Who would think that you’ll only need a day away from Sydney to check out scenic views and hidden gems of Australia’s South Coast? Sydney has pretty much everything – shopping outlets, white beaches, emerald ocean pools, and even mountains! Still, we want to go further away because #roadtrip is the new it. The popular attractions in Sydney are often too crowded and we don’t want that in this time of pandemic. In this post, I’ll be sharing my favorite 1 day road trip itinerary perfect for short weekend getaways from Sydney!
Get your dates ready because you’re about to discover one of my favourite weekend getaways!
Morning Trip
Enjoy the scenic views at Bald Hill Lookout
On a sunny clear day at Bald Hill Lookout, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Tasman Sea, the surfers dancing with the waves, and the winding Sea Cliff bridge. If you’re lucky, you can catch hang gliders departing from this point!
There’s a cafe at the lookout so if you started your day quite early, you can grab some coffee and pastries here ☕️ 🥐
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (free parking available)
Take a challenge at Sea Cliff Bridge
You can choose to simply drive past it, but if you want to see its beautiful curves, prepare yourself to go for a hike.
While on the bridge, my friends and I saw people going inside a hole in a bush along the highway. We were curious where it was leading to so we followed them — just like how Alice in Wonderland followed the rabbit down the hole. The hike was worth it alright, but we did learn a very crucial lesson: never hike when the soil is wet or muddy. It’s too dangerous if you slip as the area is too steep!
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (parking along the highway)
Pick Your Road Trip Lunch Spot
Picnic at Lake Illawarra
If you want serene views, make a stopover at Illawarra lake. Several guides say that this is a great spot for fishing and other water sports. It’s true. When we went there, we saw a man trying to catch some fish or prawn just a few metres from the shore.
But for this itinerary, I highly recommend going on a picnic here. Set up a tent, lay down your picnic mats, bring out the food and you’re good to go. The area is equipped with free parking areas and public toilets, which makes it greater!
But if you are not a big fan of picnics, you can always head over to Shellharbour South Beach.
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (free parking available)
Make a quick trip stop at Shellharbour South Beach
There are many restaurants at Shellharbour South beach area. Here, you can dine-in or grab some takeaway and enjoy your meal in one of the benches facing the beach – just be prepared to shoo the seagulls away. By the way, they have a kid’s ocean pool here, your kids will thank you for bringing them here 🏖️
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (paid parking)
Tick Popular Attractions in the Afternoon
Wait patiently for Kiama Blowhole’s magic
I’ve been here twice but I was never lucky to see the water inside Kiama Blowhole rise up to 30 meters as advertised. If you have plenty of time, feel free to wait and see. If not, let me take you to my most favourite part of this itinerary…
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (free parking available)
Take a Dip at Gerringong Boat Harbour Rock Pool
It’s a local (literally) hidden gem. If not with my persistent demand to go to an ocean pool nearby Kiama, we would have never found this heaven on earth. The view here is simply amazing! We went here during autumn and enjoyed a quick swim on its clean, turquoise pool at 4°C. I’m so excited to go back here in the summer, it will be a great spot to have a barbecue party with friends.
📍Click here for Google Maps direction (free parking available)
That’s it ☺️ I hope you’ll have the time to go on a #holidayherethisyear!
Here are a few other stops (Shellharbour North Beach and Nan Tien Temple) we’ve visited in different trips to the South Coast:
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