The region surrounding Sydney offers a wealth of natural attractions, historic towns and villages, restaurants with million-dollar views, and endless options for outdoor activities. All regions covered in this section are accessible by public transport, but hiring a car will give you far greater flexibility. To the north of Sydney is Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the Hawkesbury River, the Central Coast and Hunter Valley. To the west are the famous Blue Mountains and historic Parramatta and Windsor, while to the south is the gorgeous Royal National Park and the Southern Highlands. All are only a day’s trip away from Sydney, but try combining neighbouring attractions into an overnight or weekend trip, for each area offers a diverse and unique range of attractions. There are plenty of accommodation options, ranging from luxury guesthouses in the Blue Mountains to houseboats on the Hawkesbury River to beach campsites at the Royal National Park.
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Morning
Head north across the Harbour Bridge and follow the signs to Windsor . After a pit stop at the 1815 Macquarie Arms Hotel on George Street, backtrack to Pitt Town Road and follow this northwards. It becomes Cattai Road and then the Wisemans Ferry Road, passing through farmland and bush before dropping down to Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River . Take the southern ferry across the Hawkes-bury and follow the incredibly scenic road that tracks the Macdonald River as far as St Albans , where you can enjoy lunch at the 1848 Settlers Arms Inn.
Afternoon
Head back towards Wisemans Ferry along the other side of the Macdonald River until it meets the Hawkesbury River. Follow the river beneath its sandstone escarpments and through the isolated riverside townships of Gunderman and Spencer before climbing up through the forest to Central Mangrove. Drop down to Calga via Peats Ridge and take the Old Pacific Highway south to the Hawkesbury again. Cross the river and take the turnoff to the small fishing and boating township of Brooklyn. Enjoy an ale at the Anglers Rest Hotel or take a 5-minute ferry trip across to Dangar Island’s idyllic Island Shop for a coffee or light meal overlooking the water.
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These World Heritage-listed mountains are named for their constant bluish haze, the result of evaporating eucalyptus oil. The lovely mountains offer numerous bushwalks and plenty of natural attractions, including the Three Sisters, the Jenolan Caves and Wentworth Falls. When the explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and WC Wentworth (see Wentworth, Blaxland & Lawson), crossed the 1,100-m (3,600-ft) range in 1813, they opened up the continent’s grassland interior to white settlement. The main township of Katoomba (see Visit Katoomba) is about 107 km (56 miles) west of Sydney.
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With clifftop walks overlooking the ocean and Broken Bay, secluded beaches, heathlands and banksia forests, this tiny coastal park is a gem. It extends from Box Head to McMaster’s Beach on the Central Coast, and offers good bushwalking trails and camping facilities.
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The Southern Highlands’ main town began life in the 1860s when John Oxley, an early Colonial explorer, subdivided his land grant and a small township emerged. Home to an increasing number of urban refugees, Bowral has an arty, old-world feel, making it a popular and relaxing weekend destination for Sydneysiders. It is probably best known as the former home of the famous cricketer Sir Donald Bradman (see Sydney Cricket Ground).
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Aboriginal rock art and spring wildflowers are the highlights of this 12,000-ha (39,640-acre) park overlooking Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River. There are great views over the Hawkes-bury from the path leading from Pearl Beach to tiny Patonga, accessible by ferry from Palm Beach.
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The coast from Broken Bay (see Pittwater & Broken Bay) to Newcastle offers glorious ocean beaches, national parks and several lakes and water-ways. The main regional town is Gosford, at the head of Brisbane Waters. This large waterway runs out to Broken Bay past Woy Woy and the pleasant townships of Hardy’s Bay in Killcare, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe. Behind Wagstaffe is Bouddi National Park, which extends north to pleasant McMaster’s Beach. Pearl Beach (see Swim at Pearl Beach) and the tiny fishing village of Patonga, surrounded by Brisbane Waters National Park, overlook Broken Bay.
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It’s a local secret that the best coffee in the Southern Highlands comes from this aromatic shop, hidden behind a cinema on Bowral’s main street.
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Built by John and Elizabeth Macarthur (see John & Elizabeth Macarthur), this 1793 estate was once an important social, political and cultural centre. The farm’s cottage is the oldest surviving building in Australia, and is carefully furnished with reproductions of the original interiors.
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Let the staff match the winery’s delicious Bimbadgen wines to your selection from the tasty Moz Oz menu.
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Emancipated convicts James and Elizabeth Ruse established Australia’s first self-sufficient farm in 1789. In the colony’s first land grant, Governer Phillip gave them a further 12 ha (30 acres) for their efforts. The charming Colonial bungalow was built in the 1830s by the farm’s next owner, the surgeon John Harris.
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Restaurant price categories
For a two course meal for one with a drink (or equivalent meal), plus taxes and extra charges.
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