Top 15 Places to Visit in NSW
Overseas travel is not much of an option right now and interstate travel can be restricted. But it’s still possible to get away and have a wonderful time travelling in your own state so for starters - here's some of the top areas to visit in NSW.
Regional areas of NSW are booming right now because everyone’s finding there’s so much to see. Visiting a regional town in NSW is the perfect getaway and it’s nice to know that at the same time, you’re supporting these communities at a time when they need it most.
It could be a good idea to avoid the school holidays though. The NRMA has reported a ‘three-fold’ increase in regional bookings compared to the same period last year, with more people booking a domestic holiday and staying longer than they normally would do.
If you’re ready for a spot of travel but you’re not sure where to go, here’s a list of the Top 16 places to visit within NSW.
Byron Bay
Yes, we know just about everyone is going to Byron Bay right now but this town is truly an Australian icon. It was a major hippie and alternative centre in the 60s and you can still the remnants of this. But now it’s a popular spot for many people taking a relaxing holiday with their families and enjoying the friendly atmosphere of the town.
There are a number of gorgeous beaches and some fantastic shops. Of course, you can do some celebrity spotting while you’re there – you might see Zac Efron (from The Greatest Showman) or you could bump into either Chris or Liam Hemsworth. So, keep your eyes peeled!
You can also visit Australia’s most powerful lighthouse which is still active and is great for a perfect view of the town.
The Snowy Mountains
Called ‘the Snowies’ by the locals, this mountain range is the highest in Australia and includes Mount Kosciuszko which is the highest peak we have at 2,228 metres above sea level.
These mountains experience large amounts of snow every winter and are great for skiing and snow sports. But what many people don’t know is they’re just as great a place to visit in summer. You can enjoy fishing for salmon or trout, hiking through pristine mountain wilderness or even cave exploring.
If you’d rather something a bit quieter, you can enjoy a local brew at one of the true-blue Aussie pubs. Or you can go for quiet bush walks and watch the local flora and fauna as many rare species found in this region. If you’re lucky, you could spot a mountain pygmy possum or a dusky antechinus!
Mungo National Park – for an Aussie outback experience
The barren landscape of Mungo National Park is starkly beautiful, formed on a chain of dried-up riverbeds and sand dunes. This area is also famous for its insight into the beginning of human life as it’s one of the oldest places outside of Africa to be continuously populated for 50,000 years.
The oldest skeleton in Australia (Mungo Man) was found here, as was the earliest example of ritual cremation (Mungo Woman). You can take a tour with an indigenous guide for a special understanding of the significance of the area in local Aboriginal culture. If you like, you can even stay overnight in an old shearer’s quarters.
Jervis Bay
It takes nearly three hours to drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay and a bit longer by public transport. This idyllic bay is home to a charming, quaint collection of small towns which are great for nature-lovers, surfers, divers and holiday-makers.
Because the area around Jervis Bay isn’t too busy with tourists, you can enjoy the experience of having this treasure of unspoiled Australian nature mostly to yourself.
It’s also a great place for dolphin-watching - or even swimming with the dolphins! It’s also a popular spot for surfing, bushwalking, horse and camel riding – as well as bicycling.
South West Rocks
South West Rocks is a beautiful small town, surrounded by lush greenery, on the Mid North Coast of NSW. It’s not far from one of the world’s best cave dives - Fish Rock Cave. The beach is stunning and the nearby Smoky Cape Lighthouse is a great, local whale-watching spot.
The rainforest just west of the town is home to loads of wallabies and swallow-tailed butterflies. The ruins of Trail Bay Gaol down near the beach is a heritage site and fossicking around here will give you some interesting insights into the convict history of Australia.
The Blue Mountains
Only an hour or so west of Sydney, these beautiful mountains are named after the blue haze which you often see when you’re looking at them from a distance. The Blue Mountains is a UNESCO World Heritage site and if you haven’t explored them thoroughly, they’re definitely worth a longer visit.
At Echo Point in Katoomba, take some time to enjoy the view of the Jamison Valley. The dramatic scenery of the rugged mountains and the deep gorges make it a fascinating example of Australian geology and nature.
From this lookout you can also see the Three Sisters – a sandstone rock formation which is perhaps the best-known Blue Mountains attraction. These three weathered sandstone peaks are an iconic formation towering more than 900 metres high.
Aboriginal legend has it they were three sisters who were turned to stone. They are most photogenic at sunrise and sunset and they’re floodlit until around 11pm each evening.
While you’re at the Blue Mountains, make sure you travel a little further west to Blackheath and take a look at the view of the Grose Valley from Govetts Leap lookout. It’s just as picturesque as the Jamison Valley and even more wild and native.
If you want to find out more information about the area, visit the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba.
Dubbo
If you’d like to visit a city which has all the charm of rural Australian life mixed with our rich colonial history, then Dubbo is the place.
Dubbo is one of our fastest-growing inland cities and more than half a million travellers visit each year. They enjoy the tantalising farm-to-table restaurants and awe-inspiring nature.
With its large open plains, the Dubbo landscape echoes many of the hallmarks of an African savannah, which is why it’s an ideal location for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. You’ll see zebras, giraffes, lions and more. It’s the closest you’ll come to an African safari in Australia!
Budderoo National Park
Located on the NSW South Coast, this national park boasts beautiful lush scenery and stunning waterfalls. Just over 100km from Sydney, Budderoo is an ideal place to get away from city. The park is great for bushwalking, birdwatching - or even a picnic.
The award-winning Minnamura Rainforest Centre, the Jamberoo Lookout and the Nellies Glen picnic areas are all great spots to check out.
Gundaroo
Gundaroo is the cutest town and one you’ve probably never heard of! It boasts boundless plains, a 200-year-old pub, a pervasive scent of burning wood and even a cider brewery!
The town’s just three hours south of Sydney and literally half an hour out of Canberra. So next time you’re visiting the country’s capital, you could detour via Gundaroo and visit.
Anna Bay
Anna Bay is a pristine, coastal town near Nelson Bay – not far from Newcastle. Anna Bay is on Birubi Beach which is over 27km long making it the longest beach in the southern hemisphere! You can even take your dog on the beach with you most times of the day.
As well as surfing, you can take a leisurely camel ride at sunset. There’s great café and restaurant within the Surf Life Saving Club overlooking the beach so you can relax, order lunch and sit back and enjoy yourself.
Newnes
Only a couple of hours outside of Sydney – on the other side of the Blue Mountains in fact - Newnes has some of the best bush walks in NSW. This makes it an ideal place for a spontaneous weekend away. There are some nice places to stay and even a small resort.
Be sure to go for a bush walk. You can go to see the historical ruined beehive coke ovens or take an equally-beautiful walk to the abandoned railway tunnel that’s now full of phosphorescent glow worms. Amazing!
Parkes
If you’re a space nerd or a sucker for all things Australian, then you simply must see ‘The Dish’. Not the film, but the actual radio telescope that the film’s based on. And it’s in Parkes, just half a day’s drive out of Sydney!
Why put such a huge - and historically important - telescope all the way out here? Because the skies are clear of pollution, making them great for stargazing. While you’re out here looking at the stars, you can also enjoy the countryside and take a rest from the city.
Mollymook
Nestled between the beach and countryside on the New South Wales south coast, Mollymook is the quintessential Australian weekend getaway for romantics, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The Shoalhaven town welcomes tourists with open arms. Internationally acclaimed chef, Rick Stein, came here and loved it so much he opened a restaurant at the Bannisters By the Sea hotel.
If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience then this is it. The restaurant has a reputation for inspired seafood excellence. It’s located on the headland with ocean views and serves the freshest and highest quality seafood in Stein’s renowned style.
On top of all this fine wine and dining, Mollymook has not one, but two gorgeous beaches so you’ll find you have loads to do just hanging around the local area. Or you could play a spot of golf at one of the two golf courses available.
Hill End
This historical town is amazing to visit and wander along the streets. You can check out the handful of historical pubs, bakeries and cafes dotted around.
Hill End’s claim to fame is it was here that the largest single mass of gold ever discovered was found. Called the Holtermann Nugget, it weighed in at 285kg. There’s still a gold mine in Hill End to visit and it’s a whole lot of fun so take a look at.
Mudgee
With loads of Australian heritage history, picturesque natural beauty and one of the best food and wine scenes in the country, Mudgee practically has it all. You can stay in town and feel surrounded by the region’s charming yesteryear vibe, or visit one of the romantic B&Bs in the rolling hillsides for a more country feel.
Mudgee is located 268km northwest of Sydney, only about three and a half hours drive along the scenic Great Western Highway. The Mudgee wineries are definitely worth a visit. You can take a tour of these and really, there’s no better way to enjoy what Mudgee has to offer.