Holidays to New South Wales

Sydney’s Bondi Beach is one the world’s most famous beaches and a must-visit, whether you want to swim, surf or take a dip in the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool. You can also stroll along the coastal path to Coogee,  passing some spectacular beaches including Bronte, Tamarama and Clovelly. 

No trip to New South Wales would be complete with climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. The panoramic views from the peak of the arch will blow you away.

Elsewhere, get your snow fix in the Snowy Mountains or go wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, home to world-famous Semillon grapes. Hikers should also head to the Blue Mountains, for some of the best bushwalks in Australia.

Need an excuse to visit Sydney sooner rather than later? Why not take a holiday during Vivid Sydney 2024? This festival of art, innovation and technology takes over the city for 22 days and nights, from 24 May – 15 June 2024. You can see the Sydney Opera House transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour, or jump on a harbour cruise for some amazing photo opportunities of the Vivid lights illuminating the water. Don’t miss the eight-kilometre plus Light Walk, which stretches all the way from the Opera House to Central Station, with numerous installations and sculptures along the way. Or why not climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at night to witness Sydney sparkle from a totally unique vantage point?

Vivid celebrates its fourteenth year in 2024 and the occasion is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. What’s more, the festival is free for all, so you can explore Sydney’s neighbourhoods in a way you never have before. It's not all about the lights though, as food and music will also be showcased throughout the festival.

Australia is home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife and New South Wales is the perfect place to experience Australia’s animals in their natural habitats. Every winter, tens of thousands of whales migrate along the east coast and New South Wales offers incredible spots to watch them frolic in the ‘Humpback Highway’.

You can spot humpback and southern right whales in Jervis Bay between May and November, while Port Stephens has dolphins all year round. You can also see wild sea turtles in Byron Bay any time of year. Back on dry land, you have a good chance of spotting wombats, koalas, kangaroos and platypus. At Montague Island Nature Reserve in Narooma, you’ll also find big-eyed Australian fur seals and little penguins. 

The most famous beach in New South Wales, and possibly the whole of Australia, is undoubtedly Bondi Beach. Close to Sydney, it boasts soft white sand and irresistible blue-green waters. Bronte beach, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, is equally popular with tourists. You can also enjoy coastal walks between the Northern Beaches, plus there are plenty of waterside dining options and water sports to enjoy. 

But New South Wales’ spectacular beaches are not limited to the Sydney area. Head to Jervis Bay – on New South Wales’ placid south coast – to discover paper-white, crowd-free sands. Another blissfully unspoiled beach, Seven Mile Beach is situated in Gerroa, on the state’s South Coast. The beach is untouched and protected from northern winds, creating a perfectly secluded spot. 

New South Wales has a subtropical climate, with cool winters and hot summers. The state enjoys plenty of year-round sunshine and enough rain to keep the land green and fertile. You’ll find the coast is generally the warmest spot, while inland it’s not uncommon for the mountains to be coated in snow and frost in the winter. There isn’t a bad time of year to visit New South Wales, as the state doesn’t experience dramatic weather swings, but Sydney can get seriously hot during the summer – December to February – and surprisingly cool in winter, so spring and autumn are a good bet.

Running from September to November, spring is the best time for whale-watching in Port Stephens and Byron Bay. Or, if you want to experience Mardi Gras – Sydney’s annual LGBT Pride parade – head to New South Wales in autumn. Keen skiers will want to visit in winter, between June and August. You’ll also be able to catch Yulefest – a sunny Christmas celebration in the Blue Mountains.