10 GORGEOUS SMALL TOWNS TO VISIT NEAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

New South Wales, Australia, is a state filled with postcard-worthy beaches, lush national parks, and iconic tourist destinations. The state’s most famous destination is, of course, Sydney! Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and Australia’s most populated and most well-known city, making it a popular addition to anyone’s Australia travel itinerary. 

While Sydney is definitely worth a visit, the state of New South Wales is home to so many other breathtaking gems that many travelers don’t even know about! Here are 10 gorgeous small towns to visit that are only a few hours or less from Sydney.

These gorgeous small towns often slip under the radar of most tourists, though their natural beauty and laid-back charm are undeniable. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip from the city or a weekend getaway, these small towns are sure to have a massive impact on your love for Australia!

Best Towns To Visit Near Sydney, Australia

1) Blackheath

Located in Blue Mountains National Park just west of Sydney, Blackheath consists of a few small streets scattered with antique shops, quaint cafes, and historic buildings. 

It’s just a 15-minute drive from Katoomba, the main tourist town of the Blue Mountains. Though the Blue Mountains are one of Sydney’s most popular day trips, most tourists don’t venture beyond Katoomba. So Blackheath town and all its surrounding hikes remain uncrowded and peaceful. 

Blackheath is worth visiting due to its spectacular hikes and viewpoints that sit just outside the town center. Govetts Leap Lookout and Evans Lookout offer epic views of the sunrise over the surrounding valleys, whereas Mount Blackheath Lookout offers the best sunset views. 

If you’re looking to get moving and immerse yourself in the natural world, Blackheath has some of the best hikes in the Blue Mountains. Pulpit Rock Walking Track, Perrys Lookdown, and Hanging Rock Trail all offer amazing views of the dramatic cliffs, rock formations, valleys, and Blue Mountains forests.

Best Tours In The Blue Mountains

• Discover the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage on an ex-army Land Rover tour. Experience the adventure and stunning views on this day tour.
• Explore the Blue Mountains on a group tour, away from crowds. See the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls, and Featherdale Wildlife Park.
• Visit the Blue Mountains on a self-guided electric bike ride from Blackheath. Discover the Burramoko trail and Hanging Rock on a scenic forest adventure.

Best Places To Stay Near Blackheath

• Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges – This luxury hotel offers guests access to a full-service spa and has 28 rooms all of which have premium bedding and fireplaces.
• Chalets at Blackheath – Located close to Evans Lookout, this lodge offers luxury studios, which can sleep up to two people.
• Kyah Hotel – This luxury hotel is just a two-minute walk from Blackheath Golf Course and close to the Keith Rowe Gallery and Mount Victoria Railway Museum.
• Blackheath Motor Inn – With family rooms that can sleep up to four people, this hotel is ideal for bigger group trips or family stays.

2) Huskisson

As the main tourist town in Jervis Bay, Huskisson is home to some of the best beaches in New South Wales, and possibly all of Australia! Famous for its silky white sand, Jervis Bay is just a 2-hour drive south of Sydney and has plenty of cottages, campgrounds and holiday rentals for those in search of a tranquil, tropical getaway. 

There are a few small towns in the Jervis Bay Area, with Huskisson as the main activity hub. Here, you can grab brunch at a local cafe, visit the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum to learn about the local history and culture, book a whale-watching tour in winter, or rent paddle boards and kayaks. 

The most beautiful place near Huskisson is Hyams Beach, which is often rated one of Australia’s best beaches and is known to have some of the whitest sand in the world. 

Hyams Beach can get pretty busy, so to escape the crowds, just stroll along the White Sands Walk that runs along the length of the coastline. Heading north from Hyams Beach, you’ll pass several other less touristy beaches that sport the same brilliant white sand and calm turquoise water as Hyams. 

You could even head further south along the Jervis Bay Peninsula to Booderee National Park and find more white-sand beaches that offer amazing snorkeling and camping.

Best Tours From Huskisson

• Experience the stunning natural beauty of Jervis Bay Marine Park on a 2-hour cruise, where you can spot dolphins and admire the white sand beaches.
• Enjoy a scenic sunset cruise along Currambene River in Jervis Bay while spotting native wildlife and indulging in your own food and drinks.
• Take a boat ride to see dolphins, stroll along the white sands of Hymas Beach, and enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch.

Best Places To Stay Near Huskisson

• Paperbark Camp – This riverfront hotel offers guests a free breakfast and also has a lazy river. The accommodation is in luxury tents with balcony areas and is perfect for adventurers.
• Jervis Bay Motel – Located just a four-minute walk from Jervis Bay and Jervis Marine Park, this hotel is situated in a great location to explore the local area. The hotel offers rooms with balconies, kitchenettes, ocean views and two bedrooms.
• Dolphin Shores – Situated near the beach, this hotel is close to the Cape St George Lighthouse and Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
• Jervis Bay Holiday Park – This family-friendly holiday park has lots of accommodation options from two-bedroom villas to waterfront apartments. These villas and apartments can sleep between four and eight people, ideal for a girl’s getaway or bachelorette party.

3) Nelson Bay

This gem of the Central Coast has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in wildlife, surfing, hiking, bar-hopping, adventuring, or relaxing. Nelson Bay and the surrounding townships of Shoal Bay, Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, and more all make up the pristine coastal area of Port Stephens. 

Located just north of Newcastle, Nelson Bay is a lazy harbor town known for its delicious seafood, serene energy, and abundance of outdoor activities. 

Wildlife lovers can head to Tilligerry Habitat to go bird-watching and see soldier crabs scuttle along the golden sand, or you can go whale-watching or dolphin-watching on a boat cruise. 

Nelson Bay is also surrounded by countless dazzling beaches and coastal walks where surfers and hikers can drift into a state of bliss. Zenith Beach is one of the best surf spots in the area, and the Tomaree Head Summit Walk offers seriously gorgeous views of the rugged coastline and offshore islands. Hike Tomaree Mountain before sunrise for the best morning light!

Best Tours From Nelson Bay

4) Stanwell Park

With the cerulean waves of the Pacific framed by the towering hills of the Illawarra Escarpment, Stanwell Park might be one the most scenic towns in New South Wales. Situated on the coast just south of Sydney’s Royal National Park, Stanwell Park is a tiny residential town with a few shops and cafes. 

But it’s the beautiful nature that makes this town worth visiting! Stanwell Park’s beach is a haven for surfing and sunbathing, and it’s surrounded by hills that offer panoramic views. For the best views of Stanwell Park drive 5 minutes north of town to Bald Hill, a grassy hilltop that overlooks the beach, town, and rainforest. 

The mountains outside Stanwell Park also have some great hiking trails such as the Wodi Wodi Track. Just south of Stanwell Park, you can also find the Sea Cliff Bridge, an impressive landmark that makes for epic drone photos!

Best Places To Stay Near Stanwell Park

• Headlands Austinmer Beach – Located close to Austinmer Beach, Sharky Beach and Little Austinmer Beach, this is a great accommodation option within walking distance of some great things to do and see.
• Airconditioned Apartment – This one-bedroom apartment can sleep up to four people. It is located close to the Garawarra State Conservation Area and the Symbio Wildlife Park.
• Stanwell Tops Studio – This 323 sq ft studio apartment is located within a five-minute walk of the Garawarra State Conservation Area. The studio has a queen bed and a sofa/futon, sleeping up to four people.

5) Narrawallee

About three hours south of Sydney on the South Coast of New South Wales, Narrawallee is the perfect weekend getaway from the city. This small town is popular among Sydney locals who like to escape the hustle and bustle over the holidays, and you’ll find lots of cute Airbnbs, cabins, caravan parks, cafes and coffee shops. 

Narrawallee Inlet is the crown jewel of the town. With swirling sapphire waters surrounded by golden sands and rippling waves, people of all ages flock here to swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, surf, and relax on the beach. 

To the south side of the inlet is Narrawallee Beach, a stunning South Coast beach framed with grassy picnic areas. For more adventures, you could continue south along the coast and stop at Mollymook Beach as well, or you could drive 10 minutes inland to explore the historic and charming town of Milton.

Best Places To Stay Near Narrawallee

Luxury Narrawallee Hotels

• Bannisters by the Sea Mollymook – Just a short walk from Mollymook Beach and Narrawallee Beach, this hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers and an onsite spa.
• Mollymook Shores Motel – Located in Mollymook, this hotel has studio suites, ocean view rooms, twin rooms and family rooms, perfect for a girl’s getaway or a couple’s weekend away.
• Bannisters Pavilion Mollymook – This Mollymook resort is located near the beach. The hotel also has a poolside bar, a rooftop terrace and an onsite spa.

Mid-Range Narrawallee Hotels

• Allure on Ocean Motel – Complete with twin rooms, studios, family studios and sea view rooms, this hotel can sleep between two and four people in one room.
• Motel Molly – This boutique hotel has two-bedroom apartments, oceanside balcony suites, garden suites, and three-bedroom split-level apartments. Ideal for a longer trip or a large group getaway.

6) Lawson

Lawson is another hidden gem of the Blue Mountains! You can reach this quaint rural town in about 1.5 hours driving west of the Sydney CBD. Lawson, like Blackheath, is often overlooked by travelers who prefer to start their exploration of the Blue Mountains in Katoomba. 

With just a tiny town center, you only need a few hours in Lawson. But the few local businesses that thrive there are extremely high-quality. For example, Black Cockatoo Bakery is a small takeaway shop that sells freshly made pastries and coffees. Be sure to get here early otherwise, the buttery chocolate croissants will have sold out!

Lawson is also the starting point for a few lovely Blue Mountains walks and lookouts. The absolute highlight of the area is the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit. This leisurely loop walk snakes through the lush rainforest and passes several photo-worthy waterfalls, making it the perfect rainy day activity. 

If you’re staying in Lawson overnight, consider visiting Cataract Falls along the waterfall circuit walk after dark to see the famous Blue Mountains glow worms.

Best Places To Stay Near Lawson

Luxury Blue Mountains Hotels

• Old Leura Dairy, The Straw Bale House – This five-bedroom home can sleep up to 11 people, making it ideal for a girl’s getaway, bachelorette party, or large family getaway. The home also has a hot tub and fireplace.
• Old Leura Dairy, The Workers Cottage – With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this is a great option for up to six people. The charming 1920s cottage has quaint features and handmade furniture.
• Silvermere – Located in Wentworth Falls, this hotel has individually furnished rooms that can sleep up to three people. The hotel also has an 18-hole golf course, a terrace, and a garden.

Mid-Range Blue Mountains Hotels

• Falls Mountain Retreat – With one and two-bedroom apartments, this hotel can sleep up to six people in one room. The hotel has 35 rooms with fireplaces and espresso makers.
• Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains – Located near Sublime Point, this hotel has an 18-hole golf course, a terrace and a coffee shop. There are also three onsite restaurants and a spa.
• Leura Gardens Resort – Located in Leura, this hotel is close to the Everglades Historic House & Gardens and Leura Golf Club. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and barbecue grills.

7) Thirroul

Nestled in between Sydney and the city of Wollongong, Thirroul is another one of the best rural towns to visit in New South Wales. Though Thirroul is small, there is a lot happening here. The town center is packed with adorable cafes, international restaurants, trendy bars, and enticing surf shops. 

Thirroul Beach is an incredible place for a swim, surf, picnic, or bike ride. Thirroul is actually the start of an epic coastal bike trail that continues all the way down the coast for 15km to Wollongong. 

Another way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Thirroul is by heading inland to the hiking trails of the Illawarra Escarpment. The Sublime Trail is a short but very steep ascent up the mountain that ends with fantastic views of the coastline.

Best Places To Stay Near Thirroul

• Comfort Inn Towradgi – This suburban Wollongong hotel in Fairy Meadow has a terrace, a playground and a bar. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and free self-parking.
• Headlands Austinmer Beach – These apartments have options for two bedrooms, studios, and one-bedroom apartments. Many apartments have ocean-view rooms and can sleep between six and two people.
• Southview Boutique Guesthouse – This guest house is located in Bulli and is close to Sandon Point Beach and Thirroul Beach. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and free self-parking.

8) Bundeena

As the main town in the Royal National Park, Bundeena is an excellent place to begin any explorations of Australia’s oldest national park. Bundeena is tiny and only has a few shops and cafes near the water. But it has lots of holiday rentals and is conveniently located near the best natural attractions in the area. 

Bundeena is most commonly visited as a starting point for bush walks and camping adventures in the Royal National Park. The epic Coast Track, which covers the entire coastal edge of the park, starts just next to Bundeena. Even if you just hike small sections of the Coast Track, you can see unique natural landmarks like the Wedding Cake Rock, the Balconies Rock Formations, the Figure 8 Pools, Curracurrong Falls, and Garie Beach. 

Sydney day trippers may also visit Bundeena to just hang around town and enjoy the fabulous beaches such as Jibbon Beach. Sydney’s southernmost coastal suburb, Cronulla, has a small ferry that runs to Bundeena daily. This makes a fun little excursion from the city where you can spend the day beach-hopping and exploring the beauty of Bundeena and the Royal National Park.

Best Tours From Bundeena

• This luxurious tour will take you through the world’s second-oldest national park, the Royal National Park.

Best Places To Stay Near Bundeena

• Cronulla Motor Inn – Located in Cronulla, a neighborhood of Sydney, this hotel is close to Wanda Beach, Bass, and Flinders Point. 
• Quest Cronulla Beach – With 60 individually furnished rooms, this hotel has a room option for everyone sleeping up to six people in a two-bedroom apartment. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, free self-parking and a gym.
• Rydges Cronulla Beachside – Located in Cronulla and close to the beach and Gunnamatta Bay. The hotel has a mixture of one-bedroom suites, double rooms, twin rooms, and standard rooms.

9) Robertson

The Southern Highlands is an enchanting rural area southwest of Sydney that features rolling green hills, antique shops, wineries, and waterfalls. There are several inviting little towns in the Southern Highlands, with Robertson being a centrally-located and inviting destination. 

Robertson’s main street has a handful of classic Aussie pubs, bakeries, and eateries, and there are some cool local shops and vintage secondhand stores to check out. 

The natural world is flourishing all around Robertson as well. Visit the colossal Belmore Falls to see the freshwater tumble down into the green valley below. Belmore Falls is just a short, 10-minute drive from Robertson. The Hindmarsh Lookout offers the best views of the falls, and you can even drive right up to the top of the falls as well. 

Other nearby waterfalls worth visiting include Carrington Falls and the many cascades of Macquarie Pass National Park.

Best Places To Stay Near Robertson

• The Robertson Hotel – This guesthouse in Robertson has a garden, an outdoor swimming pool, free self-parking and a fireplace in the lobby.
• Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa – Located in Bowral, this hotel is close to the Bowral Golf Course, Corbett Gardens and Sturt Gallery. The hotel offers free continental breakfast, a terrace and a garden.
• Luxurious, Cosy Apartment – This two-bedroom apartment has a king bed, two twin beds, a spa tub and a fireplace.
• The Laurels B&B Kangaroo Valley – This adults-only bed and breakfast in Barrengarry has a free breakfast and free self-parking. All guestrooms have thoughtful touches throughout and premium bedding.

10) Forster

Around 3-4 hours north of Sydney on the Central Coast, you’ll find Forster, a tiny township surrounded by pristine coastal beauty. Complete with rugged rocky cliffs and vibrant teal waters, this hidden paradise is a convenient stop on a road trip from Sydney up to Byron Bay. 

Forster Beach, Burgess Beach, and Nine Mile Beach offer the quintessential New South Wales beach experience full of surfing, swimming, and sandy strolls. Wallis Lake is another gorgeous spot where calm, clean water is ideal for swimming, fishing, and boating. Sunrises are also spectacular over Wallis Lake as the natural morning hues reflect in the lake’s glassy surface.

For more adventures near Forster, continue further south to Booti Booti National Park where you can camp, hike, and swim at Shelly Beach, Blueys Beach, or Boomerang Beach.

Best Places To Stay Near Forster

• Lakes and Ocean Hotel Forster – Located just a nine-minute walk from Forster Marina and Pebbly Beach, this hotel offers guests a cooked-to-order breakfast.
• Hotel Forster – This hotel has 28 rooms, including twin rooms, two-bedroom apartments, studios and queen rooms.
• The Dorsal Boutique Hotel – Just a five-minute walk from Pebbly Beach, this hotel offers rooms with balconies and beach views. The hotel is near The Sanctuary and Wallis Island Nature Reserve.

Best Towns To Visit Near Sydney Wrap Up

I hope I’ve inspired you to visit some of these gorgeous small towns during your visit to Sydney! There are so many natural wonders and charming local businesses just waiting to be explored, and you can really gain valuable insights into the lifestyle of New South Wales by venturing outside the city. Sydney is incredible, but it only scratches the surface of how stunning and inviting New South Wales really is!

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We hope that this article has inspired you to visit these towns from Sydney, Australia. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.

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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Gabrielle Boucher 
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