For the ultimate summer road trip, pack up the car and head to the unspoilt yet easily accessible Coffs Coast, at the heart of which lies Coffs Harbour. Take a stand-up paddleboard lesson, and spend more time sitting down. Climb aboard a camel safari for a wobbly wander through the sand dunes. Fish all morning without a single nibble, then land ten big ones all in a row. Wake up to the sound of the waves from your shack perched right on the water.

Breathtaking beaches, freshly shucked oysters, curious seals, laid-back coastal towns and world-famous surf breaks make the South Coast the perfect summer holiday destination. Snorkel with seal pups for such a long time your fingertips turn into prunes. Be buried by the kids right up to your neck in the whitest sand in the world. Walk beneath towering gums as a pod of dolphins swim alongside you. Wake with a pot of coffee on the porch as the sun rises over the ocean.

Jump in the car and head just north of Sydney to the Central Coast for a holiday you’ll never forget. Make the most of the long summer days exploring beautiful beaches, pretty waterways and pristine national parks. Continue your exploration into the night, grazing at gourmet restaurants and hopping between buzzing rooftop bars. Wake up in your beach shack to the sound of the waves, before following your nose to the nearby farmers markets for a bacon and egg roll.

For dazzling natural attractions served up with a good dose of country charm, you can’t go past the Blue Mountains. Indulge in the area’s tantalising gourmet scene with the rugged wilderness as your backdrop. Hike or bike into the thick of the forest keeping your eyes peeled for sleeping koalas. Trek uphill, cursing all the way, until million-year-old valleys open up before you. Empty your phone’s battery taking photos of the sunset, then make your way back to your treehouse in the canopy to fall asleep to the sounds of the forest.

Orange is a hidden gem, tucked between the rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, open roads and picturesque plains of the Central West tablelands. Wind your way along pretty streets and parks on the Orange Heritage Trail, or get the heart pumping a little faster with a walk to the summit of Mount Canobolas, a nearby ancient volcano. After working up an appetite, relax over a three course lunch at a boutique winery, each dish matched with a local drop. Then pick up some farm fresh produce to take back to your cottage right in the middle of town.

People all around the world dream about a summer holiday in Sydney. When the vibrant city is within your own backyard, it’s easy to make that dream come true. Stroll along Coogee Beach with gelato dripping down your hand. Scour Paddington Markets for vintage treasures that have seen more summers than you. Enjoy a beer with the band at an Enmore gig (and upload a hastily snapped selfie to prove it!) before wandering back to your grand old terrace with views of Darling Harbour from your side of the bed.