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The 7 Best Things to Do in NSW: Your Curated Bucket List
Whether you're visiting from afar or a local looking to explore, this edit of the best things to do in NSW is essential reading.
While Sydney might be top of mind when you think of New South Wales, there’s more to this state than its capital city. Whether you prefer to hike your way through ancient bush or relax with a chilled glass of rose, there’s something for everyone in this glorious state. Read on for our picks of the 7 best things to do in NSW…
Visit the Royal National Park
This gorgeous wilderness is about an hour’s drive from the CBD and home to some of Sydney’s hidden gems. Wattamolla Beach is iconic for its calm lagoon, walking tracks and shady picnic spots.
Test your stamina on the Coast Track, a two-day hike through rugged terrain with spectacular coastal views. The track begins at Bundeena and ends at Otford.
Be enthralled by Bangarra Dance Theatre
Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company established over 30 years ago. The talented dancers blend 65,000 years of culture with contemporary dance to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to life through dance.
Sip your way through the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is roughly three hours from inner Sydney, but you’ll want to leave the car at your accommodation once you get there. The Hunter is famous for the litany of vineyards dotting the hills and valleys, so pack a Berocca and visit the cellar doors. The wines are top-notch, and the scenery is stunning, too.
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Soak in the bore baths at Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge sits just below the NSW/Queensland border and is home to the Bore Baths. The water bubbling up into the baths is approximately two million years old, but you’ll leave feeling like you’ve just jumped into the fountain of youth!
See the big things
Like big things? New South Wales is home to many of Australia’s ‘big things’. The most famous are arguably The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth, a homage to the country town’s country music scene; The Big Merino, ‘Rambo’, in Goulburn, which signifies the regional hub’s booming wool industry; The Big Prawn in Ballina, and the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour.
If fish are more your style, check out the Big Murray Cod or the Big Trout in Tocumwal and Adaminaby, respectively.
Learn to Surf
It’s the true bluest Aussie pastime, and no bucket list would be complete without learning to surf. You can hang ten with a class at various locations across the state’s coast, including iconic surfing spots like Maroubra, Cronulla, Nobby’s Beach, and Mollymook. If you’d rather learn away from the elements, head to Sydney’s newly opened Urbnsurf.
Visit the Three Sisters at Katoomba
The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains National Park is an imposing sandstone rock formation formed over thousands of years of erosion. Aboriginal stories about their creation abound. The best views are from Echo Point Lookout.
While in the mountains, wind your way through the brush and scrub on the Grand Canyon Track, a 6.3km loop that takes you past waterfalls, along cliff edges with stunning views, and across creeks.
If you loved this edit of the 7 of the best things to do in NSW and are keen to explore more of this wonderful state, be sure to check out our edits of things to do in Newcastle and things to do in Mollymook.
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