Every summer has a story and it’s time you plan the perfect summer story for your family. Taking a break from your fast paced life – a vacation is the perfect opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and spend some much needed quality time with family and friends. As we are spoilt with choices from across the globe, picking an ideal destination seems like a Herculean task. To make your trip a truly memorable one, we have hand-picked a popular and yet not-too frequented destination for you this season. So pack your bags and go bask in the beauty of New South Wales (NSW) this year.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
There’s something to suit every taste and sense of adventure in New South Wales, from whale watching on a leisurely coastal trip, to exploring the grand canyons of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Winter is the perfect season to hit the road to the Outback, reach new heights in the Snowy Mountains, explore ancient Gondwana Rainforests, or follow tempting food trails through agricultural heartlands and wine growing regions.
Some of the many destinations and activities on offer in NSW include:
Sydney, capital of NSW
Take an exciting trip to the land ‘Down Under’ and prepare to be spell bound by the beautiful beaches, amazing art and iconic attractions of the city. Visits to iconic locations such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Taronga Zoo, amongst others are sure to make the trip an extremely memorable one. Travellers who had opted for a holiday to Sydney last month were in for a pleasant surprise as they got a chance to attend the 10th edition of multi-award-winning winter festival. From May 25 to June 16, 2018, Sydney transforms into a night time wonderland through large-scale illuminations, laser lightshows and 3D-mapped projections. The Lighting of the Sydney Opera House Sails in the evening is the moment when the spectacular Vivid Light begins. Visitors can follow the series of interactive and immersive light art sculptures and installation trails through the spectacular waterside precincts of the Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Martin Place, and Barangaroo. Visit The Rocks and see the spectacular display upon the Museum of Contemporary Art, superb views of the Sydney Opera House and great installations.
Yet another alluring reason to visit Sydney is the great food and wine of the region. Talented chefs, superb fresh produce, and cultural and culinary influences from across the world, have established Sydney as a top food destination. You can dine at one of Sydney’s top-rated restaurants and sample Australian wines at delightful bars. Move beyond the city and visit one of the wine regions where you can sample some of the finest wines at the cellar door and eat locally grown fresh produce. Enjoy top restaurants in winegrowing areas such as the Hunter Valley, Orange, Mudgee and the Southern Highlands. You’ll also find award-winning restaurants on the South Coast, Central Coast and North Coast. So waste no time, pack your bags and head to one of the coolest destinations for the perfect family vacation.
Blue Mountains
Just 90 minutes from Sydney by car, the Blue Mountains are magical in winter, a treasure trove of World Heritage trails and natural attractions. Bushwalks, mountain-bike trails, historic villages and botanical wonders await. Visit The Three Sisters at Echo Point in Katoomba and take in dramatic views over spectacular deep valleys created over millions of years. Venture further and discover nearby wonders, including the Jenolan Caves, a labyrinth of stalactite-lined limestone caves.
Snowy Mountains
For mountains you can ski on, head to the Snowy Mountains, one of Australia’s most picturesque destinations with alpine vistas, lakes and forests and a collection of small towns. NSW’s snow resorts – Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass – are all located within Kosciuszko National Park, with skiing, snowboarding and snow sports on offer to suit all levels of experience. The 2018 snow season officially begins on the June long weekend (9-11 June).
NSW Food and Wine Trails
Central NSW is a prized agricultural region and home to three designated wine regions around Orange, Mudgee and Cowra. Enjoy a different taste of country life in the vibrant city of Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland European settlement. Adventurous foodies can follow food and wine trails, with delicious experiences in bountiful agricultural regions including wine tasting at cellar doors and dining at acclaimed restaurants. Browse local fresh produce at farmers markets and farm gates or tuck into hearty meals in heritage pubs.
Country NSW
Discover the beauty, heritage and tastes of Country NSW, from World Heritage wilderness, spectacular national parks and outdoor adventures, to acclaimed wine regions and historic towns that shaped Australia. Ride a paddle-steamer on the iconic Murray River, meet exotic animals at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, visit the famous CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, or explore 430 million-year-old caves.
Outback NSW
Winter is prime time for a holiday even further inland in Outback NSW, with cool nights, warm, sunny days and wide-open spaces offering breathtaking panoramas, historic colonial towns, rich indigenous culture and World-Heritage national parks. Discover wonders from Aboriginal rock art to historic paddleboat towns or camp under the stars.
South of Sydney
Discover fine regional dining and local wineries, the old-world charm of historic villages, great golf courses, beautiful parks and gardens and national parks in the Southern Highlands. Head to the South Coast for more delectable food and wine, savour freshly shucked oysters on Australia’s Oyster Coast, stroll along beaches with some of the whitest sand in the world and see kangaroos in the wild. For a taste of adventure, try water sports, cycling and bushwalking and tours to see dolphins, whales, fur seals and little penguins.
North of Sydney
Just north of Sydney, explore the playground of the Central Coast. Beautiful beaches and waterways, national parks and hinterland make it a haven for outdoor adventures, from hiking and horse riding to mountain biking. The area is home to wonderful wildlife, with a Pelican Feeding held on The Entrance waterfront each day. The Hunter Valley is renowned for its fine wines, local produce and quality dining, and offers an array of activities, from early-morning hot-air balloon flights to championship golf courses. Newcastle is a thriving coastal city that combines a rich cultural and natural heritage with beaches and Port Stephens is an aquatic wonderland, offering bay and ocean beaches, playful dolphins, and whale watching tours throughout Winter.
Discover uncrowded beaches, tranquil rivers and lakes, World Heritage rainforest and dramatic volcanic hinterland on the North Coast. The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia are a World Heritage jewel, home to the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world.
Lord Howe Island
Leave the mainland to explore the world’s most southerly coral reefs, giant rock pools and exotic migratory birds as you hike, snorkel, dive, cycle or just chill out at scenic Lord Howe Island. Only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time to experience the unique natural attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage paradise – less than a two-hour flight from Sydney.
