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

Rising up exterior Sydney, I assumed I had seen all the perfect locations to go to in New South Wales.

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

I now realise that NSW isn’t just in regards to the coast and seaside cities, and even about Sydney.

There are such a lot of extra locations to go to in NSW which can be off the crushed 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 need some unbelievable locations so as to add to your itinerary, then these are the nation cities, wine areas, mountain areas, and naturally seaside cities, you’ll need to try…

1. Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is magical, and an actual spotlight of the South Coast. The seashores on this area are among the greatest, particularly Hyams Seaside, 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 wonderful thing about Jervis Bay is it’s not overdeveloped with excessive rises and vacationer gimmicks, the sand is white and pure, and so they 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 need to return and ski right here.

From driving the Alpine Manner, 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 acquired us excited to return for a winter on the Thredbo ski fields.

In the event you’re searching for a spot to hike, put the Snowy Mountains in your checklist.

3. Mudgee

How good is Mudgee? Rattling good!

We nonetheless can’t imagine 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 various to the well-known Hunter Valley.

We beloved how you possibly can 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, broad streets, parks and nation attraction.

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

4. Kangaroo Valley

Once we requested our Fb group for recommendations on the place to go in Southern NSW, and so many individuals got here again and instructed 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 need to. 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 important detour from the coastlines.

5. The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is essentially 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 need to keep longer than sooner or later!

The Blue Mountains have a depth higher 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 beneath right into a forested fern bower.

As soon as on the valley ground, we had 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 good friend Dave informed us in regards to the ‘Blue Mountains Chocolate Firm’ on Lurline St in Katoomba, the primary city within the Blue Mountains.

You may as well discover the perfect beer on the Carrington Resort, and the perfect place for lunch is on the Ambermere Home in Little Hartley – the signature dish “rabbit pie” was successful for me!

There may be rest, journey, and rejuvenation within the Blue Mountains, and we had 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 seaside city that has been attracting 1000’s of surfers from all over the world for years.

However it’s not only for surfers.

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

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

7. The Hunter Valley

It’s exhausting to not loosen up and revel 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, connoisseur chocolate, adventures like scorching air ballooning, and stress-free spa remedies 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 imagine 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 means 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 need to take a selfie with a Huge Banana), however what we do actually like is the encircling area. So after we speak of Coffs, we’re excited about the Coffs Coast Area!

The close by seashores are nice, particularly Pink Rocks Seaside 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 important 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 beautiful 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 situated within the picturesque New England area is my sort of city.

We solely had two days to discover, our keep was sort of minimize 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 will see ourselves returning for one more keep.

10. Newcastle

Newcastle is Australia’s seventh greatest metropolis and has undergone an enormous transformation lately, particularly the CBD.

While it has at all times been an important seaside city with energetic pubs and an enormous College, it has moved on from its major trade of metal and has applied a number of inventive packages to carry again the tradition and humanities to the town, plus a energetic cafe and restaurant scene, significantly alongside the waterfront.

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

Just 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 virtually in Queensland) and it’s a type of nice beachy cities with a relaxed vibe that’s simply sufficient off the crushed observe that it doesn’t lose its attraction.

It’s a really habitable kinda place with a pleasant seaside and cafe strip, pleasant locals, and the beautiful Cudgen Creek is a prime spot for the youngsters to get pleasure from 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’ve got Cabaritta Seaside and Fingal Head.

12. Sydney

Sydney sits excessive on anybody’s checklist 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 Seaside), wonderful eating places, incredible cafes and pubs, world heritage websites, terrific buying, unbelievable festivals, a multicultural inhabitants, and good year-round climate.

To not point out essentially the most iconic points of interest within the nation, the Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Rocks District close to the Round Quay is certainly one of 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 at the very least 3 days.

13. Lord Howe Island Marine Park

Nature lovers, hear up! Take a ferry from Sydney over to Lord Howe Island, which is legendary for its pure magnificence, unbelievable 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 outstanding hidden gem.

It’s most well-known for its Seven Peaks stroll, which takes you previous locations recognized 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 outdated mining city that has a historical past relationship again to the Eighteen Eighties, making it Australia’s oldest mining city.

In addition to being a spot to find treasured 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 may be additionally the Dwelling Desert State Park the place you can find spectacular rock formations and sculptures.

In the event you’re searching for locations the place you’ll be able to change off and revel 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 legendary 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 outdated. This makes it the oldest recognized space the place people have inhabited, in your entire 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 often called the world’s second-oldest nationwide park.

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

You possibly can 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 only a few of our private favorite locations in New South Wales that any customer to Australia ought to try.

New South Wales has among the greatest seashores in Australia, the very best mountain, essentially the most relaxed seaside cities, and the most effective cities on the planet.

Whether or not you’re searching for among the hottest locations or hidden gems, you can find one thing for everybody on this checklist.

I hope that this checklist 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

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