Get ready for an endless summer of inspiration, adventure and exploration in Sydney and NSW. Paddle a tranquil river, follow a country art trail, pick juicy cherries, eat ocean-fresh oysters and cheer on the Aussies at cricket. This is the time to make memories under the summer sun.

See Sydney from a new perspective  

There’s always something new to discover in the Harbour City, even if you’re a frequent visitor. In Barangaroo, take a dip at Marrinawi Cove then refuel at one of the 11 restaurants and bars inside Crown Sydney. Head to level 26 for the three-hatted Oncore by Clare Smyth, where the new tasting menu pairs bite-sized portions of her signature dishes with epic views of the city. In Surry Hills, sip a glass of NSW wine while surrounded by inspirational artworks at The Art Syndicate, a new small bar-gallery hybrid. Or get a new perspective on an old favourite with an immersive tour of the Sydney Opera House – choose from the Beyond the Stage Tour, the Architectural Tour or the Guided Digital Tour.  

It's also set to be a blockbuster summer of cricket with four major games to be played between November and January. At the SCG you can catch the men’s T20 International against Pakistan, the NRMA Insurance Pink Test against India and the Women’s Ashes T20 against England. At North Sydney Oval, don’t miss the CommBank Women's Ashes ODI against England. 

Be inspired in Newcastle  

Discover the artistic side of Newcastle, a two-hour drive north of Sydney. The city is a living gallery, with spectacular street art everywhere you turn. Follow the Newcastle Architecture Walk to admire the city in all its glory and see the contemporary exhibitions at jail-turned-gallery The Lock-Up. Uncover the secrets of the city with Newy Tour Co, where a local guide will show you the highlights as well as their favourite places to eat, drink and be entertained. Then watch the sun set from Rooftop at QT, the city’s highest open-air bar with 180-degree views over the Newcastle skyline.  

Time your visit with the Olive Tree Market, which transforms Civic Park with over 130 artists, designers and makers showcasing their unique wares, or enjoy two days of huge performances on the waterfront at Portside Festival on 21 or 22 December.  

Dive deeper into the far South Coast  

Scratch beneath the surface of Eurobodalla and the Sapphire Coast, six hours’ drive south of Sydney, with an outdoor experience that will teach you about the region’s cultural history. Immerse yourself in the sacred Dreaming stories of Yuin Country on a retreat with Aboriginal-owned tour company Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness. Or follow the Bundian Way Story Trail from Cocora Beach to Quarantine Bay, where interpretive signs will introduce you to ancient legends.  

Summer brings with it incredible oysters along this part of the coast. Follow the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail to meet passionate growers, learn how to shuck and taste morsels plucked straight from the water. Discover more watery wonders with Navigate Expeditions, an eco-certified tour operator leading kayak tours across the jewel-like ocean and river. Or get back to nature in luxury in a glamping tent upriver at Currajong Retreat in Burragate.  

Seek out what’s new in the Southern Highlands 

Luxury lovers have two new places to stay in the Southern Highlands. Moss Manor has transformed an elegant Georgian manor into an eight-room art hotel. Or check in to the grand Osborn House to relax by the swimming pool (spritz in hand) during those sultry summer afternoons. If you can tear yourself away from the indulgent accommodations, taste boutique spirits at SoHi or sip crafted cocktails at Flour Bar. 

For something more rugged, Valley Outdoors runs guided canoeing, hiking, abseiling and camping tours through the spectacular Kangaroo Valley. Or learn about the fascinating history of the village of Berrima on a guided walking tour. 

Off the beaten path in the North Coast hinterland  

A summer holiday isn’t just about lazy beach days. Head inland on the North Coast to discover rivers, lakes, natural pools and waterfalls. Just two hours north of Sydney, the Barrington Coast region offers outdoor adventures aplenty. Try river sledding on inflatable rafts down the Barrington River, hike through rainforest to swim at Gloucester Falls or fish for trout in a mountain stream. Further north, paddle along the scenic Bellingen River with Bellingen Canoe Adventures or tackle the rapids of the Nymboida River on the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail, the longest whitewater trail in Australia. 

Pitch a tent in the rainforest at tranquil sites like the Iron Pot Creek Campground in Toonumbar National Park. If you prefer creature comforts, Reflections Holiday Parks are dotted all along the coast (at Evans Head, Ballina, Seal Rocks, Byron Bay and more) offering glamping, stylish cabins, swimming pools and fun parks for the kids. 

Pick your playtime on the Murray River  

A six-hour drive or one-hour flight southwest from Sydney, The Murray region has something for every visitor. Cruise the river as the pioneers did on a traditional paddlesteamer or spend a few days exploring at a relaxed pace on a houseboat from Moama on Murray. No boat licence is required and you can drop anchor wherever you like for swimming, fishing or a game of beach cricket. On land, hire an e-bike to cycle the main trails and paths that run alongside the river – the 43km Corowa Mulwala Cycle Trail is a favourite with families. 

To see this legendary waterway from a new perspective, board a small plane with Murray Darling Scenic Flights. You’ll fly over the river and wetlands, marvelling at the ever-changing landscapes and patchwork of colours below. 

Taste the best of the Riverina  

See why this fertile region, a five-hour drive southwest from Sydney, is known as Australia’s food bowl. Pick your own strawberries at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream in Wagga Wagga and taste the difference of just-plucked fruit. Try the wine, beer and cider made on the estate at Borambola Wines in Gundagai, experience a piece of Griffith’s Italian heritage at De Bortoli Wines Bilbul Estate, and sample Australian-made whisky at the cellar door at Whitton Malt House in Whitton.   

Get a taste of the local art scene along the Riverina Outdoor Art Trail, taking in dramatic silo murals, laneway art and scenic country vistas. Or switch off your phones and take a family retreat to a classic farmstay, where you can feed the animals, ride horses and wake with the roosters. A perfect opportunity to feel connected again.  

Cool off in the country  

Discover a galaxy far, far away under the night-time country sky in the Warrumbungle region, a five-hour drive northwest from Sydney. Camp in the Warrumbungle National Park and gaze in awe at the stars in Australia’s first Dark Sky Park. Learn more about astronomy at Siding Spring Observatory, which has the largest optical telescope in the country or join Donna the Astronomer for a guided tour through the night sky at Milroy Observatory. Afterwards, pick up supplies and explore the charming town of Coonabarabran before heading to Coolah Tops National Park, a two-hour drive to the southeast, for excellent bushwalking, mountain biking trails and hidden waterfall spots. 

The trees and vines of Country NSW are bursting with fruit during the summer months. Pick your own cherries in the friendly towns of Young, Orange, Mudgee and Batlow or visit the Huntley Berry Farm to fill your buckets with fresh, sweet berries.