Why not trysomething different and go inland to Orange or Bathurst etc. Follow the rivers.

Why not try something different and go inland to Canberra? Lots of outdoorsy activities and plenty of mountain biking trails.

You're correct in thinking that the popular areas won't accept 2 night bookings over the Easter break - so perhaps you'd be better travelling off the beaten track.

Have you looked at websites like www.visitnsw.com or www.takeabreak.com.au for some ideas? Di

Hi dkw, I'm guessing you're the person that gave me the great link about the snowy mountains, I wanted to ask where it is that you stayed when you traveled there.
Enjoy your Easter trip!

I would second Canberra, I think it's a great long weekend destination.

Lots to see and do
Australian war memorial
Paliament house
National portrait gallery
Australian National museum
Sunday market next to a glass blowing workshop
National parks
Plus lots more
Good restaurants
Good choice of hotels
Good road from Sydney

Another vote for Canberra. Lovely time to visit, and you could take a detour through the Southern Highlands towns, Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale etc., http://www.southern-highlands.com.au/

Another nice loop is to go (or come home) via the South Coast, through Kangaroo Valley. http://www.southcoast.com.au/kangaroovalley/index.html

There's a very good Ottoman Cuisine in Canberra, too
http://www.ottomancuisine.com.au/

http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Events/Events-Search-Results.aspx?category=ALL&to=15%2f04%2f2012&from=01%2f04%2f2012&keyword=&search=1

Crowne Plaza at Terrigal has availability. Check out www.ichotels.com - looks as though rates are a bit in excess of your budget though. It's a very busy time here at Easter. Hope wherever you go, the rain stays away!

Thanks so much for the thoughtful responses. Canberra looks like a fantastic destination, however, since we only have two nights away, I think we will save that for when we have at least 4 nights to spend away. In researching things to do in Canberra, I was coming up with too long a list of "must dos" for the time we will have.

Based on a work colleague's suggestion, we are now looking at Kiama for our destination. Any thoughts or suggestions for that locale? It looks to be close enough to Kangaroo Valley to to some great exploring there as well. Is the Illawarra Fly a worthwhile excursion?

McGeens..we stayed at Thredbo at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (I think that's the name). It was nothing special...a bit worn about the edges, but fine for a short break.

Just another couple of suggestions: Port Stephens (you could stay at Peppers resort if you want something upmarket). There's some nice walks in the area and you can go on a dolphin boat

http://www.portstephens.org.au/

Going the opposite way, I'd suggest Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach for example, again there's nice walks in the area.

I'd be tempted to go south, lovely beaches & little towns, wineries & some great restaurants.

And it avoids the car park that is the F3 when everyone is coming back to Sydney on Easter Monday.

Park at Palm Beach, get the ferry over to Ettalong. Have lunch at Ferry Road Cafe. Get the bus to the train station at Woy Woy. Hop a train to Gosford then a bus to Terrigal. This is a great diversion from just driving to a destination and having to battle the traffic home. Just a thought or two! Have fun!

A very belated Thanks for all the great suggestions! We ended up going to Port Stephens and had a fan time! lots to do in the area!! We stayed at Peppers (very nice) and sandboarded, walked over Fingal Spit, walked up to the summit of Tomree Head and had a lovely swim!!

As a destination, I can highly recommend !!