Add dates

Things to do in New South Wales

Our most recommended things to do in New South Wales

Byron Bay: The Byron Bay Sea Kayak Tour

1. Byron Bay: The Byron Bay Sea Kayak Tour

Set out on a 2.5 hour kayaking adventure in Byron Bay. Receive instruction and equipment from your guide before you take in some of the best sights the East Coast has to offer. See the most Easterly Point of the Australian mainland and the Byron Bay Lighthouse from the sea. Learn about local history, aboriginal history, the lighthouse and the marine wildlife from your local guide while you paddle in your kayak around the famous Byron Bay marine reserve. If the opportunity arises, get up close and personal with friendly bottlenose dolphins and discover how inquisitive they can be. You can also look out for sea turtles as they come up for a breath of air and marvel at the size of the majestic humpback whales as they migrate through Byron Bay during June - October. Enjoy paddling your kayak out through the surf and later ride some of Australia's most famous waves. If you don't see a dolphin, turtle or whale you can paddle again with the tour operator free of charge.

Port Stephens: Worimi Sand Dune Quad Bike Adventure

2. Port Stephens: Worimi Sand Dune Quad Bike Adventure

Experience the thrill of riding a high-quality ATV through the Worimi Sand Dunes on this tour from Port Stephens. Cruise at high speeds over seaside grasslands and feel the challenge of tackling towering sand dunes.  Meet your guide in Williamtown and listen as you are provided with a tutorial on how to confidently operate your bike. Follow your guide on a high-octane ride over maintained tracks through coastal grasslands to get to the dunes.  Travel over more and more challenging sand dunes. Enjoy privacy as your ride as the local tour provider has exclusive access to the highest sand dunes on Stockton Beach.  Climb large sand dunes that are 12-30 meters high. Take a tour that is tailored to meet your needs and experience level. Have the option to add sandboarding to your tour. 

Brunswick Heads: Snorkeling Byron Bay Tour at Julian Rocks

3. Brunswick Heads: Snorkeling Byron Bay Tour at Julian Rocks

Join a Marine Biologist guide on a cruise from Brunswick Heads to Julian Rocks Nature Reserve in Byron Bay for a snorkeling adventure with all gear included. Sail along the coast of Byron Bay and explore over 1000 marine species including sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, dolphins, corals, and more. Start from Brunswick Heads Marina, soaking in the sights of the Byron coastline onboard a comfortable boat. Encounter local dolphins and other marine life on the way to Julian Rocks. Next, discover the rocky outcrop of Julian Rocks Nature Reserve, traditionally known as “Nguthungulli”, one of Australia’s top rated dive sites. Snorkel in its safe and shallow waters and observe an endless list of marine life. From friendly leopard sharks and wobbegongs to Manta rays, Turtles, hundreds of colourful fish species, grey nurse sharks, eagle rays, dolphins, and much more, take it all in during a guided snorkel tour.

Pokolbin: Hunter Valley Half-Day Tour with Cheese and Wine

4. Pokolbin: Hunter Valley Half-Day Tour with Cheese and Wine

Short on time in the Hunter Valley? Get on board for a morning tour of 3 boutique wineries on a half-day trip to try local wines and cheese. An ideal taste of what the Hunter Valley has to offer. Visit at least 3 unique wineries enjoying private tastings of their delicious wines. One of the wineries visited is Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Kitchen. Here you can indulge in their famous cheese and wine experience which matches 9 different kinds of cheese with 9 different wines. Keep your eyes on the horizon during your tour, the Hunter Valley is home to many Australian wildlife species, and there is a good chance to see kangaroos hopping amongst the vineyards. With fun and entertaining hosts who are passionate about wine, your half-day tour gives you a taste of the Hunter in a short amount of time.

From Sydney: Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip with Cruise

5. From Sydney: Blue Mountains Full-Day Trip with Cruise

Enjoy an excursion from Sydney into the Blue Mountains. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park and experience the amazing variety of Australian wildlife. Hand-feed kangaroos, see Koalas, and wombats, as well as many more native Australian birds and wildlife. Enjoy a visit to Leura Village, where you can buy your own lunch at a cafe or bakery. Your tour includes the 3 rides at Scenic World, Cableway, Skyway, and Railway. Stop at Echo Point to enjoy splendid views of the Jamison Valley and the 3 Sisters, a towering rock formation from the Dreamtime.  Bypass Sydney’s peak traffic on a Ferry cruise along Parramatta River into Circular Quay. From there you will make your own way back to your accommodation.

Jervis Bay: 1.5-Hour Dolphin Cruise

6. Jervis Bay: 1.5-Hour Dolphin Cruise

Jervis Bay has been a Marine park for 18 years and is now one of the most unique and healthy ecosystems in Australia. That’s why the crystal clear waters of Jervis Bay and stunning unspoiled white sand beaches are home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins. Listen to the commentary about the history of Jervis Bay as you travel.  On this tour, you will have the privilege of watching these beautiful mammals. Discover pods of dolphins feeding around the reef systems, particularly Plantation Point and Callala. Sometimes they swim and race hundreds of meters to play on the bow. The Bottlenose dolphin is highly recognizable and known for its long snout and distinctive smile. Friendly and active, you will fall in love with them the moment that you lay eyes on them. 

Dubbo: Taronga Western Plains Zoo 2-Day Entry Ticket

7. Dubbo: Taronga Western Plains Zoo 2-Day Entry Ticket

Have plenty of time to explore Taronga Western Plains Zoo with a 2-day entry ticket. Walk, drive, or ride around the zoo's 5-kilometer circuit and see its rare and endangered animals. Enjoy access to the Welcome Plaza to shop or relax during your visit. Explore the zoo at your own pace and see its 100s of animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants, and big cats. Be sure to check out the daily keeper activities (included with your ticket), special tours, and animal encounters. Your tickets are valid for 2 consecutive days, giving you ample time to experience all that is on offer. The zoo's Welcome Plaza includes a shop, playground, and cafe overlooking the Savannah Lake and Primate Island, home to black-handed spider monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs.

Huskisson: Dolphin Cruise & Boom Netting Experience

8. Huskisson: Dolphin Cruise & Boom Netting Experience

Discover the Bottlenose dolphins that live in the pristine ecosystem of Jervis Bay. A protected marine park for 20 years, Jervis Bay is home to over 80 Bottlenose dolphins who love to frolic in its crystal-clear waters. Embark on a tour and search for the pods of these playful and friendly creatures. While on tour on the pristine waters, take part in the boom netting activity on board. As the boat cruises through the water, enjoy a fun jacuzzi-like experience as you sit in the boom net, sometimes surrounded by curious dolphins.

Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour

9. Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour

You have to experience sandboarding in Port Stephens. The thrill of sliding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes is so much fun. From the meeting point at Birubi beach, you will board the custom-built off-road vehicle to start your adventure on the short, bouncy ride into the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere. The dunes stretch 32 kilometers, the entire length of Stockton Beach, and can reach over 40 meters high, the same as a 10 storey building. The views alone are spectacular. Once you are in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown on sandboarding and how to use the handmade custom-designed boards for maximum safety and speed. Then you are off. Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your board, then slide on down and repeat. Your ticket includes unlimited sandboarding so you can stay and play as long as you like. For most people that’s about 1 – 1.5 hours. When you're done just jump back aboard one of the 4WD buses, that leave every half an hour, and be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point. It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age. The instructors are always on hand to help, answer any questions about sandboarding, Port Stephens or the dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along as you’ll have the chance to capture some amazing Port Stephens holiday snaps.

Port Stephens: Dolphin Watching Cruise & Boom Net Experience

10. Port Stephens: Dolphin Watching Cruise & Boom Net Experience

Take a cruise around magnificent Port Stephens Harbour on the biggest boat in the bay. Keep an eye out for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins as you head out on the water. Take in the sights of Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, and the Northern Harbour. Sit back and relax on the deck area, or if you feel like getting a bit wet, join in the boom net action. Slide down the Twist, Twirl, and Splash Waterslide attached to the boat, which whirls you into the boom net. Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary on board. If you feel like indulging in something a little different, there is a licensed bar on board that you can choose to purchase from. 

Top activities

Frequently asked questions about New South Wales

What top attractions are a must-see in New South Wales?

The must-see attractions in New South Wales are:

Other Sightseeing Options in New South Wales

Want to discover all there is to do in New South Wales? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about New South Wales

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 15,739 reviews

The perfect Aussie wildlife experience! A huge thank you to Dave, you has been a wonderful host and made the tour a 5 star experience for us. It started with a very pleasant ride from Sydney Central to a scenic lookout close to Wollongong. From there, Dave took us on two short but very nice walks in the National Park to see magnificent waterfalls. But the highlight came in the evening, when we reached the campground. While Dave was preparing a very nice dinner for us, kangaroos came from all around to bushes. So we ended up having super delicious burgers amongst many kangaroos, absolutely stunning. Later after sunset also the wombats came out. We really couldn’t ask for more.

Dave was a superbly knowledgeable and relaxed guide. He is friendly and knows us all by name. He was so helpful taking pictures and answering questions. I never expected to see so many kangaroos from so close. It was a full and enjoyable day. The food was delicious and the setting magical. Definitely recommended by my 2 teenagers and I.

The ride was really fun and the guide explained clearly what to expect during the ride, so it was not that scary. The views at the habour were amazing and the guide also stopped a few times at scenic places to explain to us what where the sights around the habour. Do expect to get slightly splashed but it is definitely worth it!

Dave was amazing and very warm person, found the time to talk with every single person from the tour group. Gave lots of information and the whole trip was amazing. Highly recommended and would go with him again and again.

It worked nicely. Only thing we need to set the APN settings and activate Data Roaming