Enjoy a short break to Regional NSW this Autumn

With crisp, clear days and cosy nights, Autumn is a wonderful time of year to visit Regional NSW for a short break. Whether you like to plan well in advance or enjoy the excitement of a spontaneous quick trip away, NSW is home to a range of destinations to suit any short break traveller. With options to suit those after some rest and relaxtion or a more active escape, here are just a few of NSW’s top short break destinations:

• Only a two and a half hour drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is a perfect weekend escape for groups of friends or couples looking for romance. Whether you’re after a round of golf at the Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club, a pamper session at the Golden Door Spa, or a rustic long lunch at the award-winning Margan Restaurant, the Hunter Valley is primed to satisfy your senses. Stay at Spicers Vineyards Estate and explore the local surrounds including fantastic nearby wineries, Hungerford Hill and Scarborough Wine Co., or take a leisurely horse drawn carriage tour.
• Take a short 1.5 hour drive north of Sydney to the beachside Central Coast town of Terrigal. With a reputation as one of NSW’s top surfing beaches, and boasting great fishing, boating and diving facilities, it’s a perfect spot for a few days away with friends. Stay at the Clan Lakeside Lodge to make the most of Terrigal Beach and Lagoon and enjoy the convenience of being a short 5 minute walk right to the centre of town where dining options and entertaining are plentiful. Before you head home, be sure to make the 20 minute drive to nearby Gosford to visit the newly opened Gosford Classic Car Museum.
• Getting out onto the highway can be a great way to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life and the Grand Pacific Drive on the NSW South Coastis one of the most spectacular experiences for short break road trippers. Kick off in Sydney in the Royal National Park then head south along the coast to Austinmer Beach before continuing on to Thirroul and into the northern stretches of Wollongong. Pack a picnic blanket and a good book and spend time relaxing under the shady trees of the Wollongong Botanic Garden. Enjoy a barbecue and plan a fun day out with the family at Byarong Park picnic area, or unwind while you stroll through the peaceful buildings and landscaped gardens of Nan Tien Temple before driving back to Sydney ready to take on the week ahead
• Be at one with nature in the beautiful Blue Mountains, the perfect short break destination for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. Bushwalks abound in the region and are an excellent way to take in the natural attractions. Visit Scenic World in Katoomba to enjoy a day in the wilderness, visiting waterfalls, valleys and rugged sandstone tablelands by cablecar, or experience the famous scenic railway. The surrounding picturesque towns of Blackheath, Faulconbridge, Katoomba, Leura, Megalong Valley, Mount Victoria, Springwood, Wentworth Falls, Hartley, Lithgow and Oberon offer a great range of restaurants and accommodation close enough to all the action, adventure and nature you could want to experience in a 48 hour period
• Say goodbye to the big city and hello to a few days of relaxation with a relaxing getaway to Bowral in the Southern Highlands, approximately 90 minutes south west of Sydney. Check in to the stylish and elegant Peppers Craigieburn, a century-old homestead sure to guarantee an exquisite stay. Bowral is best explored on foot with a leisurely stroll through the quaint town-centre, taking in an array of shopping experiences, from antiques to home wares, jewellery, arts and crafts. Criket fans should be sure not to miss a visit to the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame. After a day exploring, unwind with dinner at acclaimed restaurant, Biota Dining.

For more information on these great getaways, and more NSW short break experiences and destinations, check out www.visitnsw.com