New South Wales is Australia’s most populated state with over 6.2 inhabitants.  The state has exceptional natural beauty and diversity.  Sydney, arguably the most well-known city in Australia, is located on the east coast of New South Wales.  The state also has beautiful coastlines, national parks, islands, hinterlands, bushland, country, mountains, and outback.

REGIONS OF NEW SOUTH WALES
New South Wales can be divided into nine major zones: Sydney, Sydney Surrounds, South Coast, North Coast, Lord Howe Island, The Murray, High Country, Heart of Country, and Outback.

Sydney
Sydney is the most popular destination in New South Wales.  The city has a population of 4 million people and one of the biggest suburban areas in the world.  Situated around a magnificent natural harbour, Sydney is one of the most picturesque cities in the world.  Sydney offers a wide range of activities and tourist destinations including museums, shopping, restaurants, historical sites, art galleries, nightlife, pristine beaches, and so much more!

Sydney Surrounds
The regions surrounding Sydney offer pristine beaches, national parks, excellent shopping and eating, and fine accommodation—all within a 3 hours drive from Sydney!

The Hawkesbury River Valley, located north of Sydney, features a network of five rivers (Nepean, Hawkesbury, Grose, Macdonald and Colo) and number of historic towns.  More than 70% of Hawkesbury is National Park, most of it listed as World Heritage Areas.

Port Stephens is a two and a half hour drive from central Sydney.  The region boasts volcanic peaks and crystal clear bays with golden sand.  Port Stephens is an excellent place for scuba diving and whale watching.  Nelson Bay is one of the most popular destinations in Port Stephens.

Hunter is best known for its vineyard and wineries, but the region also has some of New South Wales’ most spectacular beaches and national parks.  Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and Hunter Valley are all located in the Hunter region.

The Central Coast stretches for 200 kilometres from Sydney to Newcastle.  The region is filled with national parks, beautiful waterways, and golden beaches.  The Central Coast is the perfect place for a beach-side holiday or a family get-away. Gosford is the main city on the Central Coast.

The Blue Mountains is an easy day-trip from Sydney, accessible by train, bus, or car.  The region offers magnificent scenery, unique plantlife, and vast wildlife.  The Blue Mountains were given its name because of the blue haze it exudes from the oil of the eucalyptus trees.  You can explore the area by bushwalking, horse riding, abseiling, rock climbing, and canoeing, or driving. 

The Southern Highlands, situated south-west of Sydney, is best known for its beautiful rural scenery, rich history, country homes, national parks, and spectacular waterways.  The Southern Highlands draws a lot of visitors for its “old world charm.”  You’ll find a fine array of bed and breakfast accommodation, antique stores, and gourmet restaurants.  There is also excellent bushwalking in the Southern Highlands.  Kangaroo Valley is a popular destination in the region.

Illawarra is just an hour drive south of Sydney, and the perfect holiday destination.  Illawarra includes beautiful bushland, rainforest, coastlines, and seaside villages.  Wollongong is the biggest town in Illawarra, famous for its adventure sports and surfing beaches.

South Coast
The South Coast in New South Wales is an area of exceptional beauty.  You will find crystal clear water, unspoilt beaches, and vast bushland.  The South Coast offers everything from adrenalin sports to antique shopping—the perfect holiday location!

Shoalhaven, located just south of Illawarra, is one of New South Wales biggest secrets.  The region boasts pure white sands, plentiful waterways, and diverse marine life.  Some popular destinations in Shoalhaven include Shoalhaven Heads, historic Seven Mile Beach and Jervis Bay.  Shoalhaven is one of the best places for dolphin swimming and whale watching.

Eurobodalla, the region just south of Shoalhaven, is a popular destination for beach-lovers.  Eurobodalla’s 130 kilometre stretch of coastline is the perfect spot for sun-bathing, water sports, and fishing.  The region also has a lot of historical country towns and antique shops.

The Sapphire Coast is a six-drive from Sydney, but well worth the visit!  Here you will discover beaches, rainforest, lakes, and mountains.  The Sapphire Coast also has abundant wildlife, cultural diversity, and great food and wine!

North Coast
The North Coast of New South Wales offers over 600 kilometres of golden sands, crystal waters, lush rainforests, and lots of sunshine!  The region offers activities for any type of traveller, from bushwalking to whale watching, seafood feasts to art festivals.

The North Coast stretches from Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour, and inland to the mountain town of Dorringo.  The North Coast has sparkling beaches, thick rainforest, pristine lakes, and towering mountain ranges.  You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities on the North Coast, such as bushwalking, fishing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and even sky-diving!

Northern Rivers has its share of beautiful beaches and rainforests, but the region also has a vibrant café and restaurant life.  You’ll also find an assortment of art galleries, coffee and tea shops, and boutiques.  The Northern Rivers region attracts an interesting assortment of hippies, backpackers, rich businessmen, artists, and famous actors.  Byron Bay and Nimbin are both located in this region.

Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is just 2 hours northeast from Sydney, accessible by plane.  Listed as a World Heritage Area, Lord Howe Island has unprecedented natural beauty and an amazing array of flora and fauna.  Only 350 people live on Lord Howe Island, and the tourist population cannot exceed 400 people at a time.  Lord Howe Island is the perfect place to relax on the beach, go snorkelling, or go bushwalking through the Kentia palm forests.

The Murray
The Murray is the river region of New South Wales.  The majestic Murray River is the crux of activity—you can enjoy river boating, white-water rafting, fishing, and much more.  The Murray region also has excellent wineries and restaurants.

High Country
The High Country is the mountainous region of New South Wales.  Here you will find the Snowy Mountains and Kosciuszko National Park.  In the spring and summer, you can hike to Mt. Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia at 2,229 metres.  In the winter, the Snowy Mountains are a great place to ski at Perisher Valley.  The High Country also offers adventure sports like white-water rafting, mountain biking, and fishing.  The region is also known for its excellent food and wine.

Heart of Country
The Heart of Country in New South Wales is filled with little towns and farmland.  The country may not seem to be a likely traveller destination, but you’ll find nice restaurants, historical sites, excellent bushwalking, and much more! 

Outback
The Outback region of New South Wales has beautiful scenery, unique lunar landscapes, and rich Aboriginal culture to offer.  Some of the best places to explore in the New South Wales Outback are in the National Parks, but you will also find lots to do around the Murray and Darling River.  Although some people may think the Outback has nothing to offer, you will find plenty of water sports, nature walks, and outback towns to explore.

...when visiting NSW, be sure to read our Sydney Guide which contains a complete activity, tour, accommodation and lesuire guide for Sydney.