New South Wales Guides

Whether you’re planning a short getaway from Sydney or a longer east-coast road trip, you’ll find no shortage of attractions in beautiful New South Wales.

This is a state packed with amazing bright-white beaches, beautiful rainforest hikes, stunning mountain views and pretty holiday towns.

Since I live in Sydney, I’ve been lucky enough to explore New South Wales extensively over the last few years. Browse my destination guides below to start planning a trip of your own!

1. Sydney

Sydney is where I’ve called home since 2016, and with its abundance of national parks and beaches, it’s a nature lover’s dream. To discover what to see and do in Australia’s largest city, click the button below to visit my Sydney page, or find out the best trips from Sydney in the guides below.

Best Trips from Sydney

2. Northern Rivers NSW (incl. Byron Bay)

Home to Australia’s much-loved Byron Bay, the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is blessed with beautiful beaches, bohemian towns and a hinterland that’s pretty magical. It also has a milder climate than the more southern parts of the state, so great if you want to visit somewhere warmer.

3. North Coast NSW

If you’re looking for a scenic road trip with a choice of coastal towns to explore, North Coast NSW is a fantastic option. You can stroll along the hand-painted breakwall at Port Macquarie, drive through banana plantations or enjoy city life in Coffs Harbour or enjoy beaches and scubadiving in Southwest Rocks.

4. Central Coast & Hunter Region

For an easy-to-reach getaway from Sydney, head 90 minutes north to the Central Coast, where you’ll find a string of holiday towns, coastal walks and beautiful Bouddi National Park.

Slightly further on, you can enjoy beaches and urban fun in beachside Newcastle, wineries in the Hunter Valley or dolphin cruises and amazing viewpoints in popular Port Stephens.

5. Blue Mountains & Beyond

A classic destination for a short getaway from Sydney is the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park. In less than two hours by car or train you can be transported to a world of fresh air, stunning mountain scenery and a choice of walking tracks and interesting villages.

6. Illawarra & Southern Highlands

Heading south of Sydney takes you past the Royal National Park and over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge to the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Here you can choose from a number of beachside towns nestled between the ocean and the lush Illawarra escarpment. To venture further afield, continue south along the Grand Pacific Drive and stop at the pretty coastal town of Kiama.

7. Shoalhaven (incl. Jervis Bay)

My personal favourite region for a holiday in New South Wales is the much-loved Shoalhaven coastline in and around Jervis Bay. Said to have the whitest sand in the world, Hyams Beach and its choice of nearby rivals have a serene kind of beauty that would suit any nature-loving traveller looking for a more tranquil break.

8. Eurobodalla & Sapphire Coast

Heading down towards the cooler climes near the border with Victoria lie the stunning coastal areas of Eden and Batemans Bay. Enjoy whale watching, hiking through national parks or driving along the Sapphire Coast Drive, stopping at cute little holiday towns along the way.