New South Wales Travel Guide
In depth travel guides on destinations in New South Wales
plus honest reviews of attractions, accommodation, and restaurants.
New South Wales (NSW) is one of the six states of Australia. It lies on the east coast and borders Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.
Sydney Cove was the site of the first European settlement in Australia in 1788.
The most populous city is Sydney, the state’s capital. As of December 2019, the population of NSW was over 8 million, making it the most populous state.
Weather and Best Time to Visit New South Wales
Sydney has mild cool winters and hot summers. Rain and sunshine is evenly spread throughout the year.
January is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 19–26°C and up to 30°C. The coldest month is July, with an average range of 8–17°C.
September is the driest month whilst June is the wettest.
It’s a great year round destination but if I had to pick a time to visit, it would be spring (Sep-Nov).
Brief History of New South Wales
The original inhabitants of Sydney spoke the Eora language. They lived mainly in coastal areas where fish were plentiful.
Mungo Man remains were found in Lake Mungo, dating back about 42,000 years ago. They are the earliest human remains found so far in Australia.
New South Wales was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 and on 26 January 1788, the First Fleet arrived. These ships arrived into Port Jackson carrying convicts from England.
The first free settlers arrived in 1793. Over time, more arrived, and convicts were freed.
Victoria separated from New South Wales in 1851 followed by Queensland in 1859.
This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.
Bucket List for New South Wales
There is more to New South Wales than Sydney, although it’s still an amazing city to visit.
Combine it with beautiful beaches, stunning National Parks, and amazing food and wine.
New South Wales Tours
Booking your trip to Australia
Our travel resources page lists all the companies we use to get the best deals on travel to and within Australia.
Getting Around
The best way to explore New South Wales is by car. However, driving is not ideal in Sydney as the roads are congested and the roads can be confusing. The best way to see the sights of Sydney is by a mixture of walking and public transport.
Sydney trains are mainly used by commuters into the city from the suburbs. However, the City Circle Loop and the Sydney Light Rail are handy for seeing the city’s attractions.
Sydney’s ferries are a scenic way to travel around Sydney and connect many harbour suburbs. They provide a cost effective way of seeing the city from the water.
Sydney buses link up with the train and ferry routes but the sightseeing buses are the best way to get around Sydney if you haven’t been before. The buses provide a commentary and transport making it a good value option. There are two routes run by Sydney Explorer; the Sydney Explorer and the Bondi Explorer. Click here to find out more.
If you have an early arrival time or a late departure, there are some affordable luggage storage options in Sydney to save you carting your bags all around the city.
The Best Things to do in Sydney
Having lived in Australia for over 20 years, we have visited Sydney numerous times. We’ve discovered plenty of interesting things to do in Sydney and put them all in a handy guide.
New South Wales Articles
The Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary
If you’re thinking of doing a Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip then this travel guide and itinerary will help you plan it. It is tried and tested with two 5-year-olds. This scenic drive from Sydney to Brisbane takes you along the Pacific Coast of Australia. How far is it from Sydney to Brisbane? It’s 909km…
The Best Places to Stay in Sydney Before a Cruise 2024
Planning a cruise from Sydney can be an exciting experience, but figuring out where to stay the night before your departure can be overwhelming. With so many hotels to choose from, how do you know which ones offer the best convenience, comfort, and proximity to the cruise terminal? Whether you’re looking for luxury, affordability, or…
Top 25 Interesting Things To Do in Sydney
Are you looking for that perfect shot of the Sydney Opera House or other stunning locations for that perfect photo? Look no further. These top tips will help you.
The Best Guide on What To Do in The Rocks Sydney 2024
The Rocks is such a fascinating place to explore when in Sydney. It’s home to Sydney’s oldest surviving residence, historic walkways, markets and old pubs. It also has magnificent views of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
If you found this article helpful, please consider booking through one of our links. It won’t cost you anything but will help towards the cost of running this site. Thank you.
For more travel content, follow us on Facebook.
