Country escape or coastal retreat? Road trip 'surprises' to discover just south of Sydney

Weekends away are a staple for many Aussies as a way to break up the year, and help keep stress and burnout at bay.

They are especially helpful when it comes to getting out of the house as a family, and something we try and do as often as we can.

Being Sydney-based we are incredibly spoiled with our options when it comes to where to head for a few days away.

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Even though we've done a few road trips in our time, the number of activities and destinations on offer continues to take us by surprise.

Depending on what kind of getaway you're after and how far you want to travel, you can discover everything from wild coastlines and ancient rainforests, to stunning vistas and wildlife encounters.

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Having tested out a range of the route options available to the south of Sydney (with our toddler in tow), whether you want to drive one, two, or three hours, here are a few ideas for your next weekend away.

If you want a country escape - Southern Highlands

With heritage towns amid rolling hills and unspoilt bush, the Southern Highlands is already one of Sydney's favourite weekend getaways.

And you can get there in less than two hours, driving 110km south-west of the city. After picking up our hire car from Hertz, we left right on our toddler's nap time, meaning she slept the whole drive.

Our first stop was a visit to Bowral Honey Farm for a tour and honey tasting.

Suitable for all ages and abilities, you'll be wearing a veil alongside the hives (yes even the little ones), and can see the bees coming and going, while learning about the rather scandalous life cycle of the insects.

It was a little cold and rainy for too many bees to be out and about but it was still very interesting to hear about the workings of a hive - our little one liked walking around in her veil.

If you have extra time it is also well worth exploring more of Retford Park, where the honey farm is located. Here you can take a look inside the stunning estate first built in 1887 by the Hordern family, before becoming the home of James Fairfax in the 1960s.

The building that houses the honey was once the estates dairy, before Fairfax converted it into an art house. He even had the dam put in so he could work on painting reflections.

Drive a little further south and you'll come across Berrima, an historic town full of character and charm.

With the weather a little less than ideal, this was a great place to duck in and out of some shops and take a seat in a café for a warm drink and some sweet treats.

The quaint village, previously known as the Town of Berrima, is also the home of the Surveyor General Inn, which was was built in 1834 for James Harper, and licensed a year later. That makes it Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub.

If you're keen to grab dinner in the area head to Briars Inn. Steeped in history and set within an idyllic rural setting, Briars is a Southern Highlands institution.

The bistro-style dining is super convenient with a little one, as we just ordered at the counter and they brought the food out. The pork belly bites and arancini were yummy starters. For mains you can choose from steak, pizza, pasta, and specials like huge homemade pies.

Where to stay in the Southern Highlands

For the ultimate country escape - but with a bit of modern comfort - ARUNA Estate was the perfect place to stay.

The ARUNA villas are set on a farm, surrounded by Australian Blackwoods and native Lilly Pillies. The rural retreat is a complete escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

And even in bad weather, you can still enjoy dreamy views down the valley through the full-length glass walls that overlook the property.

The estate is yours to explore, so you can get up close to a range of farm animals if you like - including sheep (and baby lambs), cows, and horses. A definite highlight for the little one.

The villa had a big comfortable queen bed, full lounge and dining area, bathroom and shower, plus a fully-equipped kitchen, and indoor and outdoor fire options.

There was plenty of space for the whole family. Though one downside of the stunning windows on the villa come at night (or in the early morning) when you're wanting a toddler to go to sleep. There are some blinds around the bed (though not enough to keep it dark for light sleepers).

The team organised a grazing platter and bottle of wine for us to enjoy on arrival, plus a big hamper full of local produce for us to cook for breakfast.

Where to go next?

There are plenty of other options for exploring, the main focus of the area's current winter tourism campaign, Go GRAND, which invites travellers to rediscover the iconic Grand Pacific Drive.

Designed to be easy, scenic, and stylish, a drive along the Grand Pacific Drive offers the perfect blend of coast and country.

Now that we've ticked off the country element in the Southern Highlands, here's where to go next.

If you prefer a coastal getaway - Shellharbour and Kiama

Shellharbour in the Illawarra region is about 100 kilometres south of Sydney and packed with hidden gems, calming countryside, crystal clear beaches, and delicious food.

Shellharbour is also uniquely situated on the migration path of one of the planet's most impressive creatures – the humpback whale.

Hop on a whale-watching cruise with Shellharbour Wild, which run from May until November, and visit several scenic spots where you can see the humpback whales up close in their natural habitat.

If you need an indoor activity, a visit to HARS Aviation Museum is a great option. Book a guided tour which takes you through all of the Museum's displays, including access to their Qantas Boeing 747-438.

Places to eat:

• Waterfront Tavern
• Georgia Rose
• Relish on Addison

Meanwhile, a little further south you'll arrive in Kiama - just 90 minutes south of Sydney.

Here you can soak up the outdoors on the Kiama Coast Walk, a journey along 20km of rugged beauty from Minnamurra River to Gerringong.

The walk threads through natural wonders (such as Cathedral Rocks, Boneyard and the caves of Easts Beach), aboriginal history, and charming coastal villages.

If you're a movie buff you might also love a visit Bombo Quarry - a massive basalt formation which has featured in plenty of films, including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie and the music video for the Noiseworks hit Reach Out.

Geologists often visit Bombo Headland on field-based studies of igneous rocks. The headland rocks they study erupted as hot lava, at a temperature of about 1,200 degrees Celsius, onto the Earth's surface about 270 million years ago.

Kiama's blowhole is a must-visit but consider hanging around to see it at sunset for a different perspective.

And if you're in Kiama late and want to grab some dinner visit Silica Restaurant.

Chef Luke's passion for sustainable seafood and regenerative agriculture using hyper local sourcing, paired with the views of Surf Beach and the integration of native ingredients makes it a great spot to end the day.

Drive just a little bit further for - Shoalhaven

If you've got around three hours driving in you, then you'll arrive in the beautiful coastal region of Shoalhaven - about 200 kilometres south of Sydney.

Or, if you're already in the Southern Highlands, it's a picturesque, 1.5 hour drive through the Kangaroo Valley.

Booderee National Park is the ideal spot for a morning of beach walks. There's a range of activities you can enjoy here, but our pick is the Murrays Beach Walk, which looks out to Bowen Island, where the local little penguin colony lives and breeds.

In the event the weather is less than ideal for a walk, visit Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.

If you only want a day trip - Wollongong

If spending too long in the car isn't for you, or you just want to do a little day trip, then heading as far as Wollongong will still give you plenty of things to explore.

Stop in at Bald Hill Lookout in Otford on your way south for expansive views of the coast and the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Flying High Café is within the car park and offers an array of takeaway options if you're looking for a quick bite or coffee before heading on.

Drive just five minutes further to the Wodi Wodi Walking Track in Stanwell Park.

Named after the original Custodians who lived along the Illawarra coast, the track is a 6.5km stretch of lush green landscapes weaving through forest, creeks and striking viewpoints of the coastline.

Again, if the weather isn't playing ball, head in to the town of Thirroul to stroll around the areas boutique shops.

Finish up in Wollongong and enjoy a relaxed lunch with coastal views.

Where to eat:

• Diggies North Gong
• Headlands Austinmer Beach
• South Sailor
• Pepe's on the Beach

The writer and her family travelled as guests of Go Grand South Coast and Southern Highlands and had a hire care courtesy of Hertz.