As summer unfolds, New South Wales invites you to slow down and savour the journey. From coastal sanctuaries to alpine retreats, the state offers a rich tapestry of experiences that allows travellers to connect deeply with nature, culture and community. Here are some slow travel escapes across the state designed to restore, inspire and reconnect.

Immerse yourself in the mountains

Just two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer a high-altitude escape where slow travel meets soulful adventure.

Dine among the gum trees at Megalong Restaurant at Lot 101, a farm-to-table experience that celebrates local produce and recently earned a chef’s hat in the SMH Good Food Guide 2026. For a celestial twist, join Blue Mountains Stargazing for guided astronomy sessions that encourage you to pause and admire the night’s hidden beauty, including a wine and stars experience at Dryridge Estate.

Connect with nature through Foraging with Diego Bonetto, where guests learn to identify edible wild plants and understand their cultural significance. Or hop aboard the Zig Zag Railway, a heritage train journey through dramatic escarpments and forested valleys where the gentle rhythm and calm leisure of the ride become part of the experience.

Adventure seekers can take their time to truly absorb the landscape with Tread Lightly Eco Tours, offering guided walks that highlight the region’s biodiversity. For those looking to challenge themselves, scale sandstone cliffs with Blue Mountains Climbing School, both offering inclusive and environmentally conscious experiences. 

For a wellness reset, visit Blue Mountains Sauna, a forest-fringed Finnish sauna where you can clear your mind, body and soul in one go, or indulge in wellness treatments at Fairmont Resort’s Ubika Day Spa, with deeply relaxing massages, revitalising facials, exfoliating body scrubs, and holistic rituals designed to promote inner balance and outer radiance. Or take a dip in warming hot springs at the Japanese Bath House. 

Mindfulness meets movement at Happy Buddha Retreats, where yoga, meditation and nature walks create space for reflection and relaxation. And for those who prefer to walk with purpose, the Grand Cliff Top Walk, guided by Blue Mountains Adventure Company, offers sweeping views and geological wonder across a newly connected trail.

And to truly adopt the slow travel spirit, extend your stay at Sentosa, a secluded luxury property just 700 metres from Echo Point, or Love Cabins, a collection of unique cabins tucked into the bush perfect for couples.

Soothe the soul in Byron Bay

In Byron Bay, slow travel is a way of life. This iconic coastal town blends barefoot luxury with immersive nature experiences, offering visitors a chance to truly unwind and reconnect.

Start your journey at The Farm Byron Bay, a working farm and community hub where paddock-to-plate dining meets regenerative agriculture. Wander through orchards, meet resident animals and enjoy wholesome fare at Three Blue Ducks.

For a sensory deep dive, join the Brookie’s Rainforest & Gin Tasting Tour at Cape Byron Distillery, where rainforest walks and native botanicals set the scene for guided tour that takes you through the story and history of the region. All while seeing, smelling and touching the different native rainforest botanicals used to make their award-winning spirits. Nearby, the Byron Solar Train offers a unique, low-impact way to explore the region, gliding through lush landscapes on a restored heritage train powered entirely by the sun.

Nature lovers can also join Vision Walks Eco Tours for guided wildlife spotting and cultural walks, or paddle out with Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay to meet dolphins and turtles in the wild. Or for adrenaline with purpose, Connect Adventures offers inclusive outdoor experiences from kayaking to abseiling, tailored to all abilities.

Wellness seekers will find their rhythm at Byron Yoga Centre, where retreats and drop-in classes blend mindfulness with movement. Alternatively, soak into serenity at The Banya, a bathhouse and social wellness space in the heart of Mullumbimby, featuring saunas, cold plunges and massage rooms designed for deep relaxation.

For a unique coastal stay, Sugar Beach Ranch offers beachfront glamping with horse riding and ocean views in Ballina, while Crystalbrook Byron delivers rainforest luxury with eco-conscious design and spa indulgence. Round out your visit with a trip to Crystal Castle, where ancient crystals, tranquil gardens and sound healing sessions invite reflection and renewal.

Alpine Escapes in the Snowy Mountains

In the Snowy Mountains, summer reveals a quieter side of this alpine region, where crisp air, cool rivers and panoramic trails offer a refreshing and leisurely escape.

Stay in style at Crafters Cabins or Mill Cabin, architecturally designed retreats that blend alpine aesthetics with slow-living comforts. These off-grid stays invite guests to disconnect from devices and reconnect with nature, with sweeping bushland views and thoughtful design.

Explore the high country on foot with the Snowies Alpine Walk, a 56km multi-day walk in Kosciuszko National Park where you’ll climb Australia's highest mountain, wander through wildflower meadows and walk through glacier-carved landscapes and snow gum forests. A guided experience is available through Thredbo Guided Adventures. K7 Adventures also offers bespoke hiking, climbing and snowshoeing tours, tailored to your pace and interests.

Cast a line with Clearwater Fly Fishing, as expert guides lead you to pristine mountain streams teeming with trout. Fishing here is a respite, with the space to pause, breathe in the alpine air, and soak in the calming rhythm of waters as you spend time in one place, fully present. Or cycle the lakeside trails to explore the region’s paths with Sacred Ride, a Jindabyne-based bike shop offering rentals, tours and local insight.

Wellness meets adventure at Revive Jindabyne, a lakeside studio offering yoga, massage and holistic therapies. For a taste of country hospitality, Kallarroo Farmstay welcomes guests to experience life on a working farm, with hands-on activities and hearty meals served with alpine charm.

Coastal calm in the Sapphire Coast 

The Sapphire Coast is a haven for slow travel, where turquoise waters, ancient landscapes and Aboriginal culture converge for the ultimate escape.

Learn to ride the waves with Camel Rock Surf School, offering inclusive lessons on one of the region’s most scenic beaches, before deepening your connection to Country by joining Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness for immersive experiences led by Yuin custodians, including guided walks, storytelling and traditional ceremonies.

The region’s natural beauty is also ready to be uncovered, with Navigate Expeditions offering small-group tours that span kayaking, hiking and wildlife encounters. These immersive experiences give visitors the means to explore deeper and truly discover all wonders of the Sapphire Coast in a relaxed and engaging way. 

Recharge at leisure at Safir House, a premium wellness facility that blends luxury and science. Boasting a range of bespoke treatments, from state-of-the-art infrared saunas to invigorating ice baths, it is designed to leave guests feeling fully rejuvenated. Or unwind with a stay at Currajong Retreat, a luxury glamping escape nestled in a tranquil haven of native bushland, perfect for visitors to sit back, switch off, and completely relax. 

Or fully experience slow travel with the Light to Light Walk, a multi-day coastal trek guided by Sapphire Coast Guiding Company. This immersive journey takes in secluded beaches, rugged headlands and rich cultural heritage, with gourmet meals and comfortable campsites along the way.

Slow Living in Wine Country at Mudgee

In Mudgee, slow travel takes on a refined rhythm, where rolling vineyards, farm-to-table dining and wellness retreats offer space for deep rest and nourishment. Settle in at Budgalong Spicers Creek, an elevated glamping and nature retreat where panoramic views and thoughtful design create a peaceful escape. Or stay in style at Sierra Escape, Zensi Retreat or Sense of Solis, each offering luxury eco-accommodation designed for slow, soulful stays.

No visit to Mudgee is complete without indulging in the region’s renowned culinary scene. Head to The Zin House for a chef-hatted farm-to-table experience set on a working farm, where seasonal produce and slow food philosophy take centre stage. Then, take your time on a leisurely wine-hopping journey with a guided tour, sipping from some of the region’s top makers such as Logan Wines, Robert Stein, First Ridge and more. To deepen your connection to place, combine food with culture at Indigearth with their Warakirri Dining Experience, an Aboriginal-led experience that blends storytelling and native flavours to create a powerful connection to Country.

Wellness seekers can wind down at Glenayr Farm, a restful retreat set in quintessential Australian countryside, or book a unique stay at Hideaway Domes, where stargazing and solitude go hand in hand. For deeper restoration, Jila Wellness at The Clairfield offers holistic therapies in a tranquil homestead setting, while Southern Cross Kayaking invites guests to paddle through serene waterways at their own pace, soaking in the calm and beauty of the natural surrounds.

And for a nature fix, take a self-guided walk through The Drip, where towering sandstone cliffs and cool creek crossings offer a refreshing pause in the heart of wine country, the perfect way to wrap up a slow and meaningful stay in Mudgee.