Top Oz Tours offers a great range of New South Wales tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.
New South Wales is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and is arguably the most diverse travel region in Oz.
From coast to countryside, the wealth of experiences that awaits you in this 800,000 square kilometres is mind-boggling. One moment you can be relaxing on one of the world’s best beaches; the next, conquering the endless kilometres of the outback. It’s a wild ride!
If you’ve decided to spend some quality time exploring NSW, there are certain cities and towns that should definitely be on your to-do list. Tick off these ten amazing places to visit in New South Wales.
Sydney
Any visit to New South Wales invariably starts and finishes in the state’s captivating capital. The allure of this waterside metropolis is undeniable and there are endless ways to spend your time here. Whether you choose to scale the mighty Harbour Bridge, see a show at the iconic Sydney Opera House, lose yourself in the verdant beauty of the Royal Botanic Garden, step back in time in The Rocks, chill on Bondi Beach, or take a walk on the wild side at Taronga Zoo, the travel memories you make in Sydney will last a lifetime.
Hunter Valley
Wine lovers will find their happy place in the Hunter Valley — the oldest of Australia’s world-famous wine producing regions. There are no less than 150 cellar doors to sip and sup in, and Tastes of the Hunter Wine Tours will take you to several amazing options. The Hunter also boasts myriad natural attractions; plan a visit to Barrington Tops National Park to see ancient forests and waterfalls, or Wollemi National Park to go bush walking and canoeing.
Blue Mountains
Big, bold, and beautiful, there’s nowhere in Australia quite like the Blue Mountains National Park — 150 kilometres west of Sydney. Epic is the word that will invariably spring to mind as you gaze upon the sheer cliff faces, sweeping valleys, and dramatic ravines that define this age-old landscape. Rich in Indigenous cultural heritage and a magnet for adventure lovers, the Blue Mountains is one New South Wales highlight that is not to be missed.
Byron Bay
Nature lover or surfer, foodie or fashionista, the chic coastal enclave of Byron Bay will undoubtedly float your holiday boat. There’s a lot to recommend this secluded corner of northern New South Wales, including the glorious beaches, fabulous food scene, wealth of wellness facilities, and star-spotting opportunities. Soak in the views from beside Cape Byron Lighthouse and head for the Hinterland to wrap yourself in nature’s embrace.
Broken Hill
What does it take to have an entire town inscribed on Australia’s National Heritage List? Find out on a visit to the outback outpost of Broken Hill in the state’s far west. So imbued with history is this mining centre, that the Heritage listing was bestowed on the town holus-bolus in 2015. Established in the late 1880s on the back of the discovery of the world’s biggest lead-silver-zinc ore deposit, Broken Hill’s grand period buildings rose from the desert dust and have been immortalised in films and TV series ever since (including the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert). Broken Hill is a really long way from anywhere, so you may want to fly!
Tamworth
Home to the fabled Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth is the epicentre of the Australia’s vibrant country music scene and offers an array of engaging ways to explore the heritage of this much-loved music genre. Make your first stop the guitar-shaped Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, which houses a rotating array of memorabilia alongside the permanent Walk a Country Mile exhibition. Over on the main street, you’ll see life-size brass statues of country music legends Smoky Dawson, Slim Dusty, and Joy McKean. And few visitors leave town without snapping a selfie in front of the Big Golden Guitar at the Visitor Information Centre, which is also the home of the new National Guitar Museum.
Forbes
Basking on the banks of Lake Forbes and the Lachlan River in NSW’s Central West, Forbes has the look and feel of a town where the early streets were (figuratively) paved with gold. It was established during the gold rush of the 1860s and 70s, and would go on to become a key agricultural hub. Where there was great wealth in the 19th century, there were bushrangers — and many visitors to the region are keen to explore the stories of Ben Hall and Kate Kelly (the younger sister of bushranger Ned Kelly). Drop by Forbes Historical Museum to learn more.
Coffs Harbour
Thanks to its wonderful weather, Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast of New South Wales has long been a beach holiday hot spot. Think swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, or just planting yourself on a towel on delightful Park Beach. Take a walk across the Northern Breakwall to Muttonbird Island for birdwatching opportunities and incredible coastal views. Visiting culture vultures will love the recently opened Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM), while foodsters will adore the bustling Habourside Markets. Held every Sunday, here you’ll find everything from food trucks to fine cheese.
Mudgee
Mudgee in the Central West is another New South Wales travel destination that’s synonymous with great wine, thanks to the dozens of family-owned vineyards that ring the town — each with its own welcoming cellar door. But there’s so much more to this destination: beautiful farmland, fresh produce, fine foods, a flourishing art scene, and intriguing glimpses of Australian history. It won’t take you long to work out why this is one of the most popular places in the state right now for a country short break.
Lightning Ridge
Far flung Lightning Ridge in the state’s north draws fortune hunters from near and far, fixated on finding the rare Black Opal this region is renowned for. Quicky characters and attractions — including a self-drive tour of painted car doors — abound. A late afternoon or evening soak in the town’s naturally-heated artesian bore baths (that draw water from the Great Artesian Basin) is a lovely way to round out the day.
Browse our range of New South Wales tours and experiences here. We offer a Best Price Guarantee.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of amazing places to visit in New South Wales? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Depositphotos and Bigstock
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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