Latest news with #Tyrrell's
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
The best two-night getaway spots within three hours' drive from Sydney
You don't always need a Euro trip to feel recharged – sometimes, two nights away from the bustle of the city is all it takes for a re-set. In fact, according to research from Reflections Holidays, 57 per cent of Aussies say that shorter, local trips help them unwind better than a lengthy overseas holiday. And thankfully, there are hundreds of truly magical places to stay within a few hours drive from Sydney. We've got our own favourite weekend getaways close to the city, but thought we'd ask camping expert Nick Baker (CEO of Reflections Holiday) to share his top picks too. Read on for Nick's top seven picks for a two-night escape from Sydney – each spot is less than three hours from the CBD. Here are some of the best destinations for a two-night escape, according to a travel industry expert Jimmys Beach, NSW Just under three hours north of Sydney, Jimmys Beach feels like a little slice of paradise. It's one of those places where you can really do whatever feels right on the day. You might spend the morning out on a paddleboard or kayaking around the water, then head off on a walk to explore the area a bit further. Or maybe you just want to throw down a towel, grab a good book, and completely switch off in the sun. Kiama, NSW Famous for its spectacular blowhole and stunning coastal walks, Kiama offers a charming seaside escape just under two hours from Sydney. Watch the blowhole put on its striking show (from a safe distance) and explore the stunning Kiama Coastal Walk that stretches all the way to Gerringong. Enjoy fresh seafood, explore the vibrant town centre, or simply soak up the ocean breeze. It's the perfect mix of adventure and laid-back charm. Hunter Valley, NSW Under three hours from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region, and a paradise for food and wine lovers. Spend your days joining wine tastings at iconic cellar doors like Tyrrell's or Brokenwood, then enjoy gourmet food at one of the many farm-to-table restaurants. Don't forget to stroll through the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, where themed landscapes and seasonal displays make for a relaxing afternoon. Lake Glenbawn, NSW About three hours from Sydney, Lake Glenbawn is a beautiful inland retreat, perfect for anyone who loves a mix of water sports and wide-open countryside. Spend the day fishing or hire a boat to explore hidden coves around the lake. In the evening, gather around the campfire and enjoy some stargazing under the wide country sky. It's the kind of place where you can slow down, unplug, and come back feeling totally refreshed. Hawks Nest, NSW A stone's throw from Jimmys Beach, Hawks Nest is a relaxed coastal spot that feels worlds away from the city. Start your morning with a peaceful walk along Bennett's Beach, it's often quiet and you might even catch dolphins cruising by. Afterwards, head over to nearby Tea Gardens for a laid-back meal or a coffee by the river. It's the kind of place where you can really switch off and slow down, and you'll probably leave wondering why you don't come here more often. Blue Mountains, NSW Approximately two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer stunning natural beauty, with dramatic cliffs and lush rainforests. Snap a photo at Echo Point lookout for an epic view of the Three Sisters, or explore Scenic World 's cableway and boardwalks for a different perspective of the rainforest and towering cliffs. Spend your days hiking or browsing quaint mountain villages, then cosy up by a fire in the evening. It's the ultimate mix of adventure and relaxation. Bowral, NSW Nestled in the Southern Highlands, Bowral is known for its beautiful gardens, boutique shops, and cosy cafes, perfect for a laid-back country weekend. Visit Corbett Gardens (especially stunning during Tulip Time in spring) or explore Dirty Janes for antique and vintage treasures. Grab a coffee and cake at one of Bowral's many welcoming cafes and wander through local produce markets and scenic walking trails – it's all about enjoying the slower pace and country charm.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Hunter Valley's newly two-hatted restaurant is the most exciting in the region
This is serious cooking, in a temple-like room concealed from the street by sheer curtains, but EXP. doesn't take itself so seriously that the joy's sucked out. Whether you're sat at the kitchen counter or at a table, newly promoted manager and sommelier Isabella Stibbard-Ribeiro keeps the tone light. She'll pour aged Mount Pleasant semillon with the same level of enthusiasm as she will serve beguiling, beautiful Majama inzolia, fermented locally in Indian clay amphorae. Sit ringside, and Fawkner is equally attuned to the dudes fresh from the cellar door at Tyrrell's, plotting how to break 90 at The Vintage golf course, as he is to the clued-in couple toasting their anniversary in the next seats. On his advice, they might add a coffee stop at Meltdown in Huntlee and a dry-aged burger from Hungerford Meats Co to an itinerary that already takes in sundowners at Harkham Wines. EXP. sits comfortably among these more new-school operators, but it doesn't discard the old. It makes a point of repping local – Red Gate Farm duck, Binnie Beef wagyu, Mother Fungus mushrooms – but feels expansive, right through to a final box of bonbons, choux and jellies. And just as the Hunter seems on the cusp of a tilt towards something new, by sharpening its focus, EXP. has put itself at the centre of what comes next. In doing so, it's transformed from a restaurant to work into a long weekend in the Valley, into the very reason to plan one.
The Age
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The Hunter Valley's newly two-hatted restaurant is the most exciting in the region
This is serious cooking, in a temple-like room concealed from the street by sheer curtains, but EXP. doesn't take itself so seriously that the joy's sucked out. Whether you're sat at the kitchen counter or at a table, newly promoted manager and sommelier Isabella Stibbard-Ribeiro keeps the tone light. She'll pour aged Mount Pleasant semillon with the same level of enthusiasm as she will serve beguiling, beautiful Majama inzolia, fermented locally in Indian clay amphorae. Sit ringside, and Fawkner is equally attuned to the dudes fresh from the cellar door at Tyrrell's, plotting how to break 90 at The Vintage golf course, as he is to the clued-in couple toasting their anniversary in the next seats. On his advice, they might add a coffee stop at Meltdown in Huntlee and a dry-aged burger from Hungerford Meats Co to an itinerary that already takes in sundowners at Harkham Wines. EXP. sits comfortably among these more new-school operators, but it doesn't discard the old. It makes a point of repping local – Red Gate Farm duck, Binnie Beef wagyu, Mother Fungus mushrooms – but feels expansive, right through to a final box of bonbons, choux and jellies. And just as the Hunter seems on the cusp of a tilt towards something new, by sharpening its focus, EXP. has put itself at the centre of what comes next. In doing so, it's transformed from a restaurant to work into a long weekend in the Valley, into the very reason to plan one.
