From incredible countryside to ultra-sophisticated cities, and everything in between, New South Wales is a state of variety. Many travelers to Australia make their entrance through Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, so this is a good place to start looking at what New South Wales has to offer.

With a population of over 3.5 million, and situated on one of the world's most beautiful harbours, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city which relies heavily on its harbour for entertainment. Here is a list of just some of the attractions available in the area. For more information on attractions in the area, make sure you check out our Things To Do section!

Art Gallery of New South Wales: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney Central. A major and multi-faceted collection of Aboriginal, Australian, European, Asian and contemporary artworks. Free guided tours are available. Special exhibitions, films, meetings and performances are held on a regular basis.

Beaches: Central, North and South Sydney. There are many easily accessible swimming beaches. Bondi, one of the most famous, is about 20 minutes by bus south east from the city. Manly, a seaside suburb on the north eastern corner of Sydney harbour, has both ocean and harbour beaches. Access is by ferry or jet cat from Circular Quay.

Chinatown: Dixon St, Sydney Central. Large area including many Asian shops, restaurants and businesses. Adjacent to the Chinese Garden, Dixon Street is a focal point, with traditional Chinese gates and decorations.

Darling Harbour: Sydney Central. A modern Sydney harbourside shopping, restaurant and tourist complex, 5 minutes by monorail from the city and adjacent to Chinatown. The complex includes a convention and exhibition centre, Chinese Garden, the Sydney Aquarium and the National Maritime Museum. Macquarie Street: Sydney Central. Features many examples of colonial and onvict-constructed sandstone buildings. Visit St James Church, Parliament House, the Mint and Hyde Park Barracks Museum.

Paddy's Markets: Eveleigh Railway Workshops, Redfern, Sydney Central. A unique slice of colourful Australian culture, with bargains for everyone. Open 9am-4:30pm Sat-Sun.

Royal Botanic Gardens: Mrs Macquarie's Rd, Sydney Central. Between Macquarie St and the Harbour, 30 hectares of lawns, gardens and exotic Australian plants on the site of the first farm in Australia.

Sydney Harbour Bridge: Sydney Central. Take a trip inside this major landmark. Spanning one of the world's most beautiful waterways, the Pylon Lookout will give you a birds eye view of Sydney that stretches from the city skyline to the Blue Mountains and beyond. Don't forget now you can actually climb the bridge too!

Sydney Harbour Islands: Fort Denison is worth a visit for its beautiful views of the harbour and city, its old canons and Martello Tower. On Goat Island a modern shipbuilding yard co-exists with a museum recording 150 years of maritime history. Tours are organised by the Maritime Services Board. Sydney Opera House: Bennelong Pt, Sydney Central. Situated on the edge of the Harbour, this unique building is home to Australia's world-renowned opera, ballet and theatre companies and symphony orchestras. Take in one of the performances or join a guided tour. Restaurants and shops.

Sydney Tower: Centrepoint, 100 Market St, Sydney Central. Enjoy the compelling views from the highest public building in the Southern hemisphere. On the observation level, 300 metres above the city, are high-powered binoculars to extend your viewing range, illuminated displays, tourist booking and information service, audio and guided tours, and the highest coffee lounge in Australia.

Taronga Zoo: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, Sydney Central. This world famous zoo, set in native bushland overlooking the Harbour, displays an extensive collection of native and exotic animals. Zoo highlights include the seal shows, Friendship Farm and Animal Awareness Theatre, and Sydney's only platypus exhibit.

The Rocks: Sydney Central. On Sydney's harbourside, adjacent to Circular Quay, and is the site of Australia's first European settlement. Noted for its coulourful streetscapes and elegantly restored buildings housing a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and specialty shops, the Rocks is also home to the oldest pub in Sydney - the Hero of Waterloo.

New South Wales offers lots to interest traveller's. Sydney and the coastal regions of New South Wales are particularly popular, but inland and outback are certainly a must to visit as well.

The Blue Mountains, just west of Sydney, is a popular first stop for backpackers venturing out to explore NSW. The area is famous for its bushwalking, bicycle and horse riding, the Scenic Skyway (350 metre rope bridge) that crosses over Cooks Crossing giving great views of the Katoomba Falls and Jamison Valley. The Blue Mountain Ranges cover over 216,00 hectares and is the fourth largest national park in NSW.

The coastal regions south of Sydney are well known for fishing, surfing and bushwalking. Bateman’s Bay, about 250km south of Sydney, is a good base if you want to experience the rainforest trails in nearby forests.

Also a stones throw away west is Canberra in the ACT. Canberra is the Capital city of Austraila. Bega, further south, is a delightful small town, and provides easy access to both surf and snowfields of Thredbo and Kosciusko. The Snowy Mountains in winter offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding slopes in Australia. Work is also available to experienced skiers.

Heading north of Sydney you come to the magnificent forests and beaches along the coast. Places like Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour & Byron Bay are thriving towns, but there are many appealing smaller towns to call in to on the way.

Byron Bay is Australia’s most easterly point, famous for its lighthouse, surrounding walking trails, excellent surfing beaches, diving & snorkelling at the Julian Rocks marine sanctuary.

Head west of the mountains to get the first full taste of the great Australian outback. Spend some time at one of the many farmstays available to really get the feel of life in the country and its people.. Visit the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and pick up work to restock your dwindling funds. Stonefruit, citrus, and wine grapes are all grown providing plenty of seasonal work in this area.

By all means, allow yourselves plenty of time in Sydney - but don’t miss some of the diverse, exciting and unforgettable places you’ll find if you venture further afield. N.S.W - So much to see !