Destinations

New South Wales

Discover the best things to do in New South Wales with our travel guide. Beautiful beaches, charming country towns and some of the best wine regions.

Byron Bay's beachside
Byron Bay

Top Towns for 2022: Head to Byron Bay for a beachside nightcap

The coastal town that almost needs no introduction, this perennial favourite on the NSW North Coast is a place of big skies and big ideas – and new and noteworthy bars to drink to them in. Discover what makes Byron Bay striking enough to land it at no. 15 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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rugged landscape in Broken Hill
Broken Hill

Top Towns for 2022: Wander Broken Hill’s historic outback mining town

Broken Hill is the most diverse, inclusive, arty and vibrant outback settlement in Australia, states Steve Madgwick. It is for these reasons that Broken Hill landed in at no.14 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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overlooking sea views at Tacking Point Lighthouse
Port Macquarie

Top Towns for 2022: How to really unwind in Port Macquarie

Beyond its beautiful beaches, Port Macquarie is now known for its sophisticated food and wine scene, as well as its sustainability and conservation initiatives. Find out how Port Macquarie landed in at no.18 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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charming side of Green Lane
Bowral

Top Towns for 2022: A weekend escape to Bowral’s charming countryside

Award-winning pies and vintage pieces have helped cement this Southern Highlands town’s reputation as a hotspot for weekends away, writes Leigh-Ann Pow. Find out why Bowral landed in at no.18 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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The road to Green Point in Angourie
Yamba

Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Yamba

The arrival of its first boutique hotel has helped usher in a new era of cool for Yamba. But the appeal of this quintessential coastal town remains timeless, writes Lara Picone. Discover why Yamba sailed in at no.12 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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views of Orange Spring
Orange

Top Towns for 2022: Insider tips to experiencing the best of Orange

Rockpool-trained chef Dom Aboud moved from Sydney to Orange in 2019 to head up The Union Bank restaurant. He serves up some suggestions for those visiting his hometown and some insights as to why Orange, NSW landed at no.8 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

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kangaroos at Strike Mudgee
Mudgee

Top Towns for 2022: Beyond the world-class wineries in Mudgee

Much of the magic of Mudgee has to do with the fact it offers a proper escape to the country, with all the trimmings. Find out why Mudgee was named both NSW and Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2022  - and came in at no.5 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

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Aerial overlooking Blowhole Point Rock Pool, Kiama
Kiama

Top Towns for 2022: How Kiama became the NSW South Coast‘s best town

While its holy trinity of sun, sand and sea makes this NSW South Coast hamlet a perennial favourite of day-trippers and summer holidaymakers, it has managed to hold onto its delightful Halcyon-days charms. Leigh-Ann Pow explores the seaside appeal that landed Kiama at no.21 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

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Lakle Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail.
Merimbula

Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Merimbula

This attractive seaside town is full of surprises and a top spot to create fab family memories, hence its position at no.29 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

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Things to Know

New South Wales is a great holiday destination for all types of travellers with a temperate climate that makes it a year-round destination. It’s home to Australia’s largest city, Sydney, but its charm extends far beyond the city limits with quaint country towns, beautiful beaches, world-renowned wine regions, powdery-soft snowfields and the magnificent outback.


Getting Around

From Byron Bay’s coastal beauty to the rugged charm of the Snowy Mountains, exploring the corners of NSW is best done on a road trip. For those staying in Sydney, an Opal card will get you around the city and its surrounds, including the Blue Mountains, Hunter, Illawarra and Central Coast a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour is both a practical and unforgettable way to experience the city’s iconic landmarks and shimmering waterways.


Don’t Miss

There are plenty of things to do in New South Wales starting with a bridge climb on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Escape the city with a sojourn to the Hunter Valley for wine tasting at some of the best cellar doors in the region. For a change of place, explore New South Wales’ natural beauty with a visit to the Three Sisters in the picturesque Blue Mountains.

Hiking and bushwalking in NSW is a popular activity in picturesque locations such as the Blue Mountains, Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast and Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains.

The best beaches in New South Wales can be found dotted up and down the coast from Tweed Heads in the north to Merimbula in the south, with Hyams Beach considered one of Australia’s 10 Best Beaches.

Explore New South Wales

Uncovering New South Wales | Australian Traveller