New South Wales

NEW SOUTH WALES – WHY GO?

You name it –whether it's ski fields, surf beaches or sub-tropical rainforest –you'll find it in New South Wales. Byron Bay on the North coast is famous for its surf and lies where the sweep of rainforest meets mountains forged from ancient volcanoes. The South coast offers more of Australia’s classic beach culture with 30 national and marine parks plus a rich Aboriginal history.

MUST SEE, MUST DO

Snowy Mountains
Inland are the Snowy Mountains with Australia’s tallest peak, Mt Kosciuszko and some impressive ski fields. In summer, the Snowies are perfect for more adventure-based activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, caving and horse riding.

Hunter Valley
Wine lovers have more than 120 cellar doors to open in the Hunter Valley, with its smart restaurants and boutique hotels. Tour the wineries in a horse-drawn cart or bicycle if you don’t fancy driving.

Wollongong
Wollongong, New South Wales’s third largest city, makes a great weekend escape for busy Sydneysiders. There are some excellent surfing beaches nearby (you can do the state’s only beach skydive here), good sailing on Lake Illawarra and an amazing walk across the yawning Sea Cliff Bridge, arching above the ocean. 

Canberra
Take a side trip to Canberra, home to Australia’s top museums, memorials and national treasures. Not that Canberra is all serious: there are plenty of hands-on, interactive experiences too. See how an earthquake feels at Questacon, test your skills at virtual rowing at the Australian Institute of Sport, take a balloon ride over the hills or hop on a boat tour around Lake Burley Griffin.

MAKE A DATE

April
For some groovy tunes check out Wollongong’s Easterfest, with a jazz festival, music awards and talent quest.

August
Tap your foot to the sounds of the Bellingen Jazz festival.

October
Foodies should make tracks for the Coffs Coast Food and Wine festival.

October-December
Combine wine tasting with modern art at Sculpture in the Vineyards, featuring more than 40 installations across the Hunter Valley.

November
Adrenaline junkies shouldn’t miss the NSW Bull Riding at Yass – see the cowboys competing in the toughest sport on dirt.

NEW SOUTH WALES ROMANCE
Walk on air 270m above the floor of the Kedumba River in a glass-floored aerial gondola in the Blue Mountains.