Weekend ActivitiesFind a weekend

31 places

Destinations

Every town, beach and national park we have written up, grouped by region. Each place page has the drive times, what it costs and what suits kids, dogs and wet weather.

NSW

South Coast NSW

White sand, national parks and the best two hour drive out of Sydney.

All of the South Coast NSW
1 thing to doBerraraQuiet beach hamlet, and the way in to the Mermaid Pools.1 thing to doBerryOne main street, and most of the South Coast stops on it.1 thing to doCallala BeachThe quiet northern shore of Jervis Bay, with the view back across the water.2 things to doCambewarraUp the mountain behind Nowra, for the view and the wine.1 thing to doCulburra BeachA surf town at the mouth of the Crookhaven, with one very good bar.7 things to doHuskissonThe town that runs Jervis Bay: cafes, cruises and a beach you can walk to.2 things to doHyams BeachThe famous white sand, and the parking rules you need to know about.13 things to doJervis BaySome of the whitest sand in the world, three hours from Sydney.5 things to doKangaroo ValleyA green valley, a sandstone bridge and the best drive on the South Coast.2 things to doKiamaThe blowhole, the lighthouse and the start of the coast drive.1 thing to doMollymookA long surf beach and a restaurant people drive three hours for.4 things to doNowraThe Shoalhaven service town, and a better place to eat than it lets on.1 thing to doShoalhaven HeadsWhere the Shoalhaven River meets the sea, and the fishing is good.1 thing to doUlladullaA working harbour, and the gateway to Pigeon House Mountain.2 things to doVincentiaThe quiet side of Jervis Bay, with the shops and none of the queues.

NSW

Sydney

A whole weekend without leaving the city, if you know where to look.

All of the Sydney
1 thing to doDarling HarbourThe Saturday night fireworks, and everything around them.1 thing to doMosmanTaronga Zoo, and the ferry ride that gets you there.4 things to doSydneyA harbour city that is best seen from the water.

NSW

Central Coast

An hour north of Sydney, and quieter than it has any right to be.

All of the Central Coast
2 things to doAvoca BeachA surf beach, a lagoon and an old cinema.1 thing to doKillcareThe way in to Bouddi National Park.1 thing to doTerrigalThe Central Coast at its busiest and easiest.

NSW

Hunter Region

Wine in the valley, dolphins on the bay.

All of the Hunter Region
1 thing to doPokolbinThe heart of the Hunter Valley cellar doors.3 things to doPort StephensWild dolphins, and the biggest sand dunes in the southern hemisphere.

NSW

Mid North Coast

Camels, butterflies and a very large banana.

All of the Mid North Coast
2 things to doCoffs HarbourThe Big Banana, the butterflies and the jetty.2 things to doPort MacquarieKoalas, a coastal walk and camels on the beach.

NSW

Northern Rivers

Byron, the hinterland, and the towns everyone drives past.

All of the Northern Rivers
1 thing to doByron BayThe lighthouse, the surf and the easternmost point of Australia.1 thing to doLismoreThe Northern Rivers town with the art, the markets and none of the crowds.1 thing to doTweed HeadsOn the border, under Wollumbin, and quietly excellent.

QLD

Fraser Coast

The whale watching capital, and the world's largest sand island.

All of the Fraser Coast
2 things to doHervey BayThe one place humpbacks stop to rest rather than pass through.

QLD

Whitsundays

Seventy-four islands and the reef on your doorstep.

All of the Whitsundays
3 things to doAirlie BeachThe mainland launch pad for the reef and the islands.2 things to doHamilton IslandThe easy way into the Whitsundays, with its own airport.