With a population of 6.7 million, New South Wales is the Australia's most populous state. Many tourists come to New South Wales to visit the state capital city of Sydney and its attractions. While much tourism is focused on Sydney and the coastal areas, the whole of New South Wales offers a multitude of experiences, with plenty of things to see and do which suit all tastes and interests, whether that be natural wonders, white sandy beaches to relax on, historical sites, or friendly country communities. From the busyness of Sydney, to the unspoilt beaches and sleepy communities of the South Coast, to the rugged Snowy Mountains, to the wineries of Mudgee and the Hunter Valley, to the red outback, to the rainforests of the North Coast and New England, wherever you spend time in New South Wales you are bound to enjoy yourself immensely. |
Attractions, Activities and Events in New South Wales
Sydney Opera House
Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece of late modern architecture. It is among the busiest performing arts centres in the world, hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. It provides a venue for many performing arts companies, including the four key resident companies Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and presents a wide range of productions on its own account.
Guided Tours run daily between 9am-5pm, Adult AUD $31.50 - $35, Family AUD $90 Additional Child AUD$12.50.
Over 40 shows per week running including Opera, dance, theatre, music and comedy.
The Opera House also houses numerous restaurants and cafes, as well as a souvenir shop.
Source: Sydney Opera House Official Website
Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece of late modern architecture. It is among the busiest performing arts centres in the world, hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. It provides a venue for many performing arts companies, including the four key resident companies Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and presents a wide range of productions on its own account.
Guided Tours run daily between 9am-5pm, Adult AUD $31.50 - $35, Family AUD $90 Additional Child AUD$12.50.
Over 40 shows per week running including Opera, dance, theatre, music and comedy.
The Opera House also houses numerous restaurants and cafes, as well as a souvenir shop.
Source: Sydney Opera House Official Website
Western Plains Zoo
With over 3sq km of wild and wonderful bushland and 700 animals, Taronga Western Plains Zoo offers a safari adventure right in the heart of NSW. Whether you stroll across the grasslands or hire bikes or carts, it’s a fun way to spend time with family and friends, away from it all. Visit the cafe, Information Centre and Souvenir Shop while your there. Open every day of the year from 9am to 4pm. The entry fee includes two consecutive days admission, to give you ample time to explore all the Zoo has to offer. Last entry to the Zoo circuit is at 4pm.
Adults: AUD$46, Children (4-15 years): AUD$23, Children under 4 go free.
The zoo is large, so plan your visit, or better, come back again the next day. Different animals are active at different times of the day also!
Source: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Official Website
With over 3sq km of wild and wonderful bushland and 700 animals, Taronga Western Plains Zoo offers a safari adventure right in the heart of NSW. Whether you stroll across the grasslands or hire bikes or carts, it’s a fun way to spend time with family and friends, away from it all. Visit the cafe, Information Centre and Souvenir Shop while your there. Open every day of the year from 9am to 4pm. The entry fee includes two consecutive days admission, to give you ample time to explore all the Zoo has to offer. Last entry to the Zoo circuit is at 4pm.
Adults: AUD$46, Children (4-15 years): AUD$23, Children under 4 go free.
The zoo is large, so plan your visit, or better, come back again the next day. Different animals are active at different times of the day also!
Source: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Official Website
Jenolan Caves
One of Australia’s national treasures - the world’s oldest and Australia’s most awe-inspiring caves, with dazzling formations and pure underground rivers. Draped with limestone crystal, each extensive cave is astonishing in its own way. Some are enormous and hung with colossal formations millions of years old. Others are intimate and mysterious, forested with the most delicate crystal. Located in the Blue Mountains, 175 kilometres west of Sydney.
Daytime and Nighttime tours run daily starting at 9am. Timetable.
Tour prices start from Adults AUD$32, Children (7-11 years) AUD$22, Family Passes AUD$75.
When you visit Jenolan Caves, you have a choice of places to buy food, including the award-winning Chisolm's Restaurant, food is however not permitted inside the caves.
Source: Jenolan Caves Official Website
One of Australia’s national treasures - the world’s oldest and Australia’s most awe-inspiring caves, with dazzling formations and pure underground rivers. Draped with limestone crystal, each extensive cave is astonishing in its own way. Some are enormous and hung with colossal formations millions of years old. Others are intimate and mysterious, forested with the most delicate crystal. Located in the Blue Mountains, 175 kilometres west of Sydney.
Daytime and Nighttime tours run daily starting at 9am. Timetable.
Tour prices start from Adults AUD$32, Children (7-11 years) AUD$22, Family Passes AUD$75.
When you visit Jenolan Caves, you have a choice of places to buy food, including the award-winning Chisolm's Restaurant, food is however not permitted inside the caves.
Source: Jenolan Caves Official Website
Sydney Harbour Cruise
Sydney Harbour by night with Captain Cook Cruises....aboard Sydney's most prestigious cruise ship MV Sydney 2000. Four decks, five dining rooms and a range of menu and entertainment options for every event and budget. An experience not to be missed!
During Lunch & Dinner Cruises a photographer will take photos of your group and have the pictures available for purchase at the end of the evening. There is no obligation to buy.
Captains Club Dinner Cruise includes a 3 course Contemporary Australian a la carte menu, great live music and dancing and million dollar views!
AUD$139 per adult. Child fares available (5-14 years).
Cruises depart year round. 7.30pm, Disembark 10.30pm.
Source: Captain Cook Cruises Website
Sydney Harbour by night with Captain Cook Cruises....aboard Sydney's most prestigious cruise ship MV Sydney 2000. Four decks, five dining rooms and a range of menu and entertainment options for every event and budget. An experience not to be missed!
During Lunch & Dinner Cruises a photographer will take photos of your group and have the pictures available for purchase at the end of the evening. There is no obligation to buy.
Captains Club Dinner Cruise includes a 3 course Contemporary Australian a la carte menu, great live music and dancing and million dollar views!
AUD$139 per adult. Child fares available (5-14 years).
Cruises depart year round. 7.30pm, Disembark 10.30pm.
Source: Captain Cook Cruises Website
Beach, Boats & Beer Tour
This tour has it all! Not to be missed! With Port Stephens 4WD Tours. Visit the Stockton Bight sand dunes for a fully escorted 4WD Tour. Travel along the sand dunes, 32 kilometres of beach, Have a go at Sand-boarding!
Depart the dunes and travel to Nelson Bay. Board Moonshadow for your Dolphin Watch tour of scenic Port Stephens. Lunch is a freshly prepared buffet. After your cruise meet your friendly guide to transfer you to Murrays Brewery. Taste the local beers and boutique wines on site.
Transport available to and from accommodation.
Adults AUD$198, Children AUD$158.50. All inclusive.
Tours depart 8am, finish approx 4.30pm.
Source: Port Stephens 4WD Tours Website
This tour has it all! Not to be missed! With Port Stephens 4WD Tours. Visit the Stockton Bight sand dunes for a fully escorted 4WD Tour. Travel along the sand dunes, 32 kilometres of beach, Have a go at Sand-boarding!
Depart the dunes and travel to Nelson Bay. Board Moonshadow for your Dolphin Watch tour of scenic Port Stephens. Lunch is a freshly prepared buffet. After your cruise meet your friendly guide to transfer you to Murrays Brewery. Taste the local beers and boutique wines on site.
Transport available to and from accommodation.
Adults AUD$198, Children AUD$158.50. All inclusive.
Tours depart 8am, finish approx 4.30pm.
Source: Port Stephens 4WD Tours Website
Surfest - 12 Feb 2014 - 23 Feb 2014
Head to Newcastle’s Merewether Beach for Surfest in early March. Born in 1985 to promote Newcastle’s beautiful surfing beaches, Surfest has grown into Australia’s biggest surfing festival. There are few cities in the world beyond Newcastle that can say their city centre is surrounded by eight beaches. Merewether, Newcastle, Nobbys, and Bar Beach in particular are popular surfing and fishing locations, and are conveniently located close to the city centre.
Running for 13 days, it is Newcastle's only annual international sporting event and attracts more than 200 surfers, with many coming from around the globe.
Just a two hour drive up the F3 or a train ride north of Sydney.
Source: Surfest Official Website , VisitNSW.com
Head to Newcastle’s Merewether Beach for Surfest in early March. Born in 1985 to promote Newcastle’s beautiful surfing beaches, Surfest has grown into Australia’s biggest surfing festival. There are few cities in the world beyond Newcastle that can say their city centre is surrounded by eight beaches. Merewether, Newcastle, Nobbys, and Bar Beach in particular are popular surfing and fishing locations, and are conveniently located close to the city centre.
Running for 13 days, it is Newcastle's only annual international sporting event and attracts more than 200 surfers, with many coming from around the globe.
Just a two hour drive up the F3 or a train ride north of Sydney.
Source: Surfest Official Website , VisitNSW.com
Byron Bay International Film Festival - 28 Feb 2014 - 9 Mar 2014
Byron Bay International Film Festival is an independent celebration of the world's best cutting-edge films that symbolise diversity, inclusion, authenticity and evolution. Showcases and supports Byron Bay's avid film community, which is home to the greatest concentration of film makers in Australia outside metropolitan areas.
A ten-day festival offering an amazing range of events and film options.
Highlights include Gala Red Carpet events and the Full Moon Beachside Screening.
Ticket prices start from $7 for screenings to $50 for Red Carpet Gala celebrations.
Source: Byron Bay Film Festival Official Website
Byron Bay International Film Festival is an independent celebration of the world's best cutting-edge films that symbolise diversity, inclusion, authenticity and evolution. Showcases and supports Byron Bay's avid film community, which is home to the greatest concentration of film makers in Australia outside metropolitan areas.
A ten-day festival offering an amazing range of events and film options.
Highlights include Gala Red Carpet events and the Full Moon Beachside Screening.
Ticket prices start from $7 for screenings to $50 for Red Carpet Gala celebrations.
Source: Byron Bay Film Festival Official Website