16 Famous Landmarks in New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales in the south east of the country is often the first stop in Australia because of Sydney. But what a stop! The state has so much to offer that to reduce it to Sydney, as beautiful as that city is, would be an injustice.
Rich in history, New South Wales will delight you with its diversity of attractions and landscapes: idyllic beaches, national parks, outback with its Mad Max-like lunar landscapes…. You should definitely take a few days to enjoy the wonders of New South Wales.
Do you know what are the most famous landmarks in New South Wales?
Here is the list of 16 of the best landmarks of New South Wales, natural and man made included!
Full List of of the 16 Most Famous Landmarks of New South Wales
We can find 2 categories of landmarks in the state of New South Wales: natural and man made landmarks. Find out my full list of the 16 best landmarks by category below 👇
Natural landmarks:
- Blue Mountains
- Figure Eight Pools
- South Coast
- Grand Pacific Drive
- Kangaroo Valley
- Snowy Mountains
- Hunter Valley
- Port Stephens
- Outback
- Lord Howe Island
- Norfolk Island
Man made landmarks:
- Sydney
- Byron Bay
- Canberra
- Wollongong
- Coffs Harbour
So here is the list of the best landmarks and attractions in New South Wales! If you want more info & details about each of these places, keep reading!
New South Wales Natural Landmarks
NSW is a concentrate of Australia. Indeed, you’ll find all the natural wonders that make Australia famous: huge national parks, bush lands, natural pools, paradise beaches…
Here are 11 best natural attractions in New South Wales!
1. Blue Mountains
Located on the outskirts of Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park stretches over 11,000km from the town of Penrith to Lithgow.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains are a popular stop on a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane as they offer a wide range of walks for all abilities, breathtaking views, canyons and huge waterfalls. Katoomba, Wentworth Falls and the Three Sisters are the most famous places in the park.
A breath of fresh air for Sydneysiders, but also for the visitors from all over the word who will be able to observe kookaburras, owls, possums, etc.
2. Figure Eight Pools
It’s a national park in Australia where you can swim in a particularly photogenic pool in figure-eight shaped pools on the edge of the ocean.
The Figure Eight Pools Royal National Park is located about 1 hour from Sydney. There are several natural wonders and hiking trails, but it’s especially this figure-eight shaped pool that attracts the visitors interest.
To get there, you have to hike 6km on a trail that is described as difficult (3 to 4 hours round trip). It’s essential to visit the pools only at low tide and when the sea is calm, because the site can become dangerous.
3. South Coast
The South Coast of NSW is much less touristic than the North Coast. Nevertheless, it has some beautiful spots including forests, mountains, beaches and picturesque villages.
With 30 national parks, marine reserves, some of the world’s purest white sand beaches and a rich Aboriginal history, the South Coast is an ideal vacation destination.
If you’re traveling through the South Coast, make sure not to miss some of the most famous spots. Among them: Jervis Bay and Eden where you can watch whales and dolphins; the Sapphire Coast where you’ll find the Bega Valley and the Ben Boyd National Park; and Hyams Beach which is known as the world’s whitest sand beach.
4. Grand Pacific Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive is one of the most famous and beautiful routes in Australia. It starts from the Royal National Park located 1 hour drive from Sydney, and goes along the coastline up to the town of Kiama.
This 140km route is a great way to visit part of the South Coast as it crosses several spots such as Sea Cliff Bridge, Wollongong or Shellharbour.
On the road, there are lots of incredible lookouts offering incredible views over the ocean and the coastline. It’s an ideal route for a road trip as you can enjoy both city and nature activities: you can swim in beautiful white sand beaches, go on adventure in the rainforest, taste local wines…
5. Kangaroo Valley
Located halfway between Canberra and Sydney, the Kangaroo Valley is one of the best kept secrets of the Sydney region, while Australians consider it the most beautiful valley in NSW.
The landscapes are breathtaking. The best place to admire the beauty of the place is to walk to the Cambewarra lookout where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole valley. On a clear day, you can even see Jervis Bay.
Kangaroo Valley is also known for the quality of its food and local products, including the wines produced by the local winery in Yarrawa.
6. Snowy Mountains
Skiing in Australia is possible! The Snowy Mountains in the Kosciuzko National Park are home to Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 meters, as well as beautiful lakes, diverse landscapes and a wide range of activities and events.
All year round, the Snowy Mountains offer a different kind of experience and a sensational connection to nature.
In winter, tackle the snow at Thredbo and Perisher Blue. In summer, enjoy the waterways and plains bursting with wildflowers. You can explore these areas by bike, 4WD, horseback, raft, kayak or on foot.
7. Hunter Valley
Located about 150km north from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is a good stop for wine lovers and scenic landscapes. Local foodies love going there on weekend trips.
Although the valley represents only 2% of the country’s wine production, the valley that stretches over 50 kilometers between Pokolbin and Cessnock, is one of the most prestigious in Australia. It’s also the oldest wine region of the country.
At dusk, the Hunter Valley even looks like Tuscany. The only difference is that here, it’s not rabbits that you see in the fields, but friendly kangaroos!
8. Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a large natural bay located 2.5 hours north of Sydney, in the Hunter region. It’s the ideal destination for a long weekend by the sea with crystal clear water and beautiful mountain scenery.
In Port Stephens Bay, which is twice the size of Sydney, you’ll be spoilt for choice with its 26 sandy beaches. But you can also enjoy the mountains and climb to the top of Mount Tomaree.
It’s also the starting point for exploring the Stockton Bight sand dunes by 4WD or taking a dolphin watching cruise.
9. Outback
No need to drive up to the Northern Territory to find the Outback! Indeed, you can also find these endless red lands in NSW as well and immerse yourself into the Aboriginal culture!
NSW Outback has lots of opal mines, especially at White Cliffs, where many Australians venture to make their fortune.
You won’t get bored when visiting the NSW Outback as there are also lots of famous spots and tourists attractions. Go explore the Mungo National Park which is a listed as a World Heritage Site or have a break in Broken Hill also known as the Silver City.
10. Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is a paradise lost in the heart of the Pacific. This piece of land is about 10km long, 2km wide and is located 600km from Port Macquarie, the nearest mainland’s city.
Classified as a World Heritage Site since 1982, the island is famous for its incredibly rich natural land and marine heritage. Only 300 people live on this small island and can only accommodate 400 visitors at a time.
In addition to preserving the beautiful scenery and unique wildlife, this means that as a visitor you won’t be overwhelmed by the crowds and you’ll be able to enjoy the unspoiled rainforests, looming mountains and tropical reefs.
11. Norfolk Island
Lost in the middle of the Tasman Sea 1,412km from the mainland, Norfolk Island is so close to New Zealand and other South Pacific islands that most people don’t even know it’s part of Australia.
If you’re interested in history, culture, food, shopping or nature, you won’t be disappointed. There’s so much to do on Norfolk Island, it really is a great vacation destination for everyone.
Take a tour of the historic sites, dive at Emily Bay Lagoon or Anson Bay, taste some fresh local products, watch rare birds in their natural habitats and watch the sunset from the top of Mount Pitt.
So, here are the best New South Wales natural landmarks! Keep reading below to discover more of NSW 👇
New South Wales Man Made Landmarks
NSW is the most visited state in Australia, especially because of its man made landmarks. Some of them are word-famous and visitors come from all over the world to visit them.
Here are 5 of the best man made landmarks New South Wales has to offer!
12. Sydney
Its cool lifestyle and beauty have made Sydney one of the world’s most enjoyable cities. And in case you didn’t know: no, Sydney is not the capital city of Australia!
Sydney’s cultural life is diverse and vibrant, especially in King Cross, The Rock, Oxford Street and Darling Harbor. Food lovers aren’t left out as the city offers many quality restaurants with cuisines from all over the world.
Visitors will enjoy strolling through the city’s urban landscapes, which harmoniously blend contemporary and colonial architecture, such as Paddington or Newton. They will also love the parks located in town such as Hyde Park, and enjoy the natural pools and postcard beaches, such as Bondi or Manly.
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Sydney
13. Byron Bay
Located 2 hours drive from Brisbane on the ocean, Byron Bay is known for being the coolest city in Australia. The small town is known for its relaxed atmosphere with very poetic and authentic streets.
It’s also a popular spot for surfers. Indeed, the city has lots of beaches such as Main Beach, Clarkes Beach or Tallow Beach. They have waves of exceptional quality.
A few kilometers from the center, Cape Byron Lighthouse dominates the town and offers a breathtaking view of the ocean and the surrounding beaches. It’s the easternmost point of Australia from which you can observe dolphins, turtles, manta rays and other marine creatures passing by.
14. Canberra
Capital of Australia since 1908, Canberra is located in the southeast of New South Wales, 3 hours drive south from Sydney.
The Bush Capital was built at the beginning of the 20th century to house all the political institutions of the country. This doesn’t mean the city is boring!
Indeed, besides the great museums and art galleries that are worth a visit, the city is full of bars and hosts lots of events and concerts. Be careful though, the city is a bit expensive.
15. Wollongong
Wollongong is a coastal town located about 70 kilometers south of Sydney. It’s the 10th largest city in Australia.
Home to beautiful beaches, sandstone cliffs, rainforests and plenty of family activities, there are lots of activities to do around Wollongong. The city’s beaches such as Port Kembla or Austinmer are incredible, and some of them have natural ocean pools!
From there, it’s easy to take the Grand Pacific Drive south of Sydney for one of the most scenic drives in Australia.
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Wollongong
16. Coffs Harbour
Located halfway between Brisbane and Sydney, Coffs Harbour is a typical Australian city with wide open beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
The landscape of Coffs Harbour is also unique because it is the only place in New South Wales where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, the land is quite hilly and beautiful forested mountains are always nearby.
There are some attractions you can’t miss when in Coffs Harbour, including The Big Banana, Forest Sky Pier or Muttonbird Island.
Map of New South Wales Landmarks
Here is my map with all the places of interest in New South Wales listed on this post. To get it, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
More Landmarks in Australia
Want to discover more famous Australia landmarks? Well, I have other posts that you might like!
Here is the main guide of all famous Australia landmarks 👉 The Very Best Landmarks in Australia.
Find the best landmarks in Australia by state:
- Famous landmarks in Queensland
- Famous landmarks in South Australia
- Famous landmarks in Northern Territory
- Famous landmarks in Victoria
- Famous landmarks in Tasmania
Find the best landmarks in Australia by city:
- Famous landmarks in Sydney
- Famous landmarks in Brisbane
- Famous landmarks in Darwin
- Famous landmarks in Cairns
- Famous landmarks in Adelaide
- Famous landmarks in Wollongong
- Famous landmarks in Hobart
I hope you could’ve made your list of the must-see places in Australia thanks to these guides. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback!
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