The Best Destinations in New South Wales, Australia

It’s impossible to talk about the state of New South Wales without beginning in Sydney, a truly global city that’s blessed with dazzling beaches and bushland. But if you can drag yourself away from the allure of the state capital, NSW is home to a long list of places that are every bit as enticing — here’s the pick of the bunch.
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Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Sydney
Australia’s largest city is the best destination in the country, let alone the state. Sydney is famous for its beaches — Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Cronulla, Palm Beach, Tamarama, Balmoral, Maroubra, the list goes on — as well as its iconic harbour-front landmarks, array of pubs and eateries, colonial-era heritage sites, and all the character-packed neighbourhoods that come with being a diverse multicultural city of five million inhabitants.
Byron Bay

Hollywood A-listers Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon are huge fans of Byron Bay, and if it’s good enough for Thor and Jason Bourne, it’s good enough for you. There’s an indescribable vibe around this ultra-chilled town in far northern NSW — an intoxicating blend of Aussie surf culture, old school hippies, stylish new-age types, dedicated followers of yoga, and boozy backpackers making their pilgrimage up the East Coast.
Blue Mountains

This rugged mountain region on Sydney’s western doorstep is a bushwalker’s fantasy, with a network of picturesque trails winding through the gum tree forests that form this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. And you don’t need to be Bear Grylls to enjoy some of the Blue Mountains’ other treats, such as the high tea in Leura, art galleries in Wentworth Falls, a fancy meal at the grandiose Hydro Majestic Hotel, or the panoramic view of the postcard-perfect Three Sisters from Echo Point in Katoomba.
South Coast

A road trip south of Sydney twists and turns its way through some of Australia’s most spectacular seaside scenery, from Wollongong’s city beaches to the legendary Kiama Blowhole and the Shoalhaven’s secluded swimming spots, including Hyams Beach, officially the whitest sand on Earth. Away from the coast, the quaint villages of the Southern Highlands — Berry, Bundanoon, Bowral and the like — plus the leafy Kangaroo Valley also deserve a detour.
Broken Hill
NSW is more than 800,000 square kilometres in area — larger than France, Turkey or Chile, for perspective — meaning there’s plenty of outback to explore. And the frontier mining town of Broken Hill in the far west of the state offers the quintessential outback experience, as it is home to historic buildings, vibrant galleries and stunning desert landscapes. Country music capital Tamworth, stargazing hub Coonabarabran, and the open-range zoo at Dubbo are a handful of NSW’s other charming inland towns.
Newcastle

Ten years ago, this old mining port wouldn’t have been included on a list of the state’s best destinations. But these days, Newcastle has swapped coal for another black substance — coffee — to transform itself into one NSW’s most dynamic destinations, without losing touch with its working-class soul. A colourful cafe culture has spearheaded this renaissance of Newcastle, a booming city that’s brimming with exciting eateries, gorgeous beaches and rich history.
Hunter Valley

Just outside Newcastle is one of Australia’s premier wine-making regions, boasting more cellar doors than any other wine-growing area in the country. Eat and drink your way through through the Hunter Valley’s 120-plus wineries and gourmet food purveyors before spending the night at one of the region’s luxurious spa resorts. Port Stephens — a region of 26 golden beaches just north of Newcastle — is another area worth visiting in this part of the world, only two hours’ drive north of Sydney.
Lord Howe Island

This is one of the most unique corners of the state, which might have something to do with the fact that Lord Howe Island is situated 600km off the Australian mainland. This island paradise feels very much part of the Pacific thanks to its dramatic volcanic peaks, untouched forest, warm beaches, turquoise snorkelling sites, and abundant birdlife — Lord Howe houses more than 200 species of bird.
Mount Kosciuszko

NSW is world-renowned for its scenic swimming beaches, but it’s not all sand and sunshine. The Snowy Mountains contain many of Australia’s small number of snow resorts — Thredbo and Perisher are the two most popular places for skiers and snowboarders to hit the powder — as well as pristine alpine terrain that can be explored by foot or mountain bike. The most epic bushwalk in the Snowies goes to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak.
Central Coast

Only an hour up the road from Sydney, it’s easy to overlook the Central Coast, perhaps the most underrated destination in NSW. But that’s fine with the visitors who do make the effort, because it just leaves more room for them to enjoy the dozens of beautiful beaches, surf breaks, fishing spots, coastal bushwalks, and ocean-front campsites that this laid-back area has to offer.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
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WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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