Visitors to New South Wales, Australia head for Sydney and its iconic structures, but there is so much more to this south eastern Australian state.

Whether you enjoy kicking back whilst basking your eyes in some nature, appreciating cultural pieces of art, or simply immersing yourself in the salty air of beautiful beaches, sometimes all you need is a sweet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Despite Sydney being a hotspot for many travellers visiting New South Wales, a few hours south from the busy CBD lies the South Coast area offering a wide range of attractions. From tranquil beaches just minutes’ walk from national parks, to premium vineyards serving Australia’s best heritage cheeses.

Here is our guide to 10 awesome things to do in the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

​Sydney, often mistaken for the capital of Australia, is a fantastic place to visit with kids. The bustling city has plenty to do for adults and kids of all ages, and it's super easy to find something more laid back to do too. Whether it's your first time in the city or you're making a returning visit, you should always be able to discover something new. Keeping the kids entertained in a city usually isn't too difficult, but Sydney makes it even easier. Anyone visiting Australia from elsewhere or residents who have decided to come and see Sydney can have a great time with little effort.

If you ever find yourself in Tasmania, the southern state of Australia, you have to visit Cradle Mountain. It’s ancient rainforest and beautiful nature all around will leave you speechless. 

Cradle Mountain is located in the North-West part of Tasmania, in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The world famous walking tour leading up to Cradle Mountain is known as the Overland Track, and is one of the most popular choices for hikers. It’s the prettiest and most visited national park in Tasmania. The Cradle Mountain Summit hiking track is definitely not for inexperienced hikers and requires you to have quite a high fitness level. It is graded as 5/5 for difficulty, but if you do achieve it, the breathtaking scenery is absolutely worth every step. If you decide to explore Cradle Mountain, here are some useful tips that will help you survive. 

You have been pondering over your next travel destination for a long time now; you have spent hours refining your personal bucket list, and still haven’t quite made your mind up. There are so many countries you want to visit, but Australia is definitely near the very top of the list. Not only because of the beautiful weather all year round, but because it is also home to some of the friendliest people, most stunning beaches and iconic buildings. You have heard a lot of things about where you should go and what you should do once you get to the land down under, but there are four cities in particular that have really caught your eye. Check out these four fabulous cities that everyone should visit if heading to Australia. 

​I may be shot for telling you what I’m about to tell you.

I believe there is a reason Coffs Harbour central, Australia hasn’t had a makeover since the 1970’s. It’s to keep the illusion it’s a dull, boring and ugly place to stop. Yes, keep going. We like our paradise. It’s reserved for the elite only. The curious, the non-sheep tourists.
​
Explore and you will discover.

I had always wanted to visit Uluru; the heart of Australia’s red centre. It’s a long way from anywhere and not easy to reach, but this didn’t stop me … it made me even more determined to go. Flying into the area for my first sighting of its deep orange and red colours were mesmerizing.

Uluru or Ayres Rock as it’s also known is located in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, in the Northern Territory of Australia. This semi-arid red desert is vast. With only 150-280mm of rainfall per year, bush fires are common whether “controlled” or accidental by someone dropping a careless cigarette.

Uluru is famous for its sandstone monolith bearing the same name, but its more than just an iconic big red rock. It tells a story of one of the oldest living cultures dating back thousands of years, a culture that has been lost to “modern day” Australia as we know it.

If you want to know the “real Australia”, you need to visit Uluru … and what a story it has to tell.

I could wax lyrical about my visit to Australia for as long as anyone will listen. It’s a bucket list destination for a lot of people, including me, so I decided to get a year’s working visa to give me the opportunity of not just travelling around and seeing as much as I could, but to live there and see what the Country really has to offer.

With statistics telling us it’s the world’s 6th largest Country, the world’s largest island and the only island that is a continent & country, distances between destinations are vast.
​
But what is it about Australia that has me and plenty of others talking about it years after they have visited?

Like I said, I could talk about how much I loved Australia all day but to give a less biased opinion, I decided to ask top bloggers who also have a fond affection for this Country for their views and experiences.

​I grew up in England where Christmases are generally wet and miserable and if you were lucky, just a little bit overcast and grey! In 2010 we had snow, proper snow where it covered the ground making it pretty and white – now for us Brits, that is the perfect Christmas, the stuff kid’s dreams are made of!

When I was 17 years old, I lost my Grandmother on Christmas Day so for me, the “magic of Christmas” had gone. I didn’t feel I could “celebrate” in the same way so over the years, I discovered that being away from the UK made me the happiest, plus, any excuse to have a holiday, right?

​I have since experienced Christmas in five different continents with both snow and sun. I love them both for different reasons, but one stood out for me the most … when I was 3ft deep in snow!

The cold isn’t for everyone …. so which do you think you would prefer?