Holiday houses in New South Wales

New South Wales covers an immense area of around 800,000 square kilometres in the southeast of the country. Although it is home to ever-popular attractions such as the world-famous opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the buzzing capital, travellers barely scratch the surface of everything the state has to offer. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and epic surfing, bohemian Byron Bay and sweeping Bondi Beach are the most popular spots, with a whole host of other shores to choose from along the extensive coastline, including the 26 beaches at Port Stephens alone.

For awe-inspiring natural scenery, head to Blue Mountains National Park with its lookout points, waterfalls, and iconic sandstone rock formations like the Three Sisters in Katoomba. Wine lovers are drawn to the Hunter Valley for its more than 150 cellar doors pouring samples of the region’s famously bold Chardonnay and Shiraz. Back in Sydney, the state’s cultural centre, you’ll be greeted by theatres, museums, and galleries galore, along with major sporting and entertainment events from international cricket to open-air music festivals.

Spring is a gorgeous season to be in New South Wales, when the flowers start to bloom and you can watch humpback whales migrating past the coastline. The hottest time of year here is the summer, when temperatures can get high and the beaches fill with people enjoying the region’s sought-after sand and surf. It’s also when you can witness the world-famous spectacle of the New Year’s fireworks display in Sydney. As the weather cools down in the autumn, take advantage of the lower temperatures for walks in the state’s national parks. Although the climate is generally warm in New South Wales, you can head to the Snowy Mountains for skiing from June to August. The area is home to many large-scale events, including the annual Mardi Gras LGBTQ celebrations around the beginning of March.

Broken Hill

Discover the Outback of Australia in one of the oldest mining cities in the country, about a 13-hour drive from Sydney. You can learn about the history of the area at the Albert Kersten Mining and Mineral Museum and pay a visit to the base of the Royal Flying Doctors Service. This remote city may well feel familiar — it’s been used as a location for a raft of films of all genres.

Warrumbungle National Park

New South Wales boasts more than 870 national parks and reserves, but what makes Warrumbungle National Park special is that it is the only Dark Sky Park in Australia. The area has zero light pollution, so you can camp here and witness the stars against the background of the volcanic landscape.

New England

Located in the northern part of New South Wales, New England boasts dramatic scenery among its sloping hills, gorges, and waterfalls. The region tends to be cooler with an array of microclimates, and is home to some of the highest-elevation wineries in the country. Stop off at one of the many vineyards in the Hunter Valley to learn about its terroir.