New South Wales is a state in the southeast ofAustralia. Known throughout the world through the images of its main metropolis with its emblematic monuments, Sydney, it would be wrong to summarize this state with the presence of this modern and bubbling city. The 809,444 square kilometers of the territory are a condensed version of Australia. Inland, you'll find landscapes of rugged mountains, lush rainforests, magnificent waterfalls and cascades, vineyards and rural villages. New South Wales also offers the incredible experience of stepping into the Australian Outback. The nature, preserved and rich of an incredible fauna and flora, is discovered through national parks concerned with the preservation of these exceptional heritages. How to talk about New South Wales without mentioning the coastline? It welcomes enthusiasts of grandiose marine panoramas, nautical activities and places that evoke small corners of paradise. New South Wales is also a land of encounters. Encounters with the original inhabitants of the island continent, the Aborigines, with surfers and with people who have come from various horizons to take advantage of the dynamism of the Australian state to make it their home or their temporary experience. New South Wales is a sight to behold, with an incredible diversity of landscapes. But we also enjoy discovering the local gastronomy, to spend time and to get educated. There is so much to see and do that one trip is not enough. Unless you have planned to spend 6 months or a year there. Why not?
First stop: Sydney
TheSydney Opera House is probably the first image that comes to travelers' minds when they hear about New South Wales. Sydney Harbour, featured in guidebooks, magazines and other series and movies, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. There are several ways to enjoy it: by taking a boat tour, by walking along Circular Quay and for the most courageous, by climbing the Harbour Bridge, which can be done day or night. The Harbour Bridge is one of the emblematic monuments of the capital of New South Wales. And to return remains the symbol of the city which can be admired from all angles in order to enjoy the details of its architecture which evokes for some a ship with sails, for others a shell. You should not hesitate to enter it to enjoy a spectacle without equal in the world. Later, while we linger to discover the architecture of Sydney, the stroll leads in front of the facade of St. Mary's Cathedral, of Gothic style and built in 1868. Another building also dates from the 19th century, the Queen Victoria, today a shopping temple with a multitude of large signs. And then, you can see it from various places in the city: the impressive observation tower, the Sydney Tower Eye! 305 m high, it dominates the business center and is a must-see to enjoy a 360° panorama of the whole of Sydney. Sydney is also the pleasure of strolling through its different districts. Chinatown is colorful and lively and is perfect for those who want to eat without breaking the bank, store and take home souvenirs; Darling Harbour is another great place to visit with its museums, including Madame Tussauds - which children will love - cafes, restaurants and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. And then there's The Rocks, the city's oldest neighborhood that's a treat for old-worlders with cobblestone streets, pubs and museums. The place where we love to meet in the evening to relax around a good beer. While in Sydney, before leaving to discover the other treasures of New South Wales, you should not miss a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy beautiful views of the skyline. Finally, in the suburbs of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a must for swimming and surfing. You can alternate between moments on the sand and those sitting at the table of trendy cafes or in the stores of Gould Street. Not to mention that you can enjoy fresh fish!
Breathtakingly varied landscapes
One thing is certain, New South Wales is a paradise for hikers. Quickly accessible from Sydney, the Blue Mountains allow you to go deep into eucalyptus forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. The landscape is also made up of sandstone cliffs, the most famous of which are the Three Sisters, as well as canyons and waterfalls. Splendid on the surface, the Blue Mountains are also home to ancient limestone caves hundreds of millions of years old: the Jenolan Caves. We take advantage of a passage in the national park to make a stopover in Katoomba, city with an alternative way of life. Also for hikers eager for high altitude landscapes, the Kosciusko National Park has a lot to offer, in winter as well as in summer. Located in the "Australian Alps", the area, aptly named Snowy Mountains, is covered with snow in the cold season for snow sports enthusiasts, before turning green in the spring and revealing trails to hike or bike. Rock formations that you can't get enough of? You can find them in Mungo National Park. It is here that the remains of the Mungo woman and man, believed to be about 40,000 years old, were discovered and that a vast network of dry lakes are trodden. The lunar landscapes of this Unesco listed park offer in places the feeling of having joined another planet. The site of the Chinese Walls is a wonder for the imagination, especially when the ridges and cracks are colored at sunset
It is now time to stroll in the heart of the Australian Outback, another specificity of New South Wales. Because yes, you don't have to go to the center of the country to enjoy the beauty of the most emblematic landscapes of Australia in the world, cradle of the aboriginal culture. There's nothing like getting into a 4x4 to travel through the ochre-colored desert lands, marked here and there by a few touches of vegetation and rocky peaks. We find landscapes with lunar aspects with the White Cliffs. To travel through the Australian Outback in New South Wales is also to travel through the Mutawintji National Park, where the magnificent ochre-colored rock walls of the Byngnano Range rise up and where you can discover a splendid collection of Aboriginal rock art. If the landscapes of the Outback can quickly seem endless in this immense country that is Australia, visitors can still make a stop in communities with crazy charm. A stopover in Broken Hill, a former mining town, is an opportunity to regain strength in a green oasis in the middle of the Australian bush. The city is not lacking in dynamism and to change from the long hikes in the desert, we take the time to visit its many art galleries or to attend a cultural event. Broken Hill regularly hosts festivals and street theater shows. Direction of other landscapes of New South Wales by taking this time the direction of the oldest wine region of Australia: the Hunter Valley. This green and gently rolling land is about a two-hour drive from Sydney. Here, you will be delighted to see kangaroos walking among the vines! Chardonnay, Syrah, local and foreign visitors alike love to set down their suitcases to taste the different beverages at the producers'; walk, cycle or ride a Segway through the vineyards; have a picnic with wine and cheese; join a spa or fly over the area in a hot air balloon.
New South Wales, an incredible coastline
New South Wales is a must-see state in Australia for those who dream of a road trip along the coast. The landscapes of the coastline are marvelous and offer the opportunity to stop in cities animated by surfers and other followers of "alternative culture". When heading north from Sydney, a first stop can be made in Port Stephens. This seaside destination is simply grandiose with its 26 virgin beaches. You can have fun sliding down the sand dunes before going to swim with bull sharks, riding a horse in Anna Bay or learning to surf at One Mile Beach. We take advantage of being in the area to go for a walk in the Tomaree National Park. We have the chance to cross there the road of koalas, before reaching the top of the mount Tomaree and to benefit from an incredible view. While we set ourselves the objective to reach Byron Bay, several places are worth the detour on the way. Starting with the Myall Lakes area. There are a number of freshwater lakes where you can take the time to paddle. They are surrounded by woods and sandy beaches. The setting is once again ideal to recharge your batteries in the middle of nature. Later on, you can also go away from the coast to go hiking in the heart of the Dorrigo National Park. We find there the most accessible subtropical forests of Australia. With a bag on your back, you can follow the Wonga Walk to penetrate the heart of the jungle and get in touch with 600 year old trees. To realize the extent and the beauty of this national park, it is necessary to reach the Skywalk Lookout. The walkway provides a breathtaking view of the landforms and lush vegetation
Even further north, Byron Bay opens its doors to travelers. With a focus on surfing and alternative, hedonistic lifestyles, the seaside town is the perfect place to enjoy the beach, laugh in the waves and ride the tubes. You can also take part in a kayaking session to sail alongside dolphins, or go and observe the sea bed during a snorkeling session. In short, the pleasures of the sea above all! In the early morning, the Cape Byron trail is to be followed to greet the sun and the sea from the cliffs. But one should not neglect the hinterland either, rich in the beautiful landscapes surrounding Mount Warning and the rainforest of Nightcap National Park, where there are, among others, beautiful waterfalls. In the other direction, heading south from Sydney, the road along the coastline is just as beautiful and surprising. It is here that you can take the Grand Pacific Drive to enjoy breathtaking views of the sea, cliffs and other natural features. The crossing of the Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight for this. The trip is a succession of pleasant surprises. After a walk through a rainforest that goes deep into the earth, one takes the time to stop on the most beautiful stretches of sand, like Hyams Beach, with the whitest sand in the world, or Pebbly Beach, where kangaroos strut quietly on the sand and on the grassy grounds behind. Jervis Bay is not only attractive for its pristine beaches and wide range of water activities, but also for its whale watching and coastal beauty as you walk to the high cliffs of Booderee National Park.
Aboriginal Culture Experiences
Travelers who want to discover Australia must take an interest in its history. And that history began long before the arrival of European settlers on the land two centuries ago. Australian history goes back 40,000 years, when the island was exclusively inhabited by the Aborigines. The first inhabitants of the country, they live from hunting and gathering and their culture is very rich in arts and traditions. A stay in New South Wales is an opportunity to discover the Aboriginal culture. Including within Sydney, where an Aboriginal guide accompanies the public on tours of the Royal Botanic Garden to talk about the culture, lifestyle and plants used by their ancestors. In the Barangaroo waterfront district, the Aboriginal Cultural Tour also offers the opportunity to learn more about local Aboriginal history. And then, in Sydney, the Australian Museum houses one of the finest collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artifacts. There are no less than 40,000 weapons, tools, body adornments, as well as contemporary artworks and sculptures from around the country. Aboriginal guides are also available to discover the natural places of New South Wales and their links with what is one of the most beautiful civilizations in the world. For example, you can go to the Blue Mountains and discover valleys, caves or sacred cultural sites in the rainforest.
New South Wales, a dream territory for a road trip
It is easy to understand that New South Wales is the perfect destination in Australia for a road trip. By car or in a van, a ten-day escapade allows you to see a multitude of landscapes and to multiply your experiences. A trip between December and March offers perfect weather conditions, with more than pleasant temperatures, but beware, these can also fly at times! After enjoying Sydney, head to Newcastle, Australia's second oldest city. There is a lot of surfing and you can enjoy a cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Then we head to Port Stephens to spend some time on long beaches, to swim and to plan a 4x4 safari on the sand dunes. Then arrives the Hunter Valley, land of vines with excellent Semillon and Chardonnay. We remain in a wine atmosphere by continuing with the colonial city of Mudgee, where the summer is synonymous with fruit picking in the orchards. We then reach the Blue Mountains for a total connection with a bewitching nature made of mountains, cliffs and tropical forests. Later, the towering cliffs and spectacular canyons of Wollemi National Park await the adventurous for some great hiking and rafting. You will find vineyards and picturesque gardens when you reach the beautiful town of Bowral in the Southern Highlands. We take the opportunity to hunt in the antique stores and stroll in the galleries. The road trip in New South Wales offers then the opportunity to make a detour by Canberra, the Australian capital. We leave again for Jervis Bay to put ourselves in beach mode. We find there stretches of sand of dream, perfect for the idleness and the exploration of marine funds of any beauty. Wollongong, a multicultural city, is a nice stopover for the continuation, after crossing green hills. The city is wedged between the sea and the Illawarra Escarpment, with a few lookouts where you can enjoy breathtaking views. The way back to Sydney is along the coast. And what a coast! The sea is very close and on the other side, they are imposing cliffs covered here and there with vegetation which offer themselves to our amazed eyes. We then follow the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive, 140 kilometers of coastal landscapes that we are not ready to forget
To know that off the coasts of New South Wales is a small paradise attached to the Australian State. It is Lord Howe Island. Located at only 2 hours flight from Sydney and lost in the heart of the Pacific, the place allows to enjoy a quiet interlude, far from the agitation and close to an idyllic nature. We take advantage of the time we have in front of us to go and lie on the sand of the beaches with turquoise waters, to put on the tanks to admire the corals with shimmering colors or to practice windsurfing. The walkers will also like to follow the paths climbing through the palm trees, until they reach the top of Mount Gower, made of volcanic rocks
Back to Sydney, we enjoy one last time the most populated city of Australia. What better for that than to settle down in the restaurant Quay, an institution in the city. We taste an elaborate cuisine where flavors and textures capture all our attention. As well as the mythical harbor of Sydney, on which we benefit from a sight with the Harbour Bridge and the Opera. A nice way to conclude a road trip that will not have failed to reveal the great diversity of New South Wales.
FUTURE INFO
When to come?
A trip to New South Wales is unforgettable, whatever the season. Located in a temperate zone with the seasons reversed from France, the state enjoys a subtropical climate characterized by rather hot summers and cool winters. Spring, which takes place from September to November, and autumn, from March to May, are very pleasant periods to discover the region.
New South Wales in figures
809,444 km², larger than France
8,172,500 inhabitants, the most populated state
More than 870 national parks and reserves to hike in
2 137 km of coastline to discover from north to south
275 languages spoken, including many aboriginal dialects.
Duration
While Sydney can be explored in 3-4 days, a minimum stay of 2 to 3 weeks is required for a good overview of the region. New South Wales offers an incredible patchwork of landscapes.
Budget
Count the equivalent of 100 € for a night in a cheap hotel and 20 to 50 € for a meal in a restaurant depending on the place.
The most
A land of contrasts and multiple experiences: vibrant metropolis, coastline with jagged coasts and secret coves, hinterland with colorful deserts, vineyards, forests with rich wildlife, historical heritage and ancestral culture of the aboriginal people.
Perfectly relaxedatmosphere
Different areas easily accessible
The minuses
Vast territory: the first visit offers a small glimpse of the region or is too often limited to Sydney... but it is also an invitation to return!
Getting there
It takes at least 22 hours to fly from Paris to Sydney. Most flights include a stopover. Departures are possible from certain French regions. Return ticket Paris/Sydney/Paris, from €1,550 per person, including tax.
Formalities
Several documents are required to travel to Australia: a passport valid for more than 6 months after return, an electronic "eVisitor" visa and an international driving license accompanied by a French driving license for all car rentals.
Time difference
+8 to +10 hours depending on the season
Information to travel there
SYDNEY.COM - More information on the website
VISIT EW SOUTH WALES - More information on the website
AUSTRALIA TOURS - More information on the website
