28 of the best bakeries in Sydney to kickstart your morning right

It’s time to break bread at some of Sydney’s best bakeries.

The subject of ‘best bakery in Sydney’ is up for discussion. The city is a haven for food enthusiasts, offering a diverse culinary scene that has sprouted a plethora of world-class bakeries. The best bakeries in Sydney are known for everything from flaky croissants to chewy sourdough or cookies with molten chocolate centres. Use your loaf and leave a trail of crumbs around the NSW capital as you sample sweet and savoury treats of the highest order.

1. Buttered Bakery & Cafe

Best for: The Salty Boi, which is a mash-up of a croissant and dinner roll injected with sweet or savoury fillings.

Pass the tissue bread. You’ll be crying tears of joy when you encounter the cool Gen Z K-pop loving cousin of the cronut that you’ve clocked on the Tok. Skip your usual order of smashed avo and order the tissue bread, which is all heart and Seoul thanks to those flaky pull-apart layers. The brand-new Korean bakery housed in a heritage-listed building in Chippendale is also known for its Waterfall Cake, a light and airy sponge filled with fruits and toppings. It’s your go-to gateau for the next office gatho. The bakery is the brainchild of Vuza Hospitality head chef Philip Choi who trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris.

Address: 5 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale

2. FLOUR coffee & doughroom

two servings of croissants at Flour, Caringbah — Their fresh-baked croissants come with different toppings. (Image: Flour)

Best for: Seeded white sourdough and cardamom rolls

This 40-seater cafe and glass-walled dough room in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire has lines snaking out the door each day. The recipes at FLOUR coffee & doughroom were developed by bakers Nathan Martin (ex-Humble, Brasserie Bread, The Grounds and Sonoma) and pastry chefs Emily Demetriou and Patrik Svab. And they don’t change as the customers have committed to memory the taste and texture of everything from the magic madeleines to the iconic finger buns. Five Foot One drew inspiration for the interior palette from biscuits and butter to icing and oats.

Address: 277 Willarong Road, Caringbah South

3. 22 Grams

22 grams croissants with berries — Freshly baked croissants with berries.

Best for: Coffee and a croissant

Twenty-two grams is precisely the measurement of coffee required to make a triple espresso shot. And it’s also symbolic of the 22 Grams baristas and their commitment to doing things with care and precision. But 22 grams is not just a top spot for a brew; it’s also a bakery turning out top-notch bread and croissants. The sourdough is made from flour, water and salt and left to ferment for a total of 36 hours from start to finish. The result is bread that is healthy and nutritious and easy to digest.

Address: 166-168 Belmore Road, Randwick

4. The Grumpy Baker & Bar, Potts Point

bread on display inside The Grumpy Baker, Potts Point — Order a sourdough loaf to go at The Grumpy Baker. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Best for: Roast garlic and olive sourdough loaf

Michael and Debbie Cthurmer opened their first venue in Darlinghurst in 2002. More than two decades on, The Grumpy Baker has 12 venues scattered like sesame seeds around Sydney and surrounds. The family-bakery runs the gamut from a rustic beach-side bakery in Maroubra to an elegant small bar and bakery in a space that housed Macleay St Bistro for four decades. The Grumpy Baker obviously has you covered when it comes to bread. But the bakeries double as cafes where sipping coffee over house-made jam on toast is also a thing. Pick up a house-made frozen meal of beef cottage pie to go.

Address: 71A Macleay Street, Potts Point 

5. Self Raised Bread Shoppe, Carlton

An assortment of pastries from Self Raised Bread Shoppe — A delightful assortment of freshly baked pastries.

Best for: Hoagies

Bread-heads on the hunt for some of Sydney’s best sangas can often be found in the queue that curls out of Self Raised Bread Shoppe in Carlton. Hussein Rachid, sister Amani Rachid, and friend Sal Senan are the trio behind SRBS, an offshoot of pizzeria My Mother’s Cousin, in Bexley’s north. The bakery excels in its hoagies and chicken schnittie sangas and staples like Boston cream doughnuts. Sister venue Self Raised Snack Shoppe also doles out truly great creations that will transport you to another time. The second Shoppe opened next to the pizzeria in 2024. And, like its Carlton cousin, it has a retro milk bar feel. Expect Roman-style pizza by the slice and seafood sangas.

Address: 45 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton Shop; 48/20 Sarsfield Circuit, Bexley North

6. Flour and Stone

canelés at Flour and Stone bakery on Riley Street, Woolloomooloo — Dark and crisp canelés are available at Flour and Stone. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: Pannacotta lamingtons

Nadine Graham’s passion for baking led her from a dairy farm in the Hunter Valley all the way to Michelin-starred restaurants in London. Nadine then made her mark back in Australia at MG Garage before following her passion into baking. That passion shines through at Flour and Stone , where Nadine uses her baking skills to better connect with the community. Pick up a loaf of sourdough alongside sweet little things such as pannacotta lamingtons, flaky croissants and chocolate and sour cherry cookies. The petite bakery also has a neighbouring pantry where you can add toasted muesli, yoghurt and chilli jam to your trolley. Nadine’s first book, Flour & Stone, Baked for Love, Life and Happiness (Simon & Schuster, $60) is also available.

Address: 53 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo

7. Breadfern Bakery

an array of pastries from Breadfern, Redfern — Treat your taste buds to a range of artisan pastries. (Image: Breadfern)

Best for: The GF and vegan-friendly peanut butter signature slice.

Breadfern Bakery does as the name suggests: sells bread in Sydney’s Redfern. But the baker’s skill and prowess extends beyond bread and is on show with everything from banoffee pies and lemon meringue tarts to pretty plum puffs. The sausage roll is also a showpiece as are the sweet and savoury treats made from scratch every morning. The bakery is near to the bike lane that slices through Prince Alfred Park toward Central so you can arrive on two wheels and avoid Uber price surges. Two of the most tempting items on the menu are the ham and cheese toastie and wonderfully chewy bagel.

Address: 306-308 Chalmers Street, Redfern

8. A.P Bakery

A.P Bakery Sydney — Enjoy delicious baked goods on the rooftop at A.P Bakery in Surry Hills. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

Best for: Aleppo pepper scrolls

A.P Bakery has sprouted outlets all over Sydney. From AP House atop Paramount House, to AP Town in Newtown, AP Place in the CBD and cream bun kiosk AP Supply. Add to the mix, AP Bread & Wine in Darlinghurst doing dinner in a darling sandstone cottage. But let’s keep it simple and start with the OG AP (which stands for all-purpose, as in flour). All hail head baker Dougal Muffet who mills his own grains and uses heirloom wheat varieties grown with sustainable practices. This passion for provenance is what makes AP one of the best bakeries in Sydney. Order a dark-chocolate croissant and pair it with a piccolo made from Reuben Hills Coffee.

Address: L2/80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

9. Iggy’s Bread

the sourdough wheel at Iggy’s Bread, Bronte — Their soft sourdough wheel is best served with soups and salads. (Image: Iggy’s Bread)

Best for: A health loaf made with love

Iggy’s Bread supplies naturally leavened loaves to a lot of Sydney’s best restaurants. Helmed by Yugoslavian-born baker Igor Ivanovic, the Bronte bakery with the cult following specialises in sourdough, whole wheat and rye breads. The menu is not wide ranging but the bread is up there with Sydney’s best. Go all out at your next party by pre-ordering a wheel of rolls with a circle of Pepe Saya butter. The pro play is to bring your eco bag so you look the part and stuff it with carefully curated items placed around the rustic bread shop and pantry. Good news: the cafe is again open on Saturdays.

Address: 131 Macpherson Street, Bronte

10. Loulou Boulangerie & Traiteur

flaky croissants at Petite Loulou — Find flaky croissants at the hole-in-the-wall Petite Loulou. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Delicate viennoiserie (the bridge between pâtisserie and French bread)

Loulou’s is a proper French baker’s bakery. Loulou now has a few locations around Sydney offering a wide variety of baked goods including not-to-be-missed baguettes, miche loaves and sweet treats. Got visitors you want to impress? Pick up a Toulouse sausage and terrine and artisan products. The French bakery, which began in Milsons Point, now has a kiosk-style cafe in Martin Place (1 Elizabeth St) catering to corporate types who want to eat their feelings. Find comfort at the hole-in-the-wall Petite Loulou in a sausage roll, rotisserie chicken baguette or fresh-baked French croissant.

Address: 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point

11. Brooklyn Boy Bagels

the Pumpernickel and Lox bagel at Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Surry Hills — The pumpernickel and lox bagel is a certified bestseller. (Image: Brooklyn Boy Bagels)

Best for: Za’atar Bagel

Brooklyn Boy Bagels recently claimed the title of Best Bagels in Asia Pacific and ranked third internationally at the 2024 New York BagelFest. Brooklyn-born journalist turned baker Michael Shafran founded Brooklyn Boy Bagels in 2013 with a clear vision: to bring the best New York bagels to Australia. The native New Yorker has done that and then some with Brooklyn Boy Bagels, which has stores in Marrickville and Surry Hills. Bagel boffins will appreciate the creative schmears such as Tim Tam cream cheese and Bacon Bourbon & Maple Cream Cheese.

Address: 19 Carrington Road, Marrickville; 1/80 Reservoir St, Surry Hills

12. Fabbrica Bread Shop

Delicious savoury goods from Fabricca Bread Shop.

Best for: The best avocado toast in Sydney

The Love Tilly Devine team has venues sprinkled all over Sydney, including some of the city’s best Italian restaurants and pasta bars. Fabbrica Bread Shop is the group’s first dedicated bakery and it’s worth your time to roam to Rozelle for a dose of your daily bread. The bakery has a catering arm where the frenzied baking results in metre-long focaccias, sandwiches and whole cakes. Head to harbourside Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain for a dip so you can enjoy a tortilla sando with thick-cut maple bacon, relish and mayo guilt-free. Pick up a bonnafee tart and loaf of sourdough to go.

Address: 733 Darling Street, Rozelle

13. Brickfields Bakery

hands kneading bread at Brickfields Bakery, Chippendale — Brickfields is one of Sydney’s top artisan bakeries.

Best for: Coco Chanel with a praline glaze

Brickfields in Chippendale is busy raising expectations on what a loaf of excellent bread looks like. Expect everything from gravity-defying loaves of sourdough to glorious confections such as fruit Danishes with vanilla-infused custard or a chocolate and almond brownie. Counterbalance the sweet treats by ordering something from the savoury side, such as the light rye and caraway sourdough or slab of focaccia made from milled FPM flour mill in Tamworth. Look out for the bread stalls at weekend markets from Manly to Marrickville, Paddington to Potts Point.

Address: 206 Cleveland Street, Chippendale

14. Shadow Baking

baked treats from Shadow Baking bakery in Sydney — Expect flavour combos from sister venue Messina in Darlinghurst. (Image: Shadow Baking)

Best for: Vegemite and avocado scrolls

The bricks and mortar venue has stepped out of the shadows of its market stall at The Cannery and into a prominent position near sister venue Messina in Darlinghurst. The cupboard-sized outfit is led by Messina’s executive pastry chef Tom Mitchell and his French cohorts Florian Fritsch (Messina sous chef) and Remi Talbot (former head chef of Messina Creative). So it’s French but with a bit of Aussie bogan, as evident by the vegemite and avocado scroll layered with fermented chilli egg jam and finely grated pecorino. Even ardent aficionados of Sydney’s best bakeries will find instant gratification with the twice-baked croissants topped with Messina-tella spread at Shadow Baking .

Address: 243 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

15. Goodwood Bakeshop

fruit Danishes from Goodwood Bakeshop, Marrickville — Danishes topped with blood plums and almonds. (Image: Goodwood Bakeshop)

Best for: Seeded sourdough or the tapenade and goat’s cheese scroll.

Goodwood Bakeshop is a portmanteau of owners’ Jamie Goodin and Alex Alewood’s surnames. The husband-and-wife duo met in 2010 while working at Bourke St Bakery and together have experience working at some of the best bakeries in Sydney. But the hole-in-the-wall is also a mash-up of the couple’s combined experience, resulting in outstanding pastries and baked goods. While the bakery follows the same methods to make bread established thousands of years ago (they mill their own flour to add to dough starters), innovation is also one of the cornerstones of their cooking. The Goodshop Bakeshop weekly playlist is fire, with options such as focaccia topped with potato, chilli, nigella, and herbs.

Address: 297 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

16. Bourke Street Bakery

two boxes of baked goods from Bourke St Bakery — Bourke St Bakery’s supreme packs are packed with beef, pork and vegan pies.

Best for: Bacon and egg rolls

Prepare to stand in line at Bourke Street Bakery for pastries that walk the tightrope between sweet and savoury. Take the fig and cranberry sourdough. Or the tangy lemon curd tart, which can barely contain its silky filling. Sign up to a Sourdough Masterclass at Banksmeadow HQ where you will use a 25-year-old starter to bake an artisan loaf from scratch. Sydney’s bread obsessed will be familiar with the many venues freckled around town, from Balmain to Barangaroo, Caringbah to Kirrawee, Neutral Bay to Newtown.

Address: See bourkestreetbakery.com.au for locations

17. Baker Bleu

pastries and coffee at Baker Bleu, Double Bay — Bite into signature pastries at Baker Bleu. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)

Best for: A poached chicken sanga with roast tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and green goddess dressing.

Neil Perry has thrown his considerable clout behind the first Sydney outpost of Melbourne’s Baker Bleu . Consider that a ringing endorsement for the Double Bay bakery, which is a few doors down from his restaurant Margaret. The name of the bakery is a nod to baker Mike Russell’s nickname, Blue, in reference to his red hair. And while you can absolutely pick up a loaf of signature sourdough, you can also dine in on options such as breakfast bagels stuffed with salmon pastrami, cream cheese, pickled onion and dill pickle. The bolthole serves some of Sydney’s best sangas.

Address: 2 Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay

18. Brasserie Bread

chocolate cross buns from Brasserie Bread, Banksmeadow — The chocolate cross buns from Brasserie Bread are not to be missed.

Best for: Spinach and ricotta Danishes

Crowds of tradies are often clocked clamouring for the rich buttery brioche sangas stuffed with bacon, eggs and avocado. Brasserie Bread is one of the OG artisan sourdough bakeries in Sydney and was instrumental in the city’s breaducation about the benefits of eating sourdough. Head to the rustic Banksmeadow bakery storefront for sweet treats like chocolate caramel tarts or coconut teacakes. Or grab a deli-style sandwich made on New York-style rye bread. We cherish everything about this bakery cafe, from the service to the squares of testers so you can try before you buy. Take home a loaf of quinoa and soya seeded loaf, much loved for its texture.

Address: 1737 Botany Road, Banksmeadow

19. Sonoma Bakery

seasonal bread and treats from Sonoma Bakery — Taste your way through the seasonal treats on offer. (Image: Sonoma Bakery)

Best for: Coconut layered lamington

You could spend weeks traversing Sydney to dine at the Sonoma bakeries that have popped up everywhere from Bondi to Bankstown. The pioneering Sonoma , established in 1998 by Kerry Connole and his sons Andrew and Christian, is known for a reason: its exceptionally good bread. Despite being named after the California state where the artisan sourdough bread movement reportedly began, the bakeries have become synonymous with sourdough in Sydney. In fact, the family have spent decades honing their skills and the bread is now used at a multitude of cafes and delis across the city and its surrounds. Order a Three Cheese Toastie on slabs of bread cut from a country white sourdough or tuck into a morning bun chased down by a piccolo.

Address: 32-44 Birmingham Street, Alexandria

20. Humble Bakery & Cafe

boxes of baked goods from Humble Bakery, Sydney — Be sure to grab boxes of baked goodies from Humble Bakery. (Image: Caroline McCredie)

Humble Bakery is brought to you by Elvis Abrahanowicz, Ben Milgate and Joseph Valore, the hospitality lords behind Porteño and Bastardo, who preside over a backstreet in Surry Hills. Now with three locations, Humble Bakery has become a go-to for top-tier baked goods across Sydney. Watch the bakers in the open kitchen, sending up clouds of flour as they punch down dough for the day’s delights. The finger buns are pretty darn good, and the toasties are something else. Post a Humble brag about your mortadella and salami focaccia or the not-so-humble hambo sandwich.

Address: Shop 2, 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills; Shop 1, 333 Kent Street; Shop 19, 16-20 Loftus Lane.

21. Berkelo

mince pies at Berkelo, Brookvale — Make a beeline for mince pies at Berkelo.

Best for: Family loaves

A vanguard of young, creative artisan bakers at Berkelo are determined to create delicious bread from sustainable stoneground flour. And the community stands united when it comes to supporting the Brookvale bakery, which also has outlets in Mosman, Manly and Terrey Hills. The bakers will make you feel righteous for choosing bread made from organic grains grown by Australian farmers. The long fermentation process means the food is good for your gut. Northern Beaches residents go berko at Berkelo for the signature sourdough as well as the wheat-free seed loaf and sprouted grain loaf.

Address: 8 William Street, Brookvale

22. Infinity Sourdough

Best for: Pan au chocolat

Cosplay as a hip city creative working in fashion while wearing shiny nylon, mocha mousse tee and nose ring ahead of your visit to Infinity Bakery in Redfern. This is a gathering for ‘dough’ nuts you’ll want to be part of. Infinity Bakery has been working its magic as one of Sydney’s first sourdough bakeries for decades. Furthermore, there are now five venues across Sydney where you can sweeten your day with an Iced Vovo croissant, mango and coconut Danish or almond croissant. Our true love lies with the Infinity Sourdough, which you will find used to great effect at cafes such as HAM in the Sutherland Shire or the Hills Cafe & Bakery.

Address: 2-38 Baptist Street, Redfern

23. Lode Pies & Pastries

a look inside Lode Pies & Pastries bakery in Sydney — The polished cafe looks more like a bathhouse than a bakery. (Image: Lode Pies & Pastries)

Best for: The Lode pithivier stuffed with caramelised pork, shiitake mushrooms and chicken gravy.

Oh boy. The yummo yuzu tart is an ode to the Lode . Also worth considering is the doughnut-shaped croissant, that wonderfully flaky creation filled with white chocolate crème, glazed with raspberry and dusted with pistachio and rose petals. Apparently, it’s such a time suck for the pastry chefs that only 15 are made each day. The polished cafe is all marble and concrete, with a pared-back neutral palette of whites, greys and pinks that is more bathhouse than bakery. Head to the glass display counter for inspiration at this high-end bakery helmed by Federico Zanellato (Lumi Dining).

Address: 487 Crown Street

Best for: Paperbark dacquoise cake

24. Hearthe

a slice of paperbark cake at Hearthe — Hearthe’s paperbark cake is a mille-feuille inspired by the eucalyptus tree. (Image: Sean Alcantara)

Home is where the Hearthe is is. That’s certainly the case for Stanmore residents who waited patiently for Black Star Pastry founder Christopher Thé to open his cake shop and cafe in 2022. It was well worth the wait. The creator of the world-famous strawberry watermelon cake keeps it simple at Hearthe with his cakes and baked goods inspired by native Australian ingredients. The baked goats curd cheesecake features desert lime and there’s eucalyptus in the caramel of the paperbark dacquoise cake in the display cabinet.

Address: 16 Douglas Street, Stanmore

25. Lucien Baked Goods

Pistachio Berry Cake from Lucien Baked Goods, Parramatta — Level up your dessert game with a pistachio berry cake. (Image: Lucien Baked Goods)

Best for: The Persian love cake

Parramatta is having a bit of a moment. Fold up your fixie and commute to Sydney’s second CBD so you can suss out all that is new and exciting. Do a hot lap of the park and then walk into Lucien Baked Goods with purpose. A quick scroll of the bakery cafe hybrid’s Instagram feed will induce a feeling of anticipation. While the Lucien Baked Goods website might use cookies, so do the bakers … to entice unsuspecting passersby. We say roll with it and order a handful alongside a slice of lamington berry cake, and a banoffee choux filled with Chantilly cream. Ponder a move to this vibey vertical village after a night at Sky Suites Parramatta .

Address: 111 Phillip Street, Parramatta

26. Sweet Belem

Portuguese desserts available at Sweet Belem, Petersham — Savour Portuguese desserts at Sweet Belem. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: Portuguese tarts

Finding a Portuguese tart in a display cabinet in Petersham feels like unearthing a hidden treasure. It’s a big call to claim to have the world’s best Portuguese tarts. But we like to be thorough and, after consuming our body weight in pastel de nata, we reckon the bakers at Sweet Belem certainly sling the best version this side of Portugal! Let them throw down that sugar-dusted gauntlet with gusto. If you really want to blow your mind, try the lamington filled with Portuguese egg jam or the doorstop-sized vanilla slice.

Address: 35B New Canterbury Road, Petersham

27. Rollers Bakehouse

classic baked favourites from Rollers Bakehouse, Manly — Our four favourites: Pain au Chocolat, Plain croissant, Cinnamon scroll and Cherry chocolate tart. (Image: Rollers Bakehouse)

Best for: Vegemite and cheese croissant

The humble croissant has a daily makeover at Rollers Bakehouse . Part the veil of secrecy and have a peep at Rollers Bakehouse TikTok to see how the almond croissant is crowned. We see those bakers rolling, and we like it. The flavour profile of the croissants changes on the regular, and we love those Franken-style creations at the Scandi-industrial cafe vying for the title of best bakery Sydney.

Address: 19 Rialto Lane, Manly

28. La Panineria

Carbonara scrambled eggs croissant with cheese, La Panineria, best bakery Sydney — Carbonara scrambled eggs croissant topped with generous cheese at La Panineria.

Best for: Nonna’s polpette panino stuffed with meatballs and napoletana sauce.

Have your breadbasket at the ready. It’s going to be loaded with sweet and savoury morsels when you visit this new hole-in-the-wall bakery in Sydney’s CBD. La Panineria, the sister venue to Tessuto, is a pioneering paninoteca that aims to further popularise the Italian sandwich. All up, there are 13 panini on the menu all of which are made with schiacciata (a thin and crispy Tuscan bread). Go for the Gladiator stuffed to the gills with sliced porchetta, salsa verde, provolone, charred broccolini abd crispy pork crackling. There’s also tasty schiaccita pizza by the slice and a croissant loaded with pasta carbonara. The bombolone (donuts filled with chocolatey gianduia) are the bomb.

Address: 280 George St, Sydney

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NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

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