5 Spring Escapes
Destinations with an easy drive, blooming gardens and coastal views, all within reach of a weekend away from Sydney.
Our Favourite Spring Weekend Destinations
Last updated
For a spring weekend away from the city we’re looking for gardens in bloom, whale watching before the season ends, wildflowers on a coastal walk and towns that are warming up without the summer crowds. At the same time, we want somewhere busy enough that the cafes, shops and restaurants are open and there’s plenty of accommodation available.
We hand-picked these five destinations from our Next Escape guides because they work well for a spring weekend out of the city and are all within driving distance of Sydney. Each section links to a complete Next Escape guide covering where to explore, eat and stay. We’ve also included our favourite accommodation in each destination, places we’ve personally stayed at and loved.
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
From Sydney: 1 hour and 30 minutes (118 km)
Bowral has quality dining, beautiful gardens and an easy country getaway feel. Boutique shopping, nearby wineries and a strong food-and-wine scene make it a good fit for couples, food lovers and anyone after a refined but relaxed escape. Spring brings the gardens, including the cherry blossoms, into bloom, with mild weather for wandering Bong Bong Street.
The Tulip Time festival runs in September and October, when Corbett Gardens fills with over 75,000 tulips. It’s the busiest the town gets all year, so it’s worth booking accommodation and restaurants ahead if you’re timing your visit around it.
READ THE FULL NEXT ESCAPE GUIDE TO BOWRAL →
OUR FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION
Berida Hotel
Berida Hotel is a gorgeous boutique hotel just outside Bowral, with a relaxed, luxurious feel. With Bistro Sociale and Aspinalls Bar & Lounge on-site you could almost spend your entire Bowral weekend cosied up inside, or head out to make the most of the spring weather and the cherry blossoms and tulips while they’re in bloom.
Kiama
From Sydney: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (131 km)
Kiama is an easy, scenic coastal escape from Sydney, with ocean views, coastal walking trails and a relaxed town centre that works for both day trips and weekends away. It’s big enough to offer plenty of dining and accommodation, yet small enough to retain a relaxed coastal feel.
Spring is one of our favourite times to visit. Whales can be spotted from the coastal walk, wildflowers come out, and the weather is warm enough to enjoy the walk and explore the town before the summer crowds arrive. If you can time a visit for the third Sunday of the month, the Kiama seaside markets at Black Beach Reserve are worth a visit.
READ THE FULL NEXT ESCAPE GUIDE TO KIAMA →
OUR FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION
Kove Apartments Kiama
This is our pick of accommodation in Kiama. The apartments are very close to the beach, with a pool and views across the oval to the beach. They’re spacious, clean and new. The balcony is a great spot to start the day with a takeaway coffee and pastry while watching the local walkers and the football team train.
Killcare
From Sydney: 1 hour and 30 minutes (101 km)
This small coastal village pairs beaches with quality dining and suits couples and food lovers looking for a quieter coastal stay. The village sits on the Bouddi Peninsula and is the gateway to the 8 km Bouddi Coastal Walk, with Killcare Beach on one side and the calm waters of Hardys Bay on the other.
Spring here means comfortable weather for beach walks and exploring Bouddi National Park before the busiest summer period. It’s mild enough for the full Bouddi Coastal Walk, and Bells at Killcare can arrange a pickup from Putty Beach at the end so you’re not left with the steep trek back up the hill.
READ THE FULL NEXT ESCAPE GUIDE TO KILLCARE →
OUR FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION
Bells at Killcare
A gorgeous boutique hotel and restaurant in Killcare Heights, up the hill from Killcare Beach on one side and Hardys Bay on the other. The grounds are beautiful, with little creeks, meandering paths and a manicured lawn with plenty of spots to sit, read and relax. The on-site Wild Flower Bar & Dining serves seasonal menus built around fresh produce and has a great wine list.
Gerringong
From Sydney: 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (141 km)
Gerringong has a beachy, surf town feel with a slower-paced vibe. It’s great for families wanting quieter beaches, surfers and couples escaping the crowds and, although it’s a small town, there are still plenty of cafes and restaurants for foodies. Gerringong sits at the southern end of the Kiama Coastal Walk, so it’s a good launching pad to head north and take in the coastal views.
Spring brings whale watching, wildflowers and mild weather for the coastal walk. By the end of spring, it’s usually warm enough to swim at Werri Beach or in the ocean pool.
READ THE FULL NEXT ESCAPE GUIDE TO GERRINGONG →
OUR FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION
Park Ridge Retreat
Park Ridge Retreat is right in the middle of Gerringong, close to the cafes and restaurants. This is the ideal spot to stay if you want an easy walk to lunch or dinner. The beach is around a 15-minute walk away, with a steep walk back up.
Kangaroo Valley
From Sydney: Around 2 hours and 15 minutes (157 km)
Kangaroo Valley gives you a practical mix of village browsing, wildlife, walks, waterfalls, lookouts and river activities. The valley’s stunning natural setting and outdoor activities suit the mild spring weather. The national park walks and waterfalls are particularly good in spring, when it’s warm enough to walk for miles, with wildflowers as a bonus.
Spring is an easier season for river activities too, as the water starts to warm up ahead of the summer kayaking and canoeing crowds.
READ THE FULL NEXT ESCAPE GUIDE TO KANGAROO VALLEY →
OUR FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION
Wildes Boutique Hotel
Our favourite central pick if you want an easy, polished stay in the village. It sits right on Moss Vale Road, across from The Friendly Inn, with spacious rooms arranged around a central courtyard with an on-site restaurant open on weekends.