Bondi, Sydney, NSW
New South Wales
New South Wales boasts endless golden beaches, breathtaking natural treasures and one of the world’s most famous and vibrant cities.
New South Wales is well-known for its sparkling capital of Sydney, it’s seemingly endless beaches and bushland, and its sophisticated dining scene. But combine the icons with lesser-known attractions, and this east coast state becomes a destination worthy of bucket list status. Sip wine in more than a dozen diverse wine regions, visit national parks full of waterfalls and unbelievable rock formations, and pitch a tent in campgrounds on the coast, in the outback or beneath the forest canopy.
Top things to do
- Experience Sydney’s famous icons
- Escape to chilled-out coastal destinations like Jervis Bay and Byron Bay
- Explore New South Wales’ national parks and ski slopes
Sydney is a popular base for exploring New South Wales. But before leaving the city, check out its worthy icons by taking in a show at the Sydney Opera House and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or delve into history and culture at one of the city’s many museums and art galleries.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the capital behind with a trip to one of New South Wales’ many worthy destinations like Orange, Byron Bay and the Sapphire Coast. Seek out top drops in wine regions like Mudgee and the Hunter Valley, take a drive down the South Coast for one-after-another white sandy beaches, or retreat to cosy ski resorts perched on snow-covered mountains. Don’t forget the Blue Mountains; with dozens of lookouts, ever-changing waterfalls and Australia’s largest network of walking tracks, exploring the famous eucalyptus forests is a must-do.
Sydney is also one of Australia’s most accessible cities, making New South Wales easy to explore. International and domestic flights arrive into Sydney daily from major cities around the world, and you can fly to Sydney from every major Australian city, as well as from regional Australia. If you’d rather stick with four wheels, New South Wales is an epic destination for road trips, with beautiful winding coastlines and endless rugged bushland to explore. The drive to Sydney takes three hours from Canberra and about nine hours from Melbourne or the Gold Coast.
Road trips and itineraries
Hayden Quinn's local food guides
Things to do
