15 Finest Locations To Go to In New South Wales, Australia

Rising up exterior Sydney, I believed I had seen all the very best locations to go to in New South Wales.

It wasn’t till our 18-month highway journey round Australia that we really found our dwelling state.

I now realise that NSW is not only in regards to the coast and seashore cities, and even about Sydney.

There are such a lot of extra locations to go to in NSW which are off the overwhelmed path, simply as lovely (if no more lovely), than the locations I knew rising up.

In the event you’re planning a visit round New South Wales and wish some unimaginable locations so as to add to your itinerary, then these are the nation cities, wine areas, mountain areas, and naturally seashore cities, you’ll wish to try…

1. Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is magical, and an actual spotlight of the South Coast. The seashores on this area are a number of the finest, particularly Hyams Seashore, which has the Guinness World File for the whitest sand on the planet, and there’s a thriving coral reef not too removed from the shoreline.

The one draw back is there aren’t many seashores round Jervis Bay that supply the browsing alternatives you’ll discover on the North Coast, and the water temperature is cooler.

However the beauty of Jervis Bay is it’s not overdeveloped with excessive rises and vacationer gimmicks, the sand is white and pure, they usually aren’t closely populated.

Jervis Bay can be a preferred spot for whale watching, kayaking, canoeing, and walks.

2. The Snowy Mountains & Mount Kosciuszko

Our highway journey was the primary time Caz and I had visited the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko Nationwide Park.

We’ve by no means been into snowboarding, and have solely performed it as soon as within the States, however visiting the Snowies in the summertime months actually makes us wish to return and ski right here.

From driving the Alpine Method, to exploring Yarrangobilly Caves and Jenolan Caves, to climbing a part of Australia’s highest peak (Mount Kosciusko), to seeing wild brumbies and bike using the paths – all this bought us excited to return for a winter on the Thredbo ski fields.

In the event you’re in search of a spot to hike, put the Snowy Mountains in your record.

3. Mudgee

How good is Mudgee? Rattling good!

We nonetheless can’t consider we grew up solely 4 hours from this city and had by no means visited. It rapidly turned our favorite nation city in NSW.

In the event you’re a lover of wine, Mudgee is a superb different to the well-known Hunter Valley.

We beloved how you would cycle between the wineries, and it doesn’t have the vacationer buses just like the Hunter, but.

And also you’ll fall in love with its heritage buildings, extensive streets, parks and nation appeal.

I do know it’s a cliche, however Mudgee is a hidden gem, solely 3.5 hours drive from Sydney.

4. Kangaroo Valley

After we requested our Fb neighborhood for ideas on the place to go in Southern NSW, and so many individuals got here again and prompt Kangaroo Valley… so we simply couldn’t ignore it.

And we’re glad we didn’t.

In the event you haven’t been to Kangaroo Valley but, you must. The valley is as inexperienced as Eire with Australian bush escarpments and wildlife (they’ve loads of wombats).

Throw in an enthralling city centre, historic bridges, waterfalls, nature walks, and nation pubs, and Kangaroo Valley makes for an incredible detour from the coastlines.

5. The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is probably the most well-known day journey from Sydney, however for us locals to NSW, we each questioned what all this fuss was about?

Seems, the Blue Mountains is extra than simply the Three Sisters rock formation, and you must keep longer than sooner or later!

The Blue Mountains have a depth better than the guidebooks let you know. We snapped our “I used to be right here picture” after which went down, 900 steps, into the valley under right into a forested fern bower.

As soon as on the valley ground, we have been in a position to go climbing amongst the rainforest-covered valleys – you’ll really feel such as you’re 1,000,000 miles away.

A neighborhood buddy Dave instructed us in regards to the ‘Blue Mountains Chocolate Firm’ on Lurline St in Katoomba, the primary city within the Blue Mountains.

It’s also possible to discover the very best beer on the Carrington Lodge, and the very best place for lunch is on the Ambermere Home in Little Hartley – the signature dish “rabbit pie” was a success for me!

There’s rest, journey, and rejuvenation within the Blue Mountains, and we have been impressed by the unbelievably good native produce, cafes, cosy pubs, and eating places. It’s a foodie’s paradise.

6. Byron Bay

Byron Bay is that legendary seashore city that has been attracting 1000’s of surfers from all over the world for years.

However it’s not only for surfers.

All varieties of folks come for the Nationwide Parks, the humanities and tradition, the markets, the festivals, the meals, the purchasing, the well being retreats, to hold with hippies, to be seen, and the vibe.

And you will notice probably the most spectacular sundown and dawn over the ocean. Byron Bay has quite a bit going for it. So many individuals come, and lots of by no means depart.

7. The Hunter Valley

It’s arduous to not loosen up and luxuriate in your self on this world-famous wine area, solely a two hours drive north of Sydney.

However it’s not simply in regards to the wineries. There’s superb eating, gourmand chocolate, adventures like sizzling air ballooning, and enjoyable spa therapies and massages.

Don’t miss the Lovedale Street Wine Path, it’s quiet and unhurried with many boutique wineries, the chocolate manufacturing facility, and superb eating places.

And consider it or not, there’s additionally one thing within the Hunter Valley for households – mini golf, playgrounds, lovely gardens, and household singing time driving by way of the vineyards.

So style some wine and take a drive.

I like to recommend the Mountain View Path, driving as much as Bimbadeen Lookout for spectacular views of the valley and the Brokenback Vary.

8. Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is roughly half-way alongside a Sydney to Brisbane highway journey route and a preferred cease for highway trippers.

For us, the city of Coffs doesn’t do a lot for us (except you wish to take a selfie with a Huge Banana), however what we do actually like is the encompassing area. So once we discuss of Coffs, we’re eager about the Coffs Coast Area!

The close by seashores are nice, particularly Crimson Rocks Seashore to the north, and the city of Sawtell close by is charming and the place we select to base ourselves.

Dorrigo Nationwide Park makes for an incredible day journey (go to Dangar Falls on the best way up), then as soon as within the park benefit from the rainforest and tree-top cover walks.

In the event you can time your go to proper, don’t miss the Bellingen Markets held each third Saturday of the month within the pretty city of Bellingen.

9. Armidale

There’s one thing about College cities, as we found dwelling within the USA, and the College city of Armidale positioned within the picturesque New England area is my type of city.

We solely had two days to discover, our keep was type of reduce quick attributable to Kalyra breaking her arm within the playground, however we actually loved the historical past, the heritage buildings, the tree-lined streets, and the close by waterfalls and gorges.

Armidale can be a stunning place to go to for its status for good meals and wine, and we are able to see ourselves returning for one more keep.

10. Newcastle

Newcastle is Australia’s seventh largest metropolis and has undergone an enormous transformation in recent times, particularly the CBD.

While it has at all times been an incredible seashore city with full of life pubs and an enormous College, it has moved on from its major trade of metal and has carried out a couple of inventive packages to carry again the tradition and humanities to town, plus a full of life cafe and restaurant scene, significantly alongside the waterfront.

It’s not nearly pubs and trade anymore. There’s richness, and a relaxed vibe, and it’s thrilling to see Newcastle providing rather more for travellers as of late.

Slightly below an hour away is the sand dunes of Port Stephens that are wonderful for sand boarding on.

11. Kingscliff

The city of Kingscliff is excessive up on the NSW North Coast (you’re nearly in Queensland) and it’s a kind of nice beachy cities with a relaxed vibe that’s simply sufficient off the overwhelmed monitor that it doesn’t lose its enchantment.

It’s a really habitable kinda place with a pleasant seashore and cafe strip, pleasant locals, and the gorgeous Cudgen Creek is a high spot for the youngsters to take pleasure in some water actions.

If Byron is an excessive amount of for you, think about staying right here to discover the remainder of the North Coast area, and simply down the highway you could have Cabaritta Seashore and Fingal Head.

12. Sydney

Sydney sits excessive on anybody’s record of NSW locations, not to mention being the draw card and gateway to the area.

If you will go to Australia, then you’ll be able to’t miss Sydney.

It has one thing for everybody: gorgeous harbour aspect location, the long-lasting seashores (such because the well-known Bondi Seashore), wonderful eating places, incredible cafes and pubs, world heritage websites, terrific purchasing, unimaginable festivals, a multicultural inhabitants, and good year-round climate.

To not point out probably the most iconic sights within the nation, the Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks District close to the Round Quay is one in all our favourite locations in Sydney to discover as a result of it’s not solely historic however has a calming vibe.

However don’t simply use Sydney as a gateway to NSW and Oz, give it no less than 3 days.

13. Lord Howe Island Marine Park

Nature lovers, hear up! Take a ferry from Sydney over to Lord Howe Island, which is known for its pure magnificence, unimaginable seashores, and thriving wildlife.

It’s one of the crucial untouched and unspoiled locations in New South Wales, however as a result of it’s 600km off the mainland of New South Wales, not many individuals go to right here.

This makes it a exceptional hidden gem.

It’s most well-known for its Seven Peaks stroll, which takes you previous locations identified for that includes in David Attenborough documentaries.

The path is lengthy however it’s not extraordinarily powerful however takes a number of days to finish. It’s the most effective multi-day walks in Australia.

14. Damaged Hill Outback

Damaged Hill is an previous mining city that has a historical past relationship again to the Eighties, making it Australia’s oldest mining city.

In addition to being a spot to find valuable metals, it’s additionally an space of excellent pure magnificence.

Being within the outback, you’ll find expanses of huge desert plains that shimmer within the daylight. There’s additionally the Dwelling Desert State Park the place one can find spectacular rock formations and sculptures.

In the event you’re in search of locations the place you’ll be able to swap off and luxuriate in being in seclusion and solitude, that is the place to be.

15. Mungo Nationwide Park

One other standard place to see the NSW outback is Mungo Nationwide Park, which is known for its prehistoric historical past.

That is the place archaeologists discovered the stays of a Mungo Man and Lady that date over 40,000 years previous. This makes it the oldest identified space the place people have inhabited, in all the southern hemisphere.

It additionally has superb rock formations.

16. Royal Nationwide Park

Lower than an hour exterior Sydney is a pure paradise. Royal Nationwide Park is a spectacular slice of coastal wilderness that’s referred to as the world’s second-oldest nationwide park.

It’s identified for its miles of strolling trails, dramatic sandstone cliffs, pristine seashores, and eucalyptus-scented bushland.

You may hike the long-lasting Coast Observe for panoramic ocean views, while maintaining a tally of the ocean for whales and dolphins.

Or you’ll be able to go for a swim within the glowing Determine Eight Swimming pools, kayak alongside the serene Hacking River, or head to one of many secluded picnic areas and watch the wallabies hopping round.

Earlier than you go

These are our just some of our private favorite locations in New South Wales that any customer to Australia ought to try.

New South Wales has a number of the finest seashores in Australia, the very best mountain, probably the most relaxed seashore cities, and the most effective cities on the planet.

Whether or not you’re in search of a number of the hottest locations or hidden gems, one can find one thing for everybody on this record.

I hope that this record gave you some inspiration for locations so as to add to your itinerary and helped you propose your journey.

Excursions of New South Wales

Extra NSW Journey Ideas

Are you in search of extra inspiration for visiting NSW? Then it’s possible you’ll discover the under sources helpful…

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