New South Wales attractions

Extending out of Sydney Harbour’s north shore, Bradleys Head overlooks many of the city’s most iconic sights—you’re sure to capture some great shots of Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison from here. Part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, it’s also home to the mast of the naval ship HMAS Sydney, which is mounted on the headland as a memorial.

Part of Australia’s Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamington National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Covering 77 square miles (200 square kilometers), it’s known for its rich biodiversity, ancient trees, over 500 waterfalls, and more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of hiking trails.

Founded in 1991, the Justice and Police Museum is dedicated to the history of crime and the underworld in Sydney. Housed in three 19th-century buildings that served as the Water Police Station, Water Police Court, and Police Court, the museum sheds light on the dark and violent side of the city in the mid-to-late 1800s.

Pitt Street Mall offers some of the most exciting shopping in Sydney, in a pedestrianized area in the heart of the Central Business District. The retail hub comprises several flagship stores, more than 500 retail spaces, plus an arcade and separate shopping centers—which range from couture and classic fashion to electronics and the latest in athletic wear—all housed in some of the most expensive commercial real estate in Australia.

Jervis Bay National Park, on the South Coast of New South Wales, is a beautiful crescent of white sand and turquoise sea. Visitors come to enjoy a picnic, swim or snorkel, go fishing, walk the coastal tracks, and watch migrating humpback whales in the winter.

Located in the Northern Beaches area, Avalon Beach is a popular day trip from Sydney. The beautiful and pristine beach is known primarily for its surf, but it’s also ideal for swimming, windsurfing, and fishing. The beach includes plenty of amenities and also offers proximity to quaint cafés and a cute shopping village.

Vivid Sydney is an annual light show that transforms the city for 23 days and nights with light shows, immersive art installations, musical performances, and more. The event casts new (and colorful) light on iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge—the already-lovely attractions become even more incredible while shrouded in technicolor projections. If you want to get an up-close view of Sydney’s artistic prowess, this is the event for you. (This year’s Vivid Sydney festival takes place from May 23 to June 14, 2025.)

Located in the middle of Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island was once a gaol, or jail, in the 1800s, and much of it was built by convicts. Visit and learn a little about that time period, and also discover how the island was important for shipbuilding. There are also cafés, occasional live performances, heritage home accommodations, and a campground if that’s more your style.

Travelers with kids in tow won’t want to miss a stop at the Big Banana Fun Park. In New South Wales’ coastal resort town of Coffs Harbour, this amusement park has enough attractions to keep everyone happy. Its giant walk-through banana is one of Australia’s first “big things” (giant novelty structures).

Crowned by the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Kosciuszko, for which the park is named, this national park spans nearly 2,700 square miles (6,900 square km) in the southeastern corner of New South Wales. The park contains Australia's most extensive alpine region, characterized by its Snow Gum forests, glacial lakes, meadows and rivers.

With sweeping beaches, world-class surf breaks, a koala hospital, and whale-watching in season, the quiet coastal city of Port Macquarie is a popular New South Wales vacation destination. There’s plenty to do off the water, including visiting beach cafés, wineries, farmers markets, pick-your-own farms, camel safaris, and national parks.

Located near the historic Anzac Bridge, the White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT) is a busy port and the convenient gateway to Sydney for cruise passengers arriving on smaller vessels. Use the terminal as a jumping-off point for a variety of day trips into the modern, cosmopolitan city, which offers plenty of historical, cultural, and natural attractions.

Australia’s two biggest ski resorts, Perisher and Thredbo, are located in New South Wales’ Kosciusko National Park. While each has world-class skiing and riding—along with a fun après ski scene—the two resorts have distinctive personalities. Whether you’re a first-time skier or looking for challenging terrain, here’s what you need to know.

Part of the University of Sydney, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (or the Con, as it’s known to locals) is the preeminent music school in Australia—it was once the site of Australia’s first full orchestra composed of both professionals and students. Today, the Conservatorium provides musical education, research, and some of the city’s top performances. Plus, its music library is the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Carved into the cliffs above the Jamison Valley near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains National Park, the National Pass trail treats hikers to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in this UNESCO-listed region. The 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) loop snakes through stunning ancient landscapes, lush flora, cliff-ledge paths, and hand-cut stairways to lookouts above crashing waterfalls and the spectacular valley.

The large, white expanse of Lincoln’s Rock is a great place from which to admire the views across the Blue Mountains National Park’s Jamison Valley. Although the park might be better known for its vertical sandstone turrets (such as the Three Sisters), the flat Lincoln’s Rock is another favorite spot with photographers, near Wentworth Falls.

One of the world’s largest, privately owned cool-climate gardens, Mayfield Garden extends over 14 acres (16 hectares) within a 4,940-acre (2,000-hectare) working farm. The garden offers lush scenery and many pathways, nooks, and crannies to explore. Since opening to visitors, it has also become an entertainment hub, hosting regular events.

In the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD), the Strand Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping center that houses specialty stores catering to a sophisticated clientele, as well as boutique showrooms representing a selection of high-end Australian designer labels and even a restaurant.

A bustling, modern entertainment complex, Cockle Bay Wharf sits on the Darling Harbour waterfront in the heart of Sydney. Venues span the gamut from 3-story superclub Home and the Sydney outpost of Ibiza’s Café del Mar brand to cafés, bars, cabaret, a steakhouse, a seafood restaurant, and even a dessert bar.

Just inland from the coastal town of Batemans Bay, the Clyde River National Park on New South Wales’ South Coast is a relaxed spot for camping, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. The river widens and meanders as it reaches the ocean, providing about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) of waterfront area within the national park.

Stretching from Murramarang Beach in the north to Wallaga Lake in the south, the Batemans Marine Park includes a variety of marine, estuarine, lake, and river ecosystems. The park protects the local marine biodiversity and is home to dolphins, seals, and sharks. While most commercial fishing is restricted, recreational fishing is allowed, as well as other water-based activities.

Byron Bay’s reputation as one of Australia’s surf hot spots is in large part thanks to The Pass and surfers flock to the beach from all around the globe. Fringed by white sands, rock pools, and the bush-covered headlands of Cape Byron; it’s a scenic spot for strolling, surfing, and snorkeling.

Centered on the Star Casino, The Star Sydney is a landmark entertainment complex on the shores of Sydney’s Darling Harbour. A club, a spa, a theater, three hotels, and a wealth of bars and restaurants surround the signature casino—with games from slots to baccarat—and private gaming areas reserved for elite members.

Tucked into The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, the Susannah Place Museum is a row of four terraced homes that housed working-class families from 1844 to the 1980s. Now a museum, the restored homes—incorporating an original corner shop—let visitors chart the lives of some of Sydney’s earliest and poorest residents.

A warren of shops, cafés, and restaurants, Nurses Walk is a narrow laneway in Sydney’s historic The Rocks neighborhood. Like nearby Surgeons Court, its name honors the people who worked in a hospital on this site. Plaques celebrate pioneers including Lucy Osburn, who was trained by Florence Nightingale and is considered the founder of modern nursing in Australia.

Located in historic Haymarket, the Capitol Theater began its life in 1892 as the Belmore Markets, which closed in 1916, and later housed a circus and a cinema. It was scheduled to be demolished in the 1980s, but a Heritage Council conservation order saved the theatre transforming it into the world-class theatre that is today.

The 1,014-foot (309-meter) Sydney Tower is one of the most prominent buildings on the Sydney skyline and a city favorite for its panoramic views. The revolving SkyFeast restaurant on the 82nd floor provides slowly changing views alongside an extensive buffet of Australian and international fare. Locals visit for special occasions, while it's also a popular stop on Sydney sightseeing itineraries.

Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains is a dramatic rocky bluff with sweeping views across the forest-covered Grose Valley. It’s about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the trailhead, near the town of Blackheath, so hiking or mountain biking are the only ways of getting there. The medium-difficulty hiking trail takes about 2 hours to complete.

The Sydney Jewish Museum serves as a moving tribute to Australia’s Jewish community. It’s devoted to telling the story of the city’s Jewish history and heritage, from the population’s first arrivals in 1788 to the almost 30,000 survivors who started new lives in Australia after World War II and the Holocaust.

Part of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Botany Bay holds great historical significance for Sydney—it was where Captain James Cook first stepped onto Australia after exploring New Zealand in 1770. The heritage-listed spot is now home to a monument marking the meeting of European and Aboriginal cultures here.