Rising up outdoors Sydney, I assumed I had seen all the very best locations to go to in New South Wales.
It wasn’t till our 18-month street journey round Australia that we actually found our residence state.
I now realise that NSW is not only concerning 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.
When you’re planning a visit round New South Wales and wish some unbelievable 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 greatest, 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 provide 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, and so they aren’t closely populated.
Jervis Bay can also be a preferred spot for whale watching, kayaking, canoeing, and walks.
Right here is a few extra inspiration on visiting Jervis Bay:
2. The Snowy Mountains & Mount Kosciuszko
Our street 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 Means, to exploring Yarrangobilly Caves and Jenolan Caves, to climbing a part of Australia’s highest peak (Mount Kosciusko), to seeing wild brumbies and bike driving the paths – all this received us excited to return for a winter on the Thredbo ski fields.
When you’re on the lookout for a spot to hike, put the Snowy Mountains in your checklist.
Try these different guides to the Snowy Mountains:
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 grew to become our favorite nation city in NSW.
When you’re a lover of wine, Mudgee is a good various to the well-known Hunter Valley.
We liked 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, vast streets, parks and nation allure.
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 neighborhood for solutions on the place to go in Southern NSW, and so many individuals got here again and recommended Kangaroo Valley… so we simply couldn’t ignore it.
And we’re glad we didn’t.
When 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 amazing 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 puzzled 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 at some point!
The Blue Mountains have a depth higher than the guidebooks inform you. 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 mountain 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 concerning the ‘Blue Mountains Chocolate Firm’ on Lurline St in Katoomba, the primary city within the Blue Mountains.
You may also 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 successful for me!
There may be 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 world wide for years.
Nevertheless it’s not only for surfers.
All kinds of individuals 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 note 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 go away.
Try these different guides for extra inspiration on visiting Byron Bay:
7. The Hunter Valley
It’s arduous to not loosen up and revel in your self on this world-famous wine area, solely a two hours drive north of Sydney.
Nevertheless it’s not simply concerning the wineries. There’s nice eating, gourmand 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 nice 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 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 street journey route and a preferred cease for street 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 encircling area. So after we speak of Coffs, we’re fascinated with the Coffs Coast Area!
The close by seashores are nice, particularly Pink 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 amazing day journey (go to Dangar Falls on the way in which up), then as soon as within the park benefit from the rainforest and tree-top cover walks.
When 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 residing within the USA, and the College city of Armidale situated 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 resulting from 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 also be a beautiful place to go to for its status for good meals and wine, and we are able to see ourselves returning for an additional keep.
10. Newcastle
Newcastle is Australia’s seventh largest metropolis and has undergone an enormous transformation lately, particularly the CBD.
While it has all the time been an amazing seashore city with vigorous pubs and an enormous College, it has moved on from its main business of metal and has carried out a couple of inventive applications to deliver again the tradition and humanities to the town, plus a vigorous cafe and restaurant scene, notably alongside the waterfront.
It’s not nearly pubs and business 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 glorious 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 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 street you may have Cabaritta Seashore 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 facet location, the enduring seashores (such because the well-known Bondi Seashore), glorious eating places, incredible cafes and pubs, world heritage websites, terrific purchasing, 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 not less than 3 days.
For our greatest recommendations on Sydney, try these guides:
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 some of the 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 nevertheless it’s not extraordinarily powerful however takes a number of days to finish. It’s probably the greatest 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 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, yow will discover expanses of huge desert plains that shimmer within the daylight. There may be additionally the Dwelling Desert State Park the place you will see that spectacular rock formations and sculptures.
When you’re on the lookout 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 common 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 the complete southern hemisphere.
It additionally has superb rock formations.
16. Royal Nationwide Park
Lower than an hour outdoors 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 may hike the enduring Coast Monitor 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 greatest seashores in Australia, the very best mountain, essentially the most relaxed seashore cities, and probably the greatest cities on the planet.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a number of the hottest locations or hidden gems, you will see that 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
Are you on the lookout for extra inspiration for visiting NSW? Then you could discover the under assets helpful…
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