Overview
With endless unspoilt beaches, breathtaking natural treasures and one of the world’s most famous and vibrant cities, there’s no place quite like New South Wales.
From Sydney Harbour to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley, New South Wales beckons with indulgent wine regions, pristine seaside villages and high mountain country.
Things to do
- Sydney’s sun-drenched beaches, award-winning restaurants, iconic landmarks and unique wildlife has seen it named one of the ‘World’s Best Festival and Event City’. Dynamic, cosmopolitan and surrounded by stunning natural attractions, travellers can marvel at architectural icons in Chippendale, explore street art in Newtown or learn to surf at Bondi. Find cultural riches such as galleries, museums, theatre companies and alternative cinema, alongside a year-round jampacked event calendar.
- Each with its own unique experience, the Shoalhaven region on the south coast of New South Wales boasts over 100 beaches across 170 km of coastline. Unspoilt and waiting to be explored, relax on some of the whitest sands in the world at Hyams Beach, see kangaroos in the wild or choose from a range of water sports, rock climbing and coastal walks.
- The well-known Hunter Valley is home to the oldest wine growing region in Australia, but is just one of a dozen wine regions around New South Wales waiting to be tasted. Sample the cool climate wines of Orange, artisan vineyards of the Southern Highlands or family-run operations in Mudgee. White, red, rosé or sparkling, find the perfect drop in New South Wales.
- The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area has abundant natural beauty, and offers excellent hiking, spectacular scenery and quaint towns and villages, making it a popular getaway from Sydney. A 90 minute drive west of Sydney, walk to the foot of the Three Sisters on the 998-step Giant Stairway, ride the world’s steepest passenger train through to the floor of the Jamison Valley or head into the Valley of the Waters in search of fairytale waterfalls. Stroll around picturesque villages of Leura and Blackheath for antique stores, quirky cafés and top-notch restaurants.
- Australia’s easternmost town, Byron Bay is world renowned for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforest and laid-back lifestyle. A favourite with both foodies and international celebrities, Byron Bay is also one of Australia’s great gourmet destinations. At the forefront of the paddock-to-plate movement, small farms and artisan producers offer an abundance of culinary experiences. Find exceptional eats from hatted restaurants to beachside markets and boutique breweries, served up by passionate locals. Domestic flights arrive at nearby Ballina Airport and take about one hour and 20 minutes from Sydney.
- In the Warrumbungle region in Central New South Wales find the southern hemisphere’s first and only Dark Sky Park. Recognised internationally for it’s outstanding nocturnal environment and clear dark sky, stargazers are encouraged to take a guided-tour, peek through Australia’s largest optical telescope or pitch a tent under the starry night.
- Carved into the rock shelves at coastal beaches and fed by ocean tides, almost 100 ocean pools can be found on the coast of New South Wales. Boasting 35 in Sydney alone, start with a dip at the iconic Bondi Icebergs, then just a few beaches south, find Bronte Baths or Wiley’s Baths in Coogee. Further afield, travellers can swim at the heritage-listed Bogey Hole in Newcastle or experience the crystal clear waters of The Blue Pool at Bermagui on the Sapphire Coast.
Places to go
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Sydney
Experience the best of Sydney—wildlife, nightlife, and everything in between. Explore hidden restaurants tucked away in historic...
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Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are justifiably world famous. And it’s not just those World Heritage-listed landscapes that...
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Central Coast
A stone’s throw from Sydney, a million miles from a care in the world… that wraps...
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Country NSW
The NSW coastline might stretch for 2,000 kilometres, but with an area of 800,000 square kilometres,...
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The Hunter
No matter how you like to unplug from the world, The Hunter region has you covered....
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Lord Howe Island
Imagine a tiny outcrop in the Pacific Ocean, covered in lush greenery, surrounded by aquamarine waters...
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The Murray
The Murray tells a thousand tales in its famous waters: of paddle steamers, pioneers, ancient Aboriginal...
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North Coast
There’s wonder around every corner on the NSW North Coast, stretching from Newcastle all the way...
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Outback NSW
Discover ancient landscapes, unique rock formations and rich Aboriginal culture in Outback NSW.
Road trip through...
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Riverina
Known as Australia’s food bowl, Riverina offers a wealth of unforgettable culinary experiences.
Explore a foodie...
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Snowy Mountains
Experience exhilarating skiing and snowboarding in the stunning Snowy Mountains of NSW, where Australia’s highest peak...
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South Coast
Though they share the same ocean, the South Coast of the state feels worlds apart from...