Hired a car - so where are the good photo ops? :)

[rokkstar]

Ok,

I've hired a car for a couple of days over the bank holidays and want to take advantage of it by going places that are beautiful.

As I have no idea where is good to go, can anyone tell me some really nice places that would have great photo opportunities? Obvioulsy nothing days away but anything a couple of hundred k's away from Sydney is no worries. Being a legal alien I'm a little clueless as to whats around the city.

I've taken a trip to the Blue Mountains, and I know I should go back there. Mountain walks would be nice, as would coastal drives and cliffs.

Cheers guys and gals.

Matt

[stubbsy]

Matt

Definitely the Blue Mountains. The scenery is stunning (see recent pics by a number of us)

I'd also suggest a visit up my way to Port Stephens (Nelson Bay area has a good lookout and there's a marina with lot's of boats & stuff). On your way you could visit Newcastle harbour foreshore which is also interesting (see last 5 shots in the landscape section of my SmugMug gallery for some examples). Sydney to Nelson Bay is 3 to 3.5 hours though so may be a little far.

[MHD]

depends on how long you have got...

A couple of ideas:
The hunter wineries
Blue mtns -> cowra -> canberra -> sydney
South coast
Kosciusko
Buddawangs (inland from the south coast)

[owen]

Head on down to the south coast. Great scenery at the beaches and nice rolling hills... let me know if you're heading down this way

[gstark]

Hunter wineries
Wollongong and Kiama
Canberra and the southern highlands.

The latter is particularly pretty at this time of year, as they get the leaves changing colours; something that really doesn't happen in Sydney.

Whatever you decide, take it very easy on the roads this year. The police are out in full force, and while safety is an issue, the state's finances remain in a mess.

[leek]

A little closer to Sydney than the rest of the recommendations:
- Kuring-gai National Park - West Head, Akuna Bay. If you've got lots of energy you would walk / cycle the Basin Track down to Pitt Water...
- Church Point on Pitt Water
- Royal National Park - south of Sydney
- North Head has some amazing views too...

[MHD]

so the question is how many days?

[MHD]

ps: Canberra has some nice wineries too....
And it is harvest time

[rokkstar]

Cool guys, thanks for the tips.

We have two nights away with the car so we can head out of Sydney Saturday morning and get back in Monday morning.

It looks like we're heading south . Wicked. I think the Autumnn colours swung it.

Man I cant wait.
I'll post pics as soon as I'm back.

Cheers guys

Matt

[leek]

Cool guys, thanks for the tips.

We have two nights away with the car so we can head out of Sydney Saturday morning and get back in Monday morning.

It looks like we're heading south . Wicked. I think the Autumnn colours swung it.

Man I cant wait.
I'll post pics as soon as I'm back.

Cheers guys

Matt

OK... Well if you're going down that way, then don't miss Picton and the great Scharer's Brewery... Have a Bock Beer by the open fire... There's also a railway museum down that way as well...

[MHD]

let me know if you come near canberra

[stubbsy]

Matt

I you're anywhere near Canberra while "southing" it really is at its best in Autumn (and the cold will make you feel like home!)

[MHD]

Leaves are already starting to turn here!

Heater was running pretty much all day too

[Photodude]

Stanwell Park has beautiful views looking down the coast - plus colourful hangliders
Wollongong Harbour and surrounds
Lake Illawarrra around the bridge and back towards the sea
Kiama
Gerringong