New South Wales

Most people who land in Australia head straight for the state of New South Wales. Australia’s most popular state is regarded as the epitome of all things Aussie. Home to Sydney, the country’s most popular and largest city, New South Wales is also home to the Hunter Valley, the epicentre of the Australian wine industry, and the Blue Mountains, one of Australia’s most breathtaking National Parks and a World Heritage site.

The beach lifestyle really comes into its own in New South Wales, with the world’s most iconic beach, Bondi Beach, found in Sydney, and a tract of fabulous surfing venues to choose from - New South Wales has 2137 km of coastline and a staggering 721 ocean beaches!

The state’s biggest visitor drawcard outside of Sydney is beautiful Byron Bay, a former beach-hippy paradise turned chic resort. The easternmost point of mainland Australia, Byron Bay is renowned for whale watching, surfing and sky diving – the stunning landscape apparently makes jumping out of a plane a worthwhile experience!

New South Wales Facts

Capital	Sydney
Population	6.89 million (4.34 million live in Sydney)
Size	800,000 sq km (309,000 sq miles)
Climate	mainly subtropical; some cooler and arid areas inland
Visitor Site	VisitNSW

The Snowy Mountains are another attractive feature of New South Wales. Crowned by 2,228-metre Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s tallest peak, you can enjoy some sensational skiing and snowboarding, while in the summer months the stunning scenery makes this a great destination for hikers.

Away from lush and verdant coastline, inland New South Wales is a harsh and arid place, famous for the lunar landscapes of Mungo National Park and the 30,000 old Aboriginal artwork of Mutawintji National Park. The landscapes here have to be seen to be believed, but the trip is worth it to immerse and educate yourself about Australia’s aboriginal history.

The New South Wales official tourism site has lots more information about what to do and see around this magnificient state so visit their site and take a virtual tour around NSW today.

Thinking of emigrating to New South Wales? Read our emigrating to Australia guide and check out our migration city guide for everything you need to know on the best places to live in Australia.