Tour Visitor and Source : Planet Ware - The oldest state in Australia, New South Wales is home to the nation's capital, Canberra, and one of the world's most glamorous cities: the stunning harbor city of Sydney. This sophisticated state capital wows travelers from around the world with its glittering harbor, opera house, and top-notch restaurants, galleries, and museums. Venture beyond the big city and travelers will find a state full of surprises with six of Australia's World Heritage Areas.
Topographically, New South Wales reflects the diverse landscapes of the country as a whole. The Great Dividing Range cuts through the center of the state, carving it into four natural regions: a narrow eastern coastal strip, the high tablelands and peaks of the Great Dividing Range itself; fertile farming country, which slopes gently down towards the interior of the state; and the stark beauty of the Outback to the west. Visitors can climb or ski the rugged peaks of the Snowy Mountains, visit red-earthed Outback towns, hike through rainforests and scented eucalyptus, dive the reefs of Lord Howe Island, step back in time at Norfolk Island's World Heritage historical sites, and bask on the iconic beaches fringing the coast
1. Snowy Mountains
Forming part of the Great Dividing Range, the Snowy Mountains are home to the continent's highest mountains, including 2,228 m Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak. Kosciuszko National Park here is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a popular year-round recreational area. Snowy winters lure skiers, while, in the summer, the easily accessible alpine terrain of snow gum forests and glacial lakes attracts hordes of bushwalkers, climbers, anglers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and water sports enthusiasts.
Famous for its excellent trout fishing, Jindabyne is a great base for adventures into the Snowy Mountains. Perisher Blue Ski Resort incorporates the famous Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega, and Mount Blue Cow, while Thredbo Village, at the foot of the Crackenback Range, boasts a year-round chairlift. Near the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Charlotte Pass is a great base for ski tours to the highest peaks in the Australian Alps.
2. Hunter Valley
Dotted with vineyards and farms, the picturesque Hunter Valley, about a 2-hour drive north of Sydney and an hour from Newcastle, is a favorite weekend escape. Apart from the many vineyards, highlights of the region include the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, galleries, gourmet foods, cooking schools, and vast stretches of unspoiled bushland.
At World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park, visitors can hike through the ancient rainforest and see picturesque waterfalls and a diversity of wildlife. Also in the region, Wollemi National Park, is one of the largest national parks in New South Wales. It's home to the famous Wollemi pine and offers excellent bushwalking, rock climbing, and canoeing. Accommodations in the Hunter region range from luxury spa resorts and boutique hotels to rustic cabins.
3. Byron Bay
On the north coast, the hip resort of Byron Bay is a hotspot for hippies, surfers, and New Age nature buffs. A vast stretch of golden beach fronts the ocean here, and a lovely hike along the Cape Byron Track leads to the most easterly point on the Australian continent and its famous lighthouse.
Dolphins and whales frolic in the waters, and water sports abound. In the hinterland, lies the World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park (formerly Mount Warning National Park) with tranquil rainforests and waterfalls. Byron is also known for its colorful markets as well as its health and yoga retreats, spa resorts, and luxury boutique hotels.
4. South Coast
The South Coast of New South Wales, from the southern fringe of Sydney to the Victorian border, is home to some of the state's most beautiful white-sand beaches set against the dark summits of the Great Dividing Range. Rolling green hills, lakes, inlets, and forests fringe the coast, and the climate is mild throughout the year. Strung along the beach is a series of small holiday resorts, many with fantastic fishing. Kiama is home to the world's largest blowhole and Jervis Bay is a standout with its radiant powder-soft sands. Nearby, Hyams Beach claims the world's whitest sand.
Along the Shoalhaven River, water sports are favorite. The Bega is famous for its excellent cheeses, and Merimbula and its sister village Pambula are favorite holiday spots famed for their beautiful beaches. The holiday resort of Batemans Bay is known for its crayfish and oysters as well as fantastic surfing, swimming, and fishing. One of the most southerly places on the coast is the old fishing village of Eden, once a prosperous whaling station. North and south of town lies the Ben Boyd National Park with magnificent views of reddish sandstone cliffs from Boyd's Tower, a former lighthouse.
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5. Port Stephens
About an hour drive north of Newcastle, Port Stephens is a large and beautiful blue-water bay enclosed by two volcanic headlands. Natural bushland fringes many of the 26 white-sand beaches here, and whales and dolphins are often spotted in the bay. Despite the many holidaymakers who come here in summer, beach lovers can still find a quiet stretch of coast, as well as excellent fishing and a wide range of water sports.
For panoramic views of the Port Stephens coastline, take the Tomaree Head Summit walk. The main holiday resorts are Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, but visitors can also stay at Soldiers Point, Fingal Bay, and Lemon Tree Passage. Nearby, Myall Lakes National Park encompasses one of the state's largest lake systems and is excellent for swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and boating.
6. Outback NSW
Outback New South Wales is a land of sacred aboriginal sites, harsh deserts, and haunting beauty. Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area holds records of aboriginal life dating back some 40,000 to 60,000 years. At Warrumbungle National Park, in the zone of transition between the arid areas to the west and the rainy east, spectacular rock buttresses and domes are the results of the volcanic activity. On the summits of the hills are snow gums, while deep spring-fed gorges lie in the valleys.
In addition to exploring the Outback's rugged national parks, visitors can hunt for opals at the mining towns of White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge, visit the Living Desert Sculptures of Broken Hill, and explore the rich history of Dubbo, home to the famous open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
7. Blue Mountains National Park
For more than a hundred years the Blue Mountains have been a favorite holiday resort for Sydneysiders. About 65 km west of the city, the mountains rise steeply out of the coastal plain, combining magnificent gorges, waterfalls, rock formations, and sacred Aboriginal sites with excellent tourist facilities. Named for the blue haze created by the many eucalyptus trees, the Blue Mountains region is a World Heritage Site and a haven for nature lovers with excellent hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, and mountain biking.
Top attractions in the area include Wentworth Falls; the towering sandstone rock formations called the Three Sisters; the Katoomba Scenic World with a Skyway, elevated walkway, and one of the world's steepest railways; Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah; and the Zig Zag Railway. At Jenolan Caves, the world's oldest known open cave system, visitors can view glittering stalactites and stalagmites.
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Source : Planet Ware
Topographically, New South Wales reflects the diverse landscapes of the country as a whole. The Great Dividing Range cuts through the center of the state, carving it into four natural regions: a narrow eastern coastal strip, the high tablelands and peaks of the Great Dividing Range itself; fertile farming country, which slopes gently down towards the interior of the state; and the stark beauty of the Outback to the west. Visitors can climb or ski the rugged peaks of the Snowy Mountains, visit red-earthed Outback towns, hike through rainforests and scented eucalyptus, dive the reefs of Lord Howe Island, step back in time at Norfolk Island's World Heritage historical sites, and bask on the iconic beaches fringing the coast
1. Snowy Mountains
Forming part of the Great Dividing Range, the Snowy Mountains are home to the continent's highest mountains, including 2,228 m Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak. Kosciuszko National Park here is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a popular year-round recreational area. Snowy winters lure skiers, while, in the summer, the easily accessible alpine terrain of snow gum forests and glacial lakes attracts hordes of bushwalkers, climbers, anglers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and water sports enthusiasts.
Famous for its excellent trout fishing, Jindabyne is a great base for adventures into the Snowy Mountains. Perisher Blue Ski Resort incorporates the famous Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega, and Mount Blue Cow, while Thredbo Village, at the foot of the Crackenback Range, boasts a year-round chairlift. Near the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Charlotte Pass is a great base for ski tours to the highest peaks in the Australian Alps.
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| [Snowy Mountains] - Tourvisitor.com |
2. Hunter Valley
Dotted with vineyards and farms, the picturesque Hunter Valley, about a 2-hour drive north of Sydney and an hour from Newcastle, is a favorite weekend escape. Apart from the many vineyards, highlights of the region include the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, galleries, gourmet foods, cooking schools, and vast stretches of unspoiled bushland.
At World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park, visitors can hike through the ancient rainforest and see picturesque waterfalls and a diversity of wildlife. Also in the region, Wollemi National Park, is one of the largest national parks in New South Wales. It's home to the famous Wollemi pine and offers excellent bushwalking, rock climbing, and canoeing. Accommodations in the Hunter region range from luxury spa resorts and boutique hotels to rustic cabins.
 |
| [Hunter Valley] - Tourvisitor.com |
3. Byron Bay
On the north coast, the hip resort of Byron Bay is a hotspot for hippies, surfers, and New Age nature buffs. A vast stretch of golden beach fronts the ocean here, and a lovely hike along the Cape Byron Track leads to the most easterly point on the Australian continent and its famous lighthouse.
Dolphins and whales frolic in the waters, and water sports abound. In the hinterland, lies the World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park (formerly Mount Warning National Park) with tranquil rainforests and waterfalls. Byron is also known for its colorful markets as well as its health and yoga retreats, spa resorts, and luxury boutique hotels.
 |
| [Byron Bay] - Tourvisitor.com |
4. South Coast
The South Coast of New South Wales, from the southern fringe of Sydney to the Victorian border, is home to some of the state's most beautiful white-sand beaches set against the dark summits of the Great Dividing Range. Rolling green hills, lakes, inlets, and forests fringe the coast, and the climate is mild throughout the year. Strung along the beach is a series of small holiday resorts, many with fantastic fishing. Kiama is home to the world's largest blowhole and Jervis Bay is a standout with its radiant powder-soft sands. Nearby, Hyams Beach claims the world's whitest sand.
Along the Shoalhaven River, water sports are favorite. The Bega is famous for its excellent cheeses, and Merimbula and its sister village Pambula are favorite holiday spots famed for their beautiful beaches. The holiday resort of Batemans Bay is known for its crayfish and oysters as well as fantastic surfing, swimming, and fishing. One of the most southerly places on the coast is the old fishing village of Eden, once a prosperous whaling station. North and south of town lies the Ben Boyd National Park with magnificent views of reddish sandstone cliffs from Boyd's Tower, a former lighthouse.
 |
| [South Coast] - Tourvisitor.com |
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5. Port Stephens
About an hour drive north of Newcastle, Port Stephens is a large and beautiful blue-water bay enclosed by two volcanic headlands. Natural bushland fringes many of the 26 white-sand beaches here, and whales and dolphins are often spotted in the bay. Despite the many holidaymakers who come here in summer, beach lovers can still find a quiet stretch of coast, as well as excellent fishing and a wide range of water sports.
For panoramic views of the Port Stephens coastline, take the Tomaree Head Summit walk. The main holiday resorts are Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, but visitors can also stay at Soldiers Point, Fingal Bay, and Lemon Tree Passage. Nearby, Myall Lakes National Park encompasses one of the state's largest lake systems and is excellent for swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and boating.
 |
| [Port Stephens] - Tourvisitor.com |
6. Outback NSW
Outback New South Wales is a land of sacred aboriginal sites, harsh deserts, and haunting beauty. Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area holds records of aboriginal life dating back some 40,000 to 60,000 years. At Warrumbungle National Park, in the zone of transition between the arid areas to the west and the rainy east, spectacular rock buttresses and domes are the results of the volcanic activity. On the summits of the hills are snow gums, while deep spring-fed gorges lie in the valleys.
In addition to exploring the Outback's rugged national parks, visitors can hunt for opals at the mining towns of White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge, visit the Living Desert Sculptures of Broken Hill, and explore the rich history of Dubbo, home to the famous open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
 |
| [Outback NSW] - Tourvisitor.com |
7. Blue Mountains National Park
For more than a hundred years the Blue Mountains have been a favorite holiday resort for Sydneysiders. About 65 km west of the city, the mountains rise steeply out of the coastal plain, combining magnificent gorges, waterfalls, rock formations, and sacred Aboriginal sites with excellent tourist facilities. Named for the blue haze created by the many eucalyptus trees, the Blue Mountains region is a World Heritage Site and a haven for nature lovers with excellent hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, and mountain biking.
Top attractions in the area include Wentworth Falls; the towering sandstone rock formations called the Three Sisters; the Katoomba Scenic World with a Skyway, elevated walkway, and one of the world's steepest railways; Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah; and the Zig Zag Railway. At Jenolan Caves, the world's oldest known open cave system, visitors can view glittering stalactites and stalagmites.
 |
| [Blue Mountains National Park] - Tourvisitor.com |
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Source : Planet Ware
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