Mayfield Garden, OberonCredit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the scenic grounds of Mayfield Garden, Oberon.
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Winter has arrived in NSW, bringing a range of exciting new experiences. Go truffle hunting in Oberon, ride a steam train through the misty Blue Mountains, find a retro beachside takeaway in Newcastle, and join a long lunch in Mudgee celebrating Wirdajuri land and culture to mark the end of National Reconciliation Week.
EXPERIENCES
Hunt for truffles
Head into the fields with a trained scent dog to search for one of the most coveted culinary treasures: the truffle. Working truffle farm and lodge RedGround is the first truffiere in Australia to offer a bookable truffle-hunting experience for eight months of the year. From February to October, visitors can book in a truffle hunt on RedGround’s farm in Oberon’s high country and then cook and feast on the hunt's winnings.
Blue Mountains by rail
After closing its tracks for 11 years, the Zig Zag Railway in Lithgow has officially reopened to offer fortnightly weekend trips through the Blue Mountains. The family-friendly heritage steam train travels the original rail path down the picturesque western escarpment, almost untouched since the 1800s.
A new historic home
Warren has a new centre for art and history, the Warren Museum and Art Gallery. A hour’s drive west from Dubbo, the new museum, set in a recently refurbished heritage building on the town’s main street, features rotating exhibitions and an artist-in-residence space.
One-on-one wine tour
See how wine is made from the vine to the bottle on a personalised behind-the-scenes tour of Cupitts Estate with their newly launched Meet the Winemaker experience. The immersive tour at the South Coast winery near Ulladulla includes a personal tour with the winemaker, underground barrel tastings, artisanal cheese plates and more.
Cupitt's Winery, Ulladulla Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Cupitt's Winery, Ulladulla
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Cupitt's Winery, Ulladulla Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Cupitt's Winery, Ulladulla
Mayfield Garden, Oberon Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Mayfield Garden, Oberon.
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Mayfield Garden, Oberon Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views across Mayfield Garden, Oberon.
FOOD & DRINK
Indigenous fine dining
To celebrate the end of National Reconciliation Week and Wiradjuri land and culture, Bulaguy Bagaraygan (Saltbush Gathering) will see an al fresco long lunch take over Lowe Wines’ Tinja Farm on 4 June. A collaboration between Mudgee’s renowned restaurant The Zin House and the National Indigenous Culinary Institute (NICI), the lunch will be led by Indigenous guest chefs and NICI alumni Luke Bourke (Rockpool) and Sam Bourke (Next Door), with drinks by Lowe Wines, plus non-alcoholic beverages made from native ingredients grown on site.
Jana’s new era
QT Newcastle’s signature restaurant Jana has welcomed award-winning executive chef Shayne Mansfield to the pass. The ex-Flotilla chef brings his culinary philosophies of sustainable practice and premium produce to the venue, with NSW menu items including Game Farm quail from the Hunter, Margra lamb from Oberon and beef from Branxton’s Hungerford Meat Co.
Happy as Larrie’s
Newcastle gets a fun dose of new nostalgia as Larrie’s, a retro-inspired takeaway fish shop and bottle shop, opens at Merewether Beach Hotel. As well as classic fish and chips, menu items nod to favourite dishes from another time, including prawn toast, pineapple rings, chip butties and more.
The Zin House, Eurunderee Credit: Destination NSW
Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee.
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The Zin House, Eurunderee Credit: Destination NSW
Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee.
Larries Credit: Larrie’s - Merewether Beach Hotel
Larrie’s - a new retro beachside takeaway dishing up modern twists on nostalgic milk bar classics at Newcastle institution, the Merewether Beach Hotel.
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Larries Credit: Larrie’s - Merewether Beach Hotel
Larrie’s - a new retro beachside takeaway dishing up modern twists on nostalgic milk bar classics at Newcastle institution, the Merewether Beach Hotel.
More News
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
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Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
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The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
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Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.