What to See in New South Wales, Australia: 15 Places to Explore
One of the most visited states in Australia, but besides Sydney, you might be wondering what to see in New South Wales. I offer fifteen destinations to consider for your Australia trip and include how many days you’ll want to have for each.
Australia is about the same size as the continental USA, so it’s actually very spread out! If you’re only heading to Australia for a short time, you’ll want to utilize planes or stick to one area. That is where this list of what to see in New South Wales comes in handy! You can easily focus on Sydney and the state of New South Wales if you want to stick to driving.
Blue Mountains
A super easy day trip from Sydney is the Blue Mountains or you can elect to spend a night. See the Three Sisters, go rock climbing, or visit caves! Trade the city vibes for some mountains views and soak up the beautiful nature of the Blue Mountains.
I’ve visited the Blue Mountains and saw the Three Sisters with my two sisters. It’s a beautiful area and so convenient from Sydney.
The Jenolan Caves visit is something that really stands out in my memory, because it was massive and the tour guide was great! It’s a bit of a trek from the Three Sisters and be sure to check for road closures before setting out.
I’d suggest anywhere from a day trip up to 3 days for the Blue Mountains depending on what you want to see and how leisurely you want explore.
- Blue Mountains Deluxe Tour from Sydney
- Small-Group Weekend Rock Climbing Adventure from Katoomba
- Stargazing with an Astronomer in the Blue Mountains
- Blue Mountains Hiking Glow worms Cave Wildlife Spotlighting Night Adventure
- Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant
- Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges
Byron Bay
Byron Bay sits in Northern New South Wales and is only a couple hours south of Brisbane. A surfer town and popular holiday destination attracting celebrities, locals, and tourists alike!
Like most eastern coastal towns in Australia, the Winter months allow for whale watching. Take surf lessons, experience the glow-worms, or just enjoy the beautiful ocean views.
We stopped here on our east coast road trip of Australia. While we didn’t do any tours, I definitely think it’s worth a stop. I’d suggest planning for 1 to 3 days for Byron Bay.
- Hinterland Magic & Glow-worm Experience
- Behind The Bay – Explore Like a Local
- Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day
- Byron Stand Up Paddle Nature Tour
Port Macquarie
Another beautiful coastal town just over four hours drive from Sydney is Port Macquarie. Go on a coastal walk to spot Koalas in the wild (Port Macquarie has the highest population), ride a camel on the beach, enjoy all the water sports and enjoy the beautiful beaches.
We stopped here on our road trip and did a camel ride on the beach. It was quite an experience and if you’ve never ridden a camel before, the standing up part is low key terrifying. I also remember the camel pee reminding me of yellow Gatorade. Haven’t had it since actually.
Plan for 1 or 2 days here if you decide to visit.
Skywalk Lookout and Dorrigo National Park
Dorrigo National Park is a great stop for rainforest, waterfalls and scenic views. The Skywalk lookout offers panoramic views across the rainforest-covered valleys toward the coast. The easy boardwalk is a great option if you want the views without a strenuous hike.
If you have more time, explore one of the park’s rainforest walks or waterfalls. Wonga Walk leads through subtropical rainforest to waterfalls, while Crystal Shower Falls is another popular option.
Plan for at least a day in Dorrigo National Park, or use Coffs Harbour as a base if you want to explore more of the area.
Coffs Harbour
Another beautiful coastal town between Byron Bay and Port Macquarie! This one isn’t far from Dorrigo National Park either. Visit Muttonbird Island and look for whales during the winter or head to Coffs Harbour Jetty for a scenic stroll.
Head to Forest Sky Pier for a beautiful view or for a random experience head to Big Banana that has since turned into a fun park.
Overall, plan for 1 to 3 days for Coffs Harbour or longer if you use it as a base for Dorrigo National Park.
Hunter Valley
For vineyards, head to Hunter Valley which is about three and a half hours from Sydney. Take a hot air balloon ride and stay overnight at a vineyard as part of your Australia vacation. Easily add Newcastle close by or see the sand dunes of Worimi National Park if adding this to your Australia trip.
I haven’t been to this area, but my sister has and said it’s beautiful! Plan for 1 to 3 days depending on what you want to do.
- Midweek Hot Air Balloon Flight at Hunter Valley
- Spicers Vineyards Estate
- Port Stephens day tour Departing from Newcastle – Dolphins!
Newcastle
Located just north of Sydney, Newcastle is a coastal city known for its beaches, ocean pools, and waterfront. Spend a day exploring the city, relax at Nobbys Beach, walk along the coastline, or visit the historic Fort Scratchley overlooking the harbor.
It’s also a good base for exploring the Stockton Sand Dunes, which we’ll talk about next or even as a day trip to Hunter Valley. Plan for 1 to 3 days depending on your itinerary.
Port Stephens and Stockton Sand Dunes
Just north of Newcastle, Port Stephens is a beautiful coastal area known for its beaches, dolphins, whales and enormous sand dunes. It’s about 2.5 hours north of Sydney, making it a good option if you want to get out of the city and experience more of the NSW coast.
The Worimi Conservation Lands are home to the famous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, which stretch along the coast. The dunes are the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere and you can explore them by quad bike or sandboard down them!
I have not visited these sand dunes, but I did visit some on my solo trip to Fiji and White Sands National Park on my Western USA road trip was a highlight! So I definitely think these are worthwhile consideration for what to see in New South Wales, especially if you’ll be visiting this area.
- Port Stephens: Worimi Sand Dune Quad Bike Adventure
- Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding with 4WD Dune Transfer
Royal National Park, Sea Cliff Bridge and Wollongong
Just south of Sydney is Royal National Park, where you can hike, explore beaches and enjoy the coastal scenery. You can easily take a day trip from Sydney or combine it with a drive farther south.
Continue along the coast to the Sea Cliff Bridge, one of the highlights of the Grand Pacific Drive. The 665-metre bridge curves over the ocean and gives you beautiful views of the coastline.
From here, you can continue to Wollongong, a coastal city about 90 minutes south of Sydney. Spend some time at the beaches and ocean pools, explore the city or stop at Mount Keira Lookout for views over the area.
Jervis Bay
Less than three hours drive south of Sydney, you will find Jervis Bay. If you visit between May and November, go on a whale watching tour. If not, see the dolphins or kayak the beautiful waters.
Plan for 1 to 2 days only as it’s not a large town. However, I remember stopping here and enjoying the small town vibes. You can visit famous Hyams Beach, explore Booderee National Park, walk the White Sands Walk, or spend some time at beaches such as Murrays Beach and Greenfield Beach.
If you prefer a quieter coastal stop, Jervis Bay is a good option to consider instead of heading north from Sydney.
Snowy Mountains
For a completely different side of New South Wales, head to the Snowy Mountains in the southeastern part of the state. This alpine region is home to Kosciuszko National Park and Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak.
The Snowy Mountains are best known for skiing and snowboarding in winter. In warmer months, the snow melts and the area becomes a great destination for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and exploring the Australian Alps.
If you’re up for a challenge, you can hike to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, or simply enjoy the mountain scenery and alpine towns such as Jindabyne.
I haven’t visited the Snowy Mountains yet, but if you’re looking for mountains rather than beaches on your NSW trip, this is definitely an area to consider.
Plan for 2 to 4 days depending on the season and activities you want to do or book a tour from Sydney if you don’t want to plan a trip.
- From Sydney: 1-Day Thredbo Snow Adventure
- From Sydney: 2 Night/3-Day Perisher & Thredbo Snow Adventure
Broken Hill
Broken Hill is an old mining town and borders South Australia state. This part of the outback is actually much closer to Adelaide than Sydney. The city has a strong connection to Australia’s mining history, but there’s more to see than the old mines.
Visit the Living Desert State Park to see the famous Living Desert Sculptures, a collection of sandstone sculptures overlooking the surrounding desert landscape. You can also explore Broken Hill’s galleries and mining history or simply enjoy the feeling of being far away from Australia’s busier coastal cities.
Broken Hill is a particularly interesting addition if you want to experience a very different side of New South Wales beyond Sydney and the coast. Plan for 1 to 2 days if you decide to head out here.
Mungo National Park
When considering what to see in New South Wales, enjoy the Rock Formations and history of Mungo National Park for something more unique. If you’re into archeology, this place is probably already on your radar. Though this desert is in NSW, it’s a closer drive from Adelaide or Melbourne than Sydney.
Mungo National Park is also an important archaeological site, with evidence of Aboriginal occupation dating back tens of thousands of years. You can explore the landscape along the Mungo Track, visit the Mungo Visitor Centre, and learn more about the area’s Aboriginal history and natural environment.
Plan for 1 to 2 days if you visit this national park.
Sydney
There is no way to mention New South Wales without mentioning Sydney. Sydney has so much to do, that it deserves its own post. You can read more about my favorite things to do in Sydney as it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. What can I say? I have a thing for sunny weather and cities on the water!
Lord Howe Island
If you want to venture beyond mainland New South Wales, Lord Howe Island is a completely different experience. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed island is surrounded by beautiful waters and is known for snorkeling, diving, hiking and its unique wildlife. Only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at a time, helping preserve its secluded feel.
Lord Howe Island is a particularly good option if you love nature and want something more remote than the typical Australian city or road trip. I haven’t visited Lord Howe Island yet, but it is definitely on my Australia bucket list and would be an incredible addition to a longer Australia trip.
If it’s not obvious, this is an island that requires getting on a plane, so plan for 3 to 5 days if you decide to visit.
Final Thoughts on What to See in New South Wales
New South Wales is full of coastal towns, vineyards, mountains, the outback and more! Canberra, Australia’s capital is also in NSW. If you do want to venture further than Sydney, the state of New South Wales has plenty to offer!
If you’re in the planning stages, check out more Australia guides.
2 Comments