If a big blow-out Euro summer is off the cards for you this winter, there's still plenty of local winter weekend trips you can plan to spice up the cooler months and get outside of the hustle and bustle of the Sydney bubble.
Regional New South Wales offers an abundance of nature-steeped destinations that don't even require you to get on a plane. Instead – why not rope some mates together and plan a winter weekend road trip to a snow-capped mountain range, or a coastal village?
To get you inspired, here are some of our top winter weekend getaways you can drive to from Sydney.
1. The Blue Mountains
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Only about an hour's drive west of Sydney is arguably one of Australia's premiere winter destinations: The Blue Mountains. Year-round, it offers gorgeous natural scenery – from waterfalls and caves to historic sites and UNESCO World-Heritage-listed bushlands. Book yourself a cosy Airbnb or cabin in villages like Blackheath, Leura or Katoomba during the colder months, and enjoy hiking through valleys and forests – the Three Sisters landmark is an obvious must-do.
Where to eat ... Feed the fire in your belly after a long day outdoors with food from some of the region's finest culinary establishments, like Springwood's Arrana, which offers a fine dining menu infused with Indigenous flavours, Blaq, which spotlights hyper-local, garden-grown veggies alongside the region's awarded Best Wine List. Perhaps Darley’s, located inside the historic 100-year-old homestead of Sir Frederick Darley, is more your speed, where you can partake in a three-course degustation menu alongside two roaring open fireplaces.
Where to stay ... Our pick for a luxurious getaway to the Blue Mountains is the Kyah Hotel, which sports its own fine dining establishment and in-house spa.
2. Jindabyne
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To truly maximise the winter escape vibes, you've got to hit the Snowy Mountains. And is there a better spot than the winter wonderland located on the shores of Lake Jindabyne. Alpine scenery and ski resorts like Perisher and Thredbo are ideal spots for some cross-country skiing or a few downhill tracks on the snowboard – or you could trek over to the Mount Kosciusko Summit Walk for some winter hiking up to Australia's highest peak.
Jindabyne is a little further than the Blue Mountains, at around the 5 hour mark when driving. But boy, it's worth it.
Where to stay ... Stay warm and toasty at Thredbo's Rockpool Lodge, situated in a naturally beautiful setting overlooking Merritts Creek. Reclusive, but only a 10 minute walk from town, it's the perfect spot for a winter escape, without forgoing any little luxuries.
Where to eat ... Reward yourself after a long day on the slopes with a pint from Kosciuszko Brewery, or how about a hot pie from Sundance Bakehouse?
3. Kangaroo Valley
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Kangaroo Valley is just a two-hour drive from Sydney, a lush and secluded valley that offers the best of both worlds between the highlands and the sea. The town's historic village and thick bushland are both full of activities for restless minds – whether you're into hiking, canoeing, or simply sitting with a pint at the local pub.
Where to stay ... Wildes Boutique Hotel is the region's hippest retreat, with a laid-back, contemporary Southern Californian feel. Or stay at Barranca for the height of luxury and awe-inspiring views across the valley.
Where to eat ... Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop is the spot to nab a handmade pie – especially if you’re a vegetarian after their coveted curried vegetable pie. The laidback, heritage-listed Friendly Inn Hotel dates back to 1897 and offers a selection of crowd-pleasing pub staples, and a beer garden with the occasional bout of live music.
4. Illawara
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Illawara is situated along the coastal region of NSW, nestled between the mountains and the sea, and encompasses the two cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour and the coastal town of Kiama. Only about an hour and a half's drive from central Sydney, even the 'getting there' part is a spectacular coastal drive.
Where to stay ... Pick out a tiny house from Unkyoked's catalogue of homes – several of which are located in and around Illawara. You'll still get a hot shower and solar power, but will feel truly immersed in nature – the ultimate 'clock off' time.
Where to eat ... Kneading Ruby is part of the town’s cheery seaside dining scene. Unassumingly elegant, it offers a menu of wood-fired pizzas and bespoke seasonal dishes. Miss Lee's is a restaurant pushing the boundaries of modern Chinese cuisine, from staple dishes like sweet and sour pork and ginger chicken to authentic fruit-flavoured bubble tea.
5. Bowral
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Only an hour and a half drive southwest of Sydney is the charming township of Bowral. Find vintage and locally-made wares along the town's main drag – cafes, antique shops and cellars offering up bespoke furniture and gourmet pastries in spades. The nearby national park is a perfect locale for a winter trek, too.
Where to stay ... The Berida Hotel is a historic and magnificent building from the 1920s that allows guests to enjoy their open-fire lounge, drinks in their garden terrace, or borrow a book and read through a sleepy afternoon in their library. Their Health Club boasts an indoor pool, spa, sauna, tennis courts and a day spa, too.
Where to eat ... If you don't mind the line, head to Gumnut Patisserie for a taste of their popular pastries, pies and gourmet sausage rolls, or make your way to Artemis Wines for a glass of red from their cool-climate vineyard.
6. Seal Rocks
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A quintessential and isolated seaside village on the Barrington Coast, Seal Rocks is an absolutely stunning destination marked by rugged coastline, and pristine premier surfing beaches (some of which are also accessible by 4WD). As the name suggests, one of the largest colonies of fur seals in Australia can be found here – and whale-watching season is June–October. If you're looking for a place with small coastal-town charm, this is the destination for you. It's accessible by public transport from Sydney, or you can drive there in about 3.5 hours.
Where to stay ... The three Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages can be booked up to a year in advance, and sleep between 6–8 people depending on which cottage you book. Not only are the views and location spectacular, but cottage is equipped with all the amenities like bathtubs, dishwashers, laundries, barbecues, bluetooth speakers, TVs and the all-important Nespresso machine.
Where to eat ... While there's not too many options for eating out in Seal Rocks itself, just a 30 minute drive will land you in either Smith's Lake or Boomerang Beach – both of which offer plenty of casual dining and drinking options – from Hueys at Blueys Pizzeria and Bar to the Frothy Coffee boatshed, which looks out across the water.
7. Hunter Valley
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The beautiful Hunter Valley in NSW is one of Australia's major wine regions, known for varietals such as Semillon and Shiraz. For any budding oenophiles, there are plenty of cellar door wine tastings and vineyard tours on offer, but it's also home to heritage accommodation, fine dining establishments, golf, ballooning, music and art experiences. Just two hours drive from Sydney, it's a temperate region with plenty of cloud cover and gentle sea breezes from the Pacific Ocean.
Where to stay ... We'd be opting to stay at Spicers Vineyards Estate in Pokolbin, which is set on eight acres of vineyards, with twelve luxury accommodation suites, a restaurant and spa. With its very own private estate of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it's both intimate and idyllic – with a local and sustainable ethos that permeates every facet of your stay.
Where to eat ... For one of the region's most renowned fine dining experiences, we're heading to the One-hat and award-winning Margan. All of Margan's wines are Estate Grown and certifiably sustainably farmed across 100 hectares of 50-year-old traditional Hunter varieties. The restaurant offers what they call 'agri-dining', which focuses on their award-winning estate-grown produce (including from a Kitchen Garden, orchard and olive grove). Their menus are created around what is harvest from their property to maintain a truly local and seasonal focus.
