Sea Cliff Bridge, South Coast. Image credit: Destination NSW
Nothing says Easter quite like a road trip. Here’s seven destinations within driving distance from Sydney.
Easter is just as synonymous with chocolate eggs and a white bunny, as it is with hitting the road and enjoying four luxurious days of freedom. And with the Easter long weekend only a month away, it’s time to start planning where to go.
I’m throwing my two cents in and suggesting some of my favourite New South Wales holiday spots:
1. Jervis Bay
Travel time from Sydney: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Aquamarine waters and sand the colour of snow set the scene for this idyllic beachside Easter escape. Located on the South Coast of New South Wales, it’s pretty easy to fall under the spell of Jervis Bay. Its cute coastal villages, relaxed vibe, friendly wildlife and postcard setting will have you hook, line and sinker. While its calm waters make Jervis Bay an ideal locale for a casual ocean frolic.
Alternatively, there’s the glamourous seaside escape of Mollymook a further hour down the coast. Splash out and splurge on a stay at Bannisters by the Sea – it’s incredibly lush.
More info? Read ‘A weekend in Jervis Bay: 8 things to do’ post
Greenfield Beach, Vincentia, Jervis Bay. Image credit: Destination NSW
2. Hunter Valley
Travel time from Sydney: 2 hours, 30 minutes
For a more indulgent Easter holiday, punch Pokolbin – the epicentre of the Hunter Valley – into the sat nav. A visit to Australia’s oldest wine region is a true taste of the good life. The Hunter Valley is the birthplace of 150 wineries, top-rung food experiences and country scenery that will make your eyes weep. And if the weather hasn’t come to play, you can always light a fire and crack open a bottle of red. Drink wine by day, drink wine by night.
More info? Read ‘48 hours in the Hunter Valley: Wineries, restaurants and cheese’ post
Margan Wines and Restaurant, Hunter Valley. Image credit: MJK Creative
3. Port Stephens
Travel time from Sydney: 2 hours, 45 minutes
On the North Coast of New South Wales, you’ll find this disgustingly beautiful place. Port Stephens is a collection of coastal villages, and with 26 beaches and an absolute reckless amount of sand and aqua-coloured ocean, this place is built for holidays. Spend the four days tackling the Tomaree Head Summit Walk, sand boarding at Anna Bay and dolphin watching – Port Stephens is home to 100-odd bottlenose dolphins. There’s also a handful of quality restaurants and cafes. Yep, this slip of paradise is one of my favourite Sydney escapes.
More info? Read ‘How to spend a winter weekend in Port Stephens’ post
The view from Gan Gan Lookout, Port Stephens
4. Blue Mountains
Travel time from Sydney: 1 hour, 30 minutes
A World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains treat you to some of Mother Nature’s most acclaimed work. There’s cute little country towns, breath-stealing cliff top lookouts, thundering waterfalls and nature that’s just out of this world – any person with a pulse can’t help but be suitably wowed. Four days in the Blue Mountains and you’ll be so re-connected with nature, you’ll come back to Sydney talking fluent cockatoo.
More info? Read ‘Blue Mountains: A weekend in Katoomba and Leura’ post
Echo Point Lookout is ground zero for any BM holiday
5. Central Coast
Travel time from Sydney: 1 hour, 15 minutes
If the thought of being caught up in Easter traffic gives you the wooblies, maybe the Central Coast is a wiser choice. With leafy national parks, beaches for days, pretty waterways and a beautiful harbour backdrop, New South Wales’ Central Coast is a natural playground. The popular beach towns of Avoca, Terrigal and Hardys Bay are also worth an explore. Hire a beach house, and pray to the Easter bunny for good weather.
Pretty Beach House, Pretty Beach, Central Coast. Image credit: Anson Smart
6. Canberra
Travel time from Sydney: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Wait! Hear me out. I promise Australia’s national capital is not as boring as a doctor’s waiting room! Underneath all that native bushland and those incredibly wide boulevards, there’s some awesome little bars, top restaurants and a pretty cool history lesson. A visit to Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and National Museum of Australia are all important rites of passage. Yep, Canberra is actually quite a vibrant, delicious and interesting city, and certainly worthy of the road trip.
More info? Read ‘48 hours in Canberra: Where to stay, what to do, where to eat and drink’ post
Dinner at Aubergine, Canberra
7. Mudgee
Travel time from Sydney: 3 hours, 45 minutes
It might be a trek, but this food and wine paradise in north-west New South Wales rewards with friendly cellar doors, beautiful restaurants and plenty of country charm. Mudgee is the state’s third-largest grape-producing region, and offers 35+ wineries to discover. Once you’ve officially over-indulged on local pinot and produce, you can walk it off in the nearby Wollemi National Park, which is 500,000 hectares of stunning.
Burnbrae Wines, Mudgee. Image credit: Destination NSW
Wherever you choose to holiday, from me to you, have the most fabulous Easter break!
