New South Wales
From a historical perspective, there’s no disputing that New South Wales is Australia’s premier state. It was here that British convicts lived through die first bitter years of colonization, dreaming of what might lie beyond the impassable Blue Mountains, and here that explorers first broke through the Great Dividing Range, opening the interior of the country for settlement and ensuring the stability of the colony. In the central plains and on the rich land of the Riverina, Merino wool and agricultural success provided the state with its first glimpses of prosperity. Then, in 1851, prospectors struck gold just west of the mountains, and Australia’s history changed forever. No longer the desolate prison of exiled convicts, New South Wales became a place that promised new life and a chance to strike it rich. Although the gold rush days are over, New South Wales has continued to grow. Today, it’s the most populous state and the well-touristed, diverse, and sophisticated center of modern Australia.
The country’s biggest and flashiest city, capital Sydney sits midway down the New South Wales coast. All along the coast, sandy beaches string together in an almost unbroken scenic strip. Many are great for surfing and swimming, and most are open to the public. The trip up the coast from Sydney is the be-all-end-all of backpacker party routes, while the south coast is colder and far less touristy but every bit as beautiful. Directly west of Sydney’s suburban reaches and just 100km inland, the Blue Mountains separate the coastal strip and its hinterlands from the expansive Central West and outback regions. Once an insurmountable obstacle, the mountains now encompass some of the state’s favorite getaways. The New England Plateau, along the Great Dividing Range north of the wineries of the Hunter Valley, achieves an unusually lush and high-altitude setting for a cozy collection of small Australian towns. Just below the carved-out enclave of the Australian Capital Territory, the Snowy Mountains offer winter skiing and superb summer hiking. The attractions of New South Wales are as varied as the terrain. Whether it’s challenging bushwalks, laid-back surf culture, cosmopolitan fun, or the simplicity of the outback, most visitors find something to write home about.
Related Travel Information
Northwest And Back O' Bourke
The empty stretches of northwest and far west New South Wales couldn't be more antithetical to the state's urbane capital. Although it encompasses the watershed of the Murray and Darling Rivers, the continent's largest river system, the region's arid climate has discouraged widespread settlement. So remote is the image Bourke (pro¬nounced "Burke") evokes in the minds of Sydney-siders, that dubbing the state's out-hack as "back o' Bourke" is tantamount to declaring it the end of the earth. Cotton agriculture supports a modest economy, bolstered by the lead and silver mines at Bro¬ken Hill. Sprinkled across this
South Coast
The coastal towns south of Sydney, strung together by the Princes Hwy, are far less tourist than their northern counterparts. While industry dominates many of the larger towns such as Wollongong and Bega, the smaller coastal towns in between are some of New South Wales' undiscovered treasures. With a string of beautiful beaches on one side and mountainous escarpment on the other, the South Coast is certainly worth a visit. Cool winters cause the area to be particularly deserted between June and August; the windy coastline retains a certain charm.
Murray River
Australia's longest river, the Murray rambles along the New South Wales-Victoria border for 2600km before meeting the sea in South Australia's Encounter Bay. The river became an essential transportation artery in the late 19th century, its waters plied by giant freight-toting paddle steamers. But extensive rail and road networks rendered these boats obsolete by the end of the 1930s and they have since been reincarnated as tourist attractions. Today the river feeds a productive agriculture of vegetables through a complex irrigation system. It's also a favorite spot for picnicking, water sports, and fishing, drawing travelers for a day or
SOUTHEAST OF THE MURRAY RIVER
The majestic Murray River winds west from the Great Dividing Range. Fed by a watershed that spans most of New South Wales and portions of Victoria, the largest waterway in Australia slices through the southeast corner of South Australia and empties into the Southern Ocean. Fruit, especially wine grapes, flourishes along the irrigated river basin, while the Coorong, a 145km stretch of coastal lagoons, supports over 240 species of native birdlife. The towns near the Victoria border can be associated with geographic regions within mat state. The area around Naracoorte is an extension of the agricultural
The Domain, Art Gallery & Botanic Gardens
The Domain is a large grassy area east of Macquarie St which was set aside by Governor Phillip for public recreation. Today it is used by city workers for lunchtime sports and as a place to escape the bustle of the city. On Sunday afternoons, it's the gathering place for impassioned soapbox speakers, who do their best to entertain or enrage their listeners. It is also the venue for free events held during the festival of Sydney in January and the popular Carols by Candlelight at Christmas. The Art Gallery of New South Wales
