Kangaroo Valley is a most beautiful valley, nestled between two mountains and located only two hours south of Sydney. Developed thanks to the dairy industry, Kangaroo Valley, NSW offers a gorgeous combination of rolling hills, green fields, quaint farms and a charming village, all quietly secluded in a mix of wilderness and farmland. The relative isolation of Kangaroo Valley means the time has somewhat stopped, the village of Osborne hasn’t changed much in over a hundred years. This is why you should take a day trip from Sydney to Kangaroo Valley.
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Day Trip from Sydney to Kangaroo Valley
There are many little towns in regional NSW worth a drive. Kangaroo Valley can come as a surprise on the road, you take a small road, climb a hill, turn a corner and it appears suddenly, in all its green and lush majesty… Who would have thought it was there?
A Quiet Little Town
Australia’s countryside lends itself very well to outdoor activities, such as kayaking, bushwalking, horse riding and camping. Why not try the wines at a Kangaroo Valley winery?
Kangaroo Valley Restaurants
I very recently discovered that the small village at the heart of Kangaroo Valley is called Osborne, but it seems to be still referred to as Kangaroo Valley. When we first visited Kangaroo Valley for a friend’s wedding, it was an unassuming township with a pub and vintage-looking petrol station.
Food options felt a little limited so we kept our lunch explorations for Berry. This time around though, we discovered The General of Kangaroo Valley and what a find! In my opinion, the homemade food and drink of this friendly little cafe are well worth a try.
Located in a nicely renovated building on the main drag, The General of Kangaroo Valley offers coffee, cakes, light meals and homemade pickles and drinks. The interior is nicely styled with art books and well-thought-of decor and colour scheme. The blackboard and rustic furniture give a vintage/country feel without being overdone or pretentious.
They make all the food onsite, simple and based on fresh and seasonal ingredients. I really liked their take on jacket potatoes and ploughman’s lunch. Drinks such as lemonade, smoothies, milkshakes and kombucha are also homemade.
There is a shaded deck area at the back.
The Friendly Inn Pub is the Kangaroo Valley pub and a grand old lady at the centre of the village. Have a pint or a lemon squash and enjoy a truly retro experience!
Kangaroo Valley Accommodation
You can find plenty of accommodation in Kangaroo Valley. The NSW countryside around Kangaroo Valley is very peaceful and very green!
A Spot of Shopping
Kangaroo Valley doesn’t compete with Berry yet in regards to shopping but some of its shops are quite unique. And the fact that there aren’t too many shops means a slow pace about town and that’s fine by me.
The Nostalgia Galleries have an eclectic collection of gifts, bric-a-brac, books and retro-style objects.
The Wood Galleries are worth a visit. They stock various wooden objects, lovingly made in Kangaroo Valley, it’s especially interesting if you are looking for toys and boxes.
Take a Walk in the Morton National Park
Manning Lookout is an easy walk off a loop road and offers breathtaking views over Kangaroo Valley. Furthermore, it’s a good place to indulge in birdwatching, especially early in the morning. The seclusion of the place and sweeping views over the valley make it a great picnic spot.
Don’t miss the drive between Berry and Kangaroo Valley, it’s a steep and narrow road across the Berry Mountain but it’s stunning! Also, if you leave Kangaroo Valley via the Hampden Bridge to go back to Sydney, Moss Vale Road is very scenic. And on the way, you can visit the Pioneer Village Museum.
If you are travelling from Sydney to Kangaroo Valley, there are other great places to visit in the area, such as Berry and Berrima. It’s easy to combine the three for a weekend. And I always drop by Kangaroo Valley on my way to Jervis Bay or Mollymook.
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Have you visited Kangaroo Valley, please share your stories in the comments, I would love to know!
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I love Kangaroo Valley even though it’s been many, many years since I’ve been there. Must get back there one of these days.
Hi Melissa, I hope this post will entice you to Kangaroo Valley!
On seeing this post, my fiance and I decided to take a southbound day trip yesterday from Sydney. No real plans, no bags to pack, just a thermos of coffee and a boot loaded with some healthy anticipation. A little country air, beautiful scenery, and places where simplicity still matters.
It’s been years since I went, and as soon as we were there, I wondered why? We always say we need to go but like many, we ignore what’s so close. There’s simply so much to see and do and it’s just a few stone throws over our own backyards.
Our first stop was Kiama, as we wanted to visit the Collins street historic terrace house shops. For homeware lovers, there’s a couple of gems, so it’s hard not to come away with at least a few trinket items. There are plenty of nice cafes and food options too. Unfortunately, the famous blowhole was feeling a tad shy today, but the ocean and surrounding views are well worth it.
Next, it was on to Berry. This place is a real treat, a wonderland for those who love country towns and everything that’s good about them. It offers a plethora of homeware-decor shops, as well as dozens of others that can keep your interest up for hours. There’s a sense of welcomed humanity here, and there’s just that something in the air.
You shouldn’t leave without buying a few goodies, so bring a few extra dollars and support the locals. Many stores in areas such as this often rival what we have in cities, and then, of course, there are those extra dollops of charm thrown in.
Berry is the sort of town we dream of living and or retiring in. If not for its character or surrounding beauty, go there to rejuvenate, and to appreciate community.
From Berry, we headed off to Kangaroo Valley, I had forgotten how beautiful it is. The drive up and down the windy roads yields some gorgeous scenery, and the views from high up looking down to the valley are pure magic. We stopped at Pioneer Village which is well worth a visit. One really can’t help but appreciate the comforts we all take for granted today, as I’m reminded of how harsh conditions were for so many.
The small township of Kangaroo Valley is picturesque and wonderful, it’s another reminder as to the joys of simplicity and the yearning of being a part of smaller communities.
People often say that living in the country is boring. There’s not enough to do, and a lack of opportunity for work. I don’t think that at all. One may have to get a little more creative to carve a career, but isn’t that an integral part of country life? Even if one chooses to just to visit, we should all do it more often. I’ve only been back a day and I’m already planning a trip to Berrima.
Nature, creativity, community and kinship. Hand it over this way, please.
Hi Charles, thank you for your long post… The Southern Highlands are a beautiful area. It’s a good mix of rurality and food and wine scene. The fact that places like Berry, Kangaroo Valley and Berrima are only a couple of hours drive south of Sydney makes it very convenient for Sydneysiders to visit. We love going to Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast and it’s nice to stop by for a relaxed lunch. Berry and Kangaroo Valley are also creative havens for people who want to do “handmade” and craft quality food and wares. I recently drove through Berry and noted that the heavy traffic no longer through the main street, which is a great relief! It sounds as though you had a wonderful time on your short trip! Next, I would like to go further south to Mollymook and to the North Coast as well. It’s been years since I’ve been to Nelson Bay and I’ve never been to Newcastle, it’s time to explore that area again!
Planning a day trip with over night stay at milton with my RSL sub branch members & returning via berry, And maybe up through kangaroo valley on our trip back to Sydney. What sort of time are we looking at.
Hi Warren, this would make a good day trip from Sydney, enjoy the drive!