Choose from 146 Fun Things to Do in New South Wales
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Blue Mountains
Visible on a clear day from Sydney's observation towers, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains region is a popular destination for idyllic day trips away from the urban hustle. Visitors to Sydney who opt to venture outside the city on a mountain day tour are rewarded with outdoor activities, memorable experiences, and the natural beauty found in Blue Mountains National Park, including rugged sandstone outcrops, cavernous valleys, and towering eucalyptus forests. This stunning scenery draws visitors from the U.S., Europe, and the rest of the world.
Blue Mountain Popular Attractions
The best of the Blue Mountains includes the mighty Three Sisters rock formation and expansive Jamison Valley, both of which can be seen from Echo Point Lookout, various hiking trails, and Katoomba Scenic World's cable cars and tramways. Surrounding area tourist attractions include the tea shops and antique stores of Blackheath, Katoomba, and Leura, plus the Zig Zag Railway, the Norman Lindsay Gallery, and the Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to native animals such as kangaroos, wombats, and koalas.
Best Ways to Enjoy the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are most often visited on small-group or private day tours from Sydney, many of which last about 10 hours and include a tour guide, plus roundtrip coach transportation from your Sydney hotel. A typical Blue Mountains tour takes travelers out onto bushwalking trails, with some focusing specifically on day hikes, ATV adventures, or wildlife. It's the perfect destination for active travelers, hikers, and rock climbers.
Tours that include admission to Scenic World allow visitors to glide between clifftops and over the rainforest on the Scenic Skyway tram; descend into the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Railway; or ride the Mountain Devil, the steepest railway in Australia. Explore the tranquil rainforest along the Scenic Walkway and climb back to the top with amazing views and photo opportunities on the cableway. Aside from a visit to Scenic World, a Blue Mountain adventure can also be paired with a Sydney city tour to see the Opera House, a trip to the nearby Jenolan Caves, or a winery visit in the world-class wine-producing region of Hunter Valley. Those who want to get out on the water can opt for an afternoon river cruise on the Parramatta River as a stop on the journey back to Sydney.
How to Get There
Wentworth Falls
- The Charles Darwin Trail to Wentworth Falls can be very steep in parts; wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for a rigorous climb.
- Echo Point and Three Sisters rock formation is only a short drive from Wentworth Falls.
- The Grandview Hotel serves as a local meeting point with guest rooms, dining options, and an outdoor beer garden.
- Many tours include guided hikes to Wentworth Falls with transportation.
Cockle Bay
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Bradleys Head
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West Head Lookout
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360 Bar and Dining at Sydney Tower
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Woolloomooloo Wharf
By the 1970s usage of Woolloomooloo wharf was on the decline and by the 1980s it had become derelict and empty. The state had planned to demolish it, but when demolition work was set to begin there was such a strong public outcry that it was decided that the wharf would instead be renovated into a boutique hotel. Today, the wharf has been converted into a fashionable complex, housing some of Sydney’s finest restaurants and most stylish residential flats.
Nightcap National Park
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Cockle Bay Wharf
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Central Business District
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Newtown
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Minyon Falls
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Whale Beach
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Mount Warning
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National Portrait Gallery
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Hyde Park
Although gazetted as a public park (common) in 1810 by Governor Macquarie and named after Hyde Park in London, today's park was not recognizable in its current form until 1927, when architect and landscape artist Norman Weekes won a competition to beautify the area. Prior to this, the park was used as a sports field, a racecourse and a venue for bareknuckle fights!
The tiled central avenue that cuts through the park from Macquarie Street to the ANZAC Memorial is lined with Hill's Figs and is a lovely place to seek shade on a hot day.
Hyde Park plays an important role in a number of cultural events throughout the year and is the venue for the Sydney Festival, Australia Day, ANZAC Day and the Food & Wine Fair.
Hyde Park runs parallel to George St and is bounded by Elizabeth St to the west and College St to the east. If traveling by train, get off at either the St James or Museum railway stations.