Group-Friendly Destinations
We’ve looked for towns with shared activities like kayaking, wineries and guided walks, casual dining that works for a big table, and a walkable centre.
Your guide to the group-friendly destinations
Getting a group away together, whether it’s a big family gathering, a few couples or a group of friends, takes a bit more than picking somewhere nice. The best group destinations have holiday houses big enough to fit everyone under one roof, a real choice of places to stay if you’d rather split into a few rooms, and enough going on that everyone finds something they want to do.
These are our picks for group getaways across NSW, all within a manageable drive of Sydney.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bowral Travel Guide
French restaurants, nearby wineries and gorgeous country cafes.
Terrigal Travel Guide
With a walkable centre and plenty to do, Terrigal makes an excellent destination to explore as a group.
NSW Central Coast
Close enough to Sydney for a quick group getaway, the Central Coast has a good selection of holiday houses alongside hotels, with lakes, beaches and walkable town centres that make it easy to keep a group together.
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Avoca Beach
Drive time from Sydney: 1.5 hours
Avoca Beach has a range of holiday houses, several large enough to suit groups, plus Avoca Lake right in the middle for group kayaking or SUP sessions. The relaxed cafes and short walk to the beach make it easy for a group to spend the day together without much planning.
GET THE GUIDE →: Avoca Beach
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Terrigal
Drive time from Sydney: 1.5 hours
Terrigal has a good mix of holiday houses and apartments alongside hotels like the Crowne Plaza, plus a walkable town centre with share-friendly Spanish tapas at Amarilla or pizza and tapas at Four Hands plus a good choice of casual dining options right along the Esplanade.
GET THE GUIDE →: Terrigal
NSW South Coast
The NSW South Coast covers everything from wide beach towns to quieter villages, with plenty of holiday houses, group-friendly wineries and breweries, and coastal walks that work as a shared activity for the whole trip.
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Bermagui
Drive time from Sydney: Around 5 and a half hours
The Bermagui Beach Hotel and Harbar, kayak hire on Wallaga Lake and fishing charters from the marina give a group plenty of shared things to do in Bermagui.
GET THE GUIDE →: Bermagui
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Culburra Beach
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours and 45 minutes
With holiday houses easily outnumbering hotel rooms in Culburra Beach, it's an easy pick for groups wanting a self-contained base. Add casual food at Culburra Beach Bowling Club, wood-fired pizza at Terra & Mare, or a dog-friendly round at The Common South Coast, and everyone's covered.
GET THE GUIDE →: Culburra Beach
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Gerringong
Drive time from Sydney: Around 2 hours
Gerringong's accommodation is mostly holiday houses, ideal for a group wanting to stay together, and Stoic Brewery gives the group a casual shared activity with a big beer selection and relaxed atmosphere.
GET THE GUIDE →: Gerringong
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Huskisson
Drive time from Sydney: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes
Huskisson's self-catering holiday houses suit a group wanting more time in Booderee National Park and on the water. Dolphin and whale watching cruises are a reliable shared activity that works for a whole group at once, and the town itself is relaxed and easy to get around.
GET THE GUIDE →: Huskisson
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Kiama
Drive time from Sydney: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours
Kiama has the widest accommodation range on the South Coast, holiday houses, apartments and hotels, plus a walkable town centre and the 20 km coastal walk as a shared activity for the whole group. Restaurants like Silica and Olive & Vine both work well for a bigger table.
GET THE GUIDE →: Kiama
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Narooma
Drive time from Sydney: Around 4.5 to 5 hours
Narooma's holiday houses, motels and caravan park cabins give groups plenty of accommodation choice, and Montague Island tours plus Central Tilba and Tilba Valley Winery and Ale House (15 minutes away) are great for group activities and dining.
GET THE GUIDE →: Narooma
Country NSW and Southern Highlands
For inland picks for a group weekend, these country towns pair holiday houses and boutique hotels with wineries, gardens and a walkable town centre for easy group browsing.
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Berry
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours
Berry's Queen Street is an easily walkable strip that suits a group wandering together between cafes, boutiques and lunch. With nearby wineries and a choice of restaurants, it works well for a group who want a mix of browsing, eating and slower activities.
GET THE GUIDE →: Berry
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Bowral
Drive time from Sydney: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Bowral has a solid range of holiday houses and cottages on Stayz plus hotels like Berida Hotel and Peppers for groups who'd rather stay together in one property. Centennial Vineyards and Artemis both offer wine tastings and grazing boards built for a group, alongside a walkable town centre for browsing and dining.
GET THE GUIDE →: Bowral
Hunter Region and the North Coast
North of Sydney, this region combines wine country with beach and marina stays, giving a group the choice of a cellar door weekend, a coastal escape, or a bit of both across a longer trip.
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Hunter Valley
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours
The Hunter Valley has accommodation to match almost any group size, from hotel stays to holiday houses built for larger families. Most cellar doors can be booked ahead for a group tasting.
GET THE GUIDE →: Hunter Valley
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Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Accommodation in Port Stephens ranges from boutique hotels to larger holiday homes and holiday parks, giving the group a good choice depending on budget and how many rooms are needed. A dolphin or whale watching cruise is a reliable group activity that works for everyone at once, and the Shoal Bay Country Club is good for group dining around big tables afterwards.
GET THE GUIDE →: Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
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