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Reminiscent of England with green hills, stone houses, and cool-climate gardens of tulips and daffodils in spring, these highlands that flank the coast between Sydney and Wollongong are the place for a country weekend getaway. Youâll find good holiday parks in the towns of Mittagong, Moss Vale, and Bowral, or choose to bush camp in riverside camping areas in the state forests and national parks. Bring your winter woolliesâit can get cold at night.
Valleys donât get much prettier than Kangaroo Valley, just over an hourâs drive southwest of the âGong and home to the oldest suspension bridge in Australia, set over the Kangaroo River. Despite the name, youâll probably see more wombats than wallabies at riverside camping spots, caravan parks, and glamping areas. Nearby must-sees include Fitzroy Falls in Moreton National Park.
Watch the waves woosh through the blowhole at Kiama, climb the Illawarra Fly (a bouncy, 500-metre-long, 25-metre-high, elevated treetop walk near Robertson), tackle the waterslides at Jamberoo Action Park, walk with lyrebirds in the rainforest at Minnamurra, or feed your sweet tooth with a hot donut from Berry Donut Farm. If youâre a surfer (or just a lover of sleeping by the sea), head to The Farm at Killalea State Park, where the campsites are right behind the beach.
Summer time is best for seaside camping, especially if you plan on swimming. Camping and caravanning are top choices on the South Coast during the summer months and school holidays, especially in late December and throughout January, when youâll need to book well in advance to secure a place. If you want to see whales, go between June and November.