New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) is a state on the east coast of Australia. Bordering Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south and South Australia to the west. It has endless unspoilt beaches, breathtaking natural treasures and one of the world’s most famous and vibrant cities. Sydney is the capital of NSW and home to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Inland there are the gorgeous Blue Mountains, lush rainforests and outback towns.
History & Culture

Natural Wonders

Outdoor Activities

Must Do Experiences

Points of Interest
An eVisitor (subclass 651) is a visa for eligible passport holders outside Australia who want to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes. There may be a cost involved.
Best Time to Visit
Activity | Time |
---|---|
See Sydney light up | Vivid Sydney from end of May to mid June |
Watch V8s zoom around Mount Panorama | Bathurst 1000 during the first weekend of October |
Dance all day & night at a Byron music festival | Falls Festival (December) & Splendour in the Grass (July) |
Stop and smell the roses (and other flowers) | Floriade in Canberra during September & October |
Getting Around
Central Station in Sydney is the main terminal for city rail, intra and interstate trains. Sydney buses provide an excellent sightseeing service called The Explorer. Canberra has a very functional public transport system based on frequent bus services to and from all major destinations and most suburbs.
Dining
New South Wales is one of Australia’s best dining destinations, where you’ll find a cultural melting pot of international and local cuisines. Try tasty humble meals in historic convict-built pubs in Sydney or indulge in beachside restaurants that produce modern Australian cuisine.
Shopping
Love to shop? Then Sydney is fabulous, with all its international labels, innovative designers, master artisans and beautiful arcades. In the vibrant city centre, the 19th century grandeur of the Queen Victoria Building defines shopping elegance with three levels devoted to fashion, jewellery and gifts.
A stroll away is the Strand Arcade, another gorgeous colonial arcade where you’ll find hatters, shoemakers, dressmakers, jewellers, cafes and restaurants. Walk though this charming arcade to the Pitt Street Mall and Westfield Sydney, a gleaming complex with more than 250 enticing stores.
What to Pack
Layered outfits are the most practical clothing for Australian conditions, as nights can get cool even in the summer months. A waterproof jacket is useful, plus swimmers, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes and camera!
New South Wales is a state that’s far more than simply home to Australia’s most famous city, Sydney – it’s a large and varied state that offers stark contrasts between its coastal, central and inner regions, with a diversity of both landscapes and people that makes for some impressive variety in travel opportunities.
From its often wild and beautiful coastline dotted with some of the country’s best beaches to its inner reaches that transition from lush greenery draped in national parkland and eventually give way to the harshness of the Australian outback, New South Wales’ diversity is remarkable. It’s this variety that makes for an extensive range of experiences such as...
• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
• Blue Mountains day tour
• Jenolan Caves
• Byron Bay diving
• Wine tours in the Hunter Valley
• Sydney Harbour dining cruises
• Bondi Beach