New South Wales has its world famous attractions, but dig deep enough and you’ll find hidden gems pretty close to the beaten track.
We’ve lived in New South Wales for seven years and have spent countless weekends exploring the best this state has to offer. Whilst we love the world famous beaches, towns and natural wonders, we’ve often found our jaws dropping at the places that you only find with time and effort.
Luckily we’re here to share some of the must-do’s and special secrets with you.
Best things to do in NSW
NSW By Region
Coffs Harbour, Forster & Seal Rocks
Bathurst, Mudgee & Orange
Armidale to Jennings
Jindabyne
Kiama & Wollongong
Broken Hill, Mutawintji & Mungo NP
Berry to Eden
Trip Inspiration & Itineraries
The 21 best things to do in Bowral for a fantastic weekend getaway from Sydney! We’ll tell you about the stunning waterfalls, eclectic shops, amazing cafes, some hidden gems and a few walks to help you create a truly memorable trip.
The waterfalls around Byron Bay are some of the most beautiful in all of NSW. Whether you’re just looking to admire them from a viewpoint or go for a swim beneath one, there’s something for everyone. We’re sharing all our favourites including a few secret spots that are guaranteed to wow you.
When most people think of Coffs Harbour they think of the Big Banana, but there’s a lot more to Coffs than that. From wild and secluded beaches, to kayaking through emerald water, waterfalls you can swim under and wining and dining at the local vineyard. We’ve covered all the unmissable things to do in the area to help you plan the perfect trip.
We’re sharing the best things to do in Port Macquarie, from incredible beaches with hidden rock pools, to waterfalls you can swim under, places to go koala spotting, spectacular rainforest strolls, local vineyards and breweries and where to catch a beautiful sunset.
Kangaroo Valley is gorgeous with rolling green hills backed by mountains and a quaint town centre. There are so many great things to do in the area, including kayaking on the Kangaroo River, wombat spotting, wineries, wild swimming and more. We’re sharing all the best attractions to do so you don’t miss a thing.
Fun things to do in Berry that you won’t find anywhere else! We’ll tell you about the historic places, the delicious eateries, but also the hidden gems, New South Wales’ best view, some picturesque walks and everything you need for a perfect weekend getaway.
Wollongong is not short on incredible things to do, from swimming under waterfalls and hiking to epic viewpoints, to strolling the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere and tasting the local craft beer. And then of course there’s the fantastic beaches. We’re sharing all the best things to do in the area so that you don’t miss a thing.
We’ve covering all the best things to do in Port Stephens including lots of hidden gems, based on our many, many visits to the area. We’ll take you through what not to miss in both Nelson Bay and Hawks Nest and everywhere in between.
The most beautiful beaches in Port Stephens from secluded and wild to calm turquoise waters which are perfect for family fun. Whatever you’re looking for we have you covered in this comprehensive guide. With everything you need to know from how to get there to how easy they are to access.
Robertson is often overlooked as a getaway in the Southern Highlands but those in the know head here for the sweet little village and abundance of incredible things to do on its doorstep. There’s waterfalls, tree top walkways, rainforests and of course the famous pies and cheese factory. Here are all the unmissable things to do in Robertson.
We’re sharing all the best things to do in and around Bathurst; from gorgeous wild swimming spots, to mysterious caves, old gold mining villages, a beautiful stately home, stunning waterfall and of course all the great museums.
Those in the know return to Seal Rocks year after year for its pristine yet quiet, white sand beaches and laid back vibe. We’re sharing all our favourite spots to make sure you have the most amazing trip to one of Sydney’s best weekend getaway destinations.
The bohemian town of Bellingen is on the doorstep of many of the best things to do in NSW. With incredible wild swimming spots, majestic waterfalls, ancient rainforest and fabulous cafes and restaurants, it’s the perfect holiday destination. We’re sharing all the best things to do in Bellingen including hidden gems.
Some of the most glorious swimming holes in all of NSW can be found in the Blue Mountains. Whatever you’re looking for there will be something for you on this list, from swimming at the bottom of waterfalls, to in-between towering gorge walls, or in secluded pools surrounded by fern covered cliffs. We’re sharing the best spots including some amazing hidden gems.
The Southern Highlands have many of the best waterfalls in the whole of NSW. Whether you’re looking for a huge waterfall that thunders into a dramatic valley, or a smaller, more intimate one you can swim in, you’ll find it here. We’re sharing all the best waterfalls, including lots of hidden gems.
The Blue Mountains are a magical destination, full of incredible views, giant waterfalls, some of the state’s best hiking trails and lots of relaxing activities too. We’re sharing the famous icons that you can’t miss, as well as plenty of secret spots you won’t visit without a tour!
We’re sharing the best things to do in Mudgee from which wineries are the real must do’s, to sunset spots, Aboriginal rock art sites, walking trails and wild swimming spots. Our first hand experience will help you make the most of one of Sydney’s best weekend getaway destinations.
If you love the Hunter Valley but you’re keen to try somewhere new then Orange is the perfect place for you. The food and wine scene is fantastic and there are less crowds than you’ll find in the Hunter. Here’s what to do in Orange for a fantastic weekend away.
These are the 15 best things to do in Armidale, for a fun start to your New England/Waterfall Way adventure! We’ll tell you about all the best spots in Armidale - the heritage buildings, the winery and the galleries you must see, as well as plenty of incredible waterfalls and hikes within a close distance of the city.
Berrima is one of the most beautiful villages in the Southern Highlands but there’s so much more to it than charming heritage buildings. There’s lots to do from platypus spotting, to picturesque riverside walks and the Southern Highlands oldest winery. We’re sharing all the things you shouldn’t miss on your visit.
15 amazing things to do in the Hunter Valley including many hidden gems. Our comprehensive guide includes the best wine-tasting experiences as well as historic towns, ancient rock art, incredible restaurants and a whole lot more. We’ll take you through the best of Pokolbin, Broke and Wollombi in the Hunter Valley.
12 of the best things to do in Jindabyne - other than skiing! We’ll tell you about the amazing activities near this pretty town in the Snowy Mountains including hiking trails, view points, the gin distillery and brewery, as well where to see brumbies. Our guide will give you all the insider tips and places to stay for a fun filled trip to Jindabyne.
There’s more to Byron than beautiful beaches and mooching around the cute town. With some of Australia’s most incredible waterfalls, wild swimming holes, coffee plantations, ancient amethyst caves and even its own glow worm tunnel! We’re sharing all the hidden gems and secret spots as well as the iconic activities you shouldn’t miss!
This is the ultimate guide to the Waterfall Way, with 18 stops for a truly memorable road trip! We’ll tell you about all the must-dos; the huge waterfalls, stunning hiking trails and swimming spots, as well as lots of hidden gems.
Leura is the most charming of all the towns in the Blue Mountains and you could easily spend a whole afternoon hopping between the cafes and shops. However, Leura has a lot more to offer than that alone, with waterfalls you can swim under, secret caves, fabulous lookouts and hidden picnic spots. This guide covers all the best things to do, including a few hidden gems.
Katoomba is the heart of the Blue Mountains and has the perfect blend of world-famous attractions and hidden gems. We’ll tell you our 14 favourite things to do in Katoomba that includes views, trails, waterfalls, breweries and even some street art.
12 amazing things to do in Wollombi for a fascinating and relaxing escape in rural NSW. We’ll tell you about the historical village, the stunning wineries, the Aboriginal art and engravings, the unique shops and everything you need to know for the perfect trip to Wollombi.
Wentworth Falls is one of the Blue Mountains best weekend destinations and once you scratch beneath the surface, there’s a lot more to do besides the obvious lookouts and walking trails. We’re sharing where you’ll really find the best views, plus great sunset spots, a hidden cave and even a secret glow worm dell!
New England National Park has some fabulous walks and yet you very rarely see anyone on the trails! With gloriously mossy Antarctic beech forest, amazing mountain views and a couple of stunning waterfalls, there’s enough to keep you busy for days. We walked every day trail in the park and have detailed each one in this guide.
The ultimate list of walks you have to do in Blue Mountains. We’ll take you through all the 21 best trails by area, including some easy Blue Mountains hikes, some moderate walks and those that are more of a challenge.