Empress Falls, Blue Mountains National ParkCredit: Destination NSW
Get back to nature on a waterfall hike in the Blue Mountains.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Craving fresh air, nature, and open space? Take a deep breath and discover nine unforgettable NSW outdoor experiences to add to your travel to-do list.
Stand on the top of Australia
You don’t need to be a mountaineer to make it to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak at 2,228m. Located in Kosciuszko National Park, around six hours’ drive southwest of Sydney, the mountain has two summit tracks. There’s an 18.6km-return trail from Charlotte Pass or a 13km-return trail from Thredbo that includes a lift on the Kosciuszko Express chairlift. The pathways are smooth and well maintained, and are best hiked between December and March, when the snow has melted and wildflowers are in bloom. Even in the middle of summer it will be chilly at the top, so be sure to bring warm layers.
Discover a secret side of Sydney
Sydney might look like a bustling metropolis, but you’ll be amazed at how much untouched wilderness lies within the city limits. Much of the foreshore around iconic Sydney Harbour is protected as part of Sydney Harbour National Park. You’ll find leafy green areas all along the coast, threaded with walking trails and secret beaches. Try the 4km Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk near Taronga Zoo for great city views across the harbour, or enjoy the short nature walk to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Sydney’s northern tip for superb views along the Northern Beaches.
Learn ancient stories on the Bingi Dreaming Track
Follow in the footsteps of the Brinja-Yuin People, who have lived around the Moruya region of the NSW South Coast for thousands of years, on the Bingi Dreaming Track, which follows ancient Aboriginal Songlines linking traditional camps, ceremonial and trading sites, fresh water and food sources. The 13.5km coastal trail in the Eurobodalla region, 4.5 hours’ drive south of Sydney, passes beaches (perfect for a cooling dip), lakes, heathlands and forests, and you can expect to see kangaroos and wallabies lazing in the sun and whales cruising up the coast from May to November.
Ride horses on the beach at Port Stephens
Three hours’ drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens is home to some of the state’s most beautiful beaches. Get a different perspective on a horseback ride with Sahara Trails. Experienced guides will take you for an exhilarating ride along the sand and into the waves, then through the huge sand dunes that surround the beach. The rides are suitable for all ages and levels of experience, so first timers can stay at a walk while experts canter along up ahead.
Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko Credit: Tourism Snowy Mountains
Summit of Mount Kosciuszko in Kosciuszko National Park.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Kosciuszko National Park, Kosciuszko Credit: Tourism Snowy Mountains
Summit of Mount Kosciuszko in Kosciuszko National Park.
Bingi Dreaming Track, Meringo Credit: Destination NSW
Echidna walking across sand along the Bingi Dreaming Track, Meringo.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Bingi Dreaming Track, Meringo Credit: Destination NSW
Echidna walking across sand along the Bingi Dreaming Track, Meringo.
Walk through ancient rainforest at Barrington Tops
The most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world stretches along the east coast of Australia. Step deep into this unforgettable wilderness in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park, a five-hour drive north of Sydney. Its rugged peaks were carved by ancient lava flows and rise up to 1,500m above sea level. Walking trails range from gentle hikes that take a few hours to challenging overnight treks with bush camping under the stars.
Follow the Yuraygir Coastal Walk along the Clarence coast
Stretching 65km from Angourie to Red Rock, the Yuraygir Coastal Walk on the NSW North Coast is one of the state’s top multi-day walks. The coastline of the Clarence region (a 1.5-hour flight from Sydney) is fairly untouched and pure, so you’ll be completely immersed in nature amid striking cliffs, fields of wildflowers, native animals and sweeping ocean views. Look out for dolphins frolicking in the waves and whales migrating along the coast in season. There are beach and riverside campgrounds along the way where you can pitch your tent, as well as a few cabins and holiday parks if you prefer a little more comfort on the four- to five-day journey.
Go chasing waterfalls in the Blue Mountains
What’s better than one waterfall? Seven waterfalls! Go deep into the Valley of the Waters on the Wentworth Pass Loop Walking Track in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just 90 minutes’ drive west of Sydney. The trail passes no less than seven stunning waterfalls, ranging from the jaw-dropping 867m-high Wentworth Falls to the gentler moss-covered cascades of Sylvia Falls. There are icy waterholes to swim in along the way; look out for lyrebirds hiding among the vivid green foliage.
Cycle along a piece of history near Sydney
Built in the late 1880s, Lady Carrington Drive started life as a scenic carriage trail through Royal National Park, an hour south of Sydney. The trail is now closed to traffic and is instead one of the prettiest cycling routes in the state. Starting at Audley, the trail runs for 10km, following the edge of the Hacking River and flanked by huge sandstone cliffs. You’ll be immersed in peaceful bushland, cycling to a soundtrack of native birdsong. Pack a picnic and stop at one of the three designated areas along the trail or eat at the Audley Dance Hall, a beautifully restored 1940s building that now houses a busy café. You can also hire a kayak from the nearby Audley Boatshed (expected to reopen in June 2021 following a refurbishment) and take a paddle along the weir.
Camp under the stars in Mutawintji National Park
In Mutawintji National Park, a three-hour drive northeast of Broken Hill, you’ll find a stunning outback landscape of rich red earth, secluded waterholes, dramatic ridges, towering red gums and saltbush plains that stretch to the horizon. The park has deep cultural significance to local Aboriginal people; admire its rock art on a tour with Broken Hill-based Tri State Safaris. After a day exploring the park, pitch your tent at the Homestead Creek Campground and sleep under a canopy of a million stars.
Thunderbolts Lookout, Barrington NP Credit: Don Fuchs; Destination NSW
Walk to Thunderbolts Lookout in Barrington Tops National Park.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Thunderbolts Lookout, Barrington NP Credit: Don Fuchs; Destination NSW
Walk to Thunderbolts Lookout in Barrington Tops National Park.
Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW
Mutawintji National Park tour guide showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW
Mutawintji National Park tour guide showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.
More Inspirational Stories
Glasshouse Rocks, NaroomaCredit: Destination NSW
Father and son heading out for a morning surf at Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Put this glorious stretch of the New South Wales coastline on your holiday radar and drive four hours south from Sydney to discover the charming Eurobodalla region. You’ll have plenty of easy adventures on this laidback coastal getaway stretching from South Durras down to Tilba Tilba on the NSW South Coast. Elevate your visit with these 10 memorable experiences.
Go snorkelling with seals
Experience the unforgettable thrill of snorkelling alongside playful fur seals on a day trip to Montague Island, a protected nature reserve just off the coast of Narooma. Local operators such as Montague Island Adventures can take you on this exhilarating adventure and if you book between November and May you might be lucky enough to share your trip with migrating whales. You can also tour the island’s historic lighthouse and significant Aboriginal sites or seize the rare chance to stay overnight in a lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
Get back to nature with your family
Connect with your loved ones in the inspiring surrounds of Murramarang National Park, which offers a family-friendly taster of the magnificent coastal wilderness in the Eurobodalla region. Children will love the tree stump stepping ‘stones’ at the start of the Durras Lake Discovery Trail, with possible kangaroo sightings adding to the fun. Find the trailhead for the 1.5km loop at the end of Lake Road.
Enter cheese heaven
Feasting on local cheese is a quintessential experience in this historic dairy region, which has been producing quality cheeses since the 1870s. Live out your farming fantasies at the 1950s-style Bodalla Dairy in Bodalla, where fresh milk is produced onsite every morning to make artisinal cheeses with native flavours, as well as traditional milkshakes, great coffees and ice-creams. Stay the night in one the property’s five farm-chic guest rooms.
Sample more delicious cheeses and perhaps join a cheesemaking course at the ABC Cheese Factory further south in the charming surrounds of National Heritage-listed Central Tilba, which offers a living snapshot of 19th-century regional Australia.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island Discovery Tours
#newsouthwales #feelnsw
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island Discovery Tours
VIP Private Tours, Bodella Dairy Shed, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
VIP Private Tours design bespoke and exclusive experiences exploring the Eurobodalla region.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
VIP Private Tours, Bodella Dairy Shed, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
VIP Private Tours design bespoke and exclusive experiences exploring the Eurobodalla region.
Be mesmerised by whales
Seeing a whale in the wild is magical, whether it’s your first time or your 50th. The huge marine mammals are at their most playful in the Eurobodalla region from September to November, making this the perfect time to marvel at their aerobatic feats. Bring your binoculars to spot whales from the shoreline at Toragy Point near Moruya (which has the region’s only airport) or on Broulee Island. Or join an action-packed whale watching tour with the likes of Narooma Charters. You might also be treated to a very special whale encounter on a half-day kayaking tour with Region X as you paddle out into open water in search of hidden beaches and azure rock pools.
Sign up for more aquatic adventures
The Eurobodalla Shire is known as the land of many waters, with rivers, lakes and, of course, the ocean to enjoy aquatic adventures such as surfing, diving, fishing, and more. Revel in the accomplishment of learning to surf with Surf the Bay, a mobile surf school based in Broulee; get a buzz catching your own seafood dinner on a fishing trip with Narooma Charters;, and feel anew after an invigorating beach dip at pretty Mystery Bay.
Explore Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden with all your senses
Stop and smell the native flowers in the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, just south of Batemans Bay, where five walking trails weave around a collection of themed gardens. Learn something new on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, a 1km walking path suitable for visitors with limited mobility that reveals the fascinating traditional uses of about 30 Eurobodalla plants. Feel your worries melt away as you wander the gardens, calmed by the trickle of water features and the buzz of the bees. Bring a picnic or grab a wholesome bite at the Mossy on Gardens Café, which overlooks the gardens.
Follow Eurobodalla’s oyster trail
Shuck and slurp to your heart’s content in the Eurobodalla region, which forms part of Australia’s famous Oyster Coast. Look out for these plump delicacies on menus across the region, as well as oyster specialists like the Oyster Shed on Wray Street in Batemans Bay, where you can sample oysters beside the Clyde River where they are farmed. The Oyster Farmers Daughter is an alfresco oyster bar nestled alongside the idyllic Wagonga Inlet in Narooma where you can pair fresh oysters with refreshing cocktails made with local gin.
Narooma Charters Montague Island Tours Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Narooma Charters Montague Island Tour boat travelling from Narooma to Montague Island
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Narooma Charters Montague Island Tours Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of the Narooma Charters Montague Island Tour boat travelling from Narooma to Montague Island
Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Farmer returning to Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay with fresh oysters.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Farmer returning to Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay with fresh oysters.
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture
Transform your understanding of the Eurobodalla region’s Aboriginal peoples and their fascinating stories with local Indigenous operator Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness. Its 40-hour Yuin Retreat, named for the region’s Traditional Custodians, begins on the first evening with a traditional welcome, followed by a sunrise ceremony and the option to hike Gulaga (formerly Mount Dromedary) or visit significant sites on the Djirringanj Dreaming Trail. Following a cultural program in the evening, the experience ends with an Aboriginal healing and connection workshop on the final morning, leaving you with a whole new outlook on Aboriginal culture and this storied corner of the country.
Embrace next-level camping and glamping
Deepen your connection to the region’s enriching natural landscapes on a local camping or glamping experience. Soak up the unrivalled seaside location along with the stellar wildlife-watching opportunities at Beachcomber Holiday Park at Potato Point, just south of Tuross Head, where you may be surprised to discover emus are among the menagerie of native animals known to frequent this campground backing onto Eurobodalla National Park.
If glamping is more your style, wake up to sweeping mountain views after a romantic night in a glamping tent at Mountain View Farm in Tilba Tilba. Also tucked in the lush rolling hills of the Tilba Valley is Tilba Lake House, which offers a luxe glamping option as well as four cosy self-contained tiny house stays with views of the lake, ocean and mountains.
Go market-hopping
Get to know the friendly Eurobodalla community at the region’s vibrant markets. Learn about their passion for developing a sustainable local food system as you fill your basket with local goodies spanning vegetables from Old Mill Road Biofarm to McAsh Oysters at the SAGE Farmers Market, held every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm at Riverside Park in Moruya. Find more produce and connect with the local artisans, craftspeople and designers, at the Moruya Country Market on Saturday mornings from 8am, held at the same spot.
Tilba Tilba Lake, Central Tilba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Central Tilba to Tilba Tilba Lake.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Tilba Tilba Lake, Central Tilba Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Central Tilba to Tilba Tilba Lake.
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness located at Narooma offers an immersive Indigenous experience on-country in Yuin Country.
#feelnsw #newsouthwales
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness located at Narooma offers an immersive Indigenous experience on-country in Yuin Country.