Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

New South Wales
by Marc Llewellyn
4
With so much to experience in a
state as big as New South Wales, you’re
not going to see all the major attractions
in one hit, so you must prioritize.
If you have just a few days to
spare, you should certainly head out to
the Blue Mountains, part of the Great
Dividing Range that separates the lush
eastern coastal strip from the more
arid interior. Although they are more
hills than mountains, they are spectacular,
with tall eucalyptus trees, deep
river valleys, waterfalls, and craggy
cliffs. Or spend a day in the vineyards
of the lower Hunter (also known as
the Hunter Valley). If you have a few
more days, I recommend heading to
Barrington Tops National Park, north
of the Hunter, for a taste of rainforest
and native animals, or down to the
pristine beaches of Jervis Bay for gorgeous
scenery and great bushwalks.
For longer trips, you can head north
toward the Queensland border on the
964km (598-mile) route to Brisbane.
You’ll pass pretty seaside towns,
deserted beaches, and tropical hinterland.
Another option is to travel along
the south coast 1,032km (640 miles) to
Melbourne. Along the way are some of
the country’s most spectacular beaches,
quaint hamlets, good opportunities to
spot dolphins and whales, and extensive
national parks. If you want to experience
the Outback, then head west
across the Blue Mountains. You are sure
to see plenty of kangaroos, emus, reptiles,
and giant wedge-tailed eagles. The
main Outback destination is the
extraordinary opal-mining town of
Lightning Ridge, where you can meet
some of the most eccentric fair-dinkum
(that means “authentic” or “genuine”)
Aussies you’ll come across anywhere.
EXPLORING THE STATE
VISITOR INFORMATION The Sydney Visitors Centre, 106 George St.,
The Rocks, NSW 2000 (& 13 20 77 in Australia; www.tourism.nsw.gov.au) will
give you general information on what to do and where to stay throughout the
state. Otherwise, Tourism New South Wales (& 02/9931 1111) will direct you
to the regional tourist office in the town or area you are interested in.
GETTING AROUND By Car From Sydney, the Pacific Highway heads
along the north coast into Queensland, and the Princes Highway hugs the
south coast and runs into Victoria. The Sydney–Newcastle Freeway connects
Sydney with its industrial neighbor and the vineyards of the Hunter. The Great
Western Highway and the M4 Motorway head west to the Blue Mountains,
while the M5 Motorway and the Hume Highway (via Canberra) are the quickest
(and least interesting) ways to get to Melbourne.
The state’s automobile association, the National Roads and Motorists’ Association
(NRMA), 151 Clarence St., Sydney, NSW 2000 (& 13 11 22 in Australia),
offers free maps and touring guides to members of overseas motoring
associations, including the AAA in the United States, the CAA in Canada, the
AA and RAC in the United Kingdom, and the NZAA in New Zealand.