Sydney & New South Wales Holidays

Where is Sydney & New South Wales?
New South Wales is in Australia’s south east, wedged between Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. Its coastline stretches for around 1,300 miles between Byron Bay in the north and Nadgee nature reserve in the south, with pretty towns, superb beaches and national parks along much of its length. Its main hub is Sydney, which has capital-city vibes (even though it isn’t) and an impressive setting in a vast natural harbour. Its international airport is Australia’s busiest, with connections across the globe as well as internally; flights to Brisbane, for instance, take 90 minutes.

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Sydney icons
While Sydney’s irresistible appeal is down to much more than its architecture, there are iconic structures that are definitely on the not-to-be-missed list. The colossal Harbour Bridge, nicknamed ‘the Coathangar’, has been a much-loved feature since the 1930s; a guided climb of its steel arch is one for the bucket list if you’re not afraid of heights. Nearby is another icon, the modernist Sydney Opera House, designed by a Danish architect and completed in 1973. With its curved white concrete roofs, it looks like a ship in full sail – the perfect complement to its waterside location. Capture the perfect sunset view of the Opera House with the bridge behind it from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the botanical gardens.

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City beaches
Another Sydney icon is Bondi, an impressive crescent of pale sand that’s the closest beach to the centre. There are surfing breaks at either end and plenty of space in between to swim, watch the patrolling lifeguards and soak up a bit of sun. If you want to stretch your legs, a coastal track leads south from here to Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee, where the sand is generally less crowded and there are saltwater pools where you can swim and admire people surfing. Nearly as well known as Bondi, Manly Beach is flanked by Shelly Beach and Freshwater Beach on the city’s north side. Almost two miles long, it’s where the first-ever surfing contest took place in the 1960s.

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Blue Mountains
Less than two hours inland from Sydney, the Blue Mountains region is known for its dramatic rock formations, hiking trails and the eucalyptus forests that create the distinctive haze that gives the area its name. Dotted around hilltops and valleys, you’ll find attractive towns such as Katoomba, loved for its art deco houses, its alternative arts scene and the Three Sisters – a much-photographed trio of sandstone pillars on the southern outskirts. From the main viewpoint, you can make your way down a staircase into the Jamison Valley to follow its nature trails. If you’d rather be whisked above the landscape, the Scenic World complex has a cable car and an impressively steep funicular railway.

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Pacific Coast route
Take in the stunning beauty of the New South Wales coast at your own pace on a self-drive adventure from Sydney to Brisbane. If the dazzling coastal scenery of the Pacific Highway wasn’t enough to keep anyone happy, there are famous national parks, vineyards and charming towns you won’t want to leave. In Port Stevens, for instance, you can spot koalas, head out to see the resident bottlenose dolphins or make a side trip to the Hunter Valley wineries. Byron Bay has a laidback, arty vibe and a great surfing and windsurfing scene, while Coffs Harbour has lots of watersports, fine beaches and the sub-tropical rainforests and marine life of a brace of national parks.

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Sydney to Melbourne
Hugging the coast for much of the way, the classic route between Australia’s two largest cities is one of the country’s most spectacular self-drive experiences. Along its 640 miles, it provides a wealth of scenic distractions, so take your time to enjoy both the sights along it and those further inland. Pause in Jervis Bay to see if the beach really is the whitest in the world and explore a wildlife-rich national park. Detour into the mountains to an old gold-mining town or linger in a former whaling station for a glimpse of migrating humpbacks (from September to November). Canberra’s art galleries and museums are within easy reach, or you may prefer the Victorian architecture of Bendigo, a legacy of the gold rush.

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Getting around
Sydney has a pleasantly walkable city centre, and when you want to rest your feet or head a little further out to one of the beaches, for instance, there are buses, trams, a (largely) underground railway and – most fun of all – a full complement of ferries and water taxis. From Circular Quay, between the Opera House and the historic Rocks area, you can breeze to Manly Beach, head upriver to Parramatta or just enjoy the views and cool air on a cruise to and from a leafy suburb. Beyond the city limits, driving is the best option. Opt for a car to hop from hotel to hotel or bring your bed for the night with you by hiring a well-appointed campervan.

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