautiful trails—this place has plenty of things to offer. Whether you like to relax or want to be active all day long, there are plenty of activities and events for your visit.

Sydney is full of festivals and art

This is one of the reasons why many people choose to visit this place. Whether you're interested in arts, music, or other forms of entertainment and culture, Sydney has one of the most exciting events you can attend. Although many are expensive, it's still a good idea to check out what Sydney has in store for you during your visit.

The food is amazing

If you're looking for a place to find all kinds of great food you haven't tried before—this is the city for you! Australians have their cuisine, but they also like to try out new things. Whether it's fusion or the local restaurant in your area, most people find some street food to eat on the go. There are plenty of opportunities to find something delicious during your stay in Sydney.

There are great experiences at night

Sydney's nightlife has something for everyone. Whether you like to go to a big party or want some quiet time at the bar to enjoy a drink with your friends, plenty of options can make your stay in Sydney more enjoyable.

The clubs are pretty impressive, and many activities are happening around the city after dark. Also, make sure you book a hotel with a kitchen to save money while still eating well!

Sydney is surrounded by beautiful scenery

Just because it's a big city doesn't mean it doesn't offer something natural and precious. If you take a trip out to the Royal National Park, you'll be amazed at how many amazing things there are to see. When people come to Sydney, they travel outside of the city because it has so much going on and gets jam-packed in tourist areas.

Visit places that are off the tourist map

Sydney offers many attractions for people who love to go on journeys and explore on their own—there is a lot of history and culture found in neighbourhoods that tourists don't usually see. For example, those who love art will enjoy spending time in Paddington, where there are so many art galleries to choose from.

Plan Your Day Trips From Sydney 

With so many fun activities to do and places to visit, it's a great idea to stick around for more than one day. It's also a good idea to book a guided tour so you can learn more about Sydney while still enjoying all of its attractions. You can book a ride and enjoy the best day trip from Sydney.

It's also a great idea to go in your own car so you can easily drive around to the different tourist sites. You'll need a good quality car that can go long distances. If you're planning to take a trip to Sydney, now's a good time to consider selling your car and upgrading or getting a stronger one. There are different dealerships where you can get a good car deal, so check online for reliable car seller options.