New South Wales occupies more than 10% of Australia – about 500,000 sq miles – and provides most visitors with their first experience of life Down Under.
The capital, Sydney, offers all the cosmopolitan features of a global city, but there’s a lot more out there.
Neighbouring Sydney Surrounds is famous for Hunter Valley wines, beaches and charming villages. The North Coast’s highlights include the exquisite beach at Stockton, and South Coast visitors can explore a range of national parks, marine parks and reserves.
By contrast, the Snowy Mountains region, which is home to Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, offers rafting, horse riding, kayaking, night skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing. The more sedate might fancy trout fishing in the Bombala River or a hike through the Kosciuszko National Park.
The region west of the Great Dividing Range that stretches towards the Outback is known as the Heart of Country and boasts cute villages and towns founded by gold miners and farmers.
The rugged outback region has attracted artists from all over the world, as well as inspiring to its Aboriginal inhabitants – about 30,000 artworks can be seen in Mutawintji National Park.
It also offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of today’s inhabitants – the villagers of White Cliffs and Surrounds live underground. And then there’s Lord Howe Island for those wanting to escape the madding crowds and get back to nature.
New South Wales highlights
In Sydney
- Stand on the Circular Quay with Sydney Opera House on one side and Sydney Harbour Bridge on the other
- Take a stroll around Darling Harbour with its waterfront bars, restaurants, shops and open-air concerts
- Catch the ferry to Manly or Bondi beaches
Outside Sydney
- The Snowies: hike up to the Kosciuszko peak past glacial lakes and stunning views. At the top there are 20 species of plant you won’t see anywhere else in the world
- North Coast region: see the world’s largest expanse of sub-tropical rainforest set against mountains created by ancient volcanoes
- South Coast region: see kangaroos at Pebbly Beach or spot pods of dolphins and whales cruising past idyllic bays and coves
- Heart Of Country: take a relaxing paddle steamer ride along the Murray River
- Lord Howe Island: fly to this North Coast island to see 170 species of seabird on their migratory journeys to Japan and Siberia
- Sydney Surrounds: visit Lake Macquarie and Surrounds, an area four times the size of Sydney Harbour bursting with marine life
Activities
Learn to sail at Middle Harbour in Sydney, which offers lessons at competitive rates. Or get someone else to do the sailing for you on a ferry ride across Sydney Harbour or a guided city tour on a cruiser.
There is something to do come winter snow or summer sun in the Snowies; think flower-lined walks next to alpine lakes, through rugged gorges and dense bushland.
In Sydney Surrounds, glide 270 metres above the valley of the Kedumba River in a glass-floored gondola in the Blue Mountains. Drive the stunning Grand Pacific Drive from the Royal National Park to the coastal city of Wollongong, taking in the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge, coastal rainforests, secluded beaches and pretty towns.
In the outback, learn to be a ‘jackeroo’ and pick up horse riding and sheep shearing skills on a sheep station. Or take a trip to Menindee Lakes, which is packed with wildlife and home to Kinchega National Park, where black swans, eagles, herons, emus, echidnas and goannas roam the banks of the Darling River.
Accommodation
Sydney’s best luxury hotels include The Four Seasons, which has unbelievable views over the opera house and harbour, and The Observatory, a smaller, older property famous for high tea, excellent service and a stunning spa.
Out on the mid North Coast, Clarendon Forest Retreat is a 1,000-acre luxury retreat in the Kiwarrak State Forest and National Park. There are only six cottages, featuring antique furniture, sunken spa baths, log fires and beautiful linen.
Try an overnight stop at the Falls Vineyard Retreat, a historic homestead set by a vineyard and river in Belubula Way. There are vineyard tours and tastings each day plus excellent leisure facilities.
Just 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney in the Sydney Surrounds region is Lilianfels Blue Mountains, one of the continent’s best luxury getaways. Sitting next to the Three Sisters, the country house-style hotel offers views across the blue-hazed valleys, an award-winning restaurant and one of the highest pools in Australia.
Serious anglers should book into the Nimbo Fork fly-fishing lodge in the village of Tumut in the Snowy Mountains. The site has wonderful conditions for freshwater fishing.
New South Wales fact file
- Gateway airport: Sydney International.
- Airlines: Main airlines from UK are Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin. Flights cost about £600-£700 in March.
- Flying time: London to Sydney takes 24 hours
- Tour operators: Thomson, Austravel, Trailfinders, Travel Mood, Thomas Cook, Bridge and Wickers, Travel 2, Virgin Holidays
- Weather: Australia experiences summer in our winter and vice-versa but has many different area climates. For information, visit to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website
- Currency: Australian dollars
- Time difference: GMT +11 hours
Sample packages
City Break: Thomson offers seven nights in Sydney from £965 per person this March, including return flights to Sydney with Cathay Pacific and seven nights at the three-star Sebel Surrey Hills.
Flydrive: Travel 2 offers a five-day ‘Discover the Blue Mountains and Beyond’ self-drive from £1,077 in April including return flights to Sydney, accommodation and
car hire.
Escorted tour: Virgin Holidays offers a 13-day escorted tour of Australia taking in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley this March for £1,459 per person including accommodation and tours but not flights.
