day trips at your doorstep

Explore out of town and be home by sundown!

Words Hayley Griffiths @hayleyg.creative

Image Eddie Hu @eddiehucaptured

Helensburgh

Take the scenic route along the Seacliff Bridge, then stop to admire the view and see paragliders take flight from Bald Hill. An ice cream truck does make a stop here, so it’s the perfect opportunity to treat the kids (and yourself) before heading up to Symbio Wildlife Park for an animal encounter. Set amongst 16 acres of gardens, get up close to animals from Australia and around the world including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, possums, cheetahs, lemurs, red pandas, meerkats and monkeys. In warmer weather, pack the kids’ swimmers because there’s a giant splash park to cool down in. A picnic lunch is a great option after exploring, then finish off with a run around in the adventure playground before making your way home.

Jamberoo

A water paradise awaits at Jamberoo Action Park (open September through to April). Nestled between rolling country hills and cows aplenty, it’s not where you would expect a massive water park to be – surprise! With world class rides for the daredevils and Billabong Beach for the little ones to splash to their hearts content – featuring shallow pools, mini water slides and soft rubber flooring. Then after the sun and surf, drive further into Jamberoo Village and you’ll come across Jamberoo Pub (a lunch spot for the grownups). We also recommend an afternoon stroll at Minnamurra Rainforest – stop in at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre and ask the guide for a family friendly walking route. Ask the kids to keep a lookout for wallabies or platypuses, if you’re lucky enough to spot one of these elusive critters.

Robertson

Wind your way up Macquarie Pass to the picturesque village of Robertson in the Southern Highlands. The kids will enjoy a stop off at Robertson Pie Shop for pastry delights, while the adults will enjoy sampling all the treats at The Cheese Factory. Then make your way to Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for an immersive experience in the Illawarra rainforest. It features an incredible Treetop Walk - a 1.5-kilometre loop track with 500 metres of elevated steel walkway through the treetops high above the forest floor. The little ones will love feeling like they’re in the clouds and it makes for some special family photos too.

Berry

A trip down to beautiful Berry is a must do. First stop? The Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park - an inclusive and spacious playground where the kids could literally spend hours… and not complain once. In natural surrounds, it is packed with sensory play opportunities, a flying fox, bridge, sand and water play areas and more. Don’t forget to pack the scooters and bikes, as there is also a Learn to Ride zone for little ones to get their confidence up. The precinct also includes a Skate Park and Pump Track for older kids to explore. After a huge morning at the playground, fill hungry bellies with a trip to The Treat Factory and Dairy Bar. Our pick is the homemade gelato and milkshakes – yum! Now we all know a visit to Berry wouldn’t be complete without tasting the freshly made cinnamon donuts from the famous Berry Donut Van – a worthy attraction in itself.

Gerroa

The ultimate combination of surf and sun awaits with a road trip down to Gerroa. The little ones will love playing in the shallows of Crooked River and for older kids and parents, soak in the expansive views of Seven Mile Beach - a fantastic spot for surfing. After lots of salt water and splashing around, a pitstop at Gerringong is needed for a caffeine fix and takeaway fish and chips for lunch. There are also some gorgeous boutiques to browse and the famous Natural Necessity Surf Shop for coastal cool outfits and accessories. A winning day out that will get the thumbs up from everyone.