Lagoon Beach, Lord Howe IslandCredit: Zach sanders
The scenic Lagoon Beach at Lord Howe Island.
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The most memorable journeys are the ones that unfurl our world to reveal new views, connect us with our people and teach us something surprising - often about ourselves. And wherever you venture across Sydney and New South Wales, you'll find energising, life-affirming experiences to refresh your perspective. Here's where to get started.
Own your freedom
There’s nothing more freeing than learning how insignificant you are – and NSW’s wild spaces are nature’s best school. As rolling hills give way to cracked earth, your road trip across Country NSW to the Outback becomes an awakening as the landscapes are imprinted in your mind’s eye. You feel beautifully tiny as the Warrumbungle’s blanket of stars drapes over you, as you watch the sunrise through the clear walls of your bubble tent in the world’s second-largest canyon; as you kick back on a secret Sydney Harbour beach only accessible by catamaran. And when you’re floating in an ocean pool, every sense fizzes as the gentle joy of freedom flows through you. The possibilities seem as limitless as the blue sky above.
Fill your heart with stories
Powerful storytelling makes the world feel wonderfully small. In Sydney’s West’s, a melting pot of cultures puts the world on a plate, from classic Vietnamese in Cabramatta to Afghani street-food in Merrylands – and you won’t need a passport to discover them all on a foodie tour. On a Dreaming tour around the Harbour, you’ll hear of ancient Aboriginal stories embedded in the streetscape, while Bangarra’s dance performances showcase a rich cultural tale still unfolding. Friends come together to create new stories garnished with great wine in the Hunter Valley at Tyrrells and Brokenwood, in the Shoalhaven at Crooked River Wines and Cupitt’s Estate, and in helicopter flights between Tumbarumba vineyards. Bourke’s clear outback nights are made for spinning yarns and reciting bush poetry with friends around the campfire – and there’s kinship in the air as you quietly ponder the stories you’re yet to create.
Nielsen Park, Vaucluse Credit: Destination NSW
Boat moored in Vaucluse Bay near Nielsen Park, Vaucluse.
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Nielsen Park, Vaucluse Credit: Destination NSW
Boat moored in Vaucluse Bay near Nielsen Park, Vaucluse.
Warrumbungle National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Man watching the sun set over Warrumbungle National Park.
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Warrumbungle National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Man watching the sun set over Warrumbungle National Park.
Feel a new rush
There’s a fresh sense of power when you surrender to a new adventure. It surges through you as you jump off the Thredbo chairlift to start your Kosciuszko summit trek; as the Hunter Valley awakens beneath your hot air balloon; as you abseil down orange sandstone in the Blue Mountains. Adrenaline washes away the everyday as you challenge yourself with a shark dive, when your jetboat spins on Sydney Harbour, and while hunting mud crabs alongside First Nations guides in the Tweed’s mangroves. And as you sandboard down Worimi’s golden dunes, your cheeks tingle as you fling yourself out of your comfort zone – and every sense feels unapologetically alive.
Find your tribe
NSW’s welcome mat comes in a billion different designs. So, you’re always among friends in Inner Sydney’s small bars and heritage pubs, when you catch a drag show at the iconic Imperial Hotel, or marvel at the sparkle of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. That inclusive embrace reaches all the way out to Broken Hill – where the Broken Heel Festival brings together diverse divas from all over Australia – and to the Riverina, where the Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Festival celebrates every spectrum of the rainbow. And in Country NSW, the Parkes Elvis Festival and Trundle ABBA Festival brings fans from all walks together. Even if you’re on the South Coast, learning to surf, strangers become mates when you catch your first wave together. Whoever you are, you’re at home in NSW.
Backcountry, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple exploring the alpine backcountry in Kosciuszko National Park.
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Backcountry, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple exploring the alpine backcountry in Kosciuszko National Park.
Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
People enjoying a hot air balloon ride over the Hunter Valley.
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Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley Credit: Destination NSW
People enjoying a hot air balloon ride over the Hunter Valley.
Let awe drop your jaw
Awe is powerful – it stops you in your tracks and fills you with inspiration. It lives in the desert moonscapes of Mungo National Park, where Aboriginal rangers share sacred stories from 42,000 years ago, and as you walk through Gondwana Rainforests born long before this continent existed. It connects you to something deeper as you swim with whales in Jervis Bay and dolphins in Port Stephens; and when you’re perched on top of Sydney during a Bridge Climb or seaplane adventure, the world’s sparkliest living postcard shimmering below. The feeling lingers long after the sun sets behind Barangaroo and you take your place in the twinkling skyline at Hyde Hacienda Sydney, Smoke, or Opera Bar, or feast at Bennelong, Quay or Aria. Wherever you visit in NSW, you’ll collect a priceless souvenir – a sense of inspiration you’ll hold on to.
Grow together
There’s something so Australian about going outside to play with your children – the barefoot simplicity brings us closer, and there’s big joy in their little discoveries. Screens are forgotten as you connect during bike rides around your South Coast holiday park, treasure hunt in Opal Country, pick fruit on a Hawkesbury Farmstay or spot wildlife from your Murray River houseboat. You feel the warm and fuzzies as they see Port Macquarie’s koalas, or spend the night with the animals at Taronga Roar and Snore. There’s a wonder to share on every adventure around the Harbour – from Luna Park’s thrilling new rides to Darling Harbour’s fireworks, to seeing their faces happily shine under Vivid Sydney’s kaleidoscope of technicolour. As your holiday memories layer up, you realise your kids have been teaching you to cherish every single moment.
The Living Desert, Broken Hill Credit: Destination NSW
Man watching the sunset from The Living Desert Reserve in Broken Hill.
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The Living Desert, Broken Hill Credit: Destination NSW
Man watching the sunset from The Living Desert Reserve in Broken Hill.
Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo Sydney Credit: Taronga Zoo
Roar and Snore tents at Taronga Zoo Sydney overlooking Sydney Harbour.
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Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo Sydney Credit: Taronga Zoo
Roar and Snore tents at Taronga Zoo Sydney overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Reclaim your calm
From luxury retreats to wilderness playgrounds, NSW refreshes you inside and out. Right at water’s edge on Sydney Harbour, Park Hyatt Sydney’s spa treatments harness the teachings of the Dreaming to revitalise you from head to toe. Grand-scale nature nourishes your soul as you unwind in luxury in the High Country at Nimbo Fork Lodge, around the Blue Mountains at Spicers Sangoma and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, and at Halcyon House, where the Cabarita Beach's gentle breeze is as refreshing as the luxury accommodation. Soak in healing hot springs at Yarrangobilly and Moree; and cleanse your spirit with a forest bathing trip to Budderoo National Park. As you meander through Minnamurra’s subtropical rainforests, the purity of Nature’s handiwork cleanses away stress and fills you with energy – you feel tall, calm and ready for anything.
Live in the joyful moment
A feeling of connection ripples through the crowd as you sing along with bush royalty at the Tamworth Country Music Festival; when you’re all kicking up dust at the Deniliquin Ute Muster, or bouncing in sync at the Barrington Coast’s bEATS Festival. Strangers feast as friends at the Eat Merimbula Festival –where the local oysters and delicious Bega cheeses are award-winning – and clink glasses at the Orange Wine Festival. Camaraderie connects the crowd as you watch Hamilton or La Traviata, when you’re giggling at a comedy club, and watching seals clown around on Montague Island. The good vibes continue when you meet friends for drinks at YCK Laneways, and late-night meals in Chinatown and Haymarket. But the real magic is in that moment when the long laughs pause and you all happily sigh – and you realise you never want to let go of this night, these people, this place.
Yarrangobilly River Walk, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a dip in the natural thermal springs in the Yarrongobilly area, Kosciuszko National Park.
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Yarrangobilly River Walk, Kosciuszko National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a dip in the natural thermal springs in the Yarrongobilly area, Kosciuszko National Park.
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Credit: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
Woman enjoying morning yoga with valley views at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.
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Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Credit: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
Woman enjoying morning yoga with valley views at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.
Be renewed by old ground
NSW wears its heart on its colonial streets, sacred mountains and desert plains – you feel its pulse underfoot wherever you travel, and it fills you with energy. It beats through The Rocks, where cobbled streets hand-crafted by convicts weave between ultra-modern skyscrapers, and you can tune into each rich layer on a Sydney Architecture Walk. Across Country NSW, charming colonial villages showcase the nation’s coming of age. Discover Forbes' colourful Gold Rush history on a Heritage Walk through the town, learn about bushrangers in Gundagai and Braidwood, or visit Carcoar, where convict-built structures still stand proud. You tune into the bush’s timeless heartbeat as you hike sacred Mount Gulaga’s; while motorcycle touring through Wiradjuri Country with Bundyi Cultural Tours; and as you soak in sparkling river pools at the Brewarrina Fish Traps – a meeting place for Aboriginal people for more than 40,000 years. As you relax at your Culgoa campsite afterwards, surrounded by coolabah trees, the endless rhythm of the bush pulses through you.
Refresh your view
When you step out of the ordinary to look for a new perspective, life awakens around you. Paddling through Coffs Harbour’s waterways with your Wajaana Yaam guides, you see the land as the ages-old keeper of stories, the giver of life. Standing atop Mount Gower, and taking in Lord Howe Island’s wilderness, you marvel at how the Earth looked in the beginning – and when you’re staying underground in White Cliffs, you discover how it feels inside. Your mind opens as you explore South Eveleigh, where culture, sustainability and innovation come together in everything from world-class eateries to performance and urban farms. Be energised by towering artworks at the Riverina Outdoor Art Trail and Broken Hill Living Desert and Sculptures gallery; challenge your ideas in Chippendale’s street-art-filled laneways; and revel in the raw power of creativity at the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Whichever artistic, cultural or natural view you choose, NSW is always revealing invigorating ways to see the world.
Scenic Drive, White Cliffs Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial overlooking a car driving through White Cliffs in Outback NSW.
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Scenic Drive, White Cliffs Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial overlooking a car driving through White Cliffs in Outback NSW.
Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Sun rising over Lord Howe Island.
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Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Sun rising over Lord Howe Island.
More Inspirational Stories
Sydney New Year's Eve, SydneyCredit: Keith McInnes
Spectacular 9pm Welcome to Country fireworks display across Sydney Harbour to celebrate the New Year
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The countdown is on for the biggest night of the year. As the clock strikes midnight on 31 December, more than one million people will gather around Sydney Harbour to ring in 2025. This year, experience Sydney at its summer best, spend the biggest night in the city, then wind down out of town.
Where to watch the fireworks
Observatory Hill
One of the highest points in the city, Observatory Hill is on the edge of The Rocks and is positioned straight at the Sydney Harbour Bridge – it’s probably the closest you can get to the bridge without being on it. Sensitive ears? Bring some ear plugs.
Free entry – no tickets required
Mrs Macquarie’s Point
This iconic NYE vantage point just next to the Royal Botanic Garden has spectacular views of Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the barges that dot the water near the bridge. Here, there’s a real party atmosphere with pop-up bars and food trucks spread out around the point.
Free entry – no tickets required
NYE Pier Party
At Pier One Sydney Harbour‘s exclusive NYE Pier Party, you’ll be almost close enough to touch the fireworks. Tickets include a mouthwatering menu from food stalls along the pier, free flowing drinks and a set from famed Aussie singer-DJ Havana Brown.
Tickets from $549pp
Celebration New Year's Eve
The rooftop Sculpture Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art will transform into the city’s most spectacular LGBTQIA+ NYE celebration. From the rooftop setting, you’ll have a front row seat to the biggest night of the year, plus canapes, bottomless drinks, DJs and cabaret acts.
Tickets from $697pp
New Year's Eve Opera Gala at Sydney Opera House
This is a truly iconic Sydney celebration. Start the evening with drinks overlooking the harbour before heading inside for the Opera Gala Concert. Watch the 9pm fireworks during intermission then enjoy the rest of the show before the exclusive Midnight Party kicks off in the Northern Foyer. Expect incredible views of the fireworks, Champagne and a night of dancing.
Tickets from $199pp
Rooftop bars
Ring in the new year at one of Sydney’s glamorous rooftop bars where you can pair breathtaking views with live music, Champagne and a cocktail the colour of the fireworks. Aster at the top of the InterContinental Sydney has some of the best views in the city, looking out over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. At the Shangri-La Hotel, marvel at the fireworks from the sky-high Altitude restaurant and Blu Bar. For fireworks views from Darling Harbour, get tickets to the festivities at Zephyr (DJ and saxophonist included) at the Hyatt Regency, Untied Barangaroo (featuring flowing frosé and a DJ set) and CIRQ at Crown Sydney (where you’ll join a masquerade soiree).
Tickets required
Lawn With A View, New Years Eve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens on New Years Eve at the Lawn With A View event
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Lawn With A View, New Years Eve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens on New Years Eve at the Lawn With A View event
Lawn With A View, New Years Eve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying the fireworks display at the Lawn With A View event on New Years Eve in the Royal Botanic Gardens
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Lawn With A View, New Years Eve, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying the fireworks display at the Lawn With A View event on New Years Eve in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Watch the fireworks on the water
Harbour islands
Three of Sydney’s tiny harbour islands are prime vantage points for the NYE fireworks. Clark Island and Shark Island sit either side of Point Piper and have clear views of the harbour and the bridge. Goat Island is close to Balmain on the western side, so you’ll get to see the ‘back’ side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the firework barges. Entry is free though you’ll need to pay for the ferry transfers. You can bring your own food and alcohol.
(Note that these islands are sold out for NYE 2024 – remember to book early for 2025)
Cockatoo Island
Spend the night in the middle of the action on World Heritage-listed Cockatoo Island. Choose a pre-erected tent (or bring your own) on the Eastern Apron for stellar views of the harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll also be able to see the explosives fire out of a fireworks barge just offshore.
Tickets from 514.42 for a four-person campsite
(Note that a minimum two-night stay applies – NYE guests will stay from Monday 30 December to Wednesday 1 January.)
Harbour cruises
The harbour will be dotted with hundreds of boats during the NYE celebrations, most illuminated with coloured lights and filled with excited revellers. Splash out on an indulgent multi-course dinner, free-flowing drinks and live music aboard the glass-walled Clearview, MV Vagabond Spirit or a Sydney Showboat ferry. Captain Cook Cruises offers a range of cruise options including a more budget-friendly evening where you can bring your own food and drink onboard.
Private charter
For a more exclusive experience, book a private charter boat to enjoy the countdown with your closest friends. Sydney Harbour Escapes, Sydney Harbour Specialists and Eastcoast Sailing have luxurious fleets available for hire. Prices start at around $3,000 and go up well over $100,000 for extra luxury options.
New Year's Eve Fireworks 2020, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Spectacular midnight fireworks display across Sydney Harbour to celebrate the start of 2021.
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New Year's Eve Fireworks 2020, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Spectacular midnight fireworks display across Sydney Harbour to celebrate the start of 2021.
New year, new adventures: ultimate summer getaways close to Sydney
When the fireworks have faded and the last Champagne cork has been popped, take the opportunity to discover the wonders that await just a short drive from the city. Get a taste of spectacular scenery on a day trip or stay away a little longer in unique hotels or bush camps on postcard beaches. Sparkling coastline scenes, lush forests, one-of-kind adventures and stylish stays await on the Central Coast, in Kiama and the Shoalhaven, and in the city of Newcastle.
Central Coast | 1 hours’ drive
North of Sydney, a necklace of jewel-like beaches is strung along the coast, backed by the untouched bushland of national parks. It’s a quintessential slice of the Aussie coastal lifestyle with characterful villages packed with waterside eats, world-class surf, and family adventure.
Things to do:
- Take a dip or learn to surf in the gentle waves of Terrigal Beach, follow the new boardwalk around the Haven, and try snorkelling or diving in the crystal clear water.
- Hop between the 41 beaches that stretch along 80 kilometres of coastline. Try Toowoon Bay for families, Soldiers Beach for surfing and North Avoca for dog-friendly adventures.
- Cruise around the oyster leases of the Hawkesbury River with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, then get your waders on to sample a freshly shucked shellfish from a table in the water.
- Meet Elvis the crocodile and Hugo the Galapagos tortoise, then book in for a behind the scenes encounter at the Australian Reptile Park.
- Discover a new adventure in the lush Glenworth Valley – horse riding, quad biking, kayaking, abseiling, camping and more.
- Enjoy a romantic retreat at the five-star Bells at Killcare, a plush Hamptons-style retreat with private lodges boasting sunny rooftops and room service from Bells’ award-winning restaurant.
Terrigal Beach, Terrigal Credit: Destination Central Coast
Dolphins catching a wave at Terrigal Beach, Terrigal on the Central Coast of NSW.
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Terrigal Beach, Terrigal Credit: Destination Central Coast
Dolphins catching a wave at Terrigal Beach, Terrigal on the Central Coast of NSW.
Kiama & Shoalhaven | 2 hours’ drive
Part of the spectacular South Coast, these neighbouring regions sit south of Wollongong and promise golden beaches, legendary waves, charming villages and natural wonders. From the historic streets of Kiama – now home to galleries and small bars – to beautiful Huskisson, named Australia’s best Tiny Tourism Town for 2024, these areas made for meandering.
Things to do:
- Cruise alongside the bay’s 100 resident dolphins, on board, or in a boat’s boom net, an ocean adventure with Jervis Bay Wild.
- See ocean water crash through a rocky opening and explode up to 30 metres in the air at the Kiama Blowhole, the largest natural blowhole in the world.
- Savour native ingredients at one-hat restaurant Bangalay Dining, then check in to one of the breezy, luxury villas set among coastal sand forest.
- Sleep in style in the bush in one of Paperbark Camp’s stylish safari tents, where kangaroos and king parrots can be seen from the outdoor bathtubs.
Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Credit: Destination NSW
Water plume spouting from the Kiama blowhole.
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Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Credit: Destination NSW
Water plume spouting from the Kiama blowhole.
Newcastle | 2 hours’ drive
NSW’s second city, Newcastle was built on steel and shipping but today it’s better known for its thriving arts scene, creative community, delicious dining and photogenic ocean pools. Explore on foot, on two wheels or from the water, uncovering fascinating maritime history, vintage stores, tiny galleries and a buzzy night life.
Things to do:
- Take an adventure cruise with Coast XP, watching dolphins leap in your wake as you pass famed surf beaches, World War II forts and the bustling Newcastle Harbour.
- Join the locals for a beachside breakfast or a woodfired pizza on the rooftop of the always-popular Merewether Surfhouse.
- Toast the day with a drink at the city’s highest bar, Rooftop at QT. Sip unique cocktails or local Hunter wines while you take in the 180-degree views over the city.
- Wake to the sound of the waves at Noah’s on the Beach, a classy beachfront hotel. Choose an ocean facing room for that all important view and head out the front door for a sunrise surf.
- Splash out at Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle’s first five-star hotel that has transformed the historic Council Administration Centre building. Don’t miss dinner with a view at the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant.
Merewether Baths, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Young people enjoying a day at the Merewether Baths in Newcastle.
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Merewether Baths, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Young people enjoying a day at the Merewether Baths in Newcastle.