New South Wales is Australia’s most diverse State, home to the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Sydney. There are five World Heritage sites to explore including the famous Sydney Opera House. The State has a string of accessible, sparkling beaches stretching from north to south, a vast, colourful outback, Australia’s highest mountain offering every type of snow sport, and meandering waterways.
With its sublime natural setting, glamorous beaches and appetite for the fine things in life, Sydney is one of the world’s great destinations. Australia’s largest and oldest city is an essential stop on any traveller’s itinerary. It’s also a superb introduction to Australia and New South Wales, the country’s most diverse State.
Surrounding Sydney is a wonderland of national parks, forests, mountains, ancient river valleys and historic townships. New South Wales World Heritage sites include the Greater Blue Mountains Area, Lord Howe Island, Mungo National Park (Willandra Lakes), Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and, the most recent addition, the Sydney Opera House. Each offers visitors the chance to experience astonishing natural beauty as well as leisure activities that range from hiking and diving, to seeing ancient human burial sites or enjoying the talent of the world’s finest performers..
There are few more recognisable cities in the world than Sydney, the venue for the 'best ever' Olympic Games in 2000. Regional New South Wales varies from the rugged beauty of the outback to the rich farming areas on the New England tablelands. NSW coastal areas attract visitors year round from the recreational beaches and fishing villages on the south coast to the playground beaches that stretch north to the Queensland border.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
Explore the Blue Mountains
Swim at one of the many famous beaches
Take a ferry on Sydney's magnificent harbour
Watch an opera at the Sydney Opera House
Be inspired by the unique landscapes of the NSW outback
Ski in the Snowy Mountains
Enjoy a glass of wine in the Hunter Valley
Relax in a coastal village
Drive through historic country towns
ACCREDITED VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
Call in when you see this sign to discover how you can make the most of your stay. Accredited visitor information centres provide high quality information and professional standards.
CLIMATE
The summer season (November to March) is the most popular time to visit Sydney with temperatures regularly hitting the 35°C. November and March are favoured by visitors wanting sunshine without the searing heat. Winter days can also be warm, regularly in the 21-27°C range, but can also be damp and chilly. Winter nights are likely to be cold.
TIME
GMT +10 (GMT +11 from last Sunday in October to first Sunday in April). GMT +9.5 (GMT +10.5 from last Sunday in October to first Sunday in April) for the Broken Hill Area
COMMUNICATIONS
The area code for New South Wales is 0(2).
GETTING AROUND
Arriving by Air
The Sydney International Airport terminal and Domestic Airport terminal are situated on Botany Bay. Click here for information about airport, transfers between the terminals and transport to the city.
For regional airports in New South Wales click here
Arriving by Train
Travel NSW by rail with Country Link . Sydney's Central Railway Station is a magnificent sandstone building opened in 1906 and now restored to its original glory. It serves regional and metropolitan train lines.
Public Transport
There are a number of public transport options for travelling around Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Illawarra. No visit to Sydney would be complete without a ferry trip on Sydney Harbour from the city terminus at Circular Quay. Click here for public transport information. In addition to bus and trains, ferries and light rail, visitors can enjoy the hub of the city by travelling on the monorail or lightrail.
