New South Wales is home to many must-visit towns, known for their history, culture, scenery and amazing food and wine. From romantic weekends, to family fun, to road trips and scenic adventures, there is a town for everyone to enjoy. Read on for a few NSW favourites to add to your travel bucket list.
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage Area containing some of Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, including the Three Sisters, Jenolan Caves, Wentworth Falls and many scenic hiking and heritage trails. If it is your first visit to the Blue Mountains, I would recommend taking a guided tour. A special way to experience this popular NSW town and its attractions is through Scenic World. Containing the world’s steepest passenger train, Scenic World offers incredible nature-based experiences for visitors to the Blue Mountains, including:
There is also something very special coming to Scenic World on November 27 that you won’t want to miss! Take a trip back in time to 65 million years ago and explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs at the bi-annual Dinosaur Valley event. With life-sized dinosaurs, an open-air fossil museum, the world’s steepest railway and more, get your tickets today!
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is located on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, and is known for its bohemian vibe, artistic culture, stunning beaches and food scene. It is visited by many travellers in Australia, making it an extremely popular NSW town. Something that makes the town extra special is the Cape Byron Bay Lighthouse. Watching the sunrise here, over the Pacific Ocean, makes you the first to see it in the whole of Australia. A must do for travellers. You won’t be able to leave Byron Bay without experiencing its artistic culture. A trip to Beach Hotel for some live entertainment should do the trick. Or perhaps a visit to the Byron Bay markets for some homegrown and handmade local goods.
Sydney
Sydney is a must see town for tourists in Australia. Loved for its stunning harbour, busy beaches, buzzing nightlife and fun-filled experiences, Sydney is a popular NSW town for locals and tourists of all ages. It is impossible to write about every must-do activity in a single blog post, but I will list some of the most popular below.
- Watch the Vivid light show on Sydney Harbour
- Ride rollercoasters and play carnival games at Luna Park
- Swim or sunbake at the world famous Bondi Beach
- Come face-to-face with gorillas and Sumatran tigers at Taronga Zoo
- Enjoy a meal on the waterfront in Barangaroo
Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is located on the South Coast of New South Wales, in the Shoalhaven Region. Its white sand beaches, clear blue water and food scene, amongst many other things, make it an extremely popular NSW town for both locals and tourists alike. There are many ways to experience this scenic seaside town, including kayaking with the dolphins, enjoying a seafood meal on the waterfront, swimming with the whales or visiting the National Park. The best part about Jervis Bay is, of course, its beaches. Below are some of Jervis Bay’s best:
The Hunter Valley
If you like wine, The Hunter Valley is the perfect destination for you! Located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, and home to over 120 wineries, The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine growing region. Known not only for its wine, but also its delicious local restaurants, it is a popular NSW town for wine lovers, foodies and many types of travellers. Wine tours are a must-do in The Hunter Valley, admire the vineyards, meet the winemakers and most importantly, taste the many different types of wine on offer. Another experience that must not be missed, is a hot air balloon flight over the picturesque wine regions.
Coffs Harbour
Located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour is loved by travellers for its gorgeous beaches, tourist attractions and abundant marine life. Coffs Harbour is renowned for its family friendly experiences, making it a popular NSW town to visit. See the famous Big Banana Fun Park, the biggest theme park between Sydney and the Gold Coast. The kids will love you for it. If wildlife is more your thing, get up close to the dolphins, turtles and penguins at Dolphin Marine Conservation Park or walk among 400 live butterflies at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.
New South Wales is home to many must-visit towns, known for their history, culture, scenery and amazing food and wine. From romantic weekends, to family fun, to road trips and scenic adventures, there really is a town for everyone to enjoy. I hope you’ve discovered some new NSW favourites to add to your travel bucket list. What other towns do you love to visit?
