Sydney Surrounds NSW
Pic: Sydney Harbour & Opera House
Sydney surrounds comprise a large region encircling Sydney with the Hawkesbury area (50 km n-w), Central Coast (70 km north), Blue Mountains (100 km west) and South Coast & Southern Highlands (160 km south). The vast Pacific Ocean is situated east.
Blue Mountains (including Blue Mountains NP): (100 km west) spectacular sandstone cliffs, bushland gorges, mountain villages, Aboriginal cave art, walking trails & adventure activities.
Hunter Valley (160 km n-w): Australia's oldest wine growing area with over 60 wineries around the Cessnock area.
Central Coast (70 km north) beautiful residential & commuter towns/holiday destination.
Hawkesbury Region includes: Ku-ring-gai Chase NP (26 km north) & Wollemi NP (100 km n-w).
Southern Highlands (approx 120 km south): abundance of historic towns, manicured parks & gardens, pretty rural scenery and many B&Bs and guesthouses.
South Coast: begins from Royal NP (32 km south) home to stunning sandstone cliffs, rugged bushland & rainforest followed by the major city of Wollongong famous both for its iron & steel production as well as picturesque coastline, superb beaches and scenic hinterland. 
Visitor Information Centres: Echo Point Rd, Katoomba. Tel 1300 653 408; Main Rd, Pokolbin. Tel (02) 4990 4477; 200 Mann St, Gosford. Tel (02) 4385 4430 or 1300 130 708. Ham Common, Windsor-Richmond Rd, Clarendon. Tel (02) 4588 5895; 62-70 Main St. Mittagong. Tel (02) 4871 2888 or 1300 657 559, 93 Crown St, Wollongong. Tel (02) 4227 5545 or 1800 240 737.