The New South Wales coast North from Sydney is an endless string of golden beaches and friendly coastal townships; the Pacific Highway through to Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular scenic drives (1000km).
Less than an hour from Sydney, the Central Coast boasts beautiful beaches, quiet bays and a laid back coastal atmosphere. While away the afternoon watching pelicans flok in front of your waterfront cafe or watching the dolphins at play as you follow one of the scenic coastal walks.
A short detour inland and still only 2 hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine growing region, home to more than 100 wineries and dozens of fabulous restaurants, perfectly complemented by a fine selection of olive farms, galleries and antique shops. Cycle between cellar doors or sail over them in a hot air balloon. Enjoy a round of golf with the local kangaroos or simply relax and be pampered at one of the region’s excellent spas.
Continuing North, just two hours south of Brisbane, surfers and dolphins ride the waves whilst celebrities chat over cocktails and soothsayers sip their smoothies. The hip side by side with the hippy, Byron Bay is a melting pot of surf culture, alternative philosophies and hedonistic indulgence. Subtropical rainforests blanketing mountains forged by ancient volcanoes reach out to the sparkling coastline of endless beaches, crowned, at Australia’s most Easterly point by a single white lighthouse. Be the first in Australia to see the sun rise, soak up its rays on Watego’s beach and, as night falls enjoy a feast of fresh local produce at one of Byron’s many great eateries.
Inland of the Great Diving Range, Outback New South Wales is a vivid collection of awe-inspiring landscapes, extraordinary historical tales and memorable characters gathered together under bright blue skies. Visit Parkes’ giant radio telescope that broadcast man walking on the moon to audiences around the globe, learn the legends of the Aboriginal dreamtime and experience life on an outback station (ranch) to get a real appreciation for the splendid isolation and harsh beauty of this wide brown land.