Ben Boyd National Park, EdromCredit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over Boyd Tower on Red Point in the Beowa National Park, Edrom.
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The New South Wales far South Coast revitalises with blissful beaches and untouched forest reserves, transporting visitors with uplifting adventure activities, from hiking, biking and surfing to whale watching and swimming with seals. The best bit? This remarkable wilderness bounty is just three hours’ drive from Canberra, and six from Sydney.
Swim with seals at Montague Island
A mini wildlife reserve, Montague Island is home to hundreds of seabirds, and almost as many Australian and New Zealand fur seals. The best way to glimpse these playful creatures is with your head under water. A number of tour operators make the 20-minute voyage here from the town of Narooma, with some, including Montague Island Adventures, offering combined snorkelling and island tours. The Meal with a Seal cruise from Island Charters pairs seal snorkelling with a gourmet lunch; you can fish then scuba with seals through Narooma Charters; and Underwater Safaris specialises in marine-based tours, including snorkelling and scuba diving with seals.
Join a whale watching safari
More than 25,000 whales steam up and down the east coast of Australia between May and November every year. On their way back to Antarctica at the end of their migration (September through November), they linger in the food-rich waters off the Sapphire Coast to feed their young. There are plenty of places to glimpse these gentle giants from shore, but for a closer perspective jump on a boat with companies like Cat Balou Cruises (from Eden) and Sapphire Coastal Adventures (from Merimbula). In addition to southern rights and humpbacks breaching and blowing, you’ll also likely spot pods of dolphins following close by.
Humpback Whale, Merimbula, South Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Humpback Whale, Merimbula on the NSW South Coast
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Humpback Whale, Merimbula, South Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Humpback Whale, Merimbula on the NSW South Coast
Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day section of the multi-day Light to Light Walk.
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Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day section of the multi-day Light to Light Walk.
Learn to surf
In addition to snorkelling and swimming, surfing is a major allure of the Sapphire Coast. From Merimbula, Tathra and Pambula beaches, Coastlife Adventures offers lessons for beginners, surf camps for those who want to develop serious skills in a short period of time, and school camp programs for kids. Mobile surf school Amped also teaches surf skills to keen wave riders, utilising the best breaks from more than 20 beaches along the coast.
Hike through national parks
Lagoons, beaches, sea caves, headlands, offshore stacks and native forest all await in Mimosa Rocks National Park, spanning more than 20km of coastline between Bermagui and Tathra. Hiking trails here reveal a wonderland of flora and fauna, including a number of threatened species like the sooty owl, golden-tipped bat and hooded plover. The region is also home to the legendary Light to Light walk in Beowa National Park south of Eden. This multi-day trek hugs the coastline between Boyds Tower and Green Cape Lightstation, with tracks weaving through heathland forest, banksia woodlands and tea tree coves. Look out for whales, seals and seabirds. Note: parts of this walk are affected by closures. Please refer to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service alerts for the latest information.
Explore on two wheels
Work up a sweat on the excellent mountain biking tracks that characterise the Tathra countryside, including more than 20km of trails for all experience levels on the Fire Shed Loop, on the southern side of town. Beginners can enjoy a leisurely cycle through native forest, while adrenaline junkies can pick up speed on steep hills, across bridges and over jumps. Just behind town you’ll also find the Bundadung Trail network. Tathra Mountain Bike Club has a plethora of downloadable maps and information available, and if you leave your wheels at home you can hire them from Tathra Beach & Bike.
Pambula Beach, Pambula Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a surf off Pambula Beach on the Sapphire Coast.
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Pambula Beach, Pambula Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a surf off Pambula Beach on the Sapphire Coast.
Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a morning stroll along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
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Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a morning stroll along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Newcastle Memorial Walk, NewcastleCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastline of the city of Newcastle with views of Merewether beach.
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Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination just 170km north of Sydney. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast. Regardless of whether you’re a gourmand, adventure enthusiast or lover of luxury, here is a guide to discovering Newcastle— and beyond.
Newcastle
Take a dip in Bogey Hole: There are more than 100 ocean baths across New South Wales, but none are quite as enticing— or important— as Newcastle’s Bogey Hole. Thought to be the oldest of its kind in Australia, this sea-fed pool was cut into the rocks off Shepherds Hill by convicts in 1819. Splash about in the turquoise water, or soak up views of the coastline from any number of cliffside perches; just arrive early in summer, as it’s a popular place to cool off.
Get cultural in Cooks Hill: The inner-city neighbourhood of Cooks Hill is distinguished by its lovely leafy streets, lined with grand Victorian mansions and timber cottages home to some of the city’s most happening restaurants, bars and cafes. In between you’ll discover the Newcastle Art Gallery (with a collection of more than 6,000 works), bookshops and independent galleries. Small wonder it draws an eclectic crowd.
Explore the Honeysuckle precinct: Once a busy industrial area, the Honeysuckle precinct has been reinvented as Newcastle’s hippest waterfront hangout. Many visit to walk, cycle or rollerblade along foreshore promenades— many more arrive to gaze over the busy harbour from buzzing restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the Newcastle Museum here, hosting an exciting calendar of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Stay a stone’s throw from the ocean as well as the city’s attractions at Novotel Newcastle Beach, featuring contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms and modern Australian dining at Bistro Dalby.
Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
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Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
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Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Port Stephens
Cruise out to see whales: Every year between May and November, more than 25,000 humpback and southern right whales steam up and down Australia’s east coast on their annual migration. While you’ll likely spot them breaching and blowing from the shore (the headland in Tomaree National Park is an ideal lookout), there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as getting within a flipper of these majestic creatures on a cruise— there are a number of Port Stephens operators to choose from.
Stay and dine at Bannisters: The retro Salamander Shores motel was a Port Stephens icon for decades— it’s been reborn as Bannisters Port Stephens, its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms and suites done up in a coastal palette of blue and white. Slide into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, dine on fresh seafood by celebrated chef Rick Stein or explore the national parkland and crystal-clear waterways that characterise the Port Stephens region.
Discover the sand dunes: The longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, the Stockton Sand Dunes reach heights of more than 40 metres, their steep sides often hitting an incline of 60 degrees. Speed freaks will want to sign up for dune surfing or a quad-bike tour, while more leisurely ways to explore the area include camel rides and cultural tours, visiting ancient Aboriginal sites while learning about bush foods.
Hunter Valley
More than 6,000 trees, 60,000 shrubs, and a million other plants and bulbs create a floral wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Across the 14 hectares there are 8km of walking trails, leading to cool waterfalls and themed areas, including an Italian grotto and the Storybook Garden, taking you on a journey through childhood fantasies. After wandering the grounds, pop in to Harrigan’s Irish-themed bistro for a glass of Hunter Valley wine and the signature beef-and-Guinness pot pie.
Stay and dine at Spicers Guesthouse: Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley— arguably the state’s premier wine region— Spicers Guesthouse is the ultimate country retreat, from the elegant manor house to the stylish rooms. After a day hopping between cellar doors, return for a dip in the infinity pool overlooking native bushland, and a meal at modern-Italian éRemo Restaurant, its menu showcasing the region’s finest producers.
Take a tour: Leave your car behind at your hotel and explore the Hunter Valley’s top wineries on a bespoke tour. The range of offerings is diverse, from chauffeured vintage vehicles cruising between cellar doors— perhaps with an indulgent lunch included— to soaring above the vines at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, with a champagne breakfast when you touch down.
Note: The Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2024.
Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
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Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
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Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.