Jacada Photo Journal: New South Wales

Following my long and amazing journey around Australia, New South Wales was last on the list. Sydney was the final stop on my trip where I attended a trade show, as well as toured around the city and the Blue Mountains with our fantastic guides. This is a selection of the photographic highlights from my stay.

For the closing party of the trade show we were lucky enough to witness a spectacular fireworks display next to the Opera House. This is just a taste of what it would be like here on New Years Eve. Sydney is one of the most popular places to ring in the New Year.

For me, the best way to see the city is from the water. There are some great harbour cruises through the city, as well as whale watching trips just off the coast.

This is Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, with its bright blue waters and soft sand. I’ve never seen it this quiet, but it wasn’t a very warm day so only the really brave surfers were out in the waves!

From the end of May to the middle of June, Vivid Sydney, an immersive light festival, takes over downtown. It’s a fantastic reason to be in the city over winter, with many of the famous buildings and landmarks spectacularly lit up.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city then a trip to the Blue Mountains is a must. It is such a beautiful area, my pictures really do not do it justice!

The Three Sisters are the most iconic rock formation in the Blue Mountains. You can enjoy some great walks in this area if you want to spend longer than just a day exploring.

Another fantastic destination just an hour and a half drive from Sydney is the Hunter Valley wine region. You can either do this as a day trip, or spend a couple of nights in the area, which is what I did. It was wonderfully relaxing and, of course, filled with plenty of wine!

We were taken on a private behind-the-scenes tour of Audrey Wilkinson Winery, trying wines and ports straight from the barrel. We also sampled a delicious wine and cheese platter for lunch.

No photo diary of Australia would be complete without a couple of kangaroos. These handsome guys were hanging around outside our hotel Spicers Vineyards Estate.

 

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