New South Wales attractions

The lively suburb of Manly is one of Sydney’s most vibrant seaside areas and a popular destination for surfers from across the globe. Visit Manly Beach to enjoy the golden sand, catch world-class waves, and shop and eat along the lively Corso promenade, which is lined with cafes and restaurants.

The Southern Highlands are a popular getaway destination for Sydneysiders, and it’s easy to see why. Small towns at a pleasantly cool altitude, wineries, restaurants, waterfalls, forests, and hiking trails are the major drawcards. Whether you visit on a weekend trip or detour on a road trip through New South Wales, the Southern Highlands are worth your time.

With sun-blushed golden sands, surf-worthy waves, and a backdrop of forested hills; Main Beach is Byron Bay’s flagship beach. Stretching along the town’s seafront promenade, it’s a favorite among locals and draws sunseekers from all around the country to swim, surf, and scuba dive.

Perched on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Three Sisters, Echo Point Lookout offers one of the best views of the iconic sandstone formation—along with sweeping panoramic views of Jamison Valley, Ruined Castle, and Mount Solitary. It’s also the gateway to several popular walking trails in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Watson’s Bay is a Sydney suburb that forms the eastern edge of Sydney Harbour. It claims to be Australia’s oldest fishing village, and is still a popular place to dine on seafood. With city views, white-sand beaches, coastal walks, parks, and plenty of restaurants and boutiques, Watsons Bay appeals to all kinds of travelers.

What is now a popular destination for history buffs once served as a defense facility that kept watch over the bay. Fort Denison Island, located northeast of the Royal Botanic Gardens, was where some of the most gruesome acts against convicted felons took place.Today, travelers can wander the grounds of this recently restored island and see the gibbet where criminals were hanged. Explore the fort built to protect the island from invaders and climb the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind in the country. The island is home to an informative museum, as well as a number of landmarks that illustrate its dark and violent past.Please note: Fort Denison is currently closed for maintenance. The reopening is scheduled for late 2021.

Leura, sometimes called the “Jewel in the Mountains Crown,” is a small Blue Mountains village located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Sydney. Smaller than neighboring Katoomba, with a quaint, cherry tree lined town center called the Leura Mall, the village exudes mill-town charm. There are cafes, bakeries, antiques shops, and high-end boutiques, with brightly colored flowers decorating the streets.

As Sydney’s tallest structure, the Sydney Tower Eye is an integral part of the city’s skyline. At twice the height of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the 1,000-foot-high (309-meter) tower provides panoramic views that take in the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach; on a clear day, you can even see as far as the Blue Mountains.

To the east, and within walking distance, of Byron Bay’s town center and main beach, the picturesque, sheltered Wategos Beach is a popular spot for surfing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and making use of the beachside picnic tables and barbecues. Along with a relaxing time and excellent scenery, hiking can be found here as well.

Kings Cross is Sydney’s late-night entertainment hub. Although the area has begun to shed its rakish reputation—thanks to the emergence of many trendy cafés and bars—it’s still considered the red-light district of Australia. Kings Cross is well-policed at night, but visitors are encouraged to shed their inhibitions before visiting.

Take selfies with all your favorite celebrities, right on Darling Harbour. Opened in 2012, the Sydney outpost of the Madame Tussauds museum features incredibly lifelike wax replicas of famous figures—from Australian pop idols to sports heroes, movie stars, and politicians.

With everything from a classic F-111 to the first Australian-built Vampire F-30 fighter, Fighter World boasts an impressive collection of Australian fighter jets. The aviation museum, located on the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Williamtown, offers the chance to peek behind the scenes and climb into the cockpits.

The Blue Mountains National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage listing, is one of Australia's most visited national parks and makes an easy day trip from Sydney. The park has over 80 miles (140 kilometers) of walking trails, protected Aboriginal sites for visitors to admire, and camping. It's also home to Echo Point Lookout where the iconic Three Sisters rock formation sits.

Easily the wildest place in the city, Taronga Zoo Sydney is a sprawling wildlife sanctuary where over 4,000 animals crawl and chirp just minutes from the heart of downtown. Admire fuzzy-faced koalas, playful lemurs, distinctive Malaysian sun bears, saltwater crocs, and other animals before enjoying tours, keeper talks, animal shows, and activities suitable for kids and adults alike.

The Gap is a large and attractive cliff on Sydney’s South Head Peninsula, in the Watsons Bay neighborhood, to the east of the central city. There are walking trails along the top of the cliff that offer great views of the ocean and the area’s layered sandstone formations.

The coastal village of Lennox Head—conveniently situated between Ballina and Byron Bay—is loved by travelers for its sleepy seaside feel, lush surroundings, and surf breaks. The beach area around Lennox Point is well-known for its right-hand break, so surfers flock from far and wide to test the waters. In fact, Lennox Head is now considered a National Surfing Reserve.

Hailed as one of the finest examples of an English-style Gothic cathedral in the world, St. Mary’s Cathedral wows you with its sandstone exterior, stained glass windows, and ornate crypt, which features a mosaic floor and an exhibition on the first Australian Catholics. Plus, a visit to the cathedral affords great views of the skyscrapers in Sydney CBD.

Boasting the title of Australia’s oldest park, Sydney Hyde Park is home to the ANZAC Memorial and themed gardens brimming with water features and public art. In addition to almost 600 mature trees, the park also hosts the Archibald Fountain, crowned by a sculpture of Apollo; a Captain Cook statue; and the poignant Pool of Reflection.

Nestled between two prominent headlands on the Bondi to Coogee Walk, this slight stretch of golden sand has such a glamorous reputation that it is affectionately known as “Glamarama.” While trendsetters flock to Tamarama simply to be seen, the Sydney beach is also a significant draw for surfers and sunbathers.

The 130 feet (40 meter high Stockton Sand Dunes, located at Port Stephens on Worimi Conservation Lands, are a setting for fun sandboarding, quad bike, four-wheel-drive, horseback, and even camelback tours. Or, visitors can simply admire the enormous dunes on a casual beach walk or while fishing off the coast.

Woolloomooloo Wharf was built in 1915 and for the next 70-odd years handled the export of much of Australia’s wool, and served as a disembarking point for new migrants arriving to the country. It has since been converted into a fashionable complex, housing some of Sydney’s finest restaurants and most stylish residential flats.

The steps in front of this iconic building serve as a popular meet-up spot for locals, but it is what’s found within its walls that make a visit worthwhile. Built in the 1880s, this sandstone structure is the political powerhouse of the city, housing the Sydney City Council chamber and the offices of the lord mayor and city councilors.

The Sydney suburb of Rose Bay is one of the city's hottest outdoor and nature regions, with many opportunities for water-related activities. Though it's just 4miles (7 kilometers outside the Central Business District, Rose Bay can feel somewhat rural, with a population of around 10,000 people (actor Russel Crow even lives here.

Built for the 2000 Olympic Games, this world-class facility still draws travelers and locals looking to experience the Olympic spirit. The park is made up of several venues, including the ANZ Stadium, the Sydney Showground, the Athletic Centre, the Aquatic Centre (which is also open to the public for swimming, and even a skatepark.

The harbor-side amusement park Luna Park Sydney has been entertaining locals and travelers with a lively midway, carnival games, rides, and big top concerts since 1935. More than 20 attractions range from the tame to thrilling, and although it’s small compared to modern amusement parks, Luna Park remains a Sydney family favorite with a nostalgic draw.

You’ll find plenty of beaches around Byron Bay and dotting the coastline of the expanded region. But for those that wish to get far out of the town and away from typical surfing and swimming hot spots, expansive Seven Mile Beach calls. This peaceful stretch of sand is ideal for those who prefer a quieter escape and fewer crowds.

Katoomba is one of the most visited towns in the Blue Mountains. Home to Echo Point, where visitors can see the Three Sisters rock formation and Scenic World, Katoomba offers ample attractions and activities to delight all kinds of travelers. While it maintains a small-town feel, it’s home to a large selection of accommodations, dining options, and shopping in the center of town.

The foundations of Sydney were built on convict labor, and the Hyde Park Barracks are where criminals who were sentenced to live out the rest of their days in Australia were housed. Now, as a museum, the barracks tell the stories of those unlucky enough to pass through its doors.

Wentworth Falls is a charming town located in the Blue Mountains Heritage Site about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west from Sydney. Known for its eponymous waterfalls, the town has a number of walking and hiking trails, picnic and BBQ areas, a well-preserved Aboriginal site, and a charming downtown with historic buildings and gourmet coffee shops.

A family favorite and lower-key than the better-known Bondi, Coogee Beach, in the eastern Sydney suburbs, offers a sheltered arc of sand lapped by waves. Popular year-round with Sydneysiders and visitors alike, Coogee offers surfing, swimming, and snorkeling, as well as shopping, restaurants, and bars.