New South Wales family-friendly travel guide

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About New South Wales

With majestic mountains, lush valleys, the rich red of the outback and a coastline dotted with beautiful beaches and charming seaside villages, New South Wales truly has it all.

Australia’s most developed state is also home to its largest city: vibrant and picturesque Sydney. The harbour and Bondi Beach are some of the country’s most famous attractions, and rightly so, but don’t forget to explore further afield as the rest of the state’s coastline is just as fabulous! While many tourists stick to the coast, a trip inland well be very much worth your while as the arid outback, pastoral hinterlands and country hospitality are just as much a part of the state’s charm.

New South Wales holiday ideas

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New South Wales facts

Capital

Sydney

Population

7.544 million (2014)

Official language(s)

English

Time zone

GMT+10

Landmass

809,444 km²

Currency

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Emergency number

000

Religion

24.1% Roman Catholic, 15% Anglican, 3.6% Islam

Helpful information

Where to go

Sydney

With its abundance of attractions, Sydney is holiday heaven for visitors and locals alike. With museums such as the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum, beach icons like Bondi and Manly, beautiful parks like Bicentennial Park, the Royal National Park and Centennial Park, and nautical attractions like Sydney Aquarium, you will never hear the kids saying, “I’m bored!” in this city.

Northern NSW

Northern New South Wales is a melting pot of magnificent lakes, mountain ranges, lush hinterland and sparkling beaches, all just waiting to be discovered. With a wide variety of family accommodation and child-friendly activities, Northern New South Wales has all the elements of a fantastic family holiday.

For sheer beauty, it’s hard to go past the endless golden beaches – Shoal Bay, Forster, South West Rocks, Byron Bay and Nambucca Heads are some of the best-known, but there are many more remote coves and inlets scattered along the coast.

The Central Coast

Packed with pristine beaches and lush bushland, the Central Coast is one of NSW’s most popular holiday destinations. Surfers flock to the region in summer for some of the best waves along the East Coast, while families will love the kid-friendly lagoons and sheltered sections at many of the beaches.

Newcastle

As Australia’s second oldest city, Newcastle is rich with history and culture. Here, convict-built sandstone buildings blend seamlessly with modern architecture and hippie-styled boutiques. The city’s stunning coastline is dotted with beautiful, family-friendly beaches – with a diverse range of trendy waterfront cafes and eateries – and local hangouts like the Bogey Hole and the Art Deco Ocean Baths are just waiting to be explored.

Port Macquarie

Located midway between Brisbane and Sydney, Port Macquarie is the perfect place for a family holiday that caters to a,l ages. Its natural assets – 15 pristine beaches, massive rivers, rainforests, rolling plains and undulating mountains – combine with a wide variety of accommodation, attractions, outdoor activities and one of the best climates in Australia.

The South Coast

From Woolongong to Kiama, Berry to Nowra, the South Coast is filled with stunning locales and scenic adventures. With the spacious calm of a country town combined with the diverse range of activities usually reserved to larger cities, the south coast has something for everyone.

Regional New South Wales

Head out of the big smoke and all sorts of unexpected experiences await. Visit a mine before heading to the School of the Air in Broken Hill or explore a bushranger’s hideout in Uralla. Go bushwalking in Barrington Tops National Park, see the animals at Dubbo’s Taronga Zoo or go fishing on the banks of the Murray River. Explore Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains or go bananas for bananas in Coffs Harbour. Have a whale of a time at Sydney’s more quaint southern sibling in Wollongong or tackle the waterslides and other thrilling rides at Jamberoo. The range of accommodation is just as diverse, ranging from fabulous farmstays to large resorts and excellent holiday parks.

Best time to go to New South Wales

New South Wales is blessed with beautiful weather most of the year, but to make the most of its stunning beaches and water attractions, visiting during summer is the way to go.

However, winter is also full of fun treats. For example, a winter visit means you can catch the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba or the incredible light festival of Vivid Sydney.

Summer

During summer, average temperatures range from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to enjoy Sydney’s abundant beaches when water temperatures rise to around 22 degrees Celsius.

Spring

In spring, days are warmer but the humidity is not as high as summer. Average daily temperatures range from 11 to 23 degrees Celsius.

Getting in and around for families

Main airport

Just outside the city centre, Sydney International Airport is connected to the CBD by regular trains.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in Sydney and the majority of major hubs.

Buses

Sydney’s public transport includes a range of buses, ferries and trains, depending on where you need to go. Plan your trip here.

Trains and buses connect major hubs in the state, click here to plan your trip.

Food and drinks that kids will love

A range of fine and casual dining, all the way to accessible chain restaurants, are available around New South Wales.

Shopping

A number of local artists’ markets can be found in New South Wales. The Rozelle Collectors Markets always deliver a rare find, or the Winmalee Artisan Markets in the Blue Mountains showcase a range of local hand-made crafts.

A range of upscale shopping centres can be found around Sydney, and Bondi Junction is a local favourite.

Customs

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

What to wear

In warmer months, New South Wales can be very warm. Pack thongs, singlets, and swimmers! If visiting in winter, be sure to pack a few warmer layers.

Courtesy

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners.

Electricity

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

Safety and health precautions

Health precautions

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Safety

By and large, New South Wales is considered a safe destination, although still exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

Most photographed places

Bondi Beach

Famous the world over for its crescent-shaped golden shoreline, Bondi Beach is the perfect day out for families. Only eight kilometres from Sydney’s city centre, Bondi offers great waves, kid-friendly saltwater sea baths and an array of hip cafes, markets and shopping.

If visiting in October and November you can join the crowds perusing Sculpture by the Sea, an outdoor exhibition of artworks stretching two kilometres along the coastline between Bondi and Coogee.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is the quintessential Aussie bohemian beach town with its laid-back surfer vibes and gorgeous scenery. A snap of a sublime sunset, the trinkets at the local markets, a downward dog pose at a yoga retreat or a little grom hitting the waves for the first time are just a few of the sights that make this one of Instagram’s favourite locales in the state.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

The only way is up for thrill seekers who take on the BridgeClimb Sydney or the city’s highest point at Sydney Tower Eye and Skywalk, both of which make for a great sky-high photo-op. Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are among Sydney’s most famous attractions.

Hyams Beach

For years Hyams Beach has boasted the ‘whitest sand in the world’, even earning it this title in Guinness Book of World Records. Hyams Beach boasts crystal-clear waters and sweeping panoramic views that are perfect if you want to make the folks back home envious. Located in Shoalhaven, near Jervis Bay, it’s an important addition to any photo album.