Sydney and beyond: Discover Australia’s most diverse state
20 amazing Australian adventures in New South Wales
Australia’s oldest state is a world unto itself, with 2,000-plus kilometres of Pacific coastline fringing a destination of enormous diversity. As well as playing home to a truly iconic world city – the irrepressible Sydney, as if you needed telling – it packs in all manner of unforgettable moments, whether you’re looking for adrenaline rushes, wildlife encounters, cultural thrills or knock-out food and wine. It’s a drop-dead gorgeous place to travel, and with Trailfinders on your side, you’re guaranteed to discover the sights and experiences that matter the most.
Culture
Twinning more than 40,000 years of human history with an innovative cultural scene, New South Wales makes for a remarkable travel destination. Its beating heart is Sydney, a city that pulses with life and excitement at all hours, pulling on influences modern and ancient to create a heady mix of its own...
1. Sydney's icons
No matter how many times you’ve seen the photos, nothing quite prepares you for standing in the sunshine at Circular Quay, with the gleaming curves of the Sydney Opera House on one side and the coat-hanger colossus of Sydney Harbour Bridge on the other. It’s a bustling city centre, but not the usual kind: here, ferries criss-cross the water, music drifts across the dockside and a warm breeze ruffles the jacaranda trees.
One of the best ways to see the city is from the harbour itself. A sightseeing cruise not only serves up sensational views of the skyline but gives you a sense of Sydney’s many different faces, from the historic buildings of the Rocks district to the contemporary bars and waterside precincts elsewhere. On Trailfinders’ Sydney & Beyond itinerary you’ll get the best of both worlds, exploring the city both on and off the water.
2. Amazing art galleries and collections
Unsurprisingly for a city with a global reputation – and more than five million oh-so-lucky residents – Sydney offers excellent arts and culture attractions. As well as the UNESCO-listed Sydney Opera House and many other live venues, it also hosts a number of superb galleries. Chief among them is the Art Gallery of NSW, which was founded in 1872 and has extensive collections of both Australian and international art. And 2022 marks a momentous year for the gallery, with the imminent opening of a new two-building extension known as the Modern Project.
Elsewhere in the city, the waterside Museum of Contemporary Art is another world-class attraction – and when you’re done being wowed by the collection, don’t miss the harbour views from the rooftop café – while the White Rabbit Gallery showcases Sydney’s cosmopolitan character, with one of the world’s largest private collections of 21st-century Chinese art.
3. Dreamtime Southern X tour
In central Sydney, there’s often more to what you’re looking at than meets the eye. On the Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour with Dreamtime Southern X, you’ll see beyond the city’s 21st-century face to learn about the living cultural heritage of the natural landscape. In the company of an Aboriginal guide, this relaxed 90-minute walkabout introduces you to the age-old spiritual connections that still exist on and around the urban waterside.
Among other things, the tour looks at seasonal flora, the creation stories of the Moon and Sun, Aboriginal saltwater people and their customs, the arrival of the first Europeans and the true meaning of the colours of the Aboriginal flag. You’ll never look at the city in quite the same way again; to gaze around and think of the layers of history still hanging over the waterside is a profound experience.
4. The Royal Botanic Garden Aboriginal tours
Occupying some 30 hectares of manicured parkland in the heart of Sydney, the Royal Botanic Garden has been part of the city’s identity for more than 200 years. Pretty ponds and rose beds give it an almost European feel, but there’s Aussie exoticism aplenty: possums scamper up the trees, fruit bats swoop through the dusk, ancient pepperberries loom and a giant Moreton Bay fig towers over the grass.
This much-loved green oasis, which rubs shoulders with the central business district, serves as an apt setting for two Aboriginal tours. The traditional owners of the area – the Gadigal – bring the past to life on the Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour with stories of their traditions and connections to the land, while the Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour does what its name suggests by exploring (and in some cases even tasting) the Indigenous bush foods that grow here in the dedicated Cadi Jam Ora garden.
5. BridgeClimb’s Burrawa Climb
There’s no missing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A giant curved arch of steel that yawns across the water, connecting the north of the city to the south, it remains one of the most recognisable sights in Australia. Two fluttering flagpoles stand at the very apex of the arch, 134 metres above the harbour, and as you’ll no doubt be aware, it’s possible to climb up to them for an unbeatable view across the city.
Less well known – but in many ways even more notable – is the Burrawa Climb, which sees you scale the heights of the bridge in the company of a story-telling Aboriginal guide. The word Burrawa means ‘upwards’ or ‘above’,
and on this three-hour experience you’ll be immersed in the heritage and beliefs of Australia’s First Nations people and learn the origins of the familiar place names by the water while revelling in 360-degree views of the city itself. It’s
a chance to see Sydney from a whole new perspective.
Coastal
New South Wales is, in many ways, a destination defined by its coast. The state has plenty of spectacular inland scenery, but there’s no avoiding the raw, soaring beauty of its long Pacific shoreline – cliffs, coves, beaches and all. Characterful coastal towns and glorious national parks are scattered along its length.
6. Sydney's beaches and coastal walks
For all Sydney’s arty neighbourhoods and lively food markets, the city is resolutely a sea-facing one. Its golden eastern-suburb beaches, with their mix of postcard good looks and big-city buzz, sum up the relaxed charms of the state capital. Bondi is synonymous with Aussie surf culture – and is arguably the most famous stretch of sand in the country – but that’s just the start. This is, after all,
a city with more than 100 beaches.
And as well as donning your swimmers and whiling away the day in the waves, there are other ways to enjoy Sydney’s famous sands. The clifftop coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi is a classic of its kind, a six-kilometre ramble past beaches, parks and rock pools, while the ferry to the outlying suburb of Manly – with its soft, sweeping beach – is not to be missed. See it all on Trailfinders’ Sydney & Beyond tour.
7. Port Stephens’ 26 bays and beaches
Sitting less than three hours north of Sydney, and famed for its beautiful bay setting, Port Stephens is the kind of dreamy seaside getaway that New South Wales excels in. Expect shimmering blue waters, serene national parks and no less than 26 powdery beaches (first time here? Try One Mile Beach and Zenith Beach for starters). Whales can be seen here from May to November, and bottlenose dolphins also swim offshore, bush trails thread along the coast and sandboarders ride the towering dunes. Little wonder that Sydneysiders love to gravitate here for long weekends.
A series of calm inlets and bays make the area perfect for snorkelling – one of many things you’ll learn when you head north on Trailfinders’ Sydney & Beyond tour – while freshly caught seafood makes the waterside restaurants a draw in their own right. And with activities as varied as mountain-biking, kayaking, horse-riding and hiking also on offer, a trip here is a chance to craft your own East Coast experience.
8. SUP with aboriginal guide in Coffs Harbour
Heading further north along the Pacific coast, where the slopes of the Great Dividing Range ease down into the ocean, you’ll find the dramatically located Coffs Harbour. It’s another fantastic spot for getting active (as well as being perfectly suited to sitting in the Aussie sunshine with a sea view and a glass of something cold), serving up everything from cycling to skydiving. For a unique Coffs experience, however, little beats the opportunity to go stand-up paddleboarding with an Aboriginal guide.
Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours runs 2.5-hour paddles around the Solitary Islands Marine Park, which lies just off the coast. In the company of a local guide (a direct descendant of the world’s first stand-up paddlers, no less), you’ll get the chance not just to immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings but to appreciate the cultural connections formed here over tens of thousands of years. If you’re doing Trailfinders’ Pacific Coastal Discovery – Sydney to Brisbane motorhome tour, this is one not to miss.
9. Surf at Bondi & Byron Bay
Australia and surfing go together like, well, sand and sea. Is there any other country so synonymous with the easy vibes and rolling waves of the surfing lifestyle? Experienced adrenaline nuts come to New South Wales to let rip in the state’s 11 officially registered National Surfing Reserves, but it’s also a great place for beginners to get familiar with the basics of the sport. You can learn to surf on Bondi Beach itself, with lessons from tour operator Let’s Go Surfing.
But as with so much where New South Wales is concerned, the state’s appeal as a surf spot lies in its variety. From Maroubra in Sydney to Lennox Head on the North Coast, and from Merewether near Newcastle to Ulladulla on the southeast coast, this is a destination that draws many wave-hunters. Among these riches, special mention has to go to another globally renowned surf site: the laid-back town of Byron Bay with its sugar-white sand and impossibly blue water, home to the legendary right-hand point break known as The Pass.
10. White beaches in Jervis Bay
Now here’s a claim to fame. Jervis Bay, the sumptuous natural harbour sitting less than three hours south of Sydney, is reportedly home to the whitest sands in the whole world. Its dazzlingly photogenic beaches set the tone for a destination that at times seems to have fallen straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. It’s home to an abundance of marine life (look out for bottlenose dolphins, little penguins, fur seals, the weedy sea-dragon and a rainbow spectrum of fish), a rugged national park and a pulse-raising range of outdoor activities, while the bay itself covers an area four times larger than Sydney Harbour. In travel terms, it’s heaven.
The even better news is that there are plenty of beaches to go round. From the limpid waters of Murrays to the bone-white quartz sands of Huskisson, the tricky part is figuring out which one to enjoy first. Whatever you decide, however, Jervis Bay is an essential stop on Trailfinders’ Sydney to Canberra –Coast & Country Loop.
Wildlife and nature
Few parts of the world are so renowned for their flora and fauna as Australia, and New South Wales – with its eye-popping scenery and its menagerie of furred, finned and feathered creatures – shows just why its reputation is such a strong one. Getting out and about in nature isn’t so much advised as obligatory.
11. Whale watching and dolphin spotting
When you think of Australian wildlife, kangaroos and koalas tend to be the first to hop to mind, but New South Wales is also a hotspot for whales and dolphins. The state’s coastline has been dubbed the Humpback Highway, thanks to the fact that some 30,000 humpback whales pass by on their annual migration between May and November, with clifftop vantage points and dedicated whale-watching trips both easy to come by. You might even spot southern right whales too.
No less notable – and even more athletic – are the state’s dolphins. Port Stephens has some 120 resident bottlenose dolphins, and the same species also frequents Jervis Bay. Up in Byron Bay, meanwhile, it’s even possible to kayak alongside these playful, streamlined creatures. Trailfinders’ Sydney to Canberra – Coast & Country Loop incorporates Jervis Bay and other long stretches of coastline, so it’s a fine option for spying cetaceans.
12. Hiking
Some cities get all the luck. Not only does Sydney have an enviable harbour setting, ravishing beaches and an all-action cultural scene, it also sits just 90 minutes from the soaring peaks and winding hiking trails of the super-sized Blue Mountains National Park. A fine walking destination, the World Heritage-listed park finds a natural home in Trailfinders’ Absolute Luxury Australia tour – the paths that range among its waterfalls, cliffs and eucalypt forests are some of the very best in the state.
Want more trails? Of course you do. Elsewhere in the state, your hiking boots will also get world-class workouts at Morton National Park – located southwest of Sydney in the Southern Highlands, and renowned for the plunging Fitzroy Falls – and Dorrigo National Park, a short way from Coffs Harbour, where the rolling landscapes are covered in Gondwana Rainforest. Wherever you’re walking, bring your binoculars for birdwatching.
13. Kangaroos at Emerald Beach
No creature is more emblematic of a trip Down Under than the bright-eyed, perky-eared kangaroo – there’s good reason why an upright red roo is so prominent on the national coat of arms. These charismatic marsupials live wild in many different parts of the state, even being seen close to Sydney, so they’re almost certain to hop into vision at some point on your travels. For a wildlife spectacle with a difference, however, you should head to Emerald Beach, a short way north of Coffs Harbour.
Here, on the wonderfully named Look At Me Now headland, you’ve got a brilliant chance of combining two Aussie icons – kangaroos and coast – into one visual extravaganza, with eastern grey kangaroos congregating to graze against a gorgeous backdrop of pale sands, green forest and blue seas. As with many wildlife encounters, it’s a good idea to time your visit for early or late in the day, when the animals are at their most active.
14. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
When exploring Port Macquarie, you won’t be short of sightings of wild koalas, but you’ll be certain to see the sleepily lovable marsupials at the town’s longstanding Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals that have been injured in the wild. The visitor attraction – which, where possible, also releases koalas back into their native habitat – gives a rare chance to see these cute creatures up close and to learn about them from the experts.
The same is true of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, which supports the conservation of the species by supporting sick, injured and orphaned koalas. Its bushland setting gives it a wild feel, and there’s a 10-metre elevated walkway, allowing you to watch the animals at tree-canopy level. You can even spend the night at the sanctuary in four-star glamping tents. All profits go towards supporting the attraction’s preservation initiatives.
15. Lord Howe Island
Lying some 600km east of the mainland, in the wilds of the Tasman Sea, tiny Lord Howe Island is an outpost of New South Wales so remote as to have a different time zone to Sydney. Unless you happen to own a yacht, the only way to reach the place is by air, but a stay here comes with serious rewards – this volcanic, World Heritage-listed island is a world of lush greenery, rainbow-hued coral reefs, gin-clear seas and a colourful array of wildlife.
The surrounding waters have been designated a marine park, meaning an almost total lack of litter and sea pollution, while 70% of the island itself is a Permanent Park Preserve. Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of what Lord Howe Island is all about, with activities focused on hiking, diving, snorkelling, wellbeing and birdwatching. Some 14 species of seabird call the island home.
Food and wine
In New South Wales, it’s easy to eat and drink well – very well. This is a state of organic produce and award-winning wines, of farmers’ markets and fresh seafood, of fusion restaurants and paddock-to-plate dining. If the way to know a destination is through its food, you’re in for a treat.
16. Sydney’s culinary scene
Sydney wouldn’t be Sydney without its eclectic culinary scene. World-class restaurants stud the city map like piped dots on a fine dining plate, but there’s far more on offer than big-budget à la cartes here. Alleyway cafes, neighbourhood pubs, brunch spots, cocktail bars, street-food stalls and produce-packed markets all play their part in creating one of the planet’s great gastronomic cities.
Much of the joy lies in Sydney’s vibrant multiculturalism, with Asian and European influences leading to some brilliant fusion menus. On Trailfinders’ Sydney and Beyond tour, you’ll have ample time to explore the city’s food and wine scene: try dining precincts such as Tramsheds, Darling Square, or Church Street in Parramatta; head to Chinatown or Thai Town for mouth-watering Asian fare; or book a table at high-end restaurants such as aptly-named Firedoor (where food is cooked over wood and coals), Bentley, with its acclaimed wine list, or Sokyo, which places Japanese elegance at the fore.
17. Waterfront dining
A truly great meal is about more than just what’s on your plate. A memorable setting is vital, and there’s no finer backdrop than the widescreen beauty of the New South Wales coast. In Sydney try places such as Sean’s, which overlooks Bondi, Icebergs which is also on Bondi and Pilu at Freshwater Beach, not to mention Woolloomooloo’s famous Finger Wharf and the princely harbour views offered by Aria and Quay. But the state as a whole has any number of unforgettable options.
Outside the city, to highlight just four of countless options, Jonah’s at Whale Beach serves exceptional food and wine in a spectacular setting above the sands; Seasalt in Terrigal on the Central Coast has a cracking Modern Australian menu and deep ocean views; the Sandbar in Batemans Bay on the South Coast pairs Japanese and French techniques with a sea-facing panorama; and Bombora, which sits above Wollongong Harbour on the South Coast, specialises in seafood dishes.
18. Australia’s oyster trail
Gourmets find no shortage of reasons to come to Australia – and to New South Wales in particular. The state is home to a large chunk of the country’s famed Oyster Coast, which can be savoured to the full by driving south from Sydney to explore the scenic rivers, lakes and estuaries that make it such prime territory for oyster farming. The star attraction is the so-called Sydney rock oyster, lauded by aficionados the world over for its intense flavour and now one of only a few indigenous oysters being farmed anywhere.
Rural towns and coastal settlements such as Berry and Batemans Bay pepper the route, which gives you the chance to indulge in all sorts of other regional delicacies, from wines and cheeses to fresh veg and seafood. Many of the oyster farms along the way are open to visitors, so as well as sampling what makes the local produce so prized, you’ll learn plenty, too.
19. Wine tasting and food pairing in Hunter Valley
It says plenty that the words ‘Hunter Valley’ are potent enough to resonate with wine-lovers half a world away. Sitting a couple of hours’ drive from Sydney, Australia’s oldest wine region has been honing its craft since the early 19th century, with its hills and vineyards still producing fine vintages. Its varieties of semillon and shiraz are particularly sought-after – and taste even better when you’re drinking them in situ.
Which brings us to the second element of Hunter Valley’s gourmet appeal. Pairing its wines with similarly high-quality food elevates the tasting experience to something approaching gastronomic bliss, and many of the valley’s 150 cellar doors have perfected the art. Trailfinders’ Sydney and Beyond tour steers you right into the region; dedicated Hunter Valley wine and food tours place you in the hands of the experts, but you’ll also find plenty to savour if you’re visiting independently.
20. Restaurants and wine in Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven
An Australian sunset. Soft colours melting over the hills. Birdsong in the dusk, a warm breeze, a bottle being poured by candlelight... New South Wales is well versed in creating moments that stay with you, and by heading out to the Southern Highlands – a wildlife-rich spread of forests and wineries, two hours south-east of Sydney – you can enjoy superb food and wine while basking in the great outdoors.
The Southern Highlands is best known for its pinot noir and sparkling varieties, as well as its fresh farm produce, and you’ll find just as many culinary treasures in the beach-lined region known as the Shoalhaven. This south coast beauty is renowned not just for its towns, villages and mountains but also for its wineries, breweries and food producers: expect everything from oysters and organic beef to peaches, nectarines and plums – a mouthwatering finale to remember New South Wales by.
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