Weekend getaways from Sydney with kids is something I’m working on incorporating into our annual planning. However, the idea of hopping in the car, throwing caution to the wind and heading off on a weekend getaway was something of my youth. My spontaneity took me all over the place, but sometimes also had me sleeping in the back of my car after realising that everything was booked out in the town I had just arrived. That type of flippant regard for planning just won’t work when it comes to travelling with kids.
As a parent I have learned that a good list is at the heart of a good plan, so with weekend getaways from Sydney with kids one of my current goals, I have created a list of destinations for us to explore which we can travel to from Sydney under 3 hours which boasts fun things to for the whole family.
Like all of our posts, the information contained was accurate at time of publication. We love to jump in and add to our lists as we learn more about different locations Please feel free to add a comment about any of your suggestions for weekend getaways from Sydney with kids that we may have missed.
Weekend getaways from Sydney with kids
Table of Contents
The Blue Mountains
Just thinking about the Blue Mountains makes me breathe better making it one of the ultimate weekend getaways from Sydney with kids. The fresh air and the connection to nature make it the perfect destination to escape the concrete scape of the city.
The Blue Mountains is an easy distance from Sydney and boasts quite an array of things to see and do with kids. In fact, with such a full bounty of activities, it is a destination that can be enjoyed over a weekend or longer.
The Blue Mountains boasts waterfalls, caves, heritage locations, chestnut picking, some of the state’s best bushwalking tracks, and good food.
Top Places to visit in the Blue Mountains – our Blue Mountain bucket list
Scenic World
Jenolan Caves
Jellybean Pool Track
Chestnut Picking at Mt Wilson
Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah
Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
Wentworth Falls Bush Walk
Everglades House & Gardens
Mayfield Gardens
Blue Mountains Explorer Hop On Hop Off Bus
The Three Sisters Walk
Norman Lindsay Gallery and Gardens
Where to Eat in the Blue Mountains
Aunty Ed’s Restaurant and Bar – Katoomba
Gingerbread House Cafe – Katoomba
Cafe 2773 – Glenbrook
High Tea at the Hydro Majestic hotel
Leura Garage – Leura
Where to Stay in the Blue Mountains
When heading to the Blue Mountains we have typically booked AirBnB accommodation but we are keen to try some of the family accommodation choices recommended by friends. Their top picks are:
Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains
Palais Royale Boutique Hotel
The Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley has a viticultural history dating way back to the 1800s which is often what draws visitors to the area. As a bonafide teetotaler, I baulked at heading to the Hunter Valley as a weekend getaway with the kids when Tee first proposed a visit as I thought it was packed full of wineries and nothing much else. I was chuffed to discover that whilst it does boast a whole lot of wineries, it is also home to lots of foodie delights and lots of different places to visit with kids.
Top Places to Visit in the Hunter Valley with kids – our Hunter Valley bucket list
Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Zoo
Chocolate and Fudge Factory
Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures
Hunter Valley Cheese Factory
Hunter Valley Infantry Museum
Maitland Park
Maitland Gaol
Where to Eat in the Hunter Valley
The Deck Cafe – Lovedale
Amanda’s on the Edge – Pokolbin
Potter Hotel Brewery Resort – Nulkaba
Harrigan’s Irish Pub – Pokolbin
Lovedale Bar and Restaurant
Where to Stay in the Hunter Valley
Canberra
Canberra is one of the most underrated Australian destinations for families and the perfect getaway from Sydney if you are looking for lush hotels, great food and a bounty of activities to do with the kids. Whilst it is a little chilly in winter (who am I kidding, it’s freezing!) there’s always something happening in town to keep the whole family engaged in activities.
Top Places to Visit in Canberra with kids
Things to do in Canberra with kids
Where to Eat in Canberra with kids
Grazing at Gundaroo
Little Oink
Double Shot in Deakin
Pialligo Estate
Guild
Where to Stay in Canberra with kids
The great things about Canberra is its accommodation options. From budget through to luxury hotels, you can have your pick.
Our top pick for families right now is East Hotel as they provide 2 bedroom apartments with hotel service.
Port Stephens
At just over 2.5 hours from Sydney, Port Stephens is a gorgeous seaside getaway location that offers connection to nature and relaxation. With plentiful accommodation options for all budget, beautiful beaches, national parks, sand dunes and coastal walks, it is a wonderful oasis to explore. For us, watching dolphins frolic in the water as we sat on the shoreline and ate hot chips made it one of our favourite destinations.
Top Places to Visit in Port Stephens with kids – Our Port Stephens bucket list.
Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre
Fighter World
Oakvale Wildlife Park
Holberts Oyster Farm
Tilligerry Habitat State Reserve
Tomaree National Park
Worimi Sand Dunes
Cabbage Tree Island seal colony
Dolphin Watching
Where to Eat in Port Stephens with kids
Bub’s Fish and Chips
Little Nel Cafe
Murray’s Craft Brewing Co.
Shoal Bay Country Club
Where to Stay in Port Stephens with kids
I have had numerous colleagues and friends recommend Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, however my eye is on Bannisters for some luxury pampering.
The Southern Highlands
Spanning from Hill Top through to Wingello, Berrima to Robertson, the Southern Highlands offers some of the most pristine and eyecatching nature areas within a two-hour distance from Sydney.
Having spent my last year of school in Bowral and travelling back throughout my twenties to visit my friends, the Southern Highlands is one of my favourite places to visit both for nostalgia and to showcase some of the amazing places the area offers.
Top Places to Visit in the Southern Highlands with kids – Our Southern Highlands bucket list
Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame
Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
NSW Rail Museum
Lolly Swagman
Glow Worm Glen
Fitzroy Falls
Robertson Big Potato
Corbett Gardens
Berrima’s Courthouse
Dirty Jane’s Antique Market
Bowral Lookout
Book Barn at Bendooley Estate
Mowbray Park Farm
Joadja Ghost Town
Birrong Alpacas
Wombeyan Caves
Where to Eat in the Southern Highlands with kids
Briars Lodge
Biota Dining
The Mill Cafe
Red Tree Café
Gumnut Patisserie
Flour Water Salt
Where to Stay in the Southern Highlands with kids
Gibraltar Hotel Bowral
Briars Country Lodge
Berkelouw Book Barn Cottages
Bathurst
Just over the Blue Mountains you will find the large inland township of Bathurst which is also one destination we have returned to again and again. With an abundance of natural wonders, an incredible gold rush heritage, and plentiful places to feast, Bathurst and its surrounding towns (don’t miss Orange) will keep you busy all weekend and beyond.
Top Places to Visit in Bathurst with kids – Our Bathurst bucket list
Best things to do in Bathurst with kids
Borenore Caves
Falls Waterfall at Mullion Range
Ophir Goldfields Reserve
Abercrombie Caves
Orange Botanic Gardens
Orange Museum and Art Gallery
Age of Fishes Museum
Huntley Berry Farm
Orange Adventure Playground
The Orange Society of Model Engineers
History Hill
Gold Panning in Hill End
Where to Eat in Bathurst with kids
Spilt Milk Bar
Best places to eat with kids in Bathurst
Where to Stay in Bathurst with kids
Mudgee
Set on the banks of the pretty Cudgegong River, Mudgee is a well known wine region but it also offers a whole lot to do with the kids, from exploring history to yummy food delights. Head here for the fresh air.
Top Places to Visit in Mudgee with kids – our Mudgee bucket list
The Drip Gorge
Mudgee Honey Haven
Henry Lawson Centre
Mudgee Observatory
Gulgong Pioneers Museum
Gulgong Gold Experience
Mudgee Miniature Railway
Where to Eat in Mudgee with kids
Lawson’s Park Hotel
The Zin House
Pipeclay Pumphouse
29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House
Moothi Estate
Where to Stay in Mudgee with kids
Bah Mack Farmstay
Mudgee’s Getaway Cottages
Shoalhaven
The Shoalhaven is a nature lover’s paradise offering both the mountains and the ocean to explore. Taking only a few hours to reach by car from Sydney, the Shoalhaven is said to possess the whitest sand in the world and some of the most pristine bush.
Top Places to Visit in the Shoalhaven with kids – our Shoalhaven bucket list
Hyams Beach
Jervis Bay
Bens Walk
Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Village Museum
Granite Falls Walking Track
Point Perpendicular Lighthouse and Lookout
Tabourie Lake Museum
Coomee Nulunga Cultural Trail
Berry Historic Museum
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Precinct Galleries At The Flying Pig Precinct
Booderee National Park Botanic Gardens
Bundanon Homestead
Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse
Ghost Walks Of Milton
Nowra Street Art Murals
Where to Eat in the Shoalhaven with kids
Where to Stay in the Shoalhaven with kids
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Other Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
Get out of the city this weekend and head for a Farm Stay near Sydney.
Where to stay in Sydney with kids. We have rounded up an assortment of great options for you to consider across Sydney.
If you love enjoying the great outdoors and Sydney’s coastal areas with kids, why not head to Botany Bay with Kids!
Head over to our best indoor playgrounds with kids. and the best outdoor playgrounds in Sydney.
The best things to do in Sydney with Kids : We provide you with a plethora of activities that will keep you and your kids busy. From quick trips to overnight experiences, you’ll love this list of goodies!
One of our most popular posts is our Ultimate guide to Sydney school holiday activities. It is quite possibly the most comprehensive listing you will find.
Love a proking a little adrenaline rushing through your system? Head to our Luna Park post to read all about this heritage listed park.
Looking for a wildlife adventure? We have created the ultimate list of Australian Zoos and Wildlife Parks for your reference. Want something a little more personal? What about one of Sydney’s Animal Encounter experiences where you can touch, feed and even care for some of Sydney’s zoo and wildlife animals?
Of course, when the sun is out you might like to head to one of Sydney’s Water Parks with the kids or even better, one of Sydney’s Best Beaches!
This one is a little scary, but we know some families love seeking out the unusual. How about one or two of Sydney’s Most Haunted places?
Fruit picking is one of our most favourite family experiences. Check out our Sydney Fruit Picking resource so you can head out this weekend!
What about heading to a festival? We’ve pulled together an annual calendar of festivals across Sydney.
Oh…and don’t forget our Strawberry Picking around Australia resource!