Travel to New South Wales

New South Wales New South Wales New South Wales
New South Wales

Located in the south-east part of Australia, New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia. Most of that population is concentrated in the Sydney area as Sydney is Australia’s largest city. Visitors however should not feel overwhelmed by Sydney as it citizens put our laid back vibe. While there most travelers make the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge a must do stop.

Outside of Sydney New South Wales has much to offer. Travelers looking for some fresh air and an Australian wildlife experience can head 90 minutes west and visit the Blue Mountains. These spectacular blue-haze mountains are filled with tall eucalyptus trees, stunning vistas and tremendous waterfalls.

For the foodies a hour drive north of Sydney delivers them to one of Australia’s top food and Wine regions, The Hunter Valley. Visitor can visit the over 120 fantastic wineries or a local producer or two cheese and olive oil. Not to mention all the local artists and antique shops there are to visit.

For those staying a few days in New South Wales and want an island getaway, Lord Howe Island is only a two hour flight to a stunning paradise on the World’s southernmost coral reef.

People

The Australian people are well-known for their attitude towards their lives and living life to the fullest.  Australians are fun loving, courageous, talented, devoted and adventurous.  The culture and lifestyle is diverse and reflects liberal democratic traditions and values.

Language

Australia has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto national language.  Australian English has a distinctive accent and vocabulary and there is an abundance of slang and colloquialisms.

History

Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian continent. They spoke one or more of hundreds of separate languages and dialects, and their lifestyles and cultural traditions differed from region to region. Their complex social systems and highly developed traditions reflect a deep connection with the land.

The first recorded European contact with Australia was in March 1606, when Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon (1571–1638) charted the west coast of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. Later that year, the Spanish explorer Luis Vaez de Torres sailed through the strait separating Australia and Papua New Guinea. Over the next two centuries, European explorers and traders continued to chart the coastline of Australia, then known as New Holland. In 1688, William Dampier became the first British explorer to land on the Australian north west coast. It was not until 1770 that another Englishman, Captain James Cook, aboard the Endeavour, extended a scientific voyage to the South Pacific in order to further chart the east coast of Australia and claim it for the British Crown.

Britain decided to use its new outpost as a penal colony. The First Fleet of 11 ships carried about 1500 people – half of them convicts. The fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1788, and it is on this day every year that Australia Day is celebrated.

About 160,000 men and women were brought to Australia as convicts from 1788 until penal transportation ended in 1868. The convicts were joined by free immigrants beginning in the early 1790s. The wool industry and the gold rushes of the 1850s provided an impetus for increasing numbers of free settlers to come to Australia.

The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 through the federation of six states under a single constitution. The non-Indigenous population at the time of Federation was 3.8 million, while the estimated Indigenous population was around 93,000. Half of the people lived in cities, three-quarters were born in Australia, and the majority were of English, Scottish or Irish descent.

The founders of the new nation believed they were creating something new and were concerned to avoid the pitfalls of the old world. They wanted Australia to be harmonious, united and egalitarian, and had progressive ideas about human rights, the observance of democratic procedures and the value of a secret ballot.

One of the first acts of the new Commonwealth Parliament was to pass the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, which limited migration to people of primarily European origin. This was dismantled progressively after the Second World War. Today Australia has a global, non-discriminatory policy and is home to people from more than 200 countries.

After 1945 Australia entered a boom period. Hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants arrived in Australia in the immediate post-war period, many of them young people eager to embrace their new lives with energy and vigor. The number of Australians employed in the manufacturing industry had grown steadily since the beginning of the century. Many women who had taken over factory work while men were away at war were able to continue working in peacetime.

The 1960s was a period of change for Australia. The ethnic diversity produced by post-war immigration, the United Kingdom’s increasing focus on Europe, and the Vietnam War (to which Australia sent troops) all contributed to an atmosphere of political, economic and social change.

In 1967 the Australian people voted overwhelmingly in a national referendum to give the federal government the power to pass legislation on behalf of Indigenous Australians and to include Indigenous Australians in future censuses. The referendum result was the culmination of a strong campaign by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It was widely seen as a strong affirmation of the Australian people’s wish to see their government take direct action to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australia today is an independent nation within the British Commonwealth. The British Monarch, although constitutional head of state, plays no active role in the administration of Australia’s government. Australia’s current prime minister is Julia Gillard, the country’s first female leader. The capital city is Canberra, while Sydney is the largest city.

Currency

The official currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents

Weather

Australia experiences mild temperatures year round. The northern states are typically warm tropical and the southern states are cooler and sometimes snowy.

From December to February is Australia’s summer and wet season in the tropical north. The Winter (June to August) is commonly temperate with sunny days in the northern states and snow in the southern mountain regions.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations are not required unless travelers are coming from, or have visited a yellow fever infected country within six days of arrival.

Visa Requirements

A tourist visa - usually issued as an electronic Travel Authority (ETA) - is required for all US citizens traveling to Australia for a stay no longer than three months.  Possession of a confirmed and onward or return ticket to a place where entry is authorized and sufficient funds to show support is required.  Conditions apply to approval - so please ask your destination specialist for details.

Tipping & Porterage

Tipping is not as entrenched a custom at is in the US, however, generous donations by American visitors have changed the expectations of many in the industry.  Generally, a 10% tip at finer restaurants is sufficient, and taxi drivers only expect a top if they assisted with luggage.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in Australia, particularly MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club.

Money

Currency is Australian dollar denominations:
Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2
Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100

Electrical Appliances

240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. is the standard.  Most hotels have a 110 volt 20 watt A.C. outlet for electric shavers only in the bathroom.  A convertor from volts is required for all other appliances as well as an adapter to suit South Pacific plug shapes.

Water

Drinking water in urban Australia is safe for drinking from the tap or faucet. In rural areas it is suggested that water be treated before drinking or use bottled water.


Related Destinations

Blue Mountains
Broken Hill
Byron Bay
Hunter Valley
Lord Howe Island
Sydney

Build your own custom brochure

Finally, information the way you want it, when you want. Create your own customized information brochure from anything on our site with this magical tool called a brochure builder. Add destination information, hotels, resort and lodges and even vacations that you are interested in. Simply find a product you are interested in, and click to add to your brochure.

Once you have finalized your selection, press select and your own customized brochure will be created, filled with all sorts of hints and tips to get you started. What a great way to get your friends and family interested in a trip, or perhaps to surprise your husband or wife with, or even to just have a memory of your own vacation?

The selection on this website is just a small showcase of the offerings available, ask the travel experts for more details. We're here to inspire!

    

This Destination

New South Wales

Related Destinations

Adelaide
Alice Springs
Ayers Rock Uluru
Barossa Valley
Blue Mountains
Brisbane
Broken Hill
Broome
Byron Bay
Cairns
Clare Valley
Coober Pedy
Cradle Mountain National Park
Daintree National Park
Dandenong Ranges
Darwin
Daylesford-Macedon Ranges
Devonport
East Kimberley
Eyre Peninsula
Flinders Ranges
Fraser Island
Freycinet National Park
Gold Coast
Grampians
Great Ocean Road
Hobart
Hunter Valley
Kakadu National Park
Kangaroo Island
Katherine
Kings Canyon
Kuranda
Launceston
Lord Howe Island
Margaret River
Melbourne
Monkey Mia
Mornington Peninsula
New South Wales
Ningaloo and Exmouth
Northern Territory
Palm Cove Northern Beaches
Perth
Phillip Island
Port Arthur
Port Douglas
Queensland
Resort Islands
South Australia
Strahan - West Coast
Sunshine Coast
Sydney
Tasmania
The Kimberleys
The Whitsundays
Victoria
Western Australia
Yarra Valley

Related Hotels

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
InterContinental Sydney
Spicers Potts Point, Sydney
A by Adina
ADGE Boutique Apartment Hotel

Related Vacations

Australia and New Zealand Panorama
Australia’s Icons - Sydney, Uluru and Reef
Brisbane, Hamilton Island and Sydney
Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand
Discover Brisbane, Sydney & Cairns with Qantas

Related Tours

Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off
Blue Mountains High Country Eco Tour
Bondi Beach, City Sights & Harbour Lunch Cruise
Bondi Local
BridgeClimb Burrawa


Featured Hotels

Spicers Potts Point,…
Wilderness Lodge Lake…
Le Bora Bora by Pearl…
Thala Beach Nature…
Spicers Tamarind Retreat

Popular Vacations

Southern Highlights
New Zealand Wine Trail
Australia’s Icons…
South Island Romance
Icons of Tasmania

Hotels

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Four Seasons Hotel…

Stunningly situated overlooking Sydney Harbour in the historic Rocks…

Learn More

InterContinental Sydney

InterContinental…

Nestled in the renowned dress circle of Circular Quay with…

Learn More

Spicers Potts Point, Sydney

Spicers Potts…

Nestled away snugly in Potts Point and on the edge of the Sydney city…

Learn More

ADGE Boutique Apartment Hotel

ADGE Boutique…

The ADGE Boutique Apartment Hotel offers a collection of two-bedroom,…

Learn More

Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach

Adina Apartment…

Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi is located on Hall Street, the main strop…

Learn More

Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney, Town Hall

Adina Apartment…

Superbly located in Sydney’s City Center, Adina Apartment Hotel…

Learn More

Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Byron at Byron, a…

Nestled in 45-acres of magical subtropical rainforest, Byron at…

Learn More

Capella Lodge

Capella Lodge

Celebrated as the pinnacle of luxury on World Heritage-listed Lord…

Learn More

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

Emirates…

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is an ultra-luxury…

Learn More

Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Holiday Inn Darling…

Visiting the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour puts you right in the center…

Learn More

Hunter Valley Resort

Hunter Valley Resort

Hunter Valley Resort is not one of those big resorts, but a…

Learn More

Pier One Sydney Harbour - Autograph Collection

Pier One Sydney…

Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection is a 5-star luxury…

Learn More

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

Radisson Blu Plaza…

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is an intimate, boutique-style,…

Learn More

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Shangri-La Hotel,…

Stunning views that will take your breath away, the Shangri-La Hotel…

Learn More

Spicers Guesthouse

Spicers Guesthouse

Just two hours drive north of Sydney, Spicers Guesthouse is perfectly…

Learn More

Spicers Sangoma Retreat

Spicers Sangoma…

Cocooned by the natural serenity of the Blue Mountains, Sangoma is as…

Learn More

Spicers Vineyards Estate

Spicers Vineyards…

A luxuriously appointed estate set amongst rolling vineyards and…

Learn More


See More Hotels »

Vacations

Australia and New Zealand Panorama

Australia and New…

Just how many legendary Antipodean attractions can you tick off in…

Learn More

Australia’s Icons - Sydney, Uluru and Reef

Australia’s…

Three of Australia’s iconic destinations packaged into one…

Learn More

Brisbane, Hamilton Island and Sydney

Brisbane, Hamilton…

Get outdoors and discover Brisbane, Hamilton Island and Sydney. Your…

Learn More

Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand

Contrasts of…

Discover Australia’s and New Zealand’s highlights on a…

Learn More

Discover Brisbane, Sydney & Cairns with Qantas

Discover Brisbane,…

Have you always wanted to visit Australia? Experience Australia on…

Learn More

Distinctively Sydney

Distinctively Sydney

Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbor, seductive outdoor lifestyle and…

Learn More

East Coast Islands and Rainforest

East Coast Islands…

From the cityscapes of Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns, to the natural…

Learn More

Hamilton Island and Sydney

Hamilton Island and…

Relax and explore Hamilton Island ideally situated in the stunning…

Learn More

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

Highlights of…

A perfect mix of modern cities and ancient landscapes characterizes…

Learn More

Live it Up in Sydney  - New Years Eve 2023

Live it Up in…

New Year’s Eve is the night when Sydney puts on the bling,…

Learn More

Melbourne and Sydney

Melbourne and Sydney

Visit two of Australia’s most popular cities and experience all of…

Learn More

Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney

Melbourne, Adelaide…

Take a journey to the Southern cities of Australia – rich with…

Learn More

Melbourne, Cairns & Sydney - East Coast Experience

Melbourne, Cairns…

Discover Australia’s East Coast Cities - Melbourne, Sydney and…

Learn More

Melbourne, Perth and Sydney

Melbourne, Perth…

Combine the cultural capital of Melbourne with the gateway of the…

Learn More

Sunshine, Sand and Beaches

Sunshine, Sand and…

Follow the sun on this 12-night vacation to Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser…

Learn More

Sydney and Cairns Escape

Sydney and Cairns…

Travel Down Under and visit two of Australia’s most popular…

Learn More

Sydney to Byron Self-Drive

Sydney to Byron…

Renowned for a beach lifestyle, you will never need to go far in…

Learn More

The Wonders of Australia - Sydney, Uluru & Cairns

The Wonders of…

Discover Australia’s diverse landscapes and immerse yourself in…

Learn More


See More Vacations »

Tours

Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off

Big Bus Sydney…

Overview Experience one of the best Sydney tours to take your Sydney…

Learn More

Blue Mountains High Country Eco Tour

Blue Mountains High…

Duration:  9.5 hours Travel through the historical Rocks…

Learn More

Bondi Beach, City Sights & Harbour Lunch Cruise

Bondi Beach, City…

Duration:  5.75 hours Take in stunning harbour views on board a…

Learn More

Bondi Local

Bondi Local

Duration: 3.5 hours Discover the home of surf lifesaving and the…

Learn More

BridgeClimb Burrawa

BridgeClimb Burrawa

Duration: 3.5 Hours An Indigenous storytelling experience…

Learn More

BridgeClimb Summit

BridgeClimb Summit

Epic City Views Video Duration: 3 Hours Experience the breathtaking…

Learn More

BridgeClimb Summit Insider

BridgeClimb Summit…

Duration: 2.5 Hours Step-by-step (1,002 to be exact!)…

Learn More

Captain Cook Dinner Cruise

Captain Cook Dinner…

Duration: 2.5 - 3.5 Hours. Travel aboard MV Sydney 2000 or John…

Learn More

Captain Cook Hop On Hop Off Cruise

Captain Cook Hop On…

Duration:1hr 30 min round trip – 24 hour pass. Travel at your…

Learn More

Cruise Like a Local

Cruise Like a Local

Duration: 4 Hours. Treat yourself to Sydney Harbour's most…

Learn More

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

Handa Opera on…

Experience an opera, but not as you have ever seen before for your…

Learn More

Illi-Langi - The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour

Illi-Langi - The…

Duration: 90 minutes Be touched by the most ancient human culture on…

Learn More

Panoramic Sydney

Panoramic Sydney

Duration: 3.5 hours. Visit the historic Rocks district and hear…

Learn More

Sydney Attractions Combination Pass

Sydney Attractions…

Overview Why not make the most of your Sydney vacation with a…

Learn More

Sydney Harbour Discovery Cruise

Sydney Harbour…

Explore the world’s largest and most beautiful natural harbor…

Learn More

Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour

Sydney Opera House…

Get an exclusive experience of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed…

Learn More

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney Opera House…

Duration: 1 Hour. Step beneath the sails and discover what makes the…

Learn More

Sydney Opera House Tour and Dine

Sydney Opera House…

Duration:  2 Hours. Discover insider secrets and stories of the…

Learn More

Sydney Opera House Tour and Tasting Plate

Sydney Opera House…

Duration: 2 Hours. Experience the delicious Tour and Tasting Plate…

Learn More

Taronga Zoo Wild Australia Experience

Taronga Zoo Wild…

Duration: 2 hours This is an animated journey led by an experienced…

Learn More


See More Day Tours »