Just 120 km south of Sydney sits Kiama, the beach town known for cliffside cavers the Kiama Blowhole and Little Blowhole. If you’d prefer to work up a sweat, there’s the 20 km Kiama Coastal Walk, stretching between Minamurra and Werri Beach. Plus plenty of beaches to choose from, like main drag Surf Beach.

Just 2.5 hours from Sydney’s skyscrapers, Port Stephens isn’t far from the NSW capital but seems a million miles away. There’s coastal walks, national parks, and plenty of beaches, with Nelson Bay a standout. Spend days swimming at Little Beach Reserve, or viewing Gan Gan Lookout, and evenings dining waterside at Little Beach Boathouse.

Sitting in Shoalhaven on the South Coast is Jervis Bay. With its crystalline waters paired with bright white sands (most evident at Hyams Beach) this place is certainly easy on the eyes. Throw in a handful of national parks, a lighthouse, and a brewery and you have the makings of a great beachside escape.

Thirroul and neighbouring Austinmer are easily one of New South Wales’ best beach towns. Especially if you’re a coffee fan – after all, this beachside stretch nudging Newcastle is home to an impressive number of outstanding cafes. But it’s not just beach and coffee, Thirroul hosts plenty of boutiques to peruse, and sits on the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Sapphire Coast resident Merimbula may boast a slew of beautiful beaches and lakes, but it’s seafood for which it’s famed. No trip to this part of the world is complete without indulging in some oysters – it’s the region’s specialty after all. Or paying a visit to one of this stylish coastal town’s many wine bars.

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.

Perched on the edge of Coffs Harbour is the ever quaint Sawtell. The main strip here is dominated by boutiques, cafes, and galleries making it an easy place to while away a weekend – The Hilltop Store is a local favourite for good reason. Conveniently all sit within easy stroll of main sandy strip the pristine Sawtell Beach.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just under two hours’ drive from Sydney, the slew of lush accomodations offerings in this country town prove it’s a hot spot for Sydneysiders. For old-timey luxury visit Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa Bowral, for art-deco-meets-contemprary-design head to Berida Hotel, which is found in a private residence built in 1925, and for country charm there’s no better than Peppers Craigieburn Bowral. But it’s not all luxury stays. Bowral is known for its antique shopping and incredible international food offering, also. Fine-dining Thai dishes are plated up at Paste, while Leila’s at the Grand serves up modern take on traditional Lebanese food.

An oldie, but a goody. Most Aussies can recall a family trip or two to Berry. Approximately two hours from Sydney, this country town ticks all the boxes. After good wine? Head to the award winning cellar door and vineyard, Silos Estate, or Two Figs. Want to take in the country while kicking back on a luxurious estate? There’s Linnaeus Farm for that. Keen to taste some delicious Aussie produce? South on Albany source local food cooked with a European twist. And if you have a sweet tooth, you can’t leave Berry without a stop at The Famous Berry Donut Van, which has been serving up deliciously fresh cinnamon donuts since 1964.