Empress Falls, Blue Mountains National ParkCredit: Destination NSW
Get back to nature on a waterfall hike in the Blue Mountains.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji Credit: Destination NSW
Mutawintji National Park tour guide showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.
More Inspirational Stories
Lake Mulwala, MulwalaCredit: Alesha Jewel Bradford
Scenic sunset over Lake Mulwala in the Murray region.
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Keen for an extraordinary new adventure on your next escape? Head southwest from Sydney to Australia’s longest river, the Murray for a truly incredible array of experiences. Paddle steamer tours, kayaking, fishing, golfing, excellent local and seasonal food and wine, and stunning natural scenery await.
Sightsee on a paddlesteamer
While you can catch a paddlesteamer up the Murray on a one-hour cruise, to fully appreciate the waterway it’s hard to look past an overnight experience. Jump aboard PS Emmylou for one- to six-night itineraries to and from the Port of Echuca (the Discovery Centre here is worth a visit). The experience offers a leisurely look at life on the river, not in the least the staggering 600-year-old red gums that line the banks. When you dock, enjoy campfire breakfasts, guided bushwalks and visits to the cellar doors of the region’s top wineries.
Pick up some speed
Parts of the Murray are extremely wide, making the river ideal for waterskiing expeditions. The Southern 80 in Echuca Moama is an adrenaline-pumping pro-waterskiing event attracting some of the world’s top athletes. But anyone can give this high-octane activity a go, with local operators like Brett Sands Watersports offering professional instruction in waterskiing, as well as wakeboarding, knee boarding and barefooting.
Soak up serenity
A manmade reservoir 150km east of Echuca Moama, Lake Mulwala was created to control the flow of the river, and is today known for its ghostly gum trunks protruding from the water’s surface. The setting is particularly magical at sunset — weave your kayak through the eerie trees, on the lookout for nesting waterbirds, your soundtrack the chatter of cockatoos, corellas and kookaburras. Contact the Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club for rentals and tours.
Explore on two wheels
For cyclists, Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail provides seven kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike tracks, shaded by enormous red gums. Situated in the Murray Valley Regional Park, just a few kilometres north of Moama, the route is great for riders of all experience levels, offering an exhilarating mix of terrain with drops, flowing bridges and wall rides — there’s also a skills area and a pump track.
Join the club
There are more than a dozen world-class golf courses fringing the Murray River — some of the most highly rated in regional Australia, in fact. Head to 18-hole Howlong Golf Resort for immaculate greens and fairways surrounded by native bush, particularly pretty in spring when everything blooms; there’s on-site accommodation, should you wish to linger. Corowa Golf Club also has a hotel alongside its 27-hole championship golf course, not to mention the cinema, clubhouse and pro-shop. And at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, you can choose to tee off from three different courses: The Murray, situated beside the river; The Lake, with views of Lake Mulwala; and the shorter Executive, ideal for beginners.
Dine on the water
From produce-driven cafés and restaurants to foodie trails, farmers markets, orchards, olive groves, wineries, whisky distilleries and craft breweries, the Murray region doesn’t disappoint on the food front. Get a taste for the diversity of offerings at Redgums, a moving dining room on the deck of the PS Emmylou. Enjoy local wines and seasonal produce as you cruise along the river, spotting native wildlife on the banks while you feast.
Murray Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
A selection of visuals from the Murray region including Woomargama National Park, Lake Mulwala, Corowa Whiskey Distillery, Yarrawonga Golf Club, Blacksmith Provedore, Mulwala, Junction Moama, The River Deck Cafe, Albury,
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Murray Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
A selection of visuals from the Murray region including Woomargama National Park, Lake Mulwala, Corowa Whiskey Distillery, Yarrawonga Golf Club, Blacksmith Provedore, Mulwala, Junction Moama, The River Deck Cafe, Albury,
PS Emmylou, Echuca-Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Couple aboard the Paddlesteamer Emmylou as it cruises along the Murray River.
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PS Emmylou, Echuca-Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Couple aboard the Paddlesteamer Emmylou as it cruises along the Murray River.
The Murray River, Barmah National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park
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The Murray River, Barmah National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park
Follow a foodie trail
With your tastebuds piqued, explore the Murray’s culinary offerings further on Tastes of Echuca Moama & District, which points out local wineries, distilleries, farm gates, cheesemongers, markets, coffee roasteries and more. Pick up a map from the Echuca Moama and District Visitor Information Centre in Echuca. While you’re seeking out local produce, make the detour to Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, set inside a 1920s flour mill and selling handmade blocks and bars made using Belgium chocolate, as well as a range of delicious distilled drops.
Find time for wine
A small grape-growing region on the banks of the Murray, centred on the twin towns of Echuca Moama, Perricoota is developing a reputation for producing premium shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and fortified wines. Stop past the cellar door at Morrisons Riverview Winery, which also has a stellar restaurant and brewery. Visit St Anne’s Vineyards, where the rammed-earth cellar door overlooks a tranquil lake. And check out Restdown Wines — the organic vineyard also features a Wetland Walk, offering a glimpse of wildlife across the property.
Wine and dine in style
For an alfresco lunch of wood-fired pizzas and wine, head to Blacksmith Provedore at Lake Mulwala. The dreamy design — pastel-pink sun umbrellas on a grassy patio, light-and-bright interiors flecked with greenery — is only outshone by menus favouring local producers.
Also popular for its outside dining opportunities is The River Deck Café in Albury Wodonga, perched right on the water in Noreuil Park. The menu nods to the region — think fresh trout, house-cured meats and Murray cod.
Set up home on a houseboat
There’s no better way to take the pulse of the mighty Murray than by hiring a houseboat for a night or two — or a week. The good news is that anyone can do it — you don’t need a boat licence to captain one of these rivercraft. Pick your accommodation, whether a basic two-berth boat or a luxurious floating ‘hotel’ with a spa, air-conditioning and open-plan kitchen. Then kit it out with jet-skis, paddleboards, kayaks and fishing gear. Echuca Luxury Houseboats has a modern fleet of state-of-the-art boats to choose from, while Dinky-Di Houseboat Holidays offers good-value rentals, ideal for families (some are even pet friendly).
Sleep on dry land
Prefer not to sleep on water? Check in to the Perricoota Vines Retreat just north of Moama, its one- to three-bedroom timber villas overlooking vineyards and a lake. The Moama on Murray Resort and Echuca Moama Holiday Villas are other great options, offering self-contained villas and units in a serene bushland setting. For a romantic stay, Talo Retreat has traditional Mongolian yurts (circular tent-like structures) kitted out with domed skylights, timber floors, a kitchenette and spa. And Atura Albury offers modern hotel rooms with an industrial-chic design vibe.
Pitch a tent
Immerse yourself in nature at Benarca campgrounds, a free, pet-friendly camp and caravan site in the Murray Valley Regional Park — in addition to beautiful views of the river, the area is just a short stroll (or pedal) to the Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail. Enjoy fishing, birdwatching and hiking in the shade of the majestic red river gums.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala and the Murray River.
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Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Mulwala and the Murray River.
The Murray River, Credit: Destination NSW
Camping on the Murray River.
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The Murray River, Credit: Destination NSW
Camping on the Murray River.