Romantic Weekend Getaways from Sydney NSW
There is no doubt about it, Sydney is one of the best cities on earth! You can easily spend more than 4 days exploring the city of Sydney, but the rest of New South Wales also has lots to offer. So I’ve put together my top romantic weekend getaways from Sydney NSW.
Some are road trips, nature stays and others can be reached by a short plane ride. Whether you’re looking for a cute couple haven, a self-catered stay, or luxury adults-only accommodation, this list will tick every box and have your date nights filled for the next year! Beach or bush? Picnic or degustation? Rolling hills or rainforest?
Leave the city behind and treat yourself and your loved one to one of these blissful breaks that come dripping in romance.
Related: ‘Great Ocean Road- The Perfect Day Trip‘
Romantic Weekend Getaways from Sydney
Central Coast
Located 1.5 hours north of Sydney is my beautiful home town the Central Coast! The most popular spot with tourists is Terrigal Beach, this is due to its central location, great selection of cafes and restaurants and beautiful beaches and bays. Although this spot is amazing there is so much more to explore!
The Central Coast has lots of national parks and nature reserves. My favourite favourite hikes are the Bouddi coastal walk and Crackneck Coastal Walk. Or head in-land and explore Brisbane Water National park with a picnic at Somersby falls.
There’s something for the adventure as well, Glenworth Valley, offers horse-riding in an enchanting forest. Other adventure activities include kayaking, abseiling, quad biking and laser tag. Or take the kids to the iconic reptile park and make friends with some scaly creatures.
For me though the Central Coast is about all of its wonderful beaches, hit the waves and refuel are one of the many amazing cafes.
Stay
- Mid-Range | Crown Plaza
- Air Bnb | Beach Front Stay
- Luxury | Bells at Killcare
- Best Beaches on the Central Coast
- Bouddi National Park Coastal Walk
- Best Spa’s on the Centra Coast
Hunter Valley
Wine, food, and wide-open spaces—need we say more? Hunter Valley is one of the ultimate romantic weekend getaways from Sydney and can be reached in just over three hours.
Take your pick of luxurious suites or opt for secluded cabins if you want extra privacy.
The region is home to a great variety of wineries, from international brands to smaller family-run businesses. Most of these wineries offer cellar door wine tastings and tours. Or top picks are
Want to step it up a notch? Try a Hot Air Balloon ride complete with champagne breakfast.
Stay
- Eco Stay | Somewhere Unique
- Air Bnb | Vineyard Cottage
- Luxury | Château Élan Hunter Valley or Spicers Guesthouse
- Muse Dining– Best Fine Dining
- Emerson’s Café & Restaurant– Best Breakfast
- Enzo– Best lunch with even better atmosphere
With over 150 vineyards in the Hunter Valley, it can be overwhelming to decide which wineries to visit! For wine tasting with a view – it’s hard to go past Audrey Wilkinson. Bimbadgen is a favourite amongst the tours and is also home to some killer concerts on the expansive lawns. The tasting rooms are also spacious, with all the estate wines hitting the spot every time! No Hunter trip is complete without visiting Tyrrells, this family-owned winery dates back to 1858!
One of the most incredible experiences you can do in the Hunter Valley is a hot air balloon flight. There’s nothing quite like watching the sunrise from 5000 feet in the air while you float above the vineyards. You’ll experience the Hunter Valley in a completely different way seeing the region from a birds-eye view but not without some effort.
Secluded Romantic Getaway in Hunter Valley
If you wanting some more privacy, try a secluded stay at Wild Edge retreat. They offer adult only cabins in a secluded mountain top retreat. Wake up to the tranquility and stillness and soak in your private hot tub as you take in the stunning view across the mountaintop. Cool off in the sparkling swimming pool or try your hand at tennis or treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment.
Nelson Bay
Located just 3 hours north of Sydney, Nelson Bay is the hub of Port Stephens. It is known for its beautiful beaches and perfectly sheltered bays. An idyllic beach getaway, my partner and I, with our puppy, choose the small beach of Fingal Bay(just a few minutes from Nelson Bay) to celebrate our 6 year anniversary.
With its buzzing marina, just minutes away from the local set of shops, Nelson Bay has everything you can want in a mini getaway. Unwind from the chaos of the city with nature walks, local wineries, and beachside cafes. Nelson Bay and its surroundings are perfect for couples, families, and nature lovers. Explore the endless coast, take a walk up Tomaree Mountain, go Dolphin watching, or hit the famous Worimi sand dunes for some thrill-seeking adrenaline.
Stay
- Self Contained Apartment | Salt at Shoal Bay
- Air Bnb | Pet-Friendly House at Fingal Bay
- Luxury | Anchorage Port Stephens or Anchorage Port Stephens
There is so much to do in the region of Port Stephens! Take your pick of over 26 coastal bays or go on a whale-watching cruise at sundown! The highlight and something I would definitely recommend is the Mt. Tomaree summit. The walk starts at Shoal Bay, with a 2.2km hike up to the top of Mt. Tomaree. At the summit you will be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic coastal views, overlooking both Shoal Bay and beyond.
Grab some wine and your favourite nibbles and set up camp at one of the stunning secluded bays.10 minutes from the center of Nelson Bay you will find the amazing Worimi Conservation Lands. The sand dunes stretch for more than 30km to the northern outskirts of Newcastle, covering an area of 4,200 hectares. Explore the ever-shifting golden dunes by 4WD, quad bike, or perhaps a camel ride into the ocean!
Byron Bay
Byron Bay, the most eastern point of Australia’s mainland, is a cozy beach town in New South Wales. It’s known for its laid-back culture, great surf conditions, scenic coast and amazing beaches. If you’re looking for somewhere special to enjoy an unforgettable romantic getaway, you can’t beat Byron Bay.
Although you can roadtrip here from Sydney, if you only have the weekend I would reccomendedc grabbing some cheap jetstar flights during friday freenzy and saving your self the 16 hour return drive. This will give opitmal time to romance each other in this laid back surfer town.
From its breathtaking beaches, pristine waters and lush hinterland, to the fine-dining restaurants, quirky art galleries and stylish boutiques, Byron Bay is the perfect place for love and romance. There are lots of things to do in Byron Bay, the most popular is the coastal track that takes visitors up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It sits perched on Cape Byron with views to either side of the cliffs. One on side is expansive Tallow Beach, on the other is the sleepy town center of Byron Bay.
Byron Bay is full of delicious cooking, roasted coffee and fresh seafood. People come here to get away from hectic, urban life, to center themselves through yoga classes, and connect with others through nightly drum circles on the beach!
Stay
- Boutique | 28 Degrees Byron Bay or Atlantic Byron Bay
- Air Bnb | Byron Escape
- Luxury | Elements Of Byron – MGallery by Sofitel or The Watermark
I aboslutely love the dining scene in Byron Bay! Think fresh produce with and innovative flare. There is also a strong focus on sustainability which can be seen in both the food and the packaging.
- Best Cafes- Combi, Folk Byron Bay and Beach Byron Bay
- Best Place for Drinks- The Mez Club and The Baloncy Bar & Oyster Co
- Best Dining for Lunch or Dinner- The Farm, Locura and Raes on Wategos
There are lots of things to do in Byron Bay, the most popular is the coastal track that takes visitors up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It sits perched on Cape Byron with views to either side of the cliffs. One on side is expansive Tallow Beach, on the other is the sleepy town center of Byron Bay.
- Lighthouse Walk
- Killen Falls
- Cafe hop
- Beach days
Secluded Getaway From Sydney in Byron Bay
Tucked away in the Gold Coast hinterland between Tweed Head and Byron Bay is the award winning Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat.
Designed to seamlessly combine the key ingredients of the perfect romantic getaway – privacy, comfort and seclusion – with a stunning natural location, Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat comprises just 13 private architect-designed, superbly appointed bungalows placed discreetly in a spectacularly pristine Australian rainforest. Set on 100 hectares (250 acres) at the end of a peaceful valley, the Retreat is bordered on three sides by World Heritage National Park, assuring total peace and privacy.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is a tiny Australian island in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie. Although you need a plane to reach it we just had to add it to the top romantic weekend getaways from Sydney! It’s boasts sandy beaches, subtropical forests, crystal clear waters and some mind blowing accomodations!
Lord Howe Island is paradise that can be reached via Sydney or Brisbane) by a 2 hour plane ride.. Immerse yourself in the spectacular surroundings and experience some of the world’s best day hikes, snorkelling on the coral reef, hand-feeding fish on Ned’s Beach and much more.
Lord Howe Island lies approximately 600 km northeast of Sydney and southeast of Brisbane, Australia, at the same latitude as Port Macquarie, NSW. It forms part of the state of New South Wales.
Apart from sailing your own yacht, the only feasible way to reach Lord Howe is by air.
QantasLink offers year-round scheduled services to Lord Howe Island. Flight time is under two hours, with flights departing from Sydney on most days, and from Brisbane on weekends.
There are connecting services with Qantas from all Australian capital cities and with QantasLink from many regional centres.
Stay
- Beachfront | Pinetrees Lodge or Lorhiti Apartments
- Luxury | Capella Lodge or Arajilla Retreat
- Arajilla Restaurant
- Beachcomber Restaurant
- Coral Cafe
- Beach House on the Moon
-
Kims Lookout Circuit Hike
-
Balls Pyramid
-
Watersports
- Eco Marine Cruise
Blue Mountains
***Bushfires are impacting parts of New South Wales including the Blue Mountains. If you do have travel plans during this period, seek information from the Rural Fire Service, National Parks, NSW Police and the Bureau of Meteorology. Visitors may also encounter delays travelling in some areas – check livetraffic.com for the latest road closures.***
One of our favorite romantic weekend getaways from Sydney is the beautiful Blue MountainsAfter the enjoying the fast pace city of Sydney wind down with a lovely trip to the Blue Mountains. In 2000 the Blue mountains were listed as a Unesco Heritage site, and with stunning sweeping mountain ranges, its a top pick for you next romantic getaway.
Getting to the Blue Mountains is fairly easy, just jump on a train at central with the journey to Katoomba taking around 2 hours. Or self drive the distance giving you the freedom to make scenic stops along the way.
Once you’ve arrived in Katoomba, you have the option of jumping on the The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus which picks up from the Katoomba train station. The hop-on hop-off bus is the most convenient way to explore all the great spots of the Blue Mountains
If you have a car drive to Echo Point look out, where you can see the iconic Three Sisters’ rock formation against the backdrop of the never-end mountain ranges. From this look-out there is opportunity to take short hikes to other lookouts.
Stay
- Romantic | Falls Mountain Retreat or Eagle View Escape, Rydal
- Unique | Glamping at Megalong Valley or Turon Gates – Eco-Retreat
- Luxury | Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains MGallery or Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
- Como, Blaxland
- Darleys, Katoomba
- The Red Door Cafe, Leura
Do
I love the Blue Mountains for any occasion! For romantic getaway opt for going during winter where you can curl up with your loved one in front of the fireplace, see some amazing views on the Scenic Skyway or relax at one of the day spas.
Blue mountains is also home to some iconic Aus landmarks like the Three Sisters, and some amazing hikes like Blackheath Lookout or Wentworth Falls Hike.
Secluded Getaway From Sydney in The Blue Mountains
For a more secluded romantic getaway from Sydney try the recently refurbished Spicers Sangoma Retreat, an eco-certified property that instantly envelops guests in its luxurious yet cosy embrace! Light a fire in your room, curl up on the day bed on your private deck or sinking into the deep bath. While tall glass windows allow for views out, rest assured the cleverly situated suites ensure maximum privacy.
Cocooned by the natural serenity of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, a mere hour from Sydney, you’ll find Spicers Sangoma Retreat. Immersed in the natural bush land of the Blue Mountains, this all-inclusive retreat delivers a peaceful and intimate escape. All gourmet meals and beverages are included as well as the premium mini-bar replenished daily.
Okay, we hope we have inspired you to plan a lovely getaway with you special one with our romantic weekend getaways from Sydney post! If you have any more recommendations, we would love to hear from you! Just comment below.
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