Don’t be put off by the “busy Byron” rumours, it’s still one of the best coastal escapes within driving distance of Sydney. Sydney’s favourite beachside escape is home to white sandy beaches, gourmet restaurants, exquisite retail shopping and plenty of off-the-beaten path experiences too. There’s a plethora of epicurean delights to savour, including Harvest Newrybar, The Eltham Hotel, Pixie Food & Wine, Frida’s Field and Honour Espresso & Salumi Bar. Fashionistas will love local favourites like Spell Designs and Arnhem Clothing, it’s well-worth making time to visit the highly instagrammable Wategos Beach, and treating yourself to a spa day at Raes at Wategos. Alternatively, you can simply do as the famous ‘welcome to Byron Bay’ sign recommends and “cheer up, slow down, chill out.” Find plenty of chic places to stay here. Or try the just-opened Hotel Marvell. And our foodie guide here.

It’s a favourite for a reason. Not only is the Hunter Valley very close to Sydney, it’s also home to Australia’s oldest wine region. There’s some 150 cellar doors, 60 plus eateries and at least four hatted restaurants. There’s everything from cheese, chocolate, beer and gin to the region’s world-famous aged Semillon and delicate, complex reds. Gourmet must-visits include Muse, Bistro Molines, Margan Restaurant and EXP. For the vino lovers, there’s non-stop cellar doors, including Brokenwood, old-school Tyrrell’s Wines, biodynamic and organic fave Krinklewood, Margan, Briar Ridge and bastion of the new wave of Hunter Valley winemakers, Usher Tinkler Wines.

A definite contender for Australia’s prettiest town, Orange is well-worth a visit on any weekend. A 3 hours drivefrom Sydney, Orange is a food and wine lover’s paradise. Choose from plenty of wineries and cellar doors, you can find our top picks here. If you’re after a private, curated food experience, look no further than Country Food Trails. Founder Nicole Farrell is an experienced international tour guide and a local, so she knows where to find the best of everything. Aesthetes will adore chic retail establishments like The White Place, Hawkes General Store and The Sonic, and there’s plenty of top notch restaurants and bars — like newcomer Hey Rosey, Mr Lim, and The Schoolhouse — to keep your belly full and your tastebuds tingling. Love coffee? Head to Good Eddy for the best. And make sure you visit nearby Millthorpe, which is a burgeoning food and wine hub in its own right. If you’re looking to treat yourself to a luxurious stay, look no further than Basalt. Plan your trip here.

Situated a brief 90 minutes drive north of Sydney, the sparkling central coast combines beautiful beaches, lush national parks and a coterie of suburbs, each of which boasts its own burgeoning food and wine scene. From chic coffee houses and bakeries such as Burnt Honey in Copacobana and Like Minds in Avoca, to world-class distilleries like Distillery Botanica in Erina, which creates the Moore’s Gin range and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur. Don’t miss Firescreek Winery, Mr Goaty Gelato, Woy Woy’s fisherman’s wharf and Sydneysider favourite Bells at Killcare.

Sawtell doesn’t just have waves for days, it also boasts limitless charm and a food scene to take you back to the golden days of Aussie summers. Sawtell, which is a 15-minute drive south of Coffs Harbour on Gumbaynggirr land, offers all the favoured characteristics of a small, coastal township with one key difference: its thriving food scene. Shop along the town’s boutique-lined high street, First Avenue. Sunseekers and surfers will love the beach, meanwhile walkers can meander through Bongil Bongil National Park, the Bundagaree Rainforest Walk and the Bluff Loop Walking Track. Foodies will love pizzeria The Spare Room and for the coffee fiends, there’s Split Cafe and Espresso Bar.

Just north of Newcastle, Port Stephens is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Sydney. Boasting beautiful beaches, exquisite restaurants, abundant national parks and plenty of coastal walks, it’s an easy long weekend escape or short break. There’s everything from fine dining to fish and chips on offer, with plenty of fresh, local produce like avocados, stone fruit, figs and macadamias to inspire the local chefs. Rick Stein’s Bannisters Port Stephens just one of the must-visits, and his new luxury hotel is an ideal place to stay. As well as the Bannisters restaurant, there’s also the Bannisters pool bar, and a cute nearby pub known as The Cheeky Dog. Among the other notable eateries, Terrace Bar, Lil Buddha, Moby’s and The Point. If you’re travelling from Sydney, make a point to stop in at Saddles in Mount White.

This foodie dark horse finds a spot on our must-visit short breaks and weekend escapes, thanks to a low-key food and drinks scene which — for some unknown reason — continues to be overlooked in favour of other regional centres. But it’s time to take a second look at Newcastle. The city that meets the sea is home to a luxurious Crystalbrook Collection hotel, Kingsley, and QT Newcastle. It also serves up a plethora of fine dining options, nightclub hotspots, unique local pubs and great cafes. Don’t miss Three Monkeys for its famed generous breakfasts and awesome coffee, take a trip down foodie Darby Street to let your eyes do the eating. For a low key long lunch or dinner by the beach, make sure you check out Parry St Garage and the coolest addition, Light Years. Meanwhile, there’s the Civic Theatre, City Hall, Nobby’s Beach, Merewether Beach, the Newcastle Baths and the city’s iconic Bogey Hole to keep the nature lovers entertained.

Located on the New South Wales mid-north coast, Port Macquarie boasts some 17 beautiful beaches, lush hinterland, a variety of attractions including Koala Hospital, Billabong Zoo, Sea Acres rainforest, river cruises, and plenty of accommodation from 4-5 star luxury hotels right through to camping by the beach. Top it off with one of the best year-round climates and boy howdy, that’s a banger of a short break right there. On top of all that, there’s a cornucopia of incredible dining options to savour. Head to Stick Bar’s secret alley location in Clarence Street for an utterly unique yakitori and cocktail experience. Paddock-to-plate eatery twotriplefour is another hotspot well-worth a visit. For the AM crowd, there’s nothing better than coffee and breakfast at Little Shack on Town Green. Set at the start of the Breakwall, overlooking the beach, this local fave transforms to become a bar when night falls.

Mudgee may not be as well known as the Hunter Valley, but when it comes to history – and damn good wines – this slice of NSW is punching well above its weight. The landscapes are breathtaking, vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see. On a sunny morning, a footpath table outside Market Street Cafe is hard to beat. Head to the Alby + Ethers for hearty breakfasts, lunch and coffee. For a rustic winery lunch, you can’t go past Di Lusso Estate for graceful Italian varietals and great woodfired pizzas. Make sure to stop by the Mudgee Brewing Company for fine, handcrafted ales and good quality, beer-friendly food. Pipeclay Pumphouse serves up plenty of incredible local produce with a seasonal menu and locally focused wine list. There’s plenty of amazing cellar doors to visit, including Logan Wines, Lowe Wines, Robert Stein and Mudgee’s first winery, Robert Oatley Vineyards. When it comes to accommodation, Sierra Escape is a truly unique glamping experience that combines nature and luxury.

There’s a whole lot more to Dubbo than most people realise. Not only is it home to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the 19th century Old Dubbo Gaol and some of the most epic sunsets you’ll see anywhere in Australia, this vibrant regional city along the majestic Macquarie River boasts a slew of incredible experiences and epicurean delights. Discover more about the local Wiradjuri Culture with First Lesson Cultural Tours. The Dubbo Farmers Markets is a great spot to indulge in the very best regional produce. Visit the awe-inspiring Wellington Caves is home to an epic 15m tall stalagmite, Cathedral Cave, and exquisite, delicate dripping stalactites in the Gaden Cave. Aesthetes will adore the Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens, off of Coronation Drive, which is home to four incredible spaces. There’s plenty for the foodies too! There’s fresh wood-fired pizza at Devil’s Hollow Brewery that you’ll definitely want to bring your stretchy pants to. The Old Bank Restaurant & Bar offers tasty bites and craft beer in one of Dubbo’s most iconic heritage buildings. Fourth-generation bakery Village Bakehouse is a must-visit for award-winning pies and freshly baked baguettes.

Call yourself a self-respecting New South Welsh-person but haven’t yet travelled to Batemans Bay? We really don’t want to have to ask you to hand in your NSW badge. For those who enjoy snorkelling, this South Coast beachscape is home to the Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail. Here, visitors can swim over reefs and spy native fish at play. Active holidaymakers can also amble along the area’s splendid walking tracks. Freshly caught local seafood is the order of the day here, and oysters are a non-negotiable. Oyster afficionados can take a tour of Pearly Oyster Bar’s farm on the Clyde River before sampling its produce at the bar. And, for a relaxing and well-dressed stay, book a rest at retro motel, The Isla.

Set halfway between Adelaide and Sydney, Griffith has long been a foodie haven, but this beautiful regional town. Often called “the food bowl of Australia”, Griffith is home to Australia’s largest wine region and grows 90% of Australia’s rice, 95% of Australia’s prunes. Lovers of Italian food and wine will adore the plentiful cellar doors and picturesque restaurants. The region is a haven for lesser known Italian varieties like Durif, Montepulciano, Vermentino and Tempranillo. Make sure to visit the Calabria Family Wines and Yarran Wines. If you’d like a guided tour, then Bella Vita Riverina Tours is ideal. Nearby Whitton Malt House is a must-visit for beer and whisky lovers; and shoppers can meander along the main street Banna Avenue for plenty of boutique shopping, there’s also an art trail, Altina Wildlife Park, Hermit’s Cave and Lookout and family-fun Griffith Pioneer Park Museum.

Located on the banks of the Mehi River, Moree sits where food crops are king. The town is part of ‘the Golden Triangle’ (the other towns are Boggabilla and Warialda) boasting fertile black soil made rich by the Gwydir River that flows through. One of Moree’s drawcards is its hot springs. The mineral-rich artesian water, which boasts myriad health benefits, is naturally heated at 40-plus degrees, making it popular with locals and visitors alike. The town centre is postcard-worthy, filled with beautiful Art Deco buildings along the main street, a number of fabulous art galleries, and a sprinkling of charming homewares shops and cafes.

The Blue Mountains is famous for its breathtaking escarpments, towering waterfalls and endless bush walks and trails. You’ll find one of the. best croissants you’ve ever eaten at Black Cockatoo Bakery in Leura. And if you’re still hungry, head to artisan sourdough bakery Bakehouse on Wentworth, which has locations in Leura and Blackheath.

If it’s high time you took yourself a peaceful seaside getaway, indulge in a taste of boutique resort luxury and fine dining in Mollymook on the South Coast of New South Wales. Rick Stein’s Bannisters is an obvious choice for those with discerning tastes in both seafood dishes and accommodation, and the nearby Golf Club offers waterfront views and bistro-style lunches. You can also book a private house neighbouring glistening Mollymook Beach, like Lucy’s House – a chic mid-century stay. Our top pick would have to be the latest addition, Motel Molly. This 16-room boutique motel is equal parts coastal chic and retro luxury.