Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales. It is the largest as well as the oldest city in Australia, since it was there that the pioneers first settled. You can even visit Captain Cook’s landing place at Botany Bay, where the first boats arrived.

Take one of the ferries across Sydney Harbour and enjoy the spectacular views. There are lots of interesting places to get off and explore. One such place is Manly, a popular beach town with a relaxed atmosphere, shops, cafés and accommodation — just watch the cheeky seagulls that will try and steal your lunch as you stroll along the beach!

You can also get off the ferry and visit Taronga Zoo, which is open every day of the year. See animals from Australia and around the world against breathtaking views of the harbour and a scenic landscape. Another attraction is the Sydney Opera House, famous for its unique architecture and beautiful location. Crossing the harbour and linking the two sides of the city is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which offers exciting walking and climbing opportunities and fantastic views of the city. You can take amazing photos to send home to show friends and family what they are missing!

As you would expect from Australia’s largest and oldest city, Sydney offers plenty of entertainment options. You will find markets to explore, along with museums, galleries, bars, clubs, restaurants, karaoke bars and many other exciting places. Sydney also hosts a world-famous Mardi Gras each year — this is a city that knows how to party!

Once you leave Sydney, country New South Wales also has lots to offer. The Blue Mountains is a popular day trip, offering spectacular mountain views, bushland and native wildlife. You will also find cafés, restaurants, art galleries, craft shops and many other stores, along with a wide range of outdoor activities such as horse riding, golf, bushwalking and fishing. If you wish to stay in the mountains there are plenty of accommodation options available, ranging from backpacker hostels to five-star resorts.

The Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s major wine producing regions, offers wonderful scenery, gourmet foods and distinctive wines. Close by is Newcastle, which is the state’s second largest city, and, like Sydney, is built around a large harbour. Newcastle is a popular destination for both visitors and students. Being close to Sydney, it offers an attractive lifestyle with its large port, beautiful beaches, surfing, fishing, and entertainment opportunities.

A short drive south of Sydney is the thriving city of Wollongong, surrounded by lush green valleys and beautiful ocean beaches. Further south is prime dairy country such as the Bega Valley, with lots of opportunities for cheese tasting.

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