10 Things To Do In New South Wales For An Exhilarating Staycation In 2024

23 Mar 2023

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Cover Image Credit: Wikipedia

New South Wales, an Australian state is set apart by its several national parks and coastal cities. Sydney is the capital of this state which houses two most famous places – Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Along the coastal line, you will find long beaches for surfing. Take pleasure in an astonishing range of NSW attractions, from beautiful beaches to splendid national parks, camping, visiting exquisite wine regions, and taking road trips like the Grand Pacific Drive.

There is enthralling heritage this place has to offer besides natural wonders and great adventures to experience. You can experience a lot of things to do in New South Wales that are made to create lasting memories.

10 Best Things To Do In New South Wales

Here is the list of most popular things to do in New South Wales on your staycation in Australia:

1. North Head

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Located near central Manly, North Head provides spectacular cliffs, secluded beaches, lookouts, beautiful paths through the native bush, and extensive views of the harbor, the ocean had the city. It is a great place to explore by foot or bike alongside the Manly Walkway. Get a map and plan your path through the area, which absorbs former military barracks, a quarantine cemetery, WWII gun substitutes and memorial walk honoring the military of Australia. Fairfax Lookouts provide vivid cliff-top viewpoints.

North Head is considered to have been utilized as a ritual site by the Camaraigal people. The majority of the headland has become a division of Sydney Harbour National Park.

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2. Montague Island

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Small penguins reside on this island from September-February and whales can be seen during September-November. You need to book in advance for tours. Boat operators help combine island visit, whale watching and snorkeling. You can enjoy diving and snorkeling due to the fur seals presence underwater, whose acrobatics are enthralling to watch. You need to be wary of the fact that seals enjoy speeding in the direction of unwary snorkelers before they veer off course at the last minute.

3. Taronga Western Plains Zoo

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This star attraction in Dubbo is one of the finest zoos in Australia. You can go for a walk, ride a bike for hire, explore the place in a cart, or drive your car and get out at fields along your way. The guided walks begin at 6.40 am during weekends, with extra walks allowed in school holidays. Book in advance for magnificent lodging packages or special animal encounters – spend your night in a cabin, at a bush camp, or in lodges that represent safari style to overlook savannah.

4. Dine At Fleet

Image Credit: Nenad Maric for Pixabay
This is one of the most offbeat dining destinations in Australia that seats only 14 people for a common dining in its stylish space. The hospitality is genuine and makes sure that you feel that you are sitting among your friends. The menu comprises of foraged ingredients at times, and you get small dishes that have a punchy flavor from the open kitchen. You need to book one month early. If you happen to miss the booking, you can visit the walk-in spot located in the bar after 8.30 pm.

5. Jenolan Caves

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Located far from Blue Mountains tourist attractions, the Jenolan Caves is one among the easily accessible, most complex and extensive systems – a huge network that is explored till to date. The caverns are an impressive sight with a river, wide subterranean spaces, and weird limestone formations. You can visit the caves all through the day, however, booking early is recommended, else you might have to wait during busy periods, particularly if you go as a group.

There are 3 tours – Chifley Cave which has spectacular formations and many crystals and is appropriate for everyone; Imperial Cave, the easiest place to explore by foot; and Lucas Cave, that has numerous steps but many visual highlights. There are no public transports available to reach the caves. You need to book a trip with the tour companies.

6. Art Gallery of New South Wales

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With its modern rear and neoclassical Greek outlook, this adored institution plays a huge role in the society of Sydney. There is a brilliant collection of art in Australia, that includes a significant indigenous section. The gallery hosts concerts, lectures, celebrity talks, screenings and several children’s activities. A range of guided tours is provided in different languages and themes for free.

You can enquire at the gallery desk for more details. The permanent collection has a striking collection of 19th century Australian and European art. The assortment of 20th-century Australian art and modern indigenous gallery situated in the art gallery basement are some of the highlights of this place.

7. Ku Ring Gai National Park

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This stunning park is situated over a land of 14,928 hectares and forms the northern boundary of Sydney. It is a standard mix of bush land, sandstone and water views, seeping in more than 100 km of coastline over the Broken Bay’s southern edge, where it lead straight into Hawkesbury River. The Barrenjoey headline situated at Palm Beach is a part of this park as well.

This park derived its name from the primary inhabitants, the Guringai People who were wiped out after colonisation through bloodshed by the settlers and also due to shattering smallpox introduction. Remainders of pre-colonial native life are still visible today owing to the preservation of 800 sites that include middens, cave art and rock paintings.

8. Chinatown

Dixon St is the centre of Chinatown – a shady, narrow pedestrian mall which has numerous restaurants and unrelenting spruikers. The ornamental lions, the golden Chinese calligraphy, and the ornamental dragon gates that have artificial bamboo tiles are said to keep bad spirits away.
Chinatown is a wonderful eating place which extends effectively for numerous blocks south and north of this place, and segues into Thai town and Koreatown in the east. Actually, this is the 3rd Chinatown of Sydney; the first one was located in the Rocks during the 19th century before it got moved to the Darling Harbor end of Market St.

9. Worimi Conservation Lands

Situated at Stockton Bight, these lands are the longest shifting dunes in the whole southern hemisphere that stretches for 35 km. The conventional owners who are managing the area now, tourists are able to go around and drive on the beach. You can obtain permits from various places including the Nelson Bay’s NPWS office, the Anna Bay BP petrol station and the Port Stephens visitor centre.

It is very well possible to lose sight of any life sign or the ocean when you get surrounded by sparkling sand. As stunning and impressive this place is, it is the Worimi’s rich cultural heritage that turns these lands into a truly unique and exceptional place. This area has various shell middens some of which date back to 10,000 years. There are various tour operators who provide sand boarding and camel ride experiences to tourists.

10. Coolangatta Estate

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This place was established over the 19th-century estate that brews wine. Since 1990, the estate has bottled its stone-fruit scented Savagnin and creamy Semillons. The wine is incredible and the experience of cellar-door is casual and friendly. It is situated on the estuary’s north side, just 13 km from Bomaderry. You can stay around for a plate of lunch, with oysters, ceviches, and cheese, all matched to a Coolangatta wine. The estate provides great accommodation as well in convict-built constructions

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Whether you are looking forward to an adventure holiday, a family holiday or a weekend getaway, you will find numerous things to do in New South Wales. The fabulous concerts, food festivals, music festivals, busy farmers markets, fascinating exhibitions and museums are some of the best places to visit in New South Wales. You can also engage in thrilling sports. When you plan your vacation to this vibrant place, make sure you check the vivid events calendar to know more about all the specialties it has to offer and choose the ones that best suit your travelling objective.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In New South Wales

What does New South Wales have to offer its visitors?

It is the most popular state of Australia. There are numerous regional and urban delights on offer for travellers to enjoy. From enjoying the best tea in the Chinese Gardens to conversing with the jovial hippies in Byron Bay, you will make numerous fond memories and meet several interesting people in your trip around this state.

Where is Montague Island situated?

This small island is situated nine km from Narooma, where you can see fur seal play and various bird species wheel in the clouds.

How to reach New South Wales from Brisbane?

Road travel amounts to 730 km. If you travel on a flight, you can reach New South Wales in just one hour.

What is the best time to visit New South Wales?

Explore the diverse state of Australia during any time of the year. The autumn and spring are the two best times to travel around this state since the daytime is generally stunning with the temperature being in the mid 20’s and staying in double digits at night.