Best Day Trips From Sydney for Families
Whether you’re in the thick of school holidays, or simply looking to getaway for some quality family time together, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a mini break! Here is a list of the best day trips from Sydney.
Best Day Trips From Sydney for Families
In Sydney we are spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing places to visit just for the day, with plenty of fun for everyone.
Here’s our guide to the top 10 day trips from Sydney for families that are guaranteed to push away the “i’m bored” chants from the kids and create some much-treasured family memories.
1. Central Coast
Just one hour from Hornsby, the Central Coast is a great day trip from Sydney whether you’re looking to hit up the beaches, or exhaust the kids with some outdoor experiences.
You can head straight to Terrigal for surfing, waves, sand and plenty of cafes, but it is one of the most popular destinations up there.
If you’re hoping to avoid the crowds (as much as you can on a hot Summer’s Day, venture over the Avoca Beach where you will find a rockpool, dog-friendly lagoon, paddle boats for hire and delicious fish and chips.
If the kids are up for a little more adventure, take them over to Amazement Farm where they can challenge themselves in the maze, enjoy pony rides, check out the animals and more. There’s also a Treetops High Ropes course in Ourimbah, where kids of all ages can enjoy some climbing fun.
2. Hunter Valley
This is a day trip from Sydney that you’re going to love just as much as the kids. The days of winery jumping while you sample the local grapes might be behind you (at least for now), there’s no reason you can’t squeeze a cellar door or two in between all the kid-friendly fun!
Head straight to the Hunter Valley Gardens (just 2.5 hours from Hornsby) for some beautiful scenery and nature. It always pays to plan your day trip around an event, from the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights to Mega Creature, there’s always lots happening here. If you’re after a little more adventure, the Aqua Golf and Putt Putt right next to the Gardens has floating target nets and offers plenty of fun.
The Hunter Valley Wildlife Park is just as memorable, home to monkeys, lions, kangaroos and plenty more for the kids to get up close with.
Stock up on treats at The Chocolate and Fudge Factory (yum!), then quickly fit in a winery visit while the kids are preoccupied – Tempus Two is great and there’s a delicious cheese shop next door.
3. Blue Mountains
You’ll want to pull out the warm gear for this Sydney day trip, as the Blue Mountains do tend to be on the chillier side.
Just 45 minutes from Hornsby, the first stop you want to make is to Scenic World. Get your adrenaline rush on the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world.
Enjoy the views from the Scenic Skyway or the Scenic Cableway, or stroll through the forest on the Scenic Walkway.
Mayfield Garden is also well worth the visit, sitting on 65 hectares of lawns and featuring one of the largest mazes in Australia.
If the kids are getting peckish, plan a stop at the Gingerbread House, which is something out of a fairytale. There’s equipment to play on outside and plenty of treats to choose from.
Of course, no trip is complete without viewing the Three Sisters. Your best vantage point is at Echo Point lookout, just outside the national park. Bring your cameras for a picture-perfect moment!
4. Kiama
This is one of the best day trips from Sydney. The main attraction is the Kiama Blowhole – which is the largest in the world.
There is also a second ‘Little Blowhole’ that is pretty impressive too. Watch the water shoot up out of the 2.5 metre blowhole that was formed from volcanic lava about 260 million years ago! Wow. The kids will be entranced.
The Kiama Coastal Walk is another highlight. Bring the scooters for the kids, and follow the path up to the Kiama Blowhole, then keep going all the way to Surf Beach where you can enjoy a splash. Hit up Black Beach Playground on the trip back to really exhaust the kids.
5. Port Stephens
Just over 2 hours from Hornsby, Port Stephens is a great day trip from Sydney, but also worth staying a night or two if you have the time.
Take the kids for a unique experience at the Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters where you can get up close with stingrays and sharks! There’s various pools to check out and lots of great information from the guides as you feed and touch them. For another unique experience head to Oakfield Ranch for some camel rides!
You’ll find some more animal adventures at Oakvale Farm & Fauna World, with native farm and exotic animals, such as kangaroos, rabbits, alligators and ostriches. It pays to catch one of their shows during the day. You may prefer the Koala Sanctuary, which exists to offer care to sick, injured and orphaned koalas.
For more fun, enjoy the exhilaration on offer at Toboggan Hill Park, suitable for all ages. There’s even hot ice skating, indoor rock climbing and a jumping Castle indoors. If it’s hot, Tomaree Aquatic Centre is the perfect escape, with a huge spiral water slide the kids will love.
There’s also plenty of family-friendly beaches in the area, including One Mile Beach, Fingal Bay, Zenith Beach and more. At the end of the day, grab a bite to eat at Soldiers Point Bowling Club with a great outdoor play space for the kids.
6. Berry
One of our favourite Sydney day trips, Berry is about 2.5 hours from Hornsby offering the perfect mix of rural and coastal in one spot. Hit up Seven Mile Beach just 10 minutes from time, where the kids can play while you relax back on the sand.
If your kids have a keen interest in history, then take them on the Berry Historial Walk where you will visit old buildings, including the courthouse, post office, Berry Hotel and Berry Museum. There are plenty of fun shops to stop in on along the way.
You also can’t plan a trip to Berry without stopping off at the Berry Donut Van, which has been serving delicious treats for about 50 years now!
Want to indulge in a little wine tasting? Take the kids along to Silos Estate where you can meet and feed the alpacas, then settle back for some wine tasting afterwards. The perfect mix!
7. Lake Macquarie
Less than 1.5 hours from Hornsby, Lake Macquarie has plenty of outdoor fun on offer for kids of all ages.
Start with a walk along the foreshore at Warners Bay and enjoy the sculptures dotted along the lake as you go, which have been created by both national and international artists.
For something a little different, head to Caves Beach, where you can go exploring during low tide and check out the sea caves and rock pools.
You can also just settle back on the beach and enjoy a swim! Another great place for a dop is at Belmont Baths, where you will find a netted swimming area with a long jetty that’s just perfect for jumping off.
If the kids love a good playground, then it’s well worth heading to Speers Point Variety Playground, which features a 12-metre climbing tower, leading to an amazing spiral slide. There’s also a big spider web net, swings and slides.
There are also plenty of walks in the area the whole family will love, from Fernleigh Track to Awakabal Walk.
8. Bathurst
Consider this one of the hidden gems when it comes to road trips in Sydney. You’ll have to drive a little further for this one (about 3 hours from Hornsby), but it’s well worth it! Head straight to the Bathurst Adventure Playground where kids can burn some energy on the flying fox, rock wall, maze and more.
Make sure you plan a trip to Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour for a taste of their signature ice cream, with plenty of tasty treats to try. Take the kids up Mount Panorama where you can go on the actual race track and park at the top for some incredible views across the city.
Cherry picking is another great activity during November and February each year at the many farm gates in the area. Train lovers will also get a kick out of Bathurst Rail Museum, with miniature trains and a great play area too.
9. Wollongong
A popular destination just over 2 hours from Hornsby, Wollongong has an array of kid-friendly activities. Check out Symbio Wildlife Park, where you get up close with meerkats, lemurs, red pandas and more.
The kids will love heading to Early Start Discovery Space, where they will want to spend the whole day!
There’s a mini supermarket for them to ‘shop’, dress-ups, building construction for more pretend play, kids can dig for buried treasure, tour the tummy and learn lots, sail the seas and so much more.
Wollongong is also well-known for their fabulous playgrounds. Stuart Park is amazing with a huge sky tower and two great slides.
Austinmer Beach Reserve is also great, with plenty of climbing challenges for the older kids. You can even head to Jamberoo Action Park for an amazing water park, including 200 canons, huge buckets and more.
10. Newcastle
Just under 2hrs from Hornsby you will find Newcastle. Beeline straight for Newcastle Museum, where kids get a glimpse into history, with lots of action-packed, hands-on things to do for all ages. There’s a Supernova section, Fire and Earth Show and plenty more.
Do the kids enjoy heights? Let them lose at Treetops Adventure Newcastle, where they can climb, zipline and swing from the trees. Be sure to include a trip to Coco Monde for some delicious hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and more.
For something a little different, head out to the Stockton Sand Dunes, just 20 minutes away where you can join a sand-boarding tour that the kids won’t forget for a while. You’ll have just as much fun!
Day Trips from Sydney That Families Will Love
It’s time to start planning the ultimate day trip from Sydney to create some memories to last a lifetime. Where to first? Let us know your favourite of our list of best day trips from Sydney!
For more inspiration and things to do in Sydney for families follow us on FACEBOOK!!!
