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Sydney may be famous for its iconic Sydney Opera House and the centuries-old Sydney Harbor Bridge, but the best way to really get under the skin of this multifaceted city, and the diverse state in which it lies, is to wander beyond Circular Quay and explore the lesser known places, beyond the breathtaking skyscrapers and busy CBD. From lush green areas where locals sip delicious wine in cozy bars, to overlooked coastal suburbs where swimming turns into sunset beers – this is Sydney and New South Wales when you slow down and look beyond the surface.
Explore like a local
Start in inner-city Sydney and head to Surry Hills, where leafy streets are lined with Victorian terraces and the atmosphere feels more quaint and exotic than barefoot Australian beach life. Natural wine bars are located next to vintage shops, and art galleries are nestled among terraced houses. Breakfast and brunch are a ritual here, with sidewalk cafes and neighborhood restaurants serving seasonal Australian menus.
Just a short distance away, Chippendale has received an award as one of the best neighborhoods in the world. It’s full of independent galleries, cool concept stores, hidden courtyards, and even has its own Asian food street, an open-air hawker-style food market hidden behind a row of old thatched roof houses, lit by the glow of lanterns.
If you’re someone who loves to spend their time by the water, Manly should be on your radar. This northern-coast suburb is just a short ferry ride from the city center and swaps the CBD’s skyscraper-dotted skyline for laid-back surf culture. Swimming in the sunrise, cold beer and permanently sandy feet are part of life here. Plus, the view of the city in the distance is worth taking out your camera.
enjoy fresh food
Most travelers head to the Hunter Valley for the wine (and quite rightly so), but Orange is the region’s best wine region. This cool-climate region is located at high altitude in the Central Tablelands, producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc due to its fertile volcanic soils and cool evenings. The cellar doors here feel more intimate and are practically made for lazy lunches, with beautiful bucolic views, not to mention a food scene that pays homage to the best local produce.
In the Tweed area, you’ll find Husk Farm Distillery, a family-run, paddock-to-bottle distillery set amidst sugarcane fields just north of Byron Bay. This pastoral paradise is home to Australia’s first farm rum distillery and now the producer of the famous colour-changing Ink Gin. The surrounding fields and rolling farmland mean that the tasting comes with epic views, especially if you book one of their picnic experiences, where you can watch cattle grazing quietly in the distance while sipping a seasonal beverage. Nearby, you can try your hand at digging mud with indigenous guides or swallow freshly shucked oysters straight from the estuary.
Further afield on the Central Coast, and only an hour’s drive from Sydney, Broken Bay Pearl Farm, New South Wales’s only pearl farm, runs ‘Sheller Door’ tours, where you can enjoy fresh oysters and learn about pearl farming while gliding over mirror-flat waterways surrounded by gorgeous green hills.
reset in nature
Go off the grid and get some serious R&R in the Blue Mountains, where eucalyptus forests spread across sandstone valleys. The panoramic views from every angle make you feel small, and it’s best to spend the day in a luxurious hotel where you can turn off your phone for a few days.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat, set amidst the untouched beauty of Bowen Mountain, is one of the many options to rest your head. Awarded two Michelin keys, it’s known for its secluded suites, infinity pools with tree top views and a focus on immersion rather than excess. Rise early for views of mist-covered cliffs and Angophora gum in every direction, then treat yourself to a spa treatment or settle in for a wine-and-watercolor class.
On the north coast of New South Wales, Byron Bay has its own version of laid-back luxury, offering a more barefoot, beach-like atmosphere with a stay like CrystalBrook Byron. It’s all about seaside restaurants serving fresh seafood, world-class beach holidays for surfing and some of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
Alternatively, head south to Jervis Bay, which offers a similar vibe with options like the African safari-inspired Paperbark Camp. It offers cozy canvas-tent glamping, with a candle-lit dining room perched on a tree top surrounded by native bushes.
For travel information, inspiration and to start planning your New South Wales holiday trip travel bag