A weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is a welcome break you need every now and again. New South Wales offers plenty of options for a quick trip away centred around natural wonders, with beaches, bushland and bountiful experiences ready to enjoy. Here are a few places to consider for your next weekend escape.

Sydney 

There’s plenty to see and do in the state’s largest city. Start with a 30-minute walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the city centre and enjoy sweeping views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House. Or for a different perspective of the harbour, join a guided paddle with Sydney Kayak Experience or Sydney by Kayak, gliding past famous landmarks as the city comes to life. Then hop on a ferry at Circular Quay for an afternoon at Taronga Zoo — you can stay overnight at the zoo’s Wildlife Retreat or have a Roar and Snore experience. 

Make the most of the sunshine and tackle a section of the four-day Bondi to Manly Walk, an 80km track of iconic beaches, ocean pools and secluded picnic spots from Bondi in the Eastern Suburbs through the city and on to the southern end of the Northern Beaches.  For a slower pace on the water, book a session with Wellness Afloat, a floating sanctuary on Sydney Harbour offering a uniquely serene way to recharge while taking in the city's spectacular surroundings.

Looking for a bite to eat in the city? Popular Bondi Italian eatery Totti’s has a sister venue in the city centre, Bar Totti’s, which serves up amazing house-made antipasti. For more Italian fare, head to Restaurant Leo or Ragazzi, which have revitalised the nearby Angel Place. And if you’re looking for bars, find a seat at PS40, or Maybe Sammy in The Rocks. 

Stay at the minimalist Little National Hotel Sydney in the city for easy access to the Barangaroo dining precinct; or soak up harbour views from your room at Pier One Sydney Harbour - a stone's throw away from Circular Quay. 

The Shoalhaven  

The Shoalhaven region of the South Coast, around a three-hour drive south of Sydney, shines with 170km of pristine coastline. There are many beaches to choose from – you can swim at the calm Callala Beach or Scottish Rocks, or camp at Green Patch. Book a tour with Dolphin Watch Cruises, or a whale-watching cruise with Jervis Bay Wild for the ultimate Jervis Bay experience during whale migration season (May to November).

For fun beyond the water, head to Bundanon Art Museum, an award-winning art museum embedded into the natural landscape. It houses an ever-changing program of contemporary exhibitions and unique cultural experiences, alongside events, workshops and concerts presented across the site. 

At Stonegrill steakhouse in the bustling coastal town of Huskisson, you cook meat or seafood on a heated volcanic stone yourself. While up near Culburra beach, Mirritya Mundya Restaurant serves up delicious, authentic Indigenous Australian flavours curated by renowned chef Dwayne Bannon-Harrison.

Explore the region’s increasingly sophisticated wine offerings at Two Figs Winery, or have lunch at Cupitt’s Estate, a destination in itself only minutes away from the South Coast towns of Milton, Mollymook and Ulladulla. Or try some local brews at Flamin Galah Brewing Co and/or Jervis Bay Brewing Co. 

Stay on the coast at Bangalay Luxury Villas, on the beach at Shoalhaven Heads, or book an escape for the whole family at The Shore at Gerringong, The Pause, The Shed Gerroa or Beach House Gerroa, at the other end of Seven Mile Beach from Bangalay Luxury Villas. And Kangaroo Valley Getaways can match you with your ideal holiday home in the lush Shoalhaven hinterland. 

And as night settles in the region, don’t miss out on some after dark adventures with Jervis Bay Stargazing, where you embark on an awe-inspiring space journey under the dark skies of Jervis Bay, far away from the city lights with an astrophysicist.

Blue Mountains 

A 90-minute (and EV-friendly) drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is home to incredible outdoor activities and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Soak up breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley with a Scenic World experience, from the world's steepest passenger railway, to the thrilling Beyond Skyway experience. Go canyoning, abseiling and rock-climbing via Blue Mountains Climbing School and Blue Mountains Adventure Company. 

Head to Red Door Café in Leura for breakfast, or enjoy afternoon tea at Megalong Valley Tea Rooms. Once you're finished exploring one of the region's many walking tracks, head to Bilpin at the foot of the mountains for refreshments at Hillbilly Cider and Bilpin Cider, or get your hands dirty picking fruit at Bilpin Fruit Bowl.  

Then take it easy at Blue Mountains Sauna, an authentic Finnish-style communal, gender-mixed sauna, or Aqua Ignis Bathhouse, a thoughtfully designed sanctuary with a 38 degree 'Onsen' inspired magnesium pool, herbal infused steam room and state of the art hot rock sauna.

Sip pre-dinner drinks at Champagne Charlie’s at The Carrington in Katoomba, then enjoy dinner with a view at Echoes Restaurant & Bar, or BLAQ at Kyah. For self-contained accommodation just five minutes from town, The Kyah is a Palm-Springs inspired converted motel in Blackheath. 

Mid North Coast 

Go on a jet ski experience, river cruise or dolphin spotting on the pristine waterways of Port Macquarie, a four-hour drive north of Sydney, with Port Jet Cruise Adventures. A camel safari along Lighthouse Beach with Port Macquarie Camels may be more your speed, or you can get up close to a koala at Billabong Zoo. For a mix of culture and adventure, join the Sea Acres Aboriginal Coastal Tour for a guided trip through the lush coastal rainforest of the Port Macquarie region by an Aboriginal ranger.

Alternatively, take a 12-minute drive from Port Macquarie to Guulabaa, the world’s first Wild Koala Breeding Facility (run by Koala Conservation Australia in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society and the Australian Museum). Come visit koalas in the wild and learn more about the great work happening in koala conservation.

For lunch, head to The Hilltop Store in Sawtell, a 90-minute drive north of Port Macquarie. Another nearby lunch option is the refurbished The Kiosk Sawtell. 

Fresh oysters are shucked to order at Hamiltons Oysters in Tuncurry, an hour south of Port Macquarie. Or make a stop at Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries Farm, where visitors can enjoy undercover berry picking, browse fresh produce, or delight in some scones at their onsite café. And off the Pacific Highway in Wauchope is Bago Maze and Wine, where the vineyard, cellar door and a hedge maze are surrounded by eucalypts. 

Just a short drive from Port Macquarie, Telegraph Retreat Cottages cater to couples and families. And inland from the coast, The Lodge in the laid-back town of Bellingen is a 16 acre property with 30 rooms with views over the Bellinger Valley towards Dorrigo National Park, and also home to Three Blue Ducks.

Country NSW 

For a taste of the good life, you can’t beat Orange, a 3.5-hour drive west of Sydney. At Ferment, a slick wine centre showcasing 19 wineries in the region, you’ll get a well-rounded introduction to the local wine scene. For a more intimate atmosphere, Hey Rosey is a small 20-seater wine bar that brings some international, fun and funky, and a small selection of up-and-coming local producers to the region.

While you’re in town, hop into Jumbled store to browse its interesting edit of homewares, fashion and art. Then head to Byng Street Local Store for brunch. For a sophisticated dining experience, make a reservation at Printhie Wines Cellar Door. Stay at The Oriana, which has rooms to suit couples and families alike. There’s the farmers market on every second Saturday, and just 15 minutes from Orange is the family-friendly Heifer Station Wines and its petting zoo. 

And for those who prefer a more guided experience, join the crew from Orange Trike Tours and cruise through the scenic countryside on a luxurious German-made Boom Mustang Trike. 

Three hours south of Sydney, between Canberra and the South Coast beaches, you’ll find the country town of Braidwood. Don’t miss Braidwood Bakery and its excellent pies and pastries, or Deadwood for a charming concept store delivering floristry, fermented food, antiques and coffees all in one, and find treats for the drive back at The Boiled Lolly. Stop off at the Braidwood Farmers Market for regional produce if you’re visiting on the second or fourth Saturday of the month before heading to Hold Fast Distillery where guests can participate in a unique gin school experience, choosing botanicals and distilling a personalised bottle to take home.

Extend your stay at Mona Farm, a restored homestead with luxe self-contained accommodation outside of Braidwood.  

In the heart of the Riverina, named for the mighty Murray River that flows through the region, you’ll find the town of Wagga Wagga. Get a sense of the region’s quality local produce at the Grower’s Hub, open 6 days a week with a farmers’ market on Thursdays and Saturdays. 

For dinner that celebrates local produce, dine at The Roundabout Restaurant, Magpies Nest Restaurant, Olivette, or The Oakroom. Set up base at The Houston, a boutique hotel created within the grand neo-gothic Belmore House. Or The Charles Boutique Hotel, offering a modern luxury stay in the centre of the city.