4 day holiday suggestions (leaving from Sydney)

smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:26
Last edited 08/11/2017 - 12:29

British couple (30's) moved to Oz (Sydney) 3 years ago looking for a 4 day break in a few weeks time.
Looking for a few days away (happy to relax Hammo style or go off exploring). Open to any suggestions really so any ideas will be considered (aside from chicken farms).

We have a few longer breaks lined up for NZ and the NT so ideally not too extravagant but would pay $2k if required.

Previously visited (may have omitted some):
Daintree / Port Douglas / Fraser Island / Hamilton Island / Brisbane / Melbourne / added: Hunter Valley

Wife fancies doing Byron Bay but I am not too fussed about it. Any opinions on there for starters?
Is Tasmania worth visiting for 4 days?

Thanks all

Travel

Comments

  • djones145 on 08/11/2017 - 12:28
    +1

    Hunter valley

    • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:28

      Ooops.. done that :) AirBnB style , but thanks.

  • WTF on 08/11/2017 - 12:31
    +6

    Batemans bay? you can drive down through ACT if you haven been there and drive back up along the coast.

    Batemans Bay is beautiful and very relaxing (as is much of the south coast)

    • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:34

      Thanks, I will google this evening :) We have only driven as far south as Berry so far.

      • John Kimble on 08/11/2017 - 14:20
        +2

        Hyam's Beach? Whitest sand in the world. Beautiful little town, but not sure if much to do for 4 days?

  • scrimshaw on 08/11/2017 - 12:35
    +4

    Coffs Harbour. It's full of national parks.

    See list of attractions on Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffs_Harbour#Attractions

    • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:37

      Thanks, another place to google.

      I guess it is hard to determine which is the best place to visit out of all these coastal towns :)

      • WTF on 08/11/2017 - 12:51
        +6

        I have driven up and down the NSW coast several times for holidays.

        The best spots on the coast are Batemans Bay, Port Stephens, Coffs harbour, Port macquarie and Kiama. If you go north, then Port Stephens is not that far from Sydney and has great walking tracks, nice beach, and you can go watch dolphins. It is also less busy than Coffs harbour or Port Macquarie. Getting to Coffs harbour is a long drive so you may want to stop along the way in Port Stephens or Port Macquarie on the way. That way you see several spots along the way.

        The south coast is less busy although Kiama can be very popular. My favourite place is Batemans bay because it is far less touristy and great for getting away and into the wilderness.

        Anyway, you cannot go wrong with any of these places. Think about how much time you want to spend driving vs how much time you just want to sit back and relax. If it is the latter then Port Stephens is the closest and is the best bet.

    • singlemalt72 on 08/11/2017 - 13:22

      Coffs area is great, lots of places to go and things to see, we usually stay at Sawtell.

      Also look into South West Rocks, a sleepier coastal town than Coffs, but a great area to visit.

  • fantombloo on 08/11/2017 - 12:44
    +4

    Canberra. Close. Plenty of free stuff. Take your pushies (or hire there) - very easy to ride. 4 days is about right to see all the big things.

    • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:44
      +1

      Thanks, I will go from no ideas to too many ideas :D

  • HighAndDry on 08/11/2017 - 12:45
    +5

    Tassie is pretty good, especially if you like nature and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

    Other than that, if you've never been to the Sunshine Coast, that's good for lazing away a few days (or weeks) in a beach-side hotel.

    • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 12:47

      Thanks. Is Tassie in 4 days a car hire / camper hire job or should you stay in Hobart and do day trips?

      • HighAndDry on 08/11/2017 - 12:50
        +2

        I stayed a day/night in Hobart with daytrips, and then stayed a day/night at a place on Bruny Island, then back to Hobart.

        Honestly though, think could've done Hobart + daytrips for the whole stay.

        • smashed on 08/11/2017 - 13:02

          Thanks :)

      • GG57 on 08/11/2017 - 13:26
        +9

        I would leave Tassie for a longer duration holiday.
        Flying to and from Sydney eats into your 4-days a lot, and there is too much to pack in to the actual time you would have there. If you did go, attractions like MONA, or Bruny Island, or Wineglass Bay, are all reasonably time-consuming to fully appreciate and if rushed you miss out on full experience.

        For that duration, I would go with something from Stewardo's posting (except Adelaide, for the same reasons).

  • Stewardo on 08/11/2017 - 13:10
    +2

    Port Stephens
    Hervey Bay
    Narooma
    Kangaroo valley
    Bowral
    Port Macquarie
    Adelaide/wine region
    Cruise ship from Sydney
    The area around Byron is nice it’s just Byron itself has been wrecked with SUV driving interlopers.

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:20

      Thanks :) I will research.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2017 - 13:22
    +3

    you could look for some 3 night cruises

    i wouldn't try to do tassie in 4 days, it's very easy to spend 2 weeks down there.

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:20

      Username checks out.
      I hadn't even considered a cruise but I will take a look.

  • Peter Enis on 08/11/2017 - 13:34
    +2

    Stay home and get smashed

    Byron - had its day, far too busy and pretentious. Surrounding areas are still nice - Lennox Head, Mullumbimby, Bangalow etc
    Port Macquarie is nice - visit the Koala rescue centre, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, spend a day at Wauchope/Timbertown
    Port Stephens - Shoal Bay area is beautiful, walk up Tomaree Head Summit, dolphin watching, play golf at Nelson Bay and guaranteed to see kangaroos on the course (saw a koala once!!!)

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:21

      I definitely won't stay home. We came to Oz and I want to see a lot of it :)
      I play golf and the wife likes driving the buggy if I bring her along.

  • Quantumcat on 08/11/2017 - 15:04
    +2

    If you like theme parks - Gold Coast. Could pick two to spend a day at each with a day on either side for travelling, a bit of sightseeing when you get there or just before you leave. Gold Coast also has a range of cheap little apartment style accommodations, thanks to the absolute saturation of them.

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:22
      +1

      Different suggestion to the rest, I will run it by Mrs Smashed. Thanks

      • Quantumcat on 09/11/2017 - 15:11
        +1

        If you decide to do that, there is an awesome little place called "INFINITY" in Surfer's Paradise. It's this series of fun little psychedelic rooms. A little expensive to go through (do it slowly, try to suffer through the wave of teenagers who might catch up to you and then go past you, and enjoy it thoroughly. It's over all too soon)

  • bion83 on 08/11/2017 - 15:04
    +4

    Go down to Jervis Bay

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:22

      My wife had mentioned Jervis before, but I had forgotten about it. Thanks

  • reno on 08/11/2017 - 16:08
    +2

    Port Stephens… close enough and plenty of things to keep entertained

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:23

      Thanks, my next door neighbour has 2 properties there but didn't advise that it was such a nice place. I cannot get a free stay though unfortunately.

      • reno on 09/11/2017 - 13:48

        There's many different beaches - dig off leash ones, kayaking, etc… each have their pros/cons

        Some bush walks, cruises, yachts… sand dining =)

        Then there's the food… And oyster farms!

        Ask for a discounted stay! Better than nothing

  • baski06 on 09/11/2017 - 10:55
    +2

    Port Stephens is very good option,and drive aound :)

    • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:23

      As per last comment, it seems a viable option. I will investigate further.

  • smashed on 09/11/2017 - 12:24

    Thanks all, really appreciated. There are too many options to pick now :) I will take a look over the weekend and see if we can pick a winner.

  • Aussie Smurfette on 09/11/2017 - 15:44
    +1

    We just came back from an awesome 5 days away in Palm Cove. Never had heard of it but saw a very cheap and seemingly awesome package on the net and went for it. 5 nights, including airfares, $150 room credit, free breakfast for $700 per person. Found out the room we were staying in usually goes for $600 per night, to say it was a bargain is an understatement.
    Just jump on here and pick somewhere!
    https://www.facebook.com/GETLUXETravel/

  • ozbjunkie on 09/11/2017 - 19:26

    Plenty of camping to be had on the east coast beaches. Might see dolphins in the early morning, and kangaroos skipping through camp at daybreak.

    Often full of other people although, so not the sense of solitude you might expect. Relatively cheap but not free.

  • belongsinforums on 09/11/2017 - 23:04
    +1

    Leaving from Sydney, you could take advantage of your proximity to a major airport and go to Bali or something. A few days is plenty there.

  • Froot Loops on 10/11/2017 - 04:10
    +1

    Central West is nice to visit at least once. Many people go to Orange or Bathurst for a weekend. Lots of Brits out there too. You could always join them and pick fruit (jks). You can check the Central West out on google, but not sure if you want the rural style / outback experience.

  • windale on 10/11/2017 - 07:16
    +5

    Drive to jindabyne and then thredbo and catch the cable car to the top. Walk to the top of Australia (Mt Kosciusko). Awesome walk, great scenery and a sense of achievement. You can drive via Canberra on the way there and the coast on the way back.

  • Peon on 10/11/2017 - 08:51
    +1

    Bonnie Doon. There's so much serenity. ;)

  • WhatWouldBiggieDo on 10/11/2017 - 11:11

    Sounds like you need to move to Brisbane :)
    A lot of your travel is to QLD/Northern NSW so I am getting an idea of what type of people you are. Also property is much much cheaper

  • BrownEyedGirl on 10/11/2017 - 11:20

    What about Mudgee and surrounds? :)

    https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/mudgee-are…

  • smashed on 27/12/2017 - 11:21
    +1

    Thanks all, we went to Port Stephens and will travel to others soon too :)

    • anonymoususer on 04/01/2018 - 23:42

      How was your iterninary for those 4days?

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