| New South Wales, the oldest and biggest state in Australia, is just the place to experience true Australian life. Enjoy Sydney's rich cosmopolitan lifestyle, its fine restaurants and cool shopping, as well as the natural beauty of its world famous harbor. Then take a detour from the city hype to soak up the local flavors of the regions of New South Wales. Laze on a long, sandy beach, hike in the high country, make a journey to the red outback, and soothe your soul in one of the State's many World Heritage national parks. Be amazed by the quality of local food and drink, kick your heels up at lively festivals and events, discover Aboriginal heritage tours, see amazing landscapes and meet the friendly locals. New South Wales is a state of great contrasts, from modern city living to the harshness of the outback. The climate is mainly mild and temperate, and the people are relaxed and friendly reflecting the pleasure of life in a stable and open society setting and unusual wildlife. The country communities of New South Wales offer a rare opportunity to experience rural life in Australia. Townships such as Armidale, Dubbo, Bathurst, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga are well equipped with rural retreats and wilderness lodges as diverse as the bush itself. Some of the cities located in New South Wales are Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and Lismore. There is a lot to see and do outside of the adventures offered in Sydney. There are the vistas at the Royal National Park, the fishing villages of the south coast, skiing in the Snowy Moutains, or rafting in the Murray. Broken Hill is an artists’ paradise and Watego’s Beach and Byron Bay are the destinations for beach exploration. The best view is found in the Blue Mountains and you can discover caves, lakes and forests in Kosciuszko National Park. Source: Australia. Lonely Planet, 2004. |