Top Weekend Getaways in NSW that you ought to check out

So, you have had a long week at work or home; on top of that, there might be some ongoing issues in your personal or professional life. And we are only in the middle of the second month of the year; if stress and uncertainties have already ruined your peace of mind, you might want to take a break from all of it.

But how? Well, a nice weekend getaway sounds like just the perfect idea. Doesn’t it? If you are wondering where to go, then we got you covered. Have a look at some of the places and take your pick for your favourite location to spend some downtime by yourself or someone special.

Boomerang Beach

If you want to get some Vitamin D or do some adventurous surfing, there is no better place than Boomerang beach. It is the best surfing beach in the Pacific Palms precinct, with rock ledges helping to form great waves.

The beach is boomerang-shaped and ideal for swimming with protection from prevailing winds at either end. It is balanced at each end with headlands and faces east, capturing the best swell from the Pacific and offering brilliant sunrises.

The rocky headlands have some excellent rock pool rambles at low tide.

This beach is not patrolled.

Dog walking is allowed on leads only at specific times in the morning and early evening on Boomerang Beach.

Blackheath

Blackheath is filled with natural beauty, and there are many breathtaking views, and bush walks to experience. Govetts Leap and Evans Lookout provide views of the Grose Valley (the starting point for the Grand Canyon Walk). A trip down into the valley will lead you to Edenderry and Hilary Falls. Evans Lookout also provides a sheltered picnic area. You can also start the Grand Canyon Walk from Neates Glen along Evans Lookout Road and visit Beauchamp Falls.

Heading further west along the Great Western Highway, the next street to the right is Brightlands Avenue, where you will find the Blackheath Golf Course. Sutton Park is located a little further along the highway, which is an ideal picnic or resting area. Blackheath also features a sports ground, tennis courts, swimming pool and bowling club located down Prince George and Leichhardt Streets.

The next major turn off the Great Western Highway is through the main centre down Govetts Leap Road. Here you can find the Gallery Blackheath, which exhibits fine art and drawings by selected Blue Mountains artists. From the Information Centre, you can take the Fairfax Heritage Track to Govetts Leap, where you will see the abundant bird life and views of the Grose Valley. View the magnificent 608-metre drop of Govetts Leap Falls, the Blue Mountains’ very own Grand Canyon, and the forest below.

There are many walking tracks from Govetts Leap. One of the walks will lead you to Bridal Veil Falls and Luchetti Lookout. Other walks will take you to either Trinity Falls or Horseshoe Falls.

The Pulpit Rock Walk will take you to Cripps Lookout and Pulpit Rock.

Popes Glen Walk will take you from Govetts Leap back towards the centre of town.

Memorial Park features the Blackheath Swimming Pool, a playground for the children, plus much more! You can even feed the ducks.

Hawk’s Nest

Just under three hours north of Sydney and two hours from Port Macquarie, Hawks Nest sits at the mouth of the Myall Lakes National Park, where a network of lakes, rivers and channels meet. Fishing, kayaking, swimming, and bush walks within the National Park make it an outdoor paradise. Take the ferry across to Nelsons Bay for some dolphin and whale watching.

For a sensational overview of the region, take the challenging 6km Yacaaba Headland Walking Track, ascending 228m from Bennett’s Beach through tall open forest and a rocky ridgeline to the summit. From the top, you can see as far as Seal Rocks and Barrington Tops, while out to sea, Cabbage Tree Island protects the only known breeding colony of the endangered Gould’s Petrel.

Orange

Perfect for any time of year, Orange is a thriving country town as rich in heritage as it is in award-winning restaurants, boutique shops, magnificent gardens, and bustling markets. Famed for its rich produce-yielding soils, cool climate wines, and spectacular scenery, this gateway to Country NSW will keep you coming back.

From apples and berries to truffles and grass-fed beef, Orange is renowned for its produce. Enjoy local wines with contemporary cuisine at acclaimed restaurants such as Lolli Redini, The Union Bank and Sisters Rock. The eclectic Birdie Noshery and Drinking Establishment also have a superb craft beer and cocktail list. For gourmet delights and fresh food, visit The Agrestic Grocer and the Orange Farmers Market, or grab a gelato at the Spilt Milk Bar.

Bowral

Bowral is bursting with things to do, from living it up in a country estate to trawling for books and antiques and sipping great coffee.

You’ll find many things to do in Bowral, in the heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands. It’s a destination for all seasons offering everything from spring blooms to autumn foliage and from croquet on the lawn on a summer’s day to sipping wine by a log fire in winter. And that’s not to mention the cafe culture, sporting history and retail therapy you’ll find on any day of the year.

Properties like Peppers Craigieburn Bowral or Peppers Manor House Sutton Forest, Berida Hotel and The Coach House at The Rift Estate combine heritage charm with modern luxuries, elegant grounds to wander, common atmospheric spaces with roaring open fires, and, more often than not croquet lawn, tennis court and billiards room.

A hands-down highlight of any trip to Bowral is browsing its town centre and dipping into its hip cafes for your caffeine fix. So make a beeline for the junction of Bong Bong and Banyette streets, where you’ll find an array of options starting with The Press Shop, housed in a harmonious space within the flagship Bespoke Letterpress building. The Press Shop serves excellent coffee and handcrafted teas.

From bookshops to antique stores and boutiques, Bowral is a shopping mecca. The thriving Green Lane precinct, a haven for those in the market for unique gardens and homewares, is a great place to start.

It’s home to The Potting Shed, which sells rustic garden ornaments, terracotta pots, tools, gifts for gardeners and more, and The Orangery, which sells indoor plants, cold-climate perennials, topiary, water features and garden furniture alongside careful edit of Italian linen clothing and Portuguese porcelain by Bordello Pinheiro.

Cowra

It might not be mentioned as often as Margaret River or the Hunter Valley, but Cowra plays host to over 30 vineyards – many of which champion biodynamic farming methods. Wallington Wines is the most popular as the product is not only certified organic but there is a variety to suit most palates, from Chardy to rose to Tempranillo.

Besides, the nearby site of a POW camp from World War II teems with a unique history, and the Japanese Garden is one of Australia’s best green spaces. Finally, if you’re into photography, check out the masterclasses held by local talent David Magro.