There are a number of good one or two day trips from Sydney:
Drive across the Bell's Line of Road over the Blue Mountains to the Western Plains. Buy produce apples, pears, chestnuts and berries from the orchard vendors at the side of the road if driving over in autumn. A few of these orchards also offer pick-your-own. Towns to stop by include Lithgow, which is at the foot of the mountains; Bathurst, home to the Mount Panorama motor racetrack, and Orange 3 hours from Sydney, a beautiful rustic town with a great cold climate wine district and several fantastic restaurants by eminent chefs, and which is fast becoming a wine-and-foodie region of New South Wales to upstage the Hunter Valley.
Travel up into the wilderness area of the Blue Mountains. There are a number of good day walks in the Katoomba area, or you could tour Jenolan Caves. These are easily accessible on the Cityrail network to Katoomba.
Royal National Park
in the south of Sydney and accessible by train has nice 1 to 2 day walks.Newnes Glen in Wollemi National Park.
Kanangra Boyd National Park
Take a tour of the Hunter Valley wineries.
Wollongong
is a lovely small city south of Sydney, accessible by driving down the F6 freeway or taking an hourly Cityrail train.Head up to Gosford or Woy Woy for some quieter, but picturesque beaches. Both of these towns are accessible by the Central Coast and Newcastle Cityrail lines.
Head up to the regional city of Newcastle by Cityrail train and take in some of the Victorian architecture and fantastic city beaches.
Or if you are moving on:
Travel to Melbourne, Australia's cultural and sporting capital.
Its 1000km closer and often cheaper to get to Auckland than it is to get to Perth.
3000km drive to Alice Springs. At least a 3 night trip, stopping at Hay, Adelaide & Coober Pedy.
