A-Z of Sydney & New South Wales

 

Eager to explore Sydney and New South Wales? We've got you covered with our A - Z list of places to see, things to do and facts you need to know! Take a look below 🦘

A - Australia

If you didn’t know already… Sydney & New South Wales are in Australia! Part of the legendary East Coast, you'll quickly fall in love with New South Wales and all of the incredible spots it has to offer on one our trips here.

B - Bondi Beach 

It’s only the most iconic beach in Australia! Famed for its powder-white sandy stretches, crashing waves made for surfing, and celebrity lifeguards, Bondi Beach is the dream spot for soaking up the sunshine. And the best part? It’s close by downtown Sydney!

C - Coogee Beach

Don’t miss the incredible 6km (4 mile) walk from Bondi to Coogee! It’s one of the most beautiful coastal walks in all of New South Wales! Spend a day enjoying the sun, sea and sand as you follow the winding wooden path. Plus, tick off iconic spots like Bondi Icebergs, Bronte Beach and Clovelly Beach.

D - Darling Harbour

Is any trip to Sydney and New South Wales complete without experiencing the Darling Harbour’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere? Dig into some of the liveliest bars and restaurants in the whole city, offering unbeatable views of the stunning harbour. Don’t forget to catch the famous fireworks show hosted each weekend!

E - Sydney Tower Eye 

Want to know where the best views of Sydney are? Climb the Sydney Tower Eye and prepare to have your breath taken away. And if you’re feeling bold, why not give the Sydney Skywalk a go? What a bucket list moment!

F - Fitzroy Falls

Located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is the extraordinary waterfall known as Fitzroy Falls. This 81-meter waterfall is surrounded by lush forests and breathtaking valleys, with picture-perfect views as far as the eye can see. Within a two-hour drive south west of Sydney, Morton National Park is the ideal escape for backpackers who enjoy wildlife, hiking trails and cycling!

G - Grand Pacific Drive

In a country filled with iconic road trips, the Grand Pacific Drive really is something special. Picture yourself gliding along the coast, with lush mountains to your left and epic sea views to your right. From beachside villages and surfing spots, to the Sea Cliff Bridge, a road trip down the Grand Pacific Drive equals non-stop magic!

H - The Hunter Valley

No trip to New South Wales is complete without exploring the Hunter Valley region: world-famous for its Semillon and Shiraz, and best enjoyed with cheese and chocolate! Touring the wineries is an absolute must on our Sydney & Beyond trip: perfect for travellers who cannot pick between a group tour and travel on their own terms. While you’re here, you may even see some wild kangaroos hiding between the grape vines!

I - Inner Sydney

If you want to know where all the Sydneysiders go, it’s Inner Sydney of course! Home to some of the best bars, restaurants and markets around, these neighbourhoods embody the heart and soul of Sydney. Who knows… If you’re coming here on a Working Holiday Visa, maybe you’ll end up moving here. 👀

J - Jervis Bay

Between the heavenly stretches of white sand, and the dolphins skipping those turquoise waters… yep, we’re already booking our flights! A long day of resting on the beach already sounds like paradise, but wait until you take a boat ride out to see the best of Jervis Bay’s marine life… It’s a real highlight of our Sydney & Jervis Bay Adventure trip: set over eight extraordinary days.

K - Kangaroos

Who could forget these adorable creatures? New South Wales is home to more than 9.5 million kangaroos! If it’s on your bucket list to spot them hopping about, then the Blue Mountains, Jervis Bay and the beaches near Coffs Harbour are ideal wildlife spots where you might catch a glimpse of them! Or visit one of the many zoos that New South Wales has to offer for your chance to see these unique Australian animals. 

L - Lighthouse

Name a more iconic duo than the surfer town of Byron Bay and the Cape Byron Lighthouse… we’ll wait! Overlooking the most easterly point in all of Australia, the sunrises and sunsets here are in a whole league of their own. Hiking to the top takes around an hour, but there’s so much gorgeous coastline along the way that you shouldn’t be surprised if it takes you longer!  

M - Manly Beach

Love a stunning beach? Make sure to add Manly Beach to your bucket list! Take a 30-minute ferry north of Sydney and you’ll be treated to the unreal scenes of Manly Beach. It’s way less busy than Bondi, but equally gorgeous! Ask all the locals and they’ll say it’s their favourite beach in Sydney!

N - Newcastle

Famed for its surfing and street art, Newcastle is easily one of the best day trips from Sydney. It’s only a two and a half hour journey by train: and waiting for you on the other side are golden beaches, incredible coffee shops, and coastal views inside this unforgettable city on the seaport.

O - The Sydney Opera House

You already know it - it’s an icon! The Sydney Opera House always leaves a lasting impression on every traveller to New South Wales. It’s one of those landmarks you simply can’t miss. Take a seat inside and enjoy all kinds of theatre, dance and music performances. With 40+ shows a week, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

P - Port Macquarie

From koalas hanging out in the treetops to dolphins skipping the waves, there are plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities at Port Macquarie! Nestled on the northern coast of New South Wales, make the most out of all its breathtaking hiking trails and pristine shoreline. It’s an unmissable stop while exploring the Aussie East Coast!

Q - Circular Quay

Heading to the Sydney Harbour? Wander around Circular Quay for peaceful parks, bustling bars, and stunning views of the Sydney Opera House! It’s got everything a backpacker dreams of seeing in Sydney. You can even jump aboard a ferry to transport you around the rest of Sydney & New South Wales.

R - Royal National Park

Australia’s oldest national park leaves quite the impression… giant waterfalls, secret sandy spots and more! If you’re planning a journey along the Grand Pacific Drive, make sure you spend some time here exploring the bushwalks or going for a picnic on the beach. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

S - Stockton Bight Sand Dunes

S for Sydney was too obvious, so we’ve gone with another loved destination - Stockton Bight Sand Dunes! Get your adrenaline pumping by hopping in a 4WD and carving up the dunes, or try out some sandboarding on Absolute Oz: your one-week taster to life Down Under before starting an Aussie working holiday!

T - The Three Sisters

While visiting the Blue Mountains, you shouldn't miss out on its number one rock formation… The Three Sisters! Gaze out from Echo Point onto the rugged cliffs and blue-tinted valleys shrouded in mist, earning its colours from sunlight and eucalyptus oil droplets coming together. On our Sydney, Bondi & Blue Mountains trip, it’s guaranteed to be a view you’ll never forget 😍

U - Underwater

Did you know that New South Wales is a snorkelling and scuba diving paradise? From Jervis Bay Marine Park to Julian Rocks just off Byron Bay, marine life lovers are spoilt for choice. Maybe you’ll even spot a few dolphins while diving deeper into the ocean!

V - Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney comes around every year, lighting up the Aussie winter months (which, let’s be real, are way more sunny and warm than the UK!). The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with colourful art installations along with the rest of the city at 6pm every single night during the event, so each evening offers something a little different! And if that isn’t already cool enough, the city comes alive with awe-inspiring talks, immersive performances, live music and culinary experiences.  

2025 dates for Vivid Sydney are from Friday May 23rd to Saturday June 14th.

W - Whale Watching

What’s better than one ‘W’... Two ‘W’s: Whales and watching! Aussie wildlife is already pretty legendary, and going whale watching in New South Wales is a real bucket list moment! If you’re here from May to November, taking a whale-watching boat tour is an absolute must-do. Port Stephens and Jervis Bay are the top two spots!

X - Xmas in Sydney

Celebrating Christmas in Australia just hits different! It’s in the height of summer, and loads of Sydney’s top attractions stay open on this special occasion. Spend the day exploring Taronga Zoo in the heart of Sydney before exploring festive night markets, spotting the floating Christmas tree at the Darling Harbour. Or if you’re into the idea of a beach day, did you know it’s tradition to wear red swimsuits and celebrate over a BBQ?

Y - Yummy food

Calling all foodies, you’ll adore Sydney. No matter what cuisine is your favourite, Sydney knows how to perfect it! From fish and chips at Bondi Beach, to delicious Asian noodles in Chinatown, there’s something for every traveller! And who could forget the classic Aussie BBQs?! It’s foodie heaven.

Z - Zoo

Last but not least, Z is for Zoo, because what trip to Australia is complete without seeing its iconic wildlife? While you’ll have loads to choose from on your trip here, Taronga Zoo in the heart of Sydney is easily the most famous one! Home to more than 4000 animals, now’s your chance to see koalas, giraffes, wallabies, and more!

Now you know our A - Z of Sydney & New South Wales, you’ll know this state like a local! Can’t contain your excitement for an Aussie adventure starting in Sydney? Take a look at our Sydney & New South Wales group tours to make that Australia dream trip a reality.