Australia’s oldest state, New South Wales, is located on the East Coast. The huge popularity of this region with visitors is due to the wide variety of attractions and a pleasant climate. The beautiful cosmopolitan city Sydney, excellent beaches and national parks offer you the possibility of a wide range of summer- and water sport activities. And surprising enough, you even can go skiing during the Australian winter between June and October.

New South Wales is a state of that has many facets, a wonderful abundance of fabulous getaways, stunning beaches, mountain retreats, country escapes, famous icons and unforgettable experiences, all radiating from the exciting heart of Sydney.

The Blue Mountains are situated approximately 2 hours west of Sydney and combine fantastic mountain views, remarkable geographic features and beautiful gardens.

Katoomba, the tourist centre of the Blue Mountains is a good starting point for trips to the rock formation of the Three Sisters as well as for hiking and climbing tours. Enjoy awesome views, hike through spectacular gorges, passing waterfalls. You may even see a Koala sleeping in a Gum tree or a Kangaroo hopping along.

If you want to “get off the beaten track”, you might want to travel to the westerly part of the Blue Mountains. This area around Lithgow offers the Zig-Zag Railways, a highlight for steam train enthusiasts, or visit the Kanangra Boyd National Park with superb views and hiking opportunities. In this part of the Blue Mountains you can also find the Jenolan Caves one of the most spectacular limestone caves, as well as the Abercrombie and Wombeyan Caves.

Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Horseback Riding, Canyoning, Rafting, Mountain Biking.

The Hunter Valley is the oldest and one of the most important wine areas in Australia and more than 80 vineyards invite you to taste and to buy. The good quality of Cheese, Olive Oil and Chocolate are also famous in this area and available for tasting and purchase.

The Hunter Valley is also known for some unusual accommodation - you can enjoy a stay at a 100 year-old former convent which has been converted to a Bed & Breakfast accommodation with a touch of luxury, or stay at one of the many local breweries. All of this is surrounded by the beautiful vineyard landscape adds to the relaxing atmosphere, a characteristic of the Hunter Valley.

Activities: Hot Air Ballooning, Horse Carriage Rides, Golf, Horse Back Rides

The 1400 kilometres (874 miles) coastline of New South Wales starts in the South of the state at the border of Victoria (Cape Howe) and ends in the North at the Queensland (Tweed Heads) border. This coastal area is divided into three main areas:

The South Coast (south of Sydney), the Central Coast and the North Coast (north of Sydney) which all offer long stretches of secluded beaches with a wide diversity of water activities like surfing, sailing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing or romantic walks along the beach. It's often possible to see dolphins, pelicans, seals, turtles and even whales (between June and October). These regions also offer some spectacular Australian fauna and flora.

The South Coast will take you through many charming villages, beautiful national parks, coastal cliffs, long beaches and small coves that will be all too inviting for a refreshing dip into the Pacific Ocean. Some of the highlights include the easily accessible Minnamurra Rainforest with a system of boardwalks to the Minnamurra Falls, or the Fitzroy Falls in the Morton National Park. Jervis Bay with its big variety of ecological features, or Montague Island, famous for its abundance of wildlife including seals, penguins and many water birds, are popular places to visit. To experience something special you can overnight at the former Lighthouse Keeper's accommodation at Green Cape Lighthouse in the Ben Boyd National Park. An excellent starting point for many excursions are the old whaling towns of Eden or Bega (famous for superb cheese), Batemans Bay (popular for houseboat trips) or Jervis Bay with regular dolphin sightings. Berry with its beautiful gardens, outstanding art galleries and shops is a good place if you're in the market for souvenirs!

Activities: Hiking, Walking, Houseboat Tours, Golf, Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Surfing, Swimming, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Parasailing, Horse Back Riding, Canoe and Kayak Tours, Parachute Jumping, and Dolphin, Seal, Pelican and Whale Watching.

Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Forster and Newcastle are very well developed attractive townships at the Central and at the North Coast and are good places to start your tours. Easily accessible from these townships are the national parks Wollemi, Barrington Tops, Dorrigo, Mt. Warning, New England or Border Ranges. The UNESCO has listed the rainforest areas within these national parks on the World Heritage List.

The Central Coast offers furthermore the Hawkesbury River and the bay at Port Stephens with its 99% success rate with dolphin sightings, while the lake system of Tuggerah, Myall and Lake Macquarie invite their guests to a challenging sailing or relaxing houseboat tour.

Activities: Hiking, Walking, Houseboat Tours, Golf, Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Surfing, Swimming, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Parasailing, Horse Back Riding, Canoe and Kayak Tours, Parachute Jumping, Dolphin and Whale Watching.

Broken Hill is located 1150 kilometres (718 miles) west of Sydney and is known as the capital of the Outback of New South Wales. The city developed to the largest silver/lead/zinc mine and when you explore the city and its surrounding area, you will come across many relics of town's history. Additionally you will find an outstanding collection of art galleries, full of evidence of this exceptional Outback scenery. Lake Menindee and the Kinchega National Park, located approximately 100 kilometres (63 miles) out of Broken Hill, offer a surprising variety of water activities in the middle of the desert like landscape.

Activities: Outback Tours, Visit an Art Gallery or a Museum, Mine tour, Opportunity to go on an Australian Post Mail Run into the Outback, Camel tours, Fishing, Boat Tours, Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service or the School of the Air.

The Australian ski fields around Mt. Kosciusko National Park with the centres of Jindabyne and Thredbo are worth a visit in the Australian winter (June – October) as well as the warm months. Although this region is not comparable with European or North American ski fields, it still offers an excellent variety of slopes for every skier, snowboarder or cross country skier. While the warmer months (November – May) offer a wide selection of summer activities. In January, you can also admire wildflowers unique to this part of the world

Activities: Down Hill Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, HorseBack Riding, Swimming, Tennis, Rock-Climbing, Fishing and Golf.

Lord Howe Island is an often forgotten paradise and is located approximately 700 kilometres (437 miles) north east of Sydney. The number of yearly visitors is limited and the only mode of transport is by bike, as there are no cars allowed. There is plenty to do on this small island. You’ll find the most southerly coral reef where you can go scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, or, if you prefer activities on land, there are plenty of hiking trails available.

Activities: Hiking, Golf, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Deep Sea Fishing, Sailing, Cycling and Tennis.

Climate Tables:

Please note, that the following charts show average temperatures.