When people think of thrilling adventures and adrenaline pumping activities, mixed with beautiful beaches and extraordinary wildlife, they think of one place — Australia.
It’s one of those countries that achieves the dichotomy between a laid-back lifestyle on the beach, and a culture of daring adventure and extreme sports. And if there’s one State which should be on every travelers list it’s New South Wales; an amalgamation of old-world charm and modern city vibe.
In exploring NSW, you’ll discover colonial history, and cultural heritage and traditions from one of the oldest aboriginal cultures in the world. Along with some of Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes and famous national parks. Though it combines this with the glamour of city living.
Why New South Wales Should Be Part of Every Trip to Australia
Watch the Whales at Stanwell Tops
Southern Hemisphere whales migrate north for the winter, meaning NSW in May holds fantastic opportunities for whale watching allowing tourists to catch a sight of them breach and splash.
Whales can be spotted along the coastline from the headlands, or via whale watching tours by boat or air. The whales pass very near many parts of Australia during their quest to breed. There is a free smartphone app to get the latest whale sightings, record your own, and learn more about these amazing mammals.
Just practice caution if planning on jumping in after them – more than whales that occupy Australian waters!
Kiama Blowhole is a Unique Stopover
From the famous Kiama Blowhole and gorgeous beaches to exhilarating walks and excellent fishing, Kiama is a wonderful seaside escape.
The town is on the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive touring route or travel by train from Sydney or Wollongong along the beautiful NSW South Coast. One of the most popular attractions is its blowhole – a natural rock formation that spouts seawater 20 metres or more into the air.
That said, there are many more intriguing and spectacular things to do and see in Kiama, from the gorgeous beaches to the exhilarating Kiama Coast Walk.
Take in The Snowy Mountains
You might be scratching your heads with this one: snow in Australia? But that’s exactly what it is! The Snowy Mountains are a fabulous place to experience winter in Australia, and Australia’s most popular snow holiday destination is Perisher Blue – the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere.
Set amidst the picturesque Kosciusko National Park, Perisher has four resort parks and 47 lifts, and terrain which attracts the world’s best skiers and snowboarders as well as local enthusiasts who travel to enjoy the snow.
The main skiing period is in July and August, with the official season running from the second weekend in June to the first weekend of October. But you can also travel to the mountains during summer to enjoy hiking, biking, or fishing.
Walk Through Minnamurra Forest
After spending time out at sea or in the mountains, you might appreciate a change of scenery. So we recommend heading to Minnamurra Forest in Budderoo National Park. It is just a 15 minute drive from Kiama in the shadow of the Great Dividing Range.
This stunning national park features walking tracks and spectacular waterfalls including Carrington Falls, a 15-minute walk from the picnic area that leads you to several spectacular lookouts. Nellies Glen is an idyllic little swimming hole where you can stand beneath the waterfall.
In the rainforest you’re likely to see elusive lyrebirds, eastern water dragons, swamp wallabies and a host of bird species which make Minnamurra their home. There is an elevated boardwalk which winds towards the escarpment and across Minnamurra Rivulet, taking you right into the 400-hectare rainforest. It is one of the best places to get yourself in touch with nature and see a very diverse set of flora and fauna.
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Photo credits: Featured photo by Tommy Miller. Skiing by Trysil.
14 Comments
I think that the most intriguing part would be the whale watching for me! As a biologist, I find whales to be the most interesting mammal species!
NSW has a great migration season when it comes to Whales – we saw two humpacks last year while walking along the coast, fairly easy to spot from the beach and the headlands :) You would love it as a biologist! Hope you have the chance to travel soon :)
I love Australia too but haven’t checked out Nee South Wales yet. Thanks for the recommendations!
Recently I went to explore Darwin and around, it’s amazing! Have you caught the sunset at Kakadu? It’s the best sunset I’ve ever seen! Check out the post if you like to find out more :)
http://gogobudgettravel.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-kakadu-national-park/
Haven’t yet made it to Darwin! Which is probably a crime as an Australian myself! We’re itching to go though, we’ve spent time in the southern part of the Northern Territory, exploring Alice Springs and Uluru, but Darwin and it’s national parks are on our list. Thanks for your link!
Definitely consider NSW for your next trip :)
Australia is a place for lovers of the outdoors. Its beautiful and varied landscapes act like a magnet to nature lovers. NSW is really amazing, I think you have everything from beaches to snowy mountains to verdant forests. Actually it looks like it is a microcosm of Earth itself. Hope to get there someday.
Beautifully said! Absolutely, NSW is such a beautifully diverse State that you could spend many lifetimes just exploring this one corner of the country!
Hope you do have the chance to visit someday :)
I had heard about the snow in NSW before I arrived, but it always seemed such an abstract concept. I stayed in the Southern Highlands though for a few months a few years ago, and we had snow on a number of occasions.
I remember one time when I came out of the hotel and there were about 80 kangaroos milling about in the snowy fields. Definitely not something you see every day! :)
Definitely not part of the great Aussie stereotype!! But we do see snow occasionally, and there’s a pretty reliable season once you get into the Snowy Mountains and Perisher Blue :)
So glad you enjoyed your time in NSW! Hope to see you back again soon!
Ah my home town! I love the royal national park and the south beaches!
You have a wonderful backyard! We’re a little further south in Canberra :)
I think the beautiful part is the Snowy Mountains for me. I want to learn how to ski. Looks adventurous!
Snowy Mountains are a great place for it! Adventure is everywhere :)
This is important because everyone seems to only want to travel to Queensland!
So glad you enjoyed the post – so many incredible places in NSW, we love roadtripping :)