How far can you go on the weekend with your Opal card?

So, another weekend has rolled around, and it’s time to decide what you’ll spend your hard-earned dosh on: bottomless brunch with the gals, fancy dinners, home decor from IKEA that you don’t really need. What if we told you that you can have an awesome weekend without breaking the bank? Sydney’s beaut’ localities are all yours for just $9.35 a day on weekends (plus Fridays and public holidays) on your Opal card. Now that’s what we call budget-friendly.

These six top-notch destinations are easy like Sunday mornin’ to get to on public transport. And they’re sure to provide a glorious day of activities, think coastal strolls, refreshing swims, bush adventures and some all-star pics for Instagram profile. Shout-out to the Opal card capped fare rate. Under 10 bucks for unlimited travel on public transport all weekend? Yes please! Travelling with kids? Children and concession card holder fares are capped at $4.65 a day on weekends – even better.

They say a Sunday well spent brings a week of content, so day trippers, listen up! With a huge selection of beautiful bush tracks, NSW’s Heathcote National Park is a winner. Getting there is easy – take the T4 line direct from Central Station to Waterfall Station and you’ll be there in an hour. Once you’ve arrived, make your way to the nearby Bullawarring walking track (located at the end of Warabin Street). This grade 4 walk is best for those with a little more experience. Along the 5.5km pathway, you’ll meet plenty of Aussie locals – like the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, eastern blue-tongue lizard and the adorable swamp wallaby – to name a few.

The track leads you to the calm oasis of Kingfisher Pool. Bring your cossies (read: budgie smugglers) to show off that beach bod as you enjoy a refreshing dip in the rockpools and waterfalls. Read our waterfall safety tips if you plan to go swimming.

Central Station to Heathcote National Park:

• Catch the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line from Central Station to Waterfall Station.
• It’s a 10-minute walk from the station to the start of Bullawarring track.

Blue Mountains National Park is an all-time fave for weekend antics, bursting with next-level views, rare and ancient species, iconic landmarks and heaps more. The best way to see all the highlights of this World heritage-listed landscape: the epic Grand Cliff Top Walk. The 19km track is best experienced over two days, so you’ll need to book an overnight stay in one of the local mountain villages and make a weekend of it.

The walk couldn’t be easier to access via public transport – it starts across the road from Wentworth Falls Station at Wilson Park. Stock up on any last-minute essentials in Wentworth Falls village before you set out on your mountain adventure. With countless waterfalls, rainforest microclimates and brilliant views from every lookout, you’re in for a real treat.

Did you know? Nature voyeurs: Look out for some of the threatened species that the park protects like the sooty owl, glossy black cockatoo, yellow-bellied glider and booroolong frog. Some of these beauties are endemic to the Blue Mountains, so you won’t see them anywhere else. Remember to always be respectful and give the critters their space.

If you only have time for a day trip, Echo Point lookout is where it’s at. You’re going to want to pack your camera for some pro-level panoramic pics. To get there, keep on the train to Katoomba, and take a short bus trip to take in the crown jewel of Blue Mountains views: the Three Sisters. You can take a short stroll to see this iconic rock formation up close.

Central Station to Wentworth Falls:

• Catch the Blue Mountains Line train from Central Station to Wentworth Falls Station.
• Cross the road to start your walk from Wilson Park.

Central Station to Echo Point:

• Catch the Blue Mountains line from Central Station to Katoomba Station. From Katoomba Station, catch the 686 bus to Echo Point.

Okay we get it. A sweaty, several-kilometre hike with a CamelBak is not a commitment for every weekend. Enter: Lane Cove National Park. Just 17km from the city centre, it’s hard to believe this totally magical landscape – with its mix of eucalypt forests, casuarina woodland and saltwater wetlands – is just up the road.

There are plenty of hikes to embark on if you’re feeling spritely (the Riverside walking track is 5km one-way or the Lane Cove National Park section of the ambitious Great North walk clocks in at 20km), but there are plenty of chill activities on offer too. On weekends and during school holidays, rowboats, canoes and pedal boats are the real star here. Bring the Go-Pro and hire one out from the Lane Cove Boatshed for a bargain and guaranteed laughs.

After all that rowing you’ll need to re-up on energy. Don’t forget to bring the snags and veg and reward yourself with a tasty BBQ. You’ll find heaps of facilities for cooking at the picnic areas peppering the park. Our pick for lunch by the water is Illoura picnic area with its sheltered tables and plenty of grass for the family to spread out.

Did you know? Keep your eye out for echidnas in Lane Cove National Park. While they’re nocturnal, they’ve been known to catch some sun rays in the warmer months.

Central Station to Lane Cove National Park:

• Take the M1 Metro North West and Bankstown line from Central Station to Chatswood Station.
• Catch the 516 bus to Delhi Road at River Avenue. It’s a 7-minute walk from here to Illoura picnic area.

Now here’s one you didn’t think of – and it’s easy as pie – Kurnell area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park. This place has a stack happening, including ridiculously good whale watching (best between May and November) at Cape Solander.

Soak in dramatic ocean views with lunch at Yena Picnic area, a spot known for its large and powerful swells. Be sure to stay well away from the cliff edge and save the budgies for another time – this is not a spot for swimming. For scuba diving and snorkelling activities, you’ll want to head to the La Perouse end of the park where the calm waters of Congwong Beach await. If you’re not feeling quite that energetic, this is a beautiful spot for a lazy picnic lunch.

Central Station to Kurnell Area:

• Catch the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line from Central Station to Cronulla Station.
• At Cronulla, catch the 987 bus to Captain Cook Drive after Polo Street. It’s a 10-minute walk from here to the Kurnell area of the park.

Central Station to La Perouse area:

• Catch the L3 Kingsford light rail line from Central Station to Juniors Kingsford.
• Take the 390X bus to Anzac Parade terminus. It’s a 1 min walk from here to Congwong Beach.

Bushwalking and picnicking among the eucalypts makes for an enviably unique Sunday experience. Pack up the essentials and head to Garigal National Park for a long lunch by the water. First stop: Davidson Park picnic area where you can break out the cheese and crackers and soak up the serenity of Middle Harbour Creek. If you’re keen to get out on the water, there are several spots to launch your boat, canoe or kayak (you’ll need to BYO as there’s no day hire available in the area).

Feel like a post-lunch walk? Davidson Park to Stepping Stone Crossing walk is a short 5.2km stroll that takes you along the creek and across stepping stones to the longer Governor Philip walk. Garigal is part of a wildlife corridor that spans from Sydney Harbour to the Blue Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for cute native residents which include echidnas and glossy black-cockatoos as you explore this beautiful patch of bush.

Central Station to Garigal National Park:

• Catch the M1 Metro North West & Bankstown line from Central Station to Chatswood Station.
• From here, catch the 280 or 283 bus to Warringah Road at Ryrie Avenue. It’s a 20 minute walk from here to Davidson Park picnic area.

Low effort, spectacular rewards. This day trip to Sydney Harbour National Park will remind you just how stunning this city is. The best bit? You’ll barely even break a sweat. Make your way to Circular Quay for a scenic ferry ride across the harbour with non-stop iconic views. To your left: the Harbour Bridge, to your right: the Sydney Opera House. After you’ve snapped some pics on the ferry, disembark at Taronga Zoo Wharf, where you’ll find the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk.

Snaking along the coastline, this easy 4km one-way walk takes you through coastal bushland with views back across sparkling blue waters to the CBD. Pause at Bradleys Head – Booraghee Amphitheatre for more photo ops and to say hi to the fishermen and women before you continue on to Chowder Bay. This protected swimming spot with an epic view is Sydney at its finest. After your dip, head a little further around the bay for a well-deserved restaurant meal before you make your journey back to the city.

Central Station to Sydney Harbour National Park:

• Take the T2, T3 or T8 line from Central Station to Circular Quay.
• Catch the F2 ferry to Taronga Zoo Wharf. The walk starts directly behind the ferry stop.

It’s basically impossible to get anything for less than $10 on a Sunday – coffee and cake, a movie ticket, avo toast, the list goes on. But what you can do is have a cracking day out exploring some of Sydney’s best national parks, all while leaving the car at home. What are you actually waiting for?