Loading

What's new in NSW - October 2023

Mutawintji National Park, MutawintjiCredit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a visit to Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

What's new in NSW - October 2023

Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a visit to Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Hashtags #feelnsw #newsouthwales

With warmer weather and plentiful produce, now is the time to explore NSW’s beautiful regions. Celebrate the excellent culinary offerings of Orange or the South Coast, see Grafton’s streets painted purple, and hand-feed giraffes before sitting down to breakfast in a zoo.

FOOD AND DRINK

Cool-climate celebrations

With over 60 excellent vineyards, it's no surprise the Orange region needs a whole month to celebrate its wine offering. Running from 29 September - 29 October, the packed Orange Wine Festival program is not just tastings and tours. Pair wines with oysters and gravlax, try a Japanese hawker dinner, do downward dogs among the vines, combine prosecco and pizza, plus there are long lunches, a garden tour, a concerto and fly-fishing experiences.

ACCOMMODATION

A golden journey by rail

There’s something romantic about train travel – an ever-changing backdrop whooshing by as you sit back with a cup of tea. Explore Australia with Journey Beyond, which is offering a new category on its Great Southern rail services (which stops at Coffs Harbour, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Newcastle) from next year. The Gold Premium Twin or Gold Premium Suite offers extra cabin space, a fold-down upper berth and the suite has a double bed and lounge area. Both cabin types also include access to the Gold Premium Lounge and premium all-inclusive dining.

EXPERIENCES

Spring fling

Celebrate longer days and abundant produce at the Griffith Spring Fest in the culinary hub of the Riverina. Now in its 31st year, the event invites visitors to admire the town’s gorgeous gardens and sculptures made from locally grown citrus, and a family friendly street party to kick it all off, from 8-21 October.

Purple rain

See the streets of Grafton awash with lilac and celebrate spring at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, held from 26 October - 5 November. The eclectic festival program includes a children’s party, the jacaranda ball, river dreaming (day of culture), retro markets, the annual float parade, drag queen bingo and more. As the sun sets, head to See Park to admire the trees illuminated alongside entertainment and food trucks.

Griffith Spring Fest 2019, Griffith Credit: Destination NSW

Citrus Sculptures on display at the 2019 Griffith Spring Fest.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Griffith Spring Fest 2019, Griffith Credit: Destination NSW

Citrus Sculptures on display at the 2019 Griffith Spring Fest.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Orange Wine Festival 2016 Credit: Orange Region Vignerons Association

Friends enjoying a wine tasting from a seller at the Orange Wine Festival 2016.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Orange Wine Festival 2016 Credit: Orange Region Vignerons Association

Friends enjoying a wine tasting from a seller at the Orange Wine Festival 2016.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

An ancient site comes to life

A new geotrail experience has launched near Broken Hill at Mutawintji National Park, a stunning oasis of rocks and gorges dotted with sacred art and cultural sites that have been important to Aboriginal people for thousands of years. The NSW GeoTours app takes visitors on a guided journey while painting a fascinating picture of the landscape, rock art and fossils.

Wake up with the animals

Hunter Valley Wildlife Park has launched a magical new experience: Wildlife Sunrise. Guests will have exclusive use of the park before it opens, with a guided tour from one of the zookeepers and the opportunity to hand-feed one of the magnificent giraffes. Finish with a delicious hot or cold breakfast overlooking Lemur Island.

Pump it up

The Tweed is welcoming its first official mountain bike park at Uki on 7 October, set against the striking backdrop of Wollumbin/Mount Warning. With 6.4km of track across eight trails, Uki Mountain Bike Park offers options for riders of every ability, including a pump track especially designed for children aged five to 12.

Into the blue

Explore the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake Macquarie, as well as the surrounding harbour, with Renegade Blue Water Charters, a new boat tour and fishing charter offering. Spot whales on their annual migration on the whale watching tours, cruise the lake while enjoying a barbecue lunch, or head out on a fishing charter with a skipper who has more than 30 years of game fishing experience in the local area.

A cultural touchpoint

A vibrant new cultural centre dedicated to promoting and preserving local Indigenous art, culture and heritage has opened in the heart of Wiradjuri Nation, Darlington Point, in the Murrumbidgee Valley. The Waddi Cultural Centre, featuring a vibrant artwork on the exterior by renowned artist Allan McKenzie, will promote the First Nations village community of Waddi’s unique identity through various programs, exhibitions and events.

Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW

Mutawintji National Park tour guide Keanu Bates showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW

Mutawintji National Park tour guide Keanu Bates showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Bolton Point, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW

Bolton Point, Lake Macquarie

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

Bolton Point, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW

Bolton Point, Lake Macquarie

#feelnsw #newsouthwales

MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

More News

ALL ASSETS FROM THE DESTINATION NSW MEDIA CENTRE ARE FOR EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY AND MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.


For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

REGISTER
NOW

Access assets curated for media and content creators.

For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

Permission Request

Destination NSW wants to review your registration for your Destination NSW Media Centre account.

This review will:

  • View your basic account information
  • View your email address
  • View your basic information about your organisation, if provided
  • View your site usage
  • View your asset download activity

This will assist Destination NSW manage copyright owner rights, provide you with digital assets, keep you updated with new information and improve your user experience.


By clicking REGISTER, you agree that you have read and agree to the TERMS & CONDITIONS and Destination NSW's PRIVACY POLICY


You can unsubscribe at any time.