Five road trips to make for the weekend from Sydney

As Australia lifts it’s restrictions slightly, and we can finally be booking a trip locally, I am already in planning mode which I am sure a lot of other people are too. So let’s start planning those roads trips in New South Wales and visit some coastal and rural towns. Here are my choices for five road trips to make for the weekend from Sydney, Australia.

FIVE ROAD TRIPS TO MAKE FOR THE WEEKEND FROM SYDNEY

The Blue Mountains to visit for the weekend from Sydney

The Blue Mountains is going to be on everyone’s radar because it is only a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney CBD. You can catch a train from Central Station, which is also just as easy. Whether you choose to travel to the Blue Mountains for the day or spend the weekend, there is plenty of things to do there. 

Three Sisters

Everybody goes to this region to see the Three Sisters, so it must be on your list of activities just for that reason alone. As this area was UNESCO world heritage listed in 2000. 

The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains gets its colour from the mist that falls on the eucalyptus trees, and it’s a natural oil which makes the area look mystic and blue. There are walking and hiking tracks all around this area and are for many different levels of fitness. 

Scenic World

Visit Scenic World, where you can travel across these beautiful mountains via Scenic Skyway and marvel at the 720-metre journey that provides scenic views along Mount Solitary and Jamison Valley. Not for the faint-hearted is the sky railway where you will discover what it is like to travel down the steepest scenic railway in the world.

Katoomba

Enjoy Katoomba and the little cafes and boutiques along the way. This small country town has a few restaurants, and you will even find a few galleries along the way. 

Toy and Train Museum

The Toy and Train Museum at Leuralla is an interesting collection of antique toys, trains and train station replicas. The grounds of the impressive house is also worth mentioning, as it has been featured in a few movies and tv programs.

Accommodation in the Blue Mountains

Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa

There is nothing better than staying in a place that allows you nothing but relaxation whether you choose to spend your entire weekend here! Or it is just to lay your head on a comfortable pillow after spending the day hiking the many trails in the area. The Lilianfels Blue mountain resort and spa is a is the perfect place to stay. The rooms here are beautiful, and the staff are friendly, and of course, the views from the room are amazing.  This makes it the best location to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Thredbo to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Most people head to Thredbo for the snowfields, but this area is gorgeous any time of the year. Thredbo is a little village that first came about from the gold-digging days (around 1860). The Snowy Mountain Region came into existence around 1906, and that is when people began to visit this area as tourists. Now Kosciuszko National Park is visited all year round, for it’s skiing in Winter and its hiking in summer. It is an approximate 4.5-hour drive from Sydney’s CBD. 

Mount Kosciuszko

Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak in Australia (and is part of the seven summits), it, of course, is nowhere near the height of the other mountains around the world and can be climbed in a day. You can choose to climb it from the bottom of the mountain, or you can catch a chair lift up and climb to the peak. Remember to wear good climbing shoes, and hiking poles for extra support, as it isn’t a stroll in the park, like some may think. Make sure you time it so you can have lunch at the Eagle Nest Restaurant at the end of the chair lift (so you don’t have to walk to the top to visit the restaurant if you don’t want to). 

Kosciuszko National Park 

Kosciuszko National Park has 673,524 hectares of land, so walking trails are plentiful, download the app before you go. It cost $17 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorbikes $7; passengers on the bus $6.60. During Winter (the start of the June long weekend to the end of the October long weekend) it costs $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs); motorbikes $12; passengers on the bus $11.45 per adult.

Accommodation in Thredbo

Thredbo Alpine Hotel

The location of the Alpine Hotel is perfect for anyone wanting to ski in Winter or climb the peak throughout the year. Right at the bottom of the mountain (across the road from the chair lift), you couldn’t get any closer if you tried. The rooms are basic but comfortable, the staff are friendly, and the restaurant has good wholesome food you would expect from this part of NSW. This makes it an ideal location to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Orange to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Orange is approximately 3 hours from Sydney CBD, originally named Blackman’s Swamp and known as a convict settlement. Still, later in 1829, it became Orange named after William II of Netherlands (or Prince Of Orange). However now, it is a bustling country town full of vineyards and great places to eat, with the city rich in history (even marked as Banjo Patterson’s birthplace), there is plenty to see and do here.

Heifer Station

Orange has many wineries around this area, but I highly recommend Heifer Wines. Set amongst beautiful scenery, you can sit and taste one of the many delicious wines they have on offer. Heifer Vinyard offers more than just wine tasting (oh and delicious cheeseboards); many events take place here. It is worth checking on Heifer Station website before going! There is something for everyone, with its kid’s farm and tour of the vineyard amongst a few options here. 

Nashdale Lane

Another fabulous venue for wine tasting, but is just a little out of Orange. The food here is delicious and paired with their wine makes for a great experience. If glamping is more your thing, the Nashdale Lanes luxury, glamping cabins might be what you are looking for, visit for the weekend from Sydney

Other things to do in Orange

• Orange City Centre has many shops, restaurants and pubs. There is plenty to do here so that you won’t be bored. 
• Blind Freddy’s bushrangers tour is also an option, for those who like history.
• Banjo Patterson, more than a poet exhibition, has everything from tours to events.

Accommodation in Orange

Mercure Orange (Templers Mill Motel)

Conveniently located in Orange The Mecure Orange is a motel style accommodation. It is nothing fancy, but it is clean, the staff are friendly, and it is affordable. Parking is plentiful, wifi is free, and there is an outdoor playground for children.

Wagga Wagga to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Wagga Wagga is near the Murrumbidgee River. In other words, Wagga Wagga is approximately 5-hour drive from Sydney CBD. Wagga Wagga is known as the “City of Good Sports” because many of Australia’s sporting royalty come from Wagga Wagga. This makes it the perfect place to visit for the weekend from Sydney

The song “along the road to Gundagai” an Australian folk song written by Jack O’hagan back in 1922, talks about the stretch of the Murrumbidgee River to Gundagai. Every Australian has grown up with the song and studied it in school.

Museum of the Riverina

You can not visit Wagga Wagga without a trip to the Museum of the Riverina (MOR). With so much sporting history in one room, you will come to understand why Wagga Wagga is pride’s itself on its sporting abilities. 

Try a Chiko Roll 

While you are there find out more about our beloved “Chiko roll”, as this is its birthplace. It may not be the healthiest snack alive, but it is very Australian. There isn’t an Aussie who hasn’t tried a Chiko roll or two in their lifetime, and although Francis Gerald McEncroe, was from Bendigo he first sold it here in Wagga Wagga. 

Baylis Street

You will find all the major stores and boutiques along Baylis street. This major street is full of both major chain stores and little one-off boutiques; there are also many great cafes along the way if shopping gets too much for you.

Paper Pear

Wagga Wagga is renown for beautiful local artwork, so head over to Paper Pear where the friendly staff will warmly welcome you. Pick up a piece or two that is unique to this area and find out the history behind each piece from the knowledgeable staff members.

Crisp Galleries

This fantastic place just under a 1-hour drive from Wagga Wagga is well worth a visit. From its beautiful garden (yes, lunch out on the garden with a gin and tonic in hand is my kind of lunch), to the fantastic concerts and events, this place is beautiful. Peter Crisp is famous for his slumped glass creations all around the world and visiting Crisp Galleries; you can see why this is the perfect place to visit for the weekend from Sydney

Accommodation in Wagga Wagga

The Wagga Motel and Apartments

The Wagga Motel and apartments are in an ideal spot in the heart of Wagga Wagga, walking distance to Baylis Street, where you will find great eateries and loads of boutiques and art galleries. The rooms are clean; there are ample parking spaces and of course, free wifi. The staff are friendly, and motel and apartments sit right next to the local RSL.

Security

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