New South Wales is Australia's most populous state and the one most visitors see first. Sydney, its capital, is one of the great cities of the Southern Hemisphere, but the state has far more to offer than its famous harbour. From the subtropical beaches of Byron Bay in the north to the snow-capped peaks of the Kosciuszko range in the south, NSW packs a remarkable range of landscapes into a single state.
The coastline runs for over 2,000 kilometres and it is, frankly, spectacular. The northern beaches around Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour draw surfers from around the world. The South Coast from Jervis Bay down to Eden is quieter and just as beautiful, with white sand beaches backed by eucalyptus forest. In between, Sydney's own beaches -- Bondi, Manly, Bronte -- are iconic for good reason.
Inland, the Blue Mountains rise dramatically just ninety minutes west of Sydney, offering bushwalking, canyon scenery and the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Far offshore, Lord Howe Island is a different kind of NSW altogether: a capped-visitor volcanic island with coral reef, rainforest, and seabird cliffs. Further west, the landscape opens into rolling farmland, the wine country of the Hunter Valley, and eventually the vast, dry outback around Broken Hill, which feels like a different continent entirely.
NSW has a well-developed food and wine culture. The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region. Sydney is one of the best eating cities in the Asia-Pacific. Even smaller towns like Orange and Mudgee have developed serious food scenes in recent years.
Getting around is straightforward along the coast, where highways and rail lines connect the major towns. The further inland you go, the more you will want your own car. Sydney's airport handles most international arrivals to Australia, making NSW the natural starting point for any trip.
