New South Wales

Surfing at Hat Head
Tourism New South Wales

New South Wales is a land of contrasts. Lush rainforests, pristine beaches, snowfields and the rugged beauty of the outback all vie for visitors’ attention.

Beaches are a clear drawcard, with those at Bondi and Byron Bay among the most popular. Surfing, swimming and whale-watching can be enjoyed almost anywhere along the coast, but Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay National Park is home to the whitest sand in the world.

The discovery of Mungo Man and Woman, the miraculously preserved remains of two ancient Aboriginal people found in a dune over three decades ago, prove that civilisation existed here 40 000 years ago. Numerous Aboriginal nations have called the state home, and still do. Well-preserved fish traps in Brewarrina are thought by some to be the oldest man-made structures in the world.

After the American War of Independence spelt the end for British penal settlements in America, the recently annexed New South Wales was an obvious solution to the problem of overcrowded prisons. Conditions were harsh; the first inmates of Maitland Gaol, who included many children, were forced to march the six kilometres to the prison in shackles and chains.

Harsh conditions were not limited to the prisons. In 1845, explorer Charles Sturt lost his second-in-command and was stranded for six months in the outback near Milparinka. Today remote Silverton is the quintessential outback town, with its buildings and stark surrounds featuring in Australian films such as Mad Max II and The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

In stunning contrast, Sydney’s bright lights and sophistication sit beside the sparkling waters of the largest natural harbour in the world. The iconic Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, along with the successes of the 2000 Olympics and the popular Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, have ensured Sydney and New South Wales a place on the world stage.