5 of the best road trips from Sydney

In need of a break but short on time? Amber Jacobs explores five awesome destinations less than two hours from Sydney that are packed with fun for the family.

1. Hunter Valley

Take Tourist Drive 33 for a scenic route to the Hunter Valley and stop in Wollombi Valley to explore Walkabout Park and Australia’s colonial history on The Convict Trail. Ninety minutes from Hornsby, the Hunter Valley is more than Australia’s oldest wine region with plenty for families to see and do and some surprisingly kid-friendly cellar doors. Kids aged seven and over can ride in a hot air balloon with Balloon Aloft, while kids over 11 can join a Segway tour at Hunter Valley Resort. There is also horseback riding at Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Aqua Golf & Putt Putt in Hunter Valley Gardens. Don’t forget to stop in at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company before you leave for a tasty homemade treat.

2. The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is a nature-lover’s paradise with its World Heritage-listed bushland and stunning sandstone plateaus. On the 90-minute drive west from Sydney to Katoomba, take a break to explore Leura and enjoy the pretty village’s 19th-century cottages, cafes, colourful candy store and local markets selling vintage clothes. Active families will love the abundance of hiking trails available, particularly around Jamison Valley. The town of Katoomba makes an ideal base for nature walks to the Blue Mountains National Park’s favourite attractions including the Three Sisters and Scenic World, where you can ride the steepest railway in the world, float on air in the Skyway or glide up and down the mountain on the Cableway.

3. Windsor

It’s not just history that’s the main drawcard at this town on the northwestern fringe of Sydney. Young or old, everyone will love the Hawkesbury River and its impressive array of water sports or simply savouring the scenery on a paddlewheeler cruise. Close by, Penrith is touted as the adventure capital of NSW. Thrill-seeking families will love strapping in and taking off at Jetpack Adventures (there’s a minimum weight of 40 kilograms for these Jetpack and Flyboard experiences), wakeboarding at Cables Wake Park (little shredders aged six and up can learn on Kids’ Club Saturdays, or over 10 at other times), and for an exhilarating, not-to-be-missed experience for every member of the tribe, head to iFLY for indoor skydiving.

4. The Central Coast

The Central Coast is the perfect spot for water sports with its abundance of pristine beaches and lagoons, just an hour north of Sydney. Take a pit stop at Woy Woy’s fisherman’s wharf to feed the pelicans or go fishing in the waters of The Entrance. TreeTop Adventure Park in Ourimbah State Forest has fun obstacle courses, flying foxes and a rollercoaster zipline through the bush. Book a room at the sprawling Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific to enjoy panoramic beach views and great kid-friendly meals. Children can also enjoy the activity-packed Water Dragons Kids’ Club during school holidays. Older kids can go on an underwater journey at the ex-HMAS Adelaide Dive site near The Skillion, while young ones can hire a paddle boat at Terrigal Lagoon or play in the nearby Rotary Park Playground. Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre is also located in the Rotary Park and offers kids the opportunity to touch starfish, sea sponges and coral while parents relax at the aquarium’s cafe.

5. Wollongong

Your ‘Gong’ adventure begins as soon as you hit the Grand Pacific Drive. Stop off to explore the Royal National Park and soak up the stunning views from Stanwell Park. Wollongong is the gateway to the South Coast and ideal for families, with patrolled surf beaches right in the city centre. When you arrive, let the little ones stretch their legs and minds at the Early Start Discovery Space, located within the University of Wollongong. This first-of-its-kind museum in Australia was created to educate children from birth to 10 years old through play. Each month, the educational space offers an in-depth experience of a range of topics (April is Puppet Month, for example). More active families might like to hire a bike and cycle the 18-kilometre-long Wollongong to Thirroul Bike Track, while those looking for a more cultural experience can explore Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere.

This article appeared in volume 55 of Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.

Main image © Walkway, Scenic World