Stunning coastline, breathtaking landscapes and captivating cities

New South Wales is found on the east coast of Australia, boasting the beautiful city of Sydney at its heart. Called the Premier State, it is also the oldest, having been colonised in 1788 when Britain first established the area as a penal colony.

  • Go wine tasting in Hunter Valley
  • Wander around the museums and art galleries
  • Surf the waves in Byron Bay
  • Explore Coffs Harbour
  • Visit the national parks
  • Sample the region’s delicious wine

It has since blossomed to become one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in the country. Some of the best surf beaches in the world and coral reefs border a chain of dramatic mountains, such as the famous Blue Mountains and appropriately named ‘Snowies’, which in turn give way to an agricultural expanse that dries out into the sun-baked sand dunes of the outback.

There’s also the lush vineyards of Hunter Valley, home to some of the oldest and most celebrated wine producers in Australia, a coastline dotted with laid back towns such as Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour, and a range of national parks encompassing rainforests, ski slopes, desert islands, Aboriginal cultural sites, deserts and islands.

New South Wales is a must visit when in Australia. Step away from its vibrant capital, Sydney, and you will be greeted by incredible areas, including the laid-back beaches of Jervis Bay and Bouddi National Park, or further bliss if you journey north to Byron Bay and Cabarita. Spend your time in the wilderness exploring the Blue Mountains or Southern Highlands, or try some wine in Hunter Valley - all easily accessible from Sydney. Or for a more exclusive experience, head to remote Lord Howe Island, home to the southernmost coral reef. With only 400 tourists allowed on the island at one time, Lord Howe Island serves as the perfect retreat.

Levi Beck
Travel Designer

Our favourite places to stay in New South Wales