New South Wales (NSW) is issuing an open invitation to the world to make a date with Sydney and NSW by booking a trip to explore its spectacular coastline, iconic attractions, outback towns and charming regional centres.
The majority of the state, including Sydney, South Coast, North Coast, the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains, is now welcoming visitors and booking a holiday in NSW is one of the best ways to help support towns and people impacted by the pressures of recent bushfires and drought.
Tourism is a vital economic driver for the state with travel dollars providing benefits to entire local communities of accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes, visitor sites and small businesses which are both immediate and long-lasting.
When visitors stay local and buy local, it not only provides a financial boost to these areas but significantly boosts community spirit.
Here are some of the top reasons to take a NSW trip now and in the coming months that you’ll enjoy and give back:
● Road Trips Galore
A road trip is the perfect way to enjoy all the things to do and see in the wonderfully diverse State of NSW. From a South Coast road trip, to a Hunter Valley wine escape, a surfing safari along the North Coast or heading out to explore Outback NSW, New South Wales offers countless year-round opportunities to jump in the car for a week or two of fun and adventure. While on the road, make sure to check out our events calendar for a variety of local festivals, farmer’s markets and entertainment on offer throughout the state.
● Valentine’s Day, Fri 14 February
Impress your true love with a romantic escape that gives back and book a trip at a cute bed and breakfast or Bubbletent, dine locally and stock the car with local produce and wine. For a relaxing nature filled escape, be sure to book a stay out in the gorgeous Blue Mountains villages of Leura and Blackheath, a beach escape to Port Macquarie, Yamba, Bermagui or Mollymook or for a true wine escape head to the vibrant wine making regions of Mudgee, Orange, Cowra,Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands and The Shoalhaven.
● Easter Holidays
The South Coast areas of the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Sapphire Coast are always a hit with visitors so take advantage of the Easter holidays and explore the South Coast and its network of coastal villages.Go dolphin watching in Jervis Bay, snorkeling with seals at Montague Island, paddle boarding in Tathra and explore the Killer Whale Trail in Eden. While visiting, make sure to also pop in to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, a twelve day celebration featuring agricultural competitions, animal experiences, live entertainment, carnival fun and shopping – fun for the whole family is guaranteed.
● Autumn leaves and Spring flowers
The cooler weather is the ideal time to head to the Southern Highlands, Snowy Mountains, Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley. Be it truffle and mushroom hunting in Oberon, apple picking in Batlow or Bilpin or taking in the autumn leaves at Tumbarumba, Katoomba or Bowral. Visitors planning a trip in Spring will have the chance to enjoy the famous jacaranda festival (mid October-November) in Grafton, whose streets are transformed by a bloom of beautiful purple colours.
● Sydney’s Iconic Events
The beautiful harbour city shines all year with spectacular and iconic events – why not book a trip to New South Wales to coincide with one or more? Vivid Sydney (May), the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, transforms the city into a hub of creativity, while Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi (October-November) offers the world’s largest annual free to the public outdoor sculpture exhibition, along a 2km sculpture walk starting at Bondi Beach. Fans of stage shows and theatre will also be delighted, with Disney’s Frozen the Musical premiering on 7 July 2020, making Sydney the first city outside North America to host the highly acclaimed musical adaptation.
● Whales
Whale watching season kicks off along the NSW Coast from May to November each year. More than 30,000 whales make their way along the Humpback Highway, and you can watch the spectacular show from clifftops, beaches and cruises. At Coffs Harbour, you can swim alongside whales with Jetty Dive, while in Port Macquarie Port Jet gets you out into open-ocean in under 10minutes. Further South, at Batemans Bay you can join Region X or Bay and Beyond for a sea kayaking tour, at Broulee Island you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the ocean and in Eden you can celebrate the whales at the annual Eden Whale Festival in November.
Visitors to NSW are reminded to always refer to NSW Rural Fire Service, Live Traffic and NSW National Parks for the latest information about local conditions.
