Best Places to Visit in New South Wales: 11 Picks

by | Aug 4, 2023 | Australia, Travel Bucket Lists, Travel Guides

Dynamic metropolitan, stunning powdery beaches, and vegetation-cloaked mountains are the building blocks of New South Wales. This southeastern Australian state welcomes travelers to get an adventure of a lifetime. Get ready to soak up the sun on the beaches, enjoy Sydney’s fantastic nightlife, or spot some kangaroos in a national park. With its myriad of dazzling destinations, it’s challenging to choose a few to visit in New South Wales. Well, relax as we are going to show you the 11 best places to visit in New South Wales, Australia

Best Places to Visit in New South Wales

  1. Byron Bay
  2. Kangaroo Valley
  3. Sydney
  4. Coffs Harbour
  5. Blue Mountains
  6. Lord Howe Marine Park
  7. Orange
  8. Jervis Bay Marine Park
  9. Port Stephens
  10. Central Coast
  11. Tuncurry

Byron Bay

best places to visit in New South Wales Byron Bay

Spend a sparkling summer in the jubilant seaside city of Byron Bay. This small Australian city becomes home to gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and laidback city centers. Moreover, Byron Bay houses an iconic lighthouse, standing on a dramatic cliff overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Cape Byron Lighthouse dates back to the 19th century and becomes one of the most enchanting landmarks in New South Wales. 

There are a lot of things to do in Byron Bay. You can explore the small city and soak up its quirky atmosphere. Boutique shops selling hippie-themed items, colorful bars, and popping Sunday market line up the city. Other than that, you can get the best out of Byron Bay’s beaches. Define your tan on a sunbed, dip yourself in the crystal-clear waters, or hop on a kayak. Therefore, Byron Bay is one of the unmissable places to visit in New South Wales. 

Kangaroo Valley 

places to visit in NSW Kangaroo Valley
Source: Visit NSW

Nature lovers will love this Australian city! Surrounded by forest-cloaked hills and spectacular fringed cliffs, Kangaroo Valley offers a myriad of fantastic outdoor activities. Get ready to explore jaw-dropping waterfalls, hidden behind lush valleys and eucalyptus forests. Wander around state-owned tropical rainforests and feel the therapeutic sounds of nature heal your soul. Moreover, you can also spot wild wombats and kangaroos while setting up a tent in Bendeela Campground. With its gorgeous nature, Kangaroo Valley is one of the best places to visit in New South Wales. 

Recharge your energy after an adrenaline rush by heading to Kangaroo’s Valley city center. Lined with small, rodeo-style buildings, the town looks unparalleled and nostalgic. Kangaroo Valley is known as a foodie destination, offering a wide choice of bakeries, tea shops, and restaurants. Make sure to grab some fresh-baked pies at Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop. Also, have a fantastic dinner of perfect-grilled steak and cheese platters in a local-run restaurant. 

Sydney

places to visit in New South Wales

Nothing matches Sydney’s spectacular atmosphere and facade. This capital of New South Wales is recognized as one of the best cities in the world. Stunning harbor side promenades, the eye-catching Sydney Opera House, sparkling beaches, and dazzling skyscrapers make Sydney unmatched. Not to mention, the city houses incredible restaurants, an amazing nightlife scene, and impressive art galleries. There is no such thing as ‘dozing off’ when you are visiting Sydney! 

Visiting Sydney means enjoying the best of nature and the metropolitan. Walk through the Opera House’s promenade as the sun sets while waiting for the opera show. Stop by some art galleries and admire contemporary art pieces. Additionally, visit the Taronga Zoo and see Australia’s adorable species. You can also wrap up the day by going to a crazy party at Sydney’s center. Therefore, Sydney is one of the best places to visit in New South Wales. 

Coffs Harbour 

New South Wales never runs out of incredible coastal cities and Coffs Harbour is one of them. This sunny coastal city speaks a lot about a wholesome family holiday. It is home to Big Banana, a kid-friendly amusement and water park. However, this city is enjoyable for all ages. You can find a lot of interesting things to do, especially nature-related. 

Coffs Harbour’s glimmering ocean and body of water are welcoming you to try out fantastic activities. You can swim, kayak, standup-paddleboard, and do fishing in several spots in the city. Moreover, get ready to be captivated by the flawless beaches in the city. Besides that, nature lovers will be crazy about Coffs Harbour’s national parks. Get a birds-eye view of verdant rainforest canopies at Dorrigo National Park or explore the beautiful Gibraltar Range. With all it has to offer, Coffs Harbour is one of the best places to visit in New South Wales. 

Blue Mountains

Just as the name suggests, it is a paradise for outdoor junkies! Blue Mountains serves you an extraordinary scene of uniquely-shaped rock formations, jungle-clad limestone cliffs, and rolling valleys. Moreover, it welcomes you for a wholesome outdoor adventure. Whether you want to hike through the winding hills or go for an adrenaline rush by rock climbing, you can find something special in the Blue Mountains. 

Spend your time exploring the breathtaking area. You can walk through long bushwalks and enjoy the scenic view along the way. Moreover, make sure to see the Three Sisters. This majestic rock formation will look good on your Instagram feeds! Moreover, if you are looking for a place to unwind and stay close to nature, you can stay in a lodge or cottage in the forest area. Therefore, the Blue Mountains is one of the best places to visit in New South Wales. 

Lord Howe Marine Park

places to visit in new south wales Australia Lord Howe Marine Park

Imagine seeing a humpback whale doing a big jump or swimming through bright-colored corals. Those are what you can get in this spectacular marine park. Located 600km off the coast of New South Wales, Lord Howe Marine Park is unspoiled and incredible. As it is far from the mainland, not many travelers go to this area. However, the marine park will make you fall in love at first sight. 

You will understand why David Attenborough films his documentary in this marine park. A school of colorful fishes swim through anemones and bright corals. Turtles glide along the gentle movements of the waves. Moreover, a myriad of bird species roam around the island. Do you want to experience a hidden side of New South Wales or Australia? Then, go for them in a safe and authentic way with Australia travel buddies at JoinMyTrip! 

Orange

Orange Australia places to visit in NSW

Dear foodies, this one is for you! Stretching around 206km from Sydney, this city will surprise you with its winding vineyards and great culinary scene.  Orange is the wine capital of New South Wales, in which you can sample delightful, locally-crafted wines. Moreover, the city will blow your mind with its enchanting scene of the mist-cloaked Mount Canobolas.

Visiting Orange means going for amazing wine-tasting sessions. Sample some delicious chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, and merlot in the region. Pair them with some tasty dishes, such as grilled chicken and pasta, to experience Orange’s spectacular culinary scene. Besides that, you can also pay a visit to several of the 40 local winemakers in the area. Therefore, Orange is one of the most interesting places to visit in New South Wales.

Jervis Bay Marine Park 

Another amazing marine park to visit in New South Wales is Jervis Bay Marine Park. It is home to an abundance of marine species, from angelfish to bottleneck dolphins. Moreover, the marine park wants nothing less than enormous, as it covers an area of 215 km squares. It will make everyone who loves wildlife and nature happy. 

There are so many things to do in Jervis Bay Marine Park. You can hop on a ferry and go see some wild dolphins, jumping and doing attractions above the surface. Moreover, you can also witness impressive whales during their migration season. Also, don’t miss the marine park’s spectacular underwater life by snorkeling or diving. Therefore, Jervis Bay Marine Park is one of the most interesting places to visit in New South Wales.

Port Stephens

Port Stephens places to visit in NSW
Source: Port Stephens Official Website

Every day is nature day in New South Wales and Port Stephens affirms that. Fringed with flawless coastlines, lush forests, and stunning sand dunes, Port Stephens is simply beautiful. The region calls you to go outdoors and enjoy fantastic adrenaline-rushing activities. Therefore, it is one of the best places to visit in New South Wales. 

Port Stephens calls you for an endless adventure. There is no such thing as ‘being bored’ as you step into this sparkling region. The beaches are welcoming you to splash into the waters, get your tan on the sand, or even go for a dolphin-watching tour. Besides that, you can find yourself hopping on an ATV or a sandboard and exploring Port Stephens’ vast sand dunes. Alternatively, you can go for nature walks and spot some cute koalas dozing in the trees.


New South Wales is a simply breathtaking. It is a bucket-list worthy destination that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Then, are you thinking about traveling to New South Wales or other parts of Australia but wanting to make it easy? Then, we have something for you!

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