Here’s the lowdown on the latest must-see, must-visit and must-do experiences from around Sydney and New South Wales. 

New stays

Crown Sydney in Barangaroo is Sydney's newest luxury property, boasting 349 rooms and suites with opulent interiors and thoughtful additions — such as toiletries by Aussie brand Grown Alchemist. There are also 14 signature restaurants and bars, including the Sydney outpost of internationally renowned Nobu; Chinese dining room, Silks; lobby bar TWR; On Core by Clare Smyth and a’Mare by Alessandro Pavoni.

Also joining the stable of new Sydney hotels is the Little National Hotel at Wynyard in the city centre. Open in November 2020, the hotel prides itself on offering ‘affordable luxury’ with 230 rooms, a rooftop bar and state-of-the-art gym. Hotel Indigo Sydney Central will also open in Haymarket midway through 2021, with a distinctive design celebrating the local neighbourhood and culture.

Wilga Station in Bathurst will open the Shearers Hall in autumn 2021. Originally the hub of Wilga Station, it has been transformed into a luxurious family-friendly five-bedroom country retreat that sleeps 10. They’ve even kept the sheep chutes (under glass) and the old wool table. Located at the very heart of the farm with views over Fitzgeralds Valley, Wilga also offers stays in the adults-only Farmer’s Hut.

The only five-star hotel property in the New England region of NSW, Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges has just had a multi-million dollar redevelopment. The beauty is in the detail, with timber hewn by local craftsmen, bespoke leather bedheads and modern yet subtle lighting in each of the guest rooms, bar and dining spaces. Check out revamped The Workshop Kitchen, a dining institution in Tamworth renowned for its wood-fired grill and stand-out local steaks, and also the classy-cool Coal Bunker Bar.

New foodie openings 

Sydney CBD just got more sparkling, with the opening of sophisticated wine bar Vini Divini Wine Lab in the revitalized Wynyard Park Precinct. Sit alfresco or at the large central bar, taste top drops from their lengthy wine list and graze on a simple Mediterranean mezze menu.

The latest foodie establishment from Porteño Group, Humble is a bakery with a difference. Expect nostalgic baked staples such as finger buns and sausage rolls, freshly baked bread along with contemporary tastes like the olive oil and fennel cake. Humble also sells delicious house-made gelato and daytime cocktails — try the Humble Spritz, Bloody Mary and Mimosas.

With two restaurants in Sydney and another in Byron Bay, the Three Blue Ducks team now have another outpost opening at boutique hotel Nimbo Fork Lodge in regional New South Wales. Nestled in the Snowy Valleys, the new venue has a kitchen garden on site that provides fresh fruit and vegetables for the menu, and a whole bunch of local produce to showcase.

New experiences

They say ‘go west, young man’, but it could be time for the whole family to head in that direction, as Western Sydney Parklands launches its ‘Stay and Play’ summer tourism campaign. Pack a 72-hour ‘playcation’ in the region full of some of the region’s biggest tourist attractions: Sydney Zoo, Sydney Motorsport Park, Sydney Dragway, Raging Waters Sydney, Calmsley Hill City Farm and TreeTops. There is also a huge range of accommodation options to enhance your stay.

The iconic Sydney Opera House has launched a selection of new tours to give everyone (near and far) a glimpse under its famous sails. Design lovers can learn how cutting-edge blueprints changed the face of Sydney Harbour forever on the new Architectural Tour, which also explores Danish architect Jørn Utzon's inspiration, working methods and materials. For those who can’t make it in person, a new Guided Digital Tour goes behind the scenes via Zoom, streaming a virtual tour of how the opera house operates, including a soprano performance on stage and a sneak peek at The Australian Ballet during rehearsals.

For Broadway fans heading to Sydney to see Hamilton, The Star has a range of new packages. Take 30 per cent off rooms at The Star Grand and Residences (Sunday to Thursday only), receive a free Hamilton-inspired cocktail per guest, a $50 voucher for signature dining experiences and a late checkout.

A picturesque place to visit any time of year, Cowra Japanese Gardens are introducing new experiences beginning in early 2021. Experiences include Twilight Picnics with gourmet hampers and exclusive after-hours access to the gardens, offering a new way add romance to your next trip. Classified by the National Trust as a place of cultural, architectural and historic significance, the garden covers five stunning hectares, incorporating the six elements of Japanese design: mountains, rocks, waterfalls, lakes, rivers turning into oceans and pine trees.