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Dubbo, NSW Dubbo is in the centre of NSW and it is known as the shopping capital of the west. Dubbo is a service city with a catchment encompassing a third of the area of NSW.
Dubbo Accommodation
- Accommodation in Dubbo available through booking.com
Dubbo Things To Do
- Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre includes a calendar of coming shows
- Taronga Plains Western Plains Zoo
- The Old Dubbo Gaol is restored and holds a large display of animatronic models and holographic displays which provide a realistic and fascinating insight into a bygone era of barbaric prison life
- Western Plains Cultural Centre
- Dubbo Tourism
Dubbo Wineries
Dubbo School, Community & Information Links
- The postcode of Dubbo is 2830
- Local Council: Dubbo City Council
- The Macquarie Regional Library covers the local government areas of Dubbo, Narromine, Warrumbungle and Wellington.
- Dubbo Regional Airport
- Dubbo High School
- Dubbo College
- Dubbo North Public School
- Dubbo Public School
- Dubbo School of Distance Education
- Dubbo South Public School
- Dubbo West Public School
Woolgoolga is a seaside town on the Pacific Highway, approximately 550 km north of Sydney, 25 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, and 365 km south of Brisbane.
Woolgoolga Headland, also known as Whale Watch Headland, is a popular spot to see migrating Humpback Whales between May and November.
Woolgoolga’s has a large Sikh/Punjabi population and magnificent temple as a result of the banana growing history of the area. There is an annual Curryfest each September.
Woolgoolga Real Estate
- Woolgoolga property for sale
- Woolgoolga property for rent – these are residential rentals. For holiday accommodation, see the listings below.
Woolgoolga Accommodation
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Bulahdelah is a small country town on the Myall River, in the North Coast region of New South Wales. See a local directory site here. The area offers farmstay and cottages for rural getaways.
Bulahdelah Holiday Accommodation
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Toukley is nestled between Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake, and the Pacific Ocean, approximately 107 km north of Sydney. The new Toukley bridge completed in 1985 links Toukley on the eastern side of the Lakes system with Gorokan on the west, replacing the old two lane wooden bridge.
Toukley Holiday Accommodation
Coffs Harbour is a popular holiday town on the east coast, mid way between Sydney and Brisbane along the Pacific Highway.
There’s more to New South Wales than Syndye. Here are some backpacker hostels to stay in while you explore regional NSW.
Check out these farmstays throughout regional NSW and book online.
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Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Tuncurry is in the north coast region of New South Wales, just over 300 km north of Sydney. Tuncurry is connected to the larger town of Forster by a bridge over Wallis Lake.
Local attractions include One Mile Beach and Booti Booti National Park.
Forster Accommodation
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Perisher is Australia’s largest skiing resort, in the beautiful Australian Snowy Mountains Region, approximately 600km south-west of Sydney.
Perisher Valley Accommodation
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Yass is a small town with rolling countryside, set against the Yass River. Located near the junction of the Hume and Barton Highways, 50km north-north-west of Canberra, Yass is located in New South Wales Capital Country Region.
Yass Accommodation
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Young
A former goldmining city located in the western part of The Great Dividing Range, New South Wales, about half way between Bathurst and Wagga Wagga. Young is part of New South Wales Capital Country Region.
Young is known as the ‘Cherry Capital of Australia’, with some of the local cherry and stone fruit orchards offering the chance for visitors the ‘pick your own’. Cherries are available from mid November through to late December. Other stone fruit is usually available until the end of March. Major events include the Lambing Flat Festival in April, and the National Cherry Festival on the first weekend in December.
Young Accommodation
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Yamba and Iluka headlands are at the mouth of the Clarence River estuary. See the Yamba local tourist and visitor information site.
Accommodation in Yamba
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Yamba and Iluka headlands are at the mouth of the Clarence River estuary, renowned for its lake, sea and river fishing. Yamba is in New South Wales’ North Coast Region.
Yamba Holiday Accommodation
Yamba School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2464
- Local Council: Clarence Valley Council
- Local Schools: Yamba Public School
- Yamba local tourist and visitor information site.
Wollongong (“the Gong”) is on the south coast of New South Wales, in the Illawarra Region. It is the third largest city in New South Wales.
- Hotels and accommodation in Wollongong
- Tours and Experiences in Wollongong and the Illawarra Region
- Wollongong Serviced Offices
Wollongong School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2500
- Wollongong City Council
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities:
- Community Links:
- Wollongong City Gallery
- Tourism Wollongong
- Wollongong Harmony Chorus – Women’s four-part a cappella barbershop group.
- Illawarra Regional Airport (Wollongong Aerodrome) is owned and operated by Shellharbour City Council. It is the base for a growing Light Aeronautics Industry, which provides maintenance and engineering services for aircraft ranging from ultra light to medium size turbo prop and jet aircraft.
- Viva La Gong – An annual community festival.
- Play Day – An annual all-ages music festival.
West Wyalong, 468 km west of Sydney, is the major town in the Bland Shire in the Central West region of NSW. The town has a gold-mining history.
The Newell and Mid Western Highways converge for some distance here which means it is a popular stop-off point and meeting place for drivers travelling between Melbourne and Brisbane on the Newell Highway, and for those driving between Sydney and Adelaide on the Mid Western Highway.
West Wyalong Accommodation
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Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Wentworth Falls is a town in the Blue Mountains, approximately 100km west of Sydney on the Great Western Highway.
Wentworth Falls Accommodation
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Tumut is on the banks of the Tumut River at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and is referred to as the gateway to the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Tumut is approximately 410 km (250 miles) south-west of Sydney and 525 km (330 miles) north-east of Melbourne. Tumut is on the Snowy Mountains Highway that runs from Cooma to the Hume Highway.
Tumut’s Festival of the Falling Leaf is a month of activities, events and exhibitions, culminating in the festival weekend celebrating the changing of the seasons from summer into autumn.
- Tumut Branch Line branch of the Wagga Wagga Model Railroaders Inc
- Wikipedia on Tumut
- Wilgro Orchards are situated either side of the main Tumut – Batlow road 4 kms north of Batlow. See the website for map and opening times and seasons for produce at their roadside stalls.
Tumut Accommodation
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Tweed Coast refers to a section of coastline in the far north-eastern section of New South Wales, known for its magnificent beachfront. The Gold Coast straddles the border with Coolangatta in Queensland, and Tweed Heads and Kingscliff in New South Wales. Tweed Coast is part of the New South Wales Far North Coast Region.
Tweed Coast Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Tweed Heads available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Casuarina available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Kingscliff available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Murwillumbah and the Tweed Valley available through booking.com
Tweed Coast School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2485, 2486
- Community Links:
- Tweed River Art Gallery
- Tweed River Water Ski Club
- Combined Tweed River Historical Societies – Includes the Murwillumbah Historical Society Inc, Tweed Heads Historical Society Inc, and Uki and South Arm Historical Society Inc.
- Local Council: Tweed Shire Council
- Local Schools:
Ulladulla is a coastal town in Shoalhaven City, on the Princes Highway between Nowra and Batemans Bay in the New South Wales South Coast Region .
The Ulladulla Lighthouse at Wardens Head is one of only 2 towers in New South Wales made from wrought iron plates.
Every Easter, Ulladulla holds the Blessing of the Fleet Festival with activities, a street parade and fireworks.
- Local Council: Shoalhaven City Council
- TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Ulladulla Campus
- Ulladulla Division of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
Ulladulla Accommodation
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Wagga Wagga (called simply Wagga by locals) is a city on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in the Riverina Region. It is the largest inland city in New South Wales
Wagga Wagga is midway between Sydney and Melbourne – approx 500 km from each capital, where the Sturt and Olympic highways meet, and west of the Hume Highway. It is approx 250km drive from Canberra.
Wagga Wagga is also accessible by air, train and coach.
Wagga Wagga Accommodation
Wagga Wagga School & Community Links
- Postcode is 2650
- Local Council: Wagga Wagga City Council
- Local Schools: Riverina Environment Educational Centre
- TAFE / Universities: Riverina Institute of TAFE – Wagga Wagga Campus
- Charles Sturt University – Wagga Wagga campus
- Community Links: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
- Daily Advertiser – Wagga Wagga News
- Wagga Wagga Jazz & Blues Festival
- Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
- Wikipedia entry for Wagga Wagga
Thredbo is one of Australia’s leading ski resorts. It is near the border with Victoria in the Kosciuszko National Park, in the Snowy Mountains Region of New South Wales, approximately 500km south of Sydney.
Thredbo Accommodation
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Tocumwal is on the New South Wales side of the Murray River, and just over 280 kms from Melbourne. The Newell Highway starts at Tocumwal and runs all the way to Goondiwindi on the Queensland border.
One of the town’s more unusual attractions is the Big Murray Cod made from fibreglass and more than 6 metres long. Barooga and its twin city, Cobram in Victoria, are just downstream.
- Berrigan Shire Council
- Tocumwal Public School
- Tocumwal Visitor Information Centre
- Tocumwal site has local community information and events including farmers markets.
Tocumwal Accommodation
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Thredbo Valley in the Snowy Mountains Region of New South Wales, is approximately 500km south of Sydney and one of Australia’s leading ski resorts.
Thredbo Valley Accommodation
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Tenterfield is at the junction of the New England and Bruxner Highways, in the New England Region of New South Wales. It is 275km south-west of Brisbane and 699km north of Sydney. There many beautiful colonial buildings in Tenterfield, as well as spectacular displays of autumn leaves.
Tenterfield is famous for being the site of Sir Henry Parkes’ Tenterfield Oration. Australian entertainer, Peter Allen, was born in Tenterfield and based his song “Tenterfield Saddler” on his grandfather. See the Tenterfield Star for local news. The Tenterfield and District Visitors Information Centre has more information for visitors.
Tenterfield Activities & Attractions
- Cool Climate Vineyards – Tenterfield is part of the Granite Belt wine region and is home to numerous vineyards. Many have cellar doors and restaurants attached.
- Oracles of the Bush Festival – Celebrating Australian bush poetry, literature, and music. Usually held in April.
- Tenterfield Food and Wine Festival – Annual display of the region’s wine and gourmet food products
- Tenterfield Saddlery – Historic saddlery, home of the famous ‘Tenterfield Saddler’ George Woolnough. High Street, Tenterfield. The Tenterfield and District Visitors Information Centre has more information.
- Tenterfield School of Arts – Site of Sir Henry Parkes’ famous federation speech. Contains a museum on Henry Parkes. Open Daily. Corner Rouse & Manners Street, Tenterfield.
- Thunderbolt’s Hideout, a natural granite cave formation, was the base of bushranger Frederick Ward (Captain Thunderbolt). Off Mt Lindsay Road, Tenterfield
Tenterfield Accommodation
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Tathra is a coastal town on the south coast of New South Wales near Bega. Tourist attractions including Old Tathra Wharf, Mimosa Rocks National Park and Borrunda National Park. Tathra is in the Bega Valley Shire Council local government area and is part of New South Wales South Coast Region.
Tathra Accommodation
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Taree is a city on the north coast of New South Wales, approximately 310 km north of Sydney, the centre of an agricultural district. Taree is part of New South Wales North Coast Region.
- Local Council: Greater Taree City Council
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Taree Campus
- Club Taree – Taree RSL and Golf Club Ltd combined
Taree Accommodation
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Tamworth is on the New England Highway, in the New England Region of New South Wales. It is the host town of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, an annual event recognizing success in the country music genre.
Tamworth Activities & Events
- Tamworth Country Music Festival
- The Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre – Tourist centre dedicated to country music.
- Nundle Woollen Mill – Wool milling displays, yarn and hand-knitted clothes for sale
Tamworth School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2340
- Local Council:
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities: New England Institute of TAFE – Tamworth Campus
- Community Links:
- Tamworth Bands – Information on the history of music in Tamworth between 1960 and 1990.
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South West Rocks is near the mouth of the Macleay River, in the North Coast Region of New South Wales.
- Local Council: Kempsey Shire Council
- Local Schools: South West Rocks Public School
South West Rocks Accommodation
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Singleton is set on the Hunter River, approximately 183km north-west of Sydney, considered to be the geographical heart of the Hunter Valley.
Singleton Activities and Attractions
- Royal Australian Infantry Museum – Lone Pine Barracks, Range Rd, Singleton
- Sacred Spaces – Tours and musical events in the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy Convent, Queen Street, Singleton.
- Singleton Historical Society and Museum – Burkedin Park, Singleton
Singleton Accommodation
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Mount Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains is Australia’s highest mountain and the Snowy River is Australia’s highest river. They form parts of the Australian Alps and the Great Dividing Range. The Snowy Mountains are known for the historic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, and Banjo Patterson’s “The Man from Snowy River.”
During the winter months, major winter ski resorts operate within the the Kosciuszko National Park – the snow-covered area is more than Switzerland and Austria combined.
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is held annually in Corryong, Victoria in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains halfway between Melbourne and Sydney.
The Snowy Mountains Region includes the following towns: (follow these links for accommodation, real estate listings and local links)
- Cooma
- Dalgety
- Jindabyne – and Crackenback
- Perisher Blue
- Thredbo
- Tumut
Snowy Mountains Accommodation
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Follow the links to towns above for accommodation listings.Snowy Mountains School & Community Links
- Local Council: Snowy River Shire Council
- Snowy Hydro includes snow depth and lake levels calculators.
- Dalgety Chamber of Commerce Dalgety is on the banks of the Snowy River in the Snowy Mountains area of NSW 35km from Jindabyne, 19 km from Berridale and 50 km from Cooma.
The South Coast Region refers to the southern coastline and hinterland from Sydney which offers long stretches of sandy beaches, rivers, lakes and forests. The South Coast Region includes the following towns and cities:
- Batemans Bay
- Bega near the junction of the Princes and Snowy Mountain Highways which link Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
- Bermagui seaside town at the top of the Sapphire Coast
- Eden
- Huskisson on the shores of Jervis Bay
- Kiama
- Merimbula holiday ‘resort’ of the Sapphire Coast, popular for its excellent surf and fishing
- Mollymook
- Moruya
- Narooma
- Nowra
- Pambula Beach
- Tathra
- Ulladulla
Visit the pages for each town above for more accommodation in the region
Shoalhaven Heads is a coastal town in Shoalhaven, most renowned for its spectacular surfing beach. Shoalhaven Heads is part of New South Wales Illawara Region.
Shoalhaven Heads Accommodation
Accommodation is available at nearby Nowra.
Shoalhaven Heads School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2535
- Local Council: Shoalhaven City Council
- Local Schools: Shoalhaven Heads Public School
Shoalhaven Heads Tours
Riverina refers to a south-western agricultural region of New South Wales, noted for its flat plains and warm to hot climate. The Riverina Region includes the following towns:
Riverina Community Links
Rothbury is in the Hunter Valley, north of Cessnock. It is well known for producing excellent table wines. Adventure activities including hot air ballooning, rally car driving and fighter jet flights are local attractions. The Hunter Valley Railway Trust and Railway Museum are located on the site of the famous Rothbury Riots in the heart of the Hunter Valley Vineyards.
Rothbury Accommodation
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Scone is on the New England Highway, north of Aberdeen and Muswellbrook, in the Upper Hunter Shire in the Hunter Valley region. Lake Glenbawn recreation area and Barrington Tops National Park are within easy driving distance.
As well as farming, the Scone region is known for breeding thoroughbred racehorses and is known as the “Horse Capital of the Australia”.
Scone is about 270 kilometres north of Sydney.
Scone Accommodation
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Shoal Bay is a town in the North Coast region of New South Wales, located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, it is a popular tourist destination during summer months.
Shoal Bay Accommodation
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Port Macquarie Hotels & Resorts
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Port Stephens is just over two hours drive North from Sydney. Whales visit Port Stephens in winter each year, and the dolphins live there happily year round. It is a beautiful place to be at any time of the year.
- See also Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay accommodation
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Queanbeyan
Queanbeyan is a city in the south-east of New South Wales, the city lies on the Australian Capital Territory border and is just 10km from Canberra’s CBD. Queanbeyan is part of New South Wales Capital Country Region.
Queanbeyan Hotel / Motel Accommodation
- See Queanbeyan Canberra Hotels and Motels in our Canberra section.
Queanbeyan School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2620
- Local Council: Queanbeyan City Council
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Queanbeyan Campus
Port Macquarie Backpacker Hostel Accommodation
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Port Stephens is a large natural harbour that is located 159km north-east of Sydney, surrounded by a number of small towns developed around the port for fishing and tourism purposes. Port Stephens is part of New South Wales North Coast Region.
Nelson Bay is a popular holiday town on the southern shore of Port Stephens.
Port Stephens Accommodation
- Accommodation in Nelson Bay available through booking.com”>Port Stephens NSW Hotels & Resorts
- See more NSW North Coast seaside resorts
Port Stephens Tours & Activities
Pokolbin is at the center of the Hunter Valley wine Region, located between Cessnock and Branxton in the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales.
Pokolbin Accommodation
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Pokolbin is at the center of the Hunter Valley wine Region, located in New South Wales. This area is best known for its wineries, resorts and getaway accommodation. Some of the most popular activities include winery tours, short breaks and visiting the Hunter Valley Gardens with its Festival of Flowers. Pokolbin is part of New South Wales Hunter Region.
- Accommodation in Pokolbin available through booking.com
Pokolbin School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2320
- Local Council: Cessnock City Council
Hunter Region Activities and Attractions
Port Macquarie is a large town on New South Wales North Coast, approximately 390km north of Sydney.
Port Macquarie Accommodation
- Accommodation in Port Macquarie available through booking.com
Port Macquarie School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2444
- Community Links: Port Macquarie-Hastings Regional Gallery
- Local Council: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Port Macquarie Campus
Perisher is Australia’s largest skiing resort, in the beautiful Australian Snowy Mountains Region, approximately 600km south-west of Sydney.
Perisher Accommodation
- Perisher Valley accommodation with booking.com
Perisher Tours
Parkes in Central NSW, is 365km from Sydney and 306km from Canberra. Originally a goldmining settlement, it was renamed Parkes after Sir Henry Parkes, the ‘Father of Federation’. Parkes is perhaps best known as home of ‘The Dish’ – the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope.
The annual Parkes Elvis Festival is held in the second week in January and the Tullamore Irish Festival is held on Easter Weekend.
The Henry Parkes Centre houses The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit, Parkes Motor Museum, Parkes Museum and Antique Machinery collection and the Parkes Visitor Information Centre.
Parkes Accommodation
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Pambula Beach is a small coastal town with a stunning beachfront that is a major tourist destination. Pambula Beach is part of New South Wales South Coast Region.
Pambula Beach Accommodation
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Pacific Palms is a small coastal town on the North Coast of New South Wales near Forster. The major industry is tourism with thousands of tourists visiting Pacific Palms to enjoy magnificent beaches and Booti Booti National Park.
Pacific Palms Accommodation
Orange (Central NSW) is the birthplace of Australia’s most famous bush poet Banjo Paterson.
Orange Accommodation
- Accommodation in Orange available through booking.com
Orange School & Community Links
- School Links
- TAFE / University Links
- Community Links
Orange Local Knowledge
You could be forgiven for thinking oranges grow here in the Central West of NSW, but historically, our most prevalent crops have been apples, pears, peaches and cherries. Grapes now also thrive in our cold climate temperatures. Some of the region’s wines have excellent reputations in the ‘foodie’ world along with some of our award winning restaurants. Orange F.O.O.D. Week is held each year where the best of our produce and wine is celebrated and highlighted.
Orange is approximately 38,000 in population and over the last two decades many small boutique shops unique to the local area have emerged. We have four shopping plazas and two multi-movie complexes. Despite its overall rural atmosphere, Orange is not lacking in educational or cultural excellence. Five high schools, a TAFE campus, university, theatre, regional art gallery and conservatorium of music offer a variety of choice. The town is known as the ‘colour city’ because of its spectacular, deciduous autumn foliage. Seasonal sports abound. Swimming is for the summer months at the pool or Lake Canobolas and there is access to small indoor swimming facilities.
Sydney and Canberra are both approximately 3.5 hours drive and coach, train and plane services are available daily.
– Ellis Ash (These descriptions are written by BCL readers.
More Links & Information
- Postcode: 2800
- Orange City Council includes local information and a map
Oberon is in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. The town has major farming, forestry and wood industries.
Oberon Accommodation
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North Haven is 30 km south of Port Macquarie, and part of New South Wales North Coast Region. Local activities include fishing, surfing and exploring nearby Crowdy Bay National Park.
North Haven Accommodation
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The city of Nowra on Sydney’s South Coast, approximately 170km south of Sydney. Nowra is also the primary town of the Shoalhaven District and a popular tourist area. Nowra is a part of New South Wales South Coast Region. From Nowra, you can escape inland to Kangaroo Valley for horseriding and bushwalking.
- Local Council: Shoalhaven City Council
- TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Nowra Campus
Nowra Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Nowra available through booking.com
The NSW North Coast Region refers to the coastal towns north of Newcastle, well known for miles of perfect beaches, friendly seaside towns and surrounding wilderness. The North Coast Region includes the following towns:
- Blueys Beach & Boomerang Beach
- Bulahdelah is a small country town offering farmstay and rural getaways.
- Coffs Harbour
- Diamond Beach & Old Bar
- Forster and Tuncurry
- Kempsey
- Nelson Bay
- Nambucca Heads
- North Haven
- Pacific Palms
- Port Macquarie
- Port Stephens
- Yamba
- Shoal Bay
- South West Rocks
- Taree
North Coast Accommodation
See accommodation listings for each town using the links above, or…
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- Wotif listings for North Coast Check availability with Wotif.com
Schools in Newcastle
Newcastle is in the Hunter / Central Coast education region. You can find all registered schools on the Schools NSW site see school search or Hunter / Central Coast region schools listings (direct links may change) or go direct to some school websites below
- Adamstown Public School
- Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus (CCJC)
- Dudley Public School
- John Hunter Hospital School
- Newcastle High School
- Newcastle East Public School The oldest School in Australia – established 1816
- Newcastle School Union Street
- Whitebridge High School
Tertiary Education, Universities
Education Related Links
- New South Wales HSC On-Line
The New South Wales HSC On-Line is an information network that services the Higher School Certificate (HSC) needs of students, teachers amd subject associations. - NSW Board of Studies
- Berne Education Centre at Lewisham is a Marist Bros. initiative providing education through Years 7-10 for young people at risk.
- Southern Districts Visual Arts Network Home Page a group of secondary school visual arts teachers who share ideas and information.
Newcastle is the second oldest city in Australia. It lies between a working harbour and surf beaches and is on the mouth of the Hunter River. Like Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, Newcastle was a major coal mining town and port. Newcastle is approximately 160km or two hours drive north of Sydney.
Newcastle Accommodation
- Accommodation in Newcastle available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Charlestown available through booking.com
Newcastle Business
- Newcastle Tours and Experiences
- Serviced Offices in Newcastle free enquiry service
More Links & Information
- Postcode: 2300
- Newcastle City Council
- Newcastle & Hunter Jazz Club – Hosts the annual Newcastle Jazz Festival.
Newcastle Local Knowledge
These descriptions are written by BCL readers.
Newcastle is often referred to as the “Steel City” because coal export and the steel industries were the building blocks upon which this sprawling metropolis is founded. Today, this is a diverse city and the world is your oyster, so to speak, with magnificent beaches, sparkling foreshore and quiet fishing spots on your doorstep. Nobby’s Point at the mouth of the harbour is something of an icon for Novocastrians and many pound the footpath along the break-wall for exercise or relaxation. Academic study or perhaps even a career change can be achieved via Newcastle University, several TAFE campuses or WEA Hunter (Workers’ Educational Association).
There are many shopping centres and Charlestown Square and Westfield Kotara are two of the biggest complexes. Quaint bookstores and cosy cafes also beckon. Numerous suburbs have a unique atmosphere and originality, like the East End, Darby Street (Cooks Hill) and The Junction area. Trendy and up-beat, but also relaxed and laid-back – not hectic like Sydney.
Home to the Newcastle Knights football team, there are many social and sporting clubs within the community. Newcastle has a wonderful theatre and Regional Art Gallery and the arts are enthusiastically supported.
– Ellis Ash
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Newcastle and Region backpacker hostels
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The New England Region is an inland district in northern New South Wales, situated at the top of the Great Dividing Range. It has a mild alpine climate and four distinct seasons, creating the autumn colours this region is celebrated for. The landscape is generally rural tablelands, interspersed with large granite boulders. There are spectacular gorges and World Heritage listed New England National Park in the eastern part of the region. New England produces world-class fine merino wool as well as beef and cool climate wines.
New England towns include: Armidale, Glen Innes , Gloucester, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth and Tenterfield
The New England Highway runs from Queensland down through Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale, Tamworth, Muswellbrook to meet the Pacific Highway at Hexham. It is part of a popular inland route from Brisbane to Sydney.
New England Accommodation
Follow the links above to each town for accommodation listings and online bookings.
New England Activities and Attractions
- New England Regional Art Museum
- Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes.
- Autumn Festival in Armidale.
- Golden Grain Cotton Festival in Moree
- Gourmet in the Glen / New England Wine Show
- New England Wool Expo in Armidale.
- Nosh on the Namoi – Gourmet food, wine and music festival in Narrabri.
- Nundle Go For Gold Festival
- Minerama 2nd weekend in March.
- Moree Multicultural Festival
- Moree on a Plate
- Oracles of the Bush bush poetry, music, and art festival in Tenterfield.
- Tamworth Country Music Festival
Nelson Bay is a town in the Central Coast of New South Wales, it is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately 60km north of Newcastle. Nelson Bay is part of New South Wales North Coast region. Local Council: Port Stephens Council
Nelson Bay Accommodation
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- See also nearby Shoal Bay accommodation
Narrandera it lies on the junction of the Newell and Sturt Highways and is the gateway to the productive Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in the New South Wales Riverina Region. Narrandera is 549kms from Sydney, 428kms from Melbourne, 852kms from Adelaide and 341kms from Canberra.
The annual John O’Brien Festival festival celebrates “John O’Brien’s” poetry, bush poetry and writing.
- Narrandera Shire Council
- Narrandera Public School, Narrandera High School
- Narrandera Campus – Riverina Institute – TAFE NSW
- Narrandera Argus local newspaper which covers Narrandera, Leeton, Yanco, Griffith, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong. The Narrandera Argus was established in 1881.
- Wikipedia on Narrandera
Narrandera Accommodation
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Narrabri is part of New South Wales’ New England Region. It is in the Namoi Valley, approximately 520km north-west of Sydney. The area is a centre for Australian cotton production and is also known for its wheat and livestock.
- Nosh on the Namoi – Gourmet food , wine and music festival. Held annually in Narrabri.
- Australian Cotton Centre – Learn about the Australian cotton industry
- The Crossing Theatre – Includes a cinema.
Narrabri Accommodation
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Nambucca Heads is a coastal town on the North Coast of New South Wales, situated at the mouth of the Nambucca River, approximately 552km north of Sydney. Nambucca Heads is part of New South Wales North Coast Region. Nambucca Shire Council is the local government.
Nambucca Heads Accommodation
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Narooma is a small town at the mouth of the Wagonga Inlet on the Princes Highway, it is a popular fishing destination, approximately 360km south of Sydney. Narooma is in the Eurobodalla Shire Council local government area and is part of New South Wales South Coast Region.
Narooma Accommodation
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Muswellbrook is located in the upper Hunter Valley region, 243km or 3 hours drive north-west of Sydney. It is well-known for its agriculture and coal-mining industries, and is also the birthplace of the ‘Blue Heeler’ Australian Cattle Dog. Aberdeen is a small town about 12 kilometres north of Muswellbrook on the New England Highway.
- Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre – Corner of Bridge and Market Streets Muswellbrook
- Muswellbrook Visitors Information Centre
Muswellbrook Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Muswellbrook available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Aberdeen available through booking.com
Murwillumbah is a medium-sized town on the Tweed River, in the hinterland of far northern NSW. The town is surrounded by national parks and many mountains which are visible from the town centre, including Mt Warning.
Murwillumbah has major and independent supermarkets, department stores, and boutique shopping, and is a regional centre for nearby villages including Uki, Crystal Creek, Tyalgum, Tumbulgum, Stokers Siding, Burringbah, Eungella, and Clothiers Creek.
Murwillumbah has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Several shops and cafes specialise in health foods. Visit the Tweed River Art Gallery, which is now home to the The Doug Moran National Portrait prize winners from the years 1988 to 2000, and the Tweed River Regional Museum in town. There are also numerous galleries in the surrounding villages. Murwillumbah is an hour’s drive north-west from Byron Bay and 40 minutes from Tweed Heads and the Queensland border.
Murwillumbah Activities & Attractions
- The Regent Family and Arthouse Cinema
- Murwillumbah Theatre Company
- Sacred Heart Parish
- Attractions in Murwillumbah
- Tyalgum Annual Festival of Music
- Tweed Tourism Activities
Murwillumbah Accommodation
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NSW Escapes along the Murray River
New South Wales towns along the Murray River include Albury, Barooga and Tocumwal
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The Mudgee region in Central NSW is 3½ hours or 250km from Sydney – accessible on Highway 86 from the Blue Mountains or . The region includes Mudgee, Kandos, Rylstone and Gulgong, the town on Australia’s original $10 note, and has a long history of food, wine and wool production. There are also four major coal mines operating in the region.
Australian writer, Henry Lawson, went to school in Mudgee and many of his stories are set in the region.
- Mid West Regional Council includes local information and a map
- Mudgee Region Tourism Association
Mudgee Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Mudgee available through booking.com
Mount Victoria is a town in the Blue Mountains, approximately 120 km from Sydney.
Mount Victoria Accommodation
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Mossvale and Bundadoon are in the Southern Highlands to the east of the Hume Highway. Mossvale is 130 km south-west of Sydney, on the Illawara Highway which cuts across from the Hume Highway to the coast.
The Bundanoon Highland Gathering, Brigadoon, is held every April. In July 2009, Bundanoon launched a “Bundy on Tap” campaign to oppose to the sale of bottled drinking water on environmental grounds. See the official site of Tourism Southern Highlands or Bundanoon Community web for more.
Mossvale Accommodation
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Moruya is a small town on the Moruya River, approximately 322 km south of Sydney along the Princes Highway. The town is a well-known dairy and oyster-farming centre. Moruya is a part of the Eurobodalla Shire Council local government area and New South Wales South Coast Region.
Moruya Accommodation
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Morpeth, Hunter Valley, NSW
Morpeth is a small town in the Hunter Valley, located 37km north-west of Newcastle in the City of Maitland. It is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical buildings and riverbank setting. Morpeth is a part of New South Wales Hunter Region.
Morpeth Activities and Attractions
- Morpeth Museum – displays the local and family history of Morpeth. 123 Swan St Morpeth
- Morpeth Sourdough Bakery – Explore the historic Arnott bakehouse. 148 Swan St. Bookings essential, phone 02 4934 4148
- Honey Festival – Morpeth Honey & Gourmet Foods, 5 Green St, Morpeth. For more inforation call 02 4933 1407
- Morpeth Cruises
Morpeth Accommodation
Moree is a part of New South Wales New England Region and is approximately 640 km north-west of Sydney. Located at the junction of Gwydir and Mehi rivers, it is a major centre for the Australian cotton growing industry. It is also noted for its Artesian Spa Baths.
- Golden Grain Cotton Festival – annual fundraising event held in Moree to raise money for charity. Sporting and Black Tie events.
- Moree Multicultural Festival
- Moree on a Plate – annual festival celebrating local produce. Live jazz, cooking and craft demonstrations.
- Moree Plains Gallery
Moree Accommodation
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Mollymook is a small beachside town in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales. With its picturesque (and lifesaver patrolled) surf beach, scenic golf courses and relaxing country atmosphere, Mollymook is the ideal seachange holiday destination, just three hours’ drive south of Sydney, and two and a half from Canberra.
Mollymook is just a few minutes from the harbour port of Ulladulla, with supermarkets, banks and restaurants, and the Mollymook Beach Markets.
Mollymook Accommodation
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Moama, NSW 2731
Moama and Echuca are two cities that are separated by the junction of the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers as well as state lines. Moama is in south west New South Wales, while Echuca is a Victorian city. Nevertheless, the two cities live as one community, and are often referred to as the area of Echuca-Moama. The cities are joined by an historic iron bridge.
Moama Accommodation
- Accommodation in Moama NSW: hotels, motels, holiday parks
Moama Links
- Murray Shire Council
- Moama Anglican Grammar School
- Moama Bowling Club one of Australia’s largest bowling clubs
- Wikipedia > Moama
Merimbula is on the south east coast, 470kms south of Sydney, 585 east of Melbourne and 247kms south east of Canberra. Situated around the Merimbula Lake adjoining the Pacific Ocean, Merimbula is the holiday ‘resort’ of the Sapphire Coast, popular for its excellent surf and fishing
Merimbula is a part of the Bega Valley Shire Council local government area and New South Wales South Coast Region.
Merimbula Hotel & Resort Accommodation
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Mittagong is a part of New South Wales’ Illawara Region and is the gateway to the Southern Highlands. It is approximately 110 km south of Sydney and 40km inland from Wollongong. Mittagong is known by the locals as Mitta.
Mittagong Accommodation
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- see more accommodation options in Echuca
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Maitland, NSW
Maitland is located on the Hunter River approximately 163km north of Sydney, New South Wales and is easily accessible from the New England Highway. Maitland is set on the banks of the Hunter River and is the gateway to the Hunter Valley. The city has many attractive historical buildings and an annual Steam Engine Festival.
Maitland Activities and Attractions
- Maitland Heritage Walk tours of Maitland’s historical buildings.
- Maitland Markets – is a country market held on the 1st Sunday of the Month at the Maitland Showground.
- Maitland Regional Art Gallery
- Reading Cinemas on Ken Tubman Drive, Maitland.
- SteamFest is dedicated to steam engines. Be sure not to miss the hiss, toot and chug of Australia’s premier festival of steam.
Maitland Accommodation
- See more hotels in the Hunter Valley region.
Maitland Local Knowledge
These descriptions are written by BCL readers.
Some of Maitland’s older suburbs have fine historical and federation buildings and others are contemporary housing estates. One charming building houses the Maitland Regional Art Gallery and was once the original technical college campus. The artistic riverbank walkway belies the power of the meandering Hunter River. Years of improvements along the river system help to prevent flooding of a disastrous nature – the worst on record occurred in 1955. There is a multi-cinema theatre, and Maitland CBD is a pedestrian mall, while East Maitland boasts the modern Stockland Green Hills shopping complex. Summers are hot, but Maitland has two excellent aquatic centres and it’s a short drive to coastal beaches. With a relaxed and rural feel, market gardens flourish. Some people breed horses and run hobby farms. Large country-style markets are held monthly at the showground premises, showcasing local produce – vegetables, plants, gourmet food, art and craft. The annual Steam Engine Festival attracts many people and celebrates a bygone era when trains were pulled by steam locomotives. There is excitement as families and enthusiasts hop aboard for steam-powered excursions and day trips, and crowds gather to observe the outcome of a race between a steam engine and a Tiger Moth aeroplane.
Maitland is two hours drive north of Sydney, 30 minutes drive from Newcastle and Newcastle Airport (Williamtown), and is on the CityRail Newcastle – Scone/Dungog line.
– Ellis Ash
Maitland School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2320
- Local Council: Maitland City Council
- Local Schools: Maitland Public School
- TAFE / Universities: Hunter Institute of TAFE – Maitland Campus
The Man from Snowy River
To Anglo-Australians of a certain age, the Snowy Mountains conjures two memories, the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, and Banjo Patterson’s “The Man from Snowy River.” As well as learning about these at school, they will remember Leonard Teale (actor in the 70’s television program Homicide) reciting the peom on the ABC.
The Man from Snowy River
by AB (Banjo) Paterson
There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.
There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up —
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle-girths would stand,
He learnt to ride while droving on the plains.
And one was there, a stripling on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony — three parts thoroughbred at least —
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry — just the sort that won’t say die —
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,
And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.
But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, “That horse will never do
For a long and tiring gallop — lad, you’d better stop away,
Those hills are far too rough for such as you.”
So he waited sad and wistful — only Clancy stood his friend —
“I think we ought to let him come,” he said;
“I warrant he’ll be with us when he’s wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.”
“He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko’s side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a horse’s hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen.”
So he went — they found the horses by the big mimosa clump —
They raced away towards the mountain’s brow,
And the old man gave his orders, “Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills.”
So Clancy rode to wheel them — he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place,
And he raced his stock-horse past them, and he made the ranges ring
With the stockwhip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stockwhip with a sharp and sudden dash,
And off into the mountain scrub they flew.
Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And the stockwhips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, “We may bid the mob good day,
No man can hold them down the other side.”
When they reached the mountain’s summit, even Clancy took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.
He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat —
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound,
At the bottom of that terrible descent.
He was right among the horses as they climbed the further hill,
And the watchers on the mountain standing mute,
Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely, he was right among them still,
As he raced across the clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges, but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet,
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.
And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.
And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reedbeds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The man from Snowy River is a household word to-day,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.
NSW Luxury Escapes
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Lismore is in the Northern Rivers District of New South Wales, beside the Wilsons River. Approximately 821 km north of Sydney in the NSW Far North Coast Region, Lismore is closer to Queensland’s Gold Coast and Brisbane.
The annual Lismore Lantern Parade includes a kids art festival, a film festival, live entertainment, a street parade and party and more. Visit the Lismore Regional Gallery
Lismore Hotel / Motel Accommodation
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Lithgow is a small town in a valley on the north-west edge of the Blue Mountains, on the Great Western Highway, two hours west of Sydney. The annual Ironfest Festival attracts many visitors with historical re-enactments (including medieval re-enactments) and a musical program including classical music, jazz, rock, country & western, bush, medieval and modern experimental. See Lithgow Tourism
for more things to do in Lithgow.
Lithgow Accommodation
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Lennox Head is a coastal town just north of Ballina, part of the Far North Coast Region of New South Wales. Lennox Head is known for the beautiful Seven Mile Beach.
Lennox Head Accommodation
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Leura in the Blue Mountains
Leura is a small town in the Blue Mountains , approximately 110km west from Sydney. It is near the Blue Mountains railway line and the Great Western Highway.
Leura Accommodation
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Kingscliff is a coastal town south of Tweed Heads, part of the North-Coast Region of New South Wales. Although it is part of New South Wales Far North Coast Region, it is often described as the Gold Coast’s version of Noosa.
Kingscliff Accommodation
- Accommodation in Kingscliff available through booking.com
Kingscliff School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2487
- Local Council: Tweed Shire Council
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Kingscliff Campus
Kingscliff Tours and Activities
Kempsey is on the north coast of New South Wales, approximately 450 km north of Sydney. Kempsey is a part of New South Wales North Coast Region.
- Local Council: Kempsey Shire Council
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Kempsey Campus
Kempsey Accommodation
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Kiama is a coastal town on the South Coast region of New South Wales, known for its popular surfing spots and clean environment.
Kiama Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Kiama available through booking.com
Kiama Links
Tours to Kiama
Jervis Bay is a natural harbour opening to the Pacific Ocean, in the South Coast Region of NSW. It is popular for recreational fishing, scuba diving and whalewatching. The bay is about 150 km south of Sydney. The nearest city is Nowra, about 40 km to the north.
The Jervis Bay Territory is a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia. It was surrendered by the state of New South Wales to the Commonwealth Government in 1915 so that the Federal capital at Canberra would have access to the sea. This means that parts of the region are in the Australian Capital Territory, although the Point Perpendicular lighthouse is in an enclave of New South Wales within the ACT section of the Beecroft Peninsula.
Jervis Bay Marine Park covers an area of approximately 22,000 hectares and spans over 100km of coastline and adjacent ocean, extending from Kinghorn Point in the north to Sussex Inlet in the south and including most of Jervis Bay. The marine park aims to conserve marine biological diversity and marine habitats, while catering for a broad range of recreational and commercial activities.
Jervis Bay Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Jervis Bay Village available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Huskisson, on the shores of Jervis Bay,< available through booking.com.
- See accommodation in the South Coast region
Cruises and WhaleWatching at Jervis Bay
Kangaroo Valley is between Mossvale and Nowra, about 150km or two hours southwest of Sydney and approx 200 km northeast of Canberra. The village of Kangaroo Valley is National Trust-listed, and home to the oldest suspension bridge in Australia, the sandstone Hampden Bridge.
Kangaroo Valley is enclosed between the Cambewarra and Barrengarry Mountains in the NSW Southern Highlands. All flora, fauna, Aboriginal sites and rock formations within the National Park are protected.
- Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum Park Historical Settlement depicting farm life in the second half of the 19th and early 20th century.
- Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association has details of transport, history
Kangaroo Valley Accommodation
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Jindabyne, in the Snowy Mountains Region of NSW, is on the shores of Lake Jindabyne, popular destination for skiers in winter and fishing in summer.
Jindabyne Accommodation
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Iluka, which translates to “by the sea”, is a small coastal town, directly opposite Yamba, at the mouth of the Clarence River in the Far North Coast Region of New South Wales.
Iluka is famous for catering for rock, river and deep sea fishing but also offers glorious, clean beaches, Iluka Bay and a World Heritage-Listed Rainforest. You may be lucky enough to see local wildlife in their natural habitat: wedge-tailed eagles, ospreys, emus, kangaroos, goannas and echidnas live in surrounding bushland and dolphins often play in the beautiful Clarence River.
You can hire a boat or take a ferry across the Clarence River to Yamba for the day, enjoy Iluka’s Golf Course and Bowls Club social activities, play tennis, explore the rock pools, dine out available at either Iluka or Yamba’s restaurants or just relax and do nothing.
Iluka is 16 kilometres from the Pacific Highway; a two- hour drive from the Gold Coast and an hour from Grafton. Iluka is 55kms from Ballina Airport and 55kms from Grafton Airport.
Iluka Accommodation
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The Illawara region is south of Sydney and includes the towns of Berry, Bowral, Gerringong, Kangaroo Valley, Mittagong, Shoalhaven Heads and Wollongong
The Illawarra Folk Festival is held in January each year at at the Bulli Showground on Slacky Flat.
Bowral hosts the annual Tulip-Time Festival in Spring each year
Illawarra Accommodation & Experiences
Follow the links to each town above for accommodation listings.
- Berry accommodation available through booking.com
- Bowral accommodation available through booking.com
- Gerringong accommodation available through booking.com
- Kangaroo Valley accommodation available through booking.com
- Mittagong accommodation available through booking.com
- Shoalhaven Heads accommodation available through booking.com
- Wollongong accommodation available through booking.com
- Tours and Experiences in the Illawarra region.
Illawarra School & Community Links
- Postcode: 2528
- Illawarra Regional Airport (Wollongong Aerodrome) is owned and operated by Shellharbour City Council. It is the base for a growing Light Aeronautics Industry, which provides maintenance and engineering services for aircraft ranging from ultra light to medium size turbo prop and jet aircraft.
- Local Councils: Kiama Municipal Council, Shellharbour City Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council, Woolongong City Council
- Local Schools:
- Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club, Wongawilli Band and Wongawilli Colonial Dancers in the Illawarra region on the south coast of New South Wales.
Huskisson and Vincentia are towns on the shores of Jervis Bay. It is a popular tourist destination with white beaches and crystal clear water. Huskisson is in the Shoalhaven City Council local government area and part of New South Wales South Coast Region.
Huskisson Accommodation
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Hawkesbury Valley Region
The Hawkesbury Valley is on the north west border of Sydney. The area includes historic towns of Windsor and Richmond and smaller towns like Lower Portland, Ebenezer, Pitt-Town and Colo.
HawkesburyHarvest.com.au has details of farmers markets at Penrith and Castle Hill and a farm gate trail.
Hawkesbury Valley Accommodation
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Hay was established in 1859 on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River and at the junction of the Mid Western, Sturt and Cobb Highways. Hay is a part of New South Wales Riverina Region.
- Local Council: Hay Shire Council
- Local Schools: Hay Public School, Hay War Memorial High School
Hay Accommodation
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Holiday parks offer a range of self-catering accommodation with all you need to relax and unwind. They have become increasingly popular in Australia with families who want a complete package of self-catering accommodation, entertainment and activities.
NSW Holiday Parks, Tourist Parks
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Holbrook is between Melbourne and Sydney on the Hume Highway, approx 60km north of Albury. Visitors to the town are greeted by the unlikely sight of a submarine, HMAS Otway, next to the submarine museum and visitors information centre. The Submarine Precinct is a well known stop over on the Hume Highway. For those who stay longer, The Woolpack Inn Museum is a two story heritage listed historic building located in the main street of Holbrook, and the National Museum of Australian Pottery is the only Museum dedicated to 19th and early 20th century Australian pottery and the Holbrook Miniature Railway will appeal to many.
Holbrook is the largest town in Greater Hume Shire.
Holbrook Accommodation
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The Hunter Valley extends from Murrurundi in the north to Cessnock in the south. The southern regions of this area are 2 to 3 hours drive from Sydney.
The Hunter Region is well known for historical towns, wine regions and attractive rural landscapes. This region offers a diverse range of landscapes from the mountainous wilderness of the Barrington Tops National Park to the sub-tropical coastal regions of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Weekend escapes and winery tours are just two of the region’s tourist attractions. There are over 100 wineries in this area and its proximity to Sydney makes it popular with local tourists.
- Barrington Tops
- Cessnock
- Maitland
- Morpeth
- Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter
- Pokolbin
- Rothbury
- Singleton
- Newcastle
Hunter Valley Wines
- A Little Luxury Gifts, Customisable Baskets and Hampers includes Hunter Valley wines in some gifts and you can include a bottle with any gift.
Hunter Region Activities
- Feast of the Olive
- Festival of Flowers – is held annually at the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
- Music in the Hunter Chamber Music Festival – annual chamber music festival
- SteamFest in Maitland. Be sure not to miss the hiss, toot and chug of Australia’s premier festival of steam. This festival is dedicated to steam engines.
Goulburn is 190km south-west of Sydney on the Hume Highway, branded as ‘Australia’s First Inland City’. The town is located at the junction of the Wollondilly and Mulwaree rivers. Goulburn is part of New South Wales Capital Country Region.
- Local Council: Goulburn Mulwaree Council
- TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Goulburn Campus
- V8 car driving experiences are included on our NSW V8 page
Goulburn Accommodation
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Grafton is 665km north of Sydney, and renowned for its riverbank parks and jacaranda trees. Grafton is on the Clarence River, and at the junction of the Pacific Highway (Brisbane to Sydney) and Gwydir Highway which runs west to Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, and Walgett .
Grafton is part of New South Wales Far North Coast Region.
- Grafton Regional Gallery
- Clarence River Historical Society
- Clarence River Cricket Association
- Local Council: Clarence Valley Council
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Grafton Campus
Grafton Hotels & Accommodation
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Griffith is a city in the south west region of New South Wales, a thriving city developed as a result of irrigation. Griffith is a part of New South Wales Riverina Region.
Griffith Festival of the Gardens – Tour around a variety of privately owned town, farm and outback gardens, see floral art & quilt displays and the larger than life Citrus Sculpture Display with over 40 sculptures lining the entrance to Banna Avenue. These sculptures are unique to Griffith, Australia and Menton, France.
- Local Council: Griffith City Council
- Local Schools: Griffith East Public School, Griffith High School, Griffith North Public School, Griffith Public School
- TAFE / Universities: Riverina Institute of TAFE – Griffith Campus
Griffith Accommodation
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Gilgandra, on the Castlereagh River in Central NSW, is between Coonabarabran and Dubbo on the Newell Highway. The Castlereagh Highway and the Oxley Highway also meet at Gilgandra.
Gilgandra is known as the “Town of Windmills” and “Home of the Coo-ees.” The Windmills come from the time before they had a central water supply the skyline was dominated by windmills. (Strictly speaking, they are windpumps, but Australians call them windmills.) The Coo-ee March started with 35 men marching from Gilgandra to Sydney in 1915 to volunteer for the war, and being joined by others along the route. The local economy is agricultural with sheep, beef cattle and winter cereal cropping, with some tourism.
- WarrumbungleWired local tourism initiative includes brochures, ebooks, podcasts and more
- Gilgandra Observatory
Gilgandra Accommodation
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Glen Innes is a highland town in the heart of the New England Region of New South Wales on the New England Highway and the Gwydir Highway. Glen Innes is famous for its Celtic heritage and Celtic Festival. It is also the gateway to sapphire country and the Fossicker’s Way.
Glen Innes activities and attractions include
- Australian Celtic Festival
- Glen Innes Standing Stones
- Gourmet in the Glen / New England Wine Show
- Land of the Beardies Festival – Includes a beard competition.
- Land of the Beardies History House Museum and Research Centre
- Minerama is NSW’s largest gem show, held annually on the 2nd weekend in March. Guided fossicking field trips, gem and mineral specimens, lapidary tools and supplies, gem cutting, plus free advice from gemmologists, dealers, lapidaries, and jewellers.
- TAFE / Universities: New England Institute of TAFE – Glen Innes Campus
- Glen Innes Bowling Club
Glen Innes Accommodation
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
- Accommodation in Glen Innes available through booking.com
Gloucester is in the picturesque Avon valley, on the Gloucester River. It’s an hour’s drive inland from Taree and Tuncurry/Forster, not quite 2 hours drive from Newcastle, and 3 hrs drive from both Sydney and Armidale along Thunderbolt’s Way. Gloucester is serviced by three Countrylink XPT trains in each direction on the North Coast railway line.
Gloucester is known for its gourmet quality Barrington beef and perch. Gloucester also boasts spectacular mountain views and is adjacent to the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops National Park. Gloucester hosts a Farmers Market and an annual Shakespeare in Gloucester Festival. Gloucester Tourism provides a wide range of visitor information.
Gloucester Accommodation and Activities
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
- Accommodation in Gloucester available through booking.com
Gerringong is on the Illawara Coast with spectacular views of beautiful white sand and beach fronts. Gerringong is just south of Kiama, part of New South Wales Illawara Region and 126 km south of Sydney.
Gerringong Accommodation
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Forster is a large coastal town on the north coast region of New South Wales, just over 300 km north of Sydney. Forster is divided by Wallis Lake and the centre of Great Lakes, an area well known for fishing and other water activities. Forster and the smaller neighbouring town of Tuncurry are connected by the bridge over Wallis Lake.
Local attractions include One Mile Beach and Booti Booti National Park.
Forster Accommodation
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- See more NSW North Coast seaside resorts
Forbes, NSW The township of Forbes, in Central NSW is on the banks of the Lachlan River in the heart of the rich Lachlan Valley. Forbes is on the Newell Highway. Lake Forbes is popular for its cycle and walkways, BBQ facilities, playgrounds and amenities. Forbes Shire Council website includes photos and community information.
Forbes Accommodation
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Far North Coast NSW
Far North Coast refers to the coastal towns of the tropical north-eastern region of New South Wales, known for magnificent beaches, rivers and world heritage forests. The Far North Coast Region includes Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay, Grafton, Iluka, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Lismore and the Tweed Coast
Far North Coast Accommodation
Follow the links to each location above for hotels, motels, cabins and other accommodation, plus some local information, links and things to do.
Far North Coast Events
Because this area is much closer to the Gold Coast and Queensland, events can be posted in the Queensland What’s On pages.
Far North Coast Times
New South Wales observes daylight saving (summertime) from October to the beginning of April. Queensland does not observe daylight saving. So, during summer months you will need to allow for the one hour time difference if you cross the border.
Eden, on the south coast of New South Wales, is a former whaling town on Twofold Bay. The Eden Whale Festival is held in October each year. Eden is on the Princes Highway approximately 512 km.
- Bega Valley Shire Council
- Eden Community Website contains local information, history, boating and fishing conditions and more. It is a Community Geographic Domain Names (CGDNs) website.
- Eden Killer Whale Museum
- Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre
Eden Resort Accommodation
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Diamond Beach and Old Bar are seaside towns, south-east of Taree and north of Forster. Old Bar is one of the popular beaches along the coastal strip and just 15 minutes’ drive from Taree. Diamond Beach and Old Bar are part of New South Wales North Coast Region.
The annual Old Bar Beach Festival, held on the October long weekend, is an celebration of classic Australian summer holidays. Kombi Fest is one of the festival’s highlights that attracts hundreds of keen Kombi van enthusiasts.
See Greater Taree City Council local government site with local services, event calendar and community information
Diamond Beach & Old Bar Accommodation
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Cowra, NSW Cowra is on the Lachlan River, in Central New South Wales, approximately 310 kilometres drive due west of Sydney. The Cowra Prisoner of War Camp site is listed as one of the top Heritage sites in NSW. In 1944 over 1000 Japanese POW staged a mass breakout that was the biggest in British and Australian War History. See Cowra Tourism and Cowra Council for local information.
Cowra Accommodation
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New South Wales is home to one third of Australians and claims to have the biggest economy of all states and its capital is Australia’s best known city, Sydney.
The 1000km eastern coastline offers a range of ports, beaches and tourist destination. Central Coast covering the Gosford and Wyong Shire offer an escape for Sydney dwellers. Other popular holiday destinations include Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay
Inland is the Great Dividing Range with the Blue Mountains and the Snowy Mountains and Mt Kosciuszko with winter ski resorts.
Further inland is farmland extending to the dry western plains and desert. Broken Hill is the western-most town in NSW – further from Sydney than it is from Adelaide or Melbourne.
South of Sydney is the Illawarra, Shoalhaven & Southern Highlands Region
New South Wales operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time. They put their clocks forward each summer for daylight saving.
You can find pages for regions, cities and towns in New South Wales by following the links on the left. There are also special pages for NSW Holiday Parks and NSW Cabins and Cottages
See BCL Sydney for a lot more statewide information pages
New South Cities and Towns
- Albury
- Armidale
- Ballina
- Barooga
- Barrington Tops
- Batemans Bay
- Bathurst
- Bega
- Berry
- Blackheath
- Bourke
- Bowral
- Broken Hill
- Brunswick Heads
- Bundadoon
- Byron Bay
- Cessnock
- Casino
- Charlestown
- Cooma
- Coffs Harbour
- Coonabarabran
- Corowa
- Eden
- Forster
- Gerringong
- Gilgandra
- Glen Innes
- Gloucester
- Goulburn
- Grafton
- Griffith
- Hay
- Holbrook
- Huskisson
- Iluka
- Jindabyne
- Kangaroo Valley
- Kempsey
- Kiama
- Kingscliff
- Lennox Head
- Leura
- Lismore
- Lithgow
- Maitland
- Merimbula
- Mittagong
- Moama
- Mollymook
- Moree
- Morpeth
- Moruya
- Mossvale & Bundadoon
- Mount Victoria
- Murwillumbah
- Muswellbrook
- Nambucca Heads
- Narooma
- Narrabri
- Narrandera
- Nelson Bay
- Newcastle
- Nowra
- Oberon
- Orange
- Pacific Palms
- Pambula Beach
- Parkes
- Perisher Blue
- Pokolbin
- Port-Macquarie
- Port Stephens
- Queanbeyan
- Scone
- Shoal-Bay
- Shoalhaven Heads
- Singleton
- South West Rocks
- Sydney
- Tamworth
- Taree
- Tathra
- Tenterfield
- Thredbo
- Thredbo Valley
- Tocumwal
- Tumut
- Tweed Coast
- Ulladulla
- Wagga Wagga
- Wentworth Falls
- West Wyalong
- Wollongong
- Yamba
- Yass
- Young
New South Wales Highways
- The Golden Highway runs from the Newell Highway at Dubbo east to meet the New England Highway between Branxton and Singleton
- The New England Highway runs from Queensland down through Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale, Tamworth, Muswellbrook to meet the Pacific Highway at Hexham. It is part of a popular inland route from Brisbane to Sydney.
- The Hume Highway (31) runs from Sydney to Melbourne and cuts across country to be the shorter route between the capitals at 870 km. NSW cities and towns on this route include Bowral, Goulburn, (turn off to Canberra), Yass, (turn off to Wagga Wagga), Holbrook and Albury.
- The Newell Highway is the longest highway in New South Wales. It runs inland from Tocumwal on the NSW/Victoria border to Goondiwindi on the NSW/Queensland border, passing through Moree, Narrabri, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes, West Wyalong and Narrandera.
- The Princes Highway runs from Chippendale in Sydney, south along the coastline and across the Victorian border to Melbourne. (approx 1040 km). NSW coastal towns to stay at along the way include Wollongong, Kiama, Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Bega, Eden, Merimbula, Moruya, and Narooma
- Thunderbolt’s Way runs from Port Stephens to Goondiwindi in Queensland, travelling north through Stroud, Gloucester, Novendoc, Walcha, Uralla (near Armidale), Bundarra and Inverell.
New South Wales Links
- NSW Government Portal
- NSW Government Directory
- BCLBooks Local Books – Books set in or about Sydney and New South Wales.
Coffs Harbour is on the east coast, mid way between Sydney and Brisbane along the Pacific Highway in what is known as the North Coast region of NSW. It is a popular holiday destination so you should book these hotels and resorts well ahead to ensure best choice, especially during busy periods. Coffs Harbour is home to the Big Banana – this 13 metres long, 5 metres high and 2.4 metres wide concrete banana was the first of Australia’s “big” landmarks. It opened in 1964.
- Coffs Harbour and District Independent News
- Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery
- North Coast Institute of TAFE – Coffs Harbour Campus and Coffs Harbour Education Campus
- University of New England – UNE has centres or associate campuses in Brisbane, Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Blue Mountains to enable students to study courses in metropolitan and regional locations.
Coffs Harbour Accommodation & Tours
- Accommodation in Coffs Harbour available through booking.com
- Coffs Harbour Tours & Activities
Coffs Harbour Serviced Offices
Cooma is at the junction of the Monaro and Snowy Mountains Highways in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains Region, south of Canberra. Cooma is also home of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme and its education centre.
TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Cooma Campus
Local Council: Cooma-Monaro Shire Council
Cooma Accommodation
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Coonabarabran, in Central NSW, is often referred to as the ‘Astronomy Capital of Australia’. Australia’s largest optical astronomy research facility, Siding Spring Observatory, is 27 km west of Coonabarabran.
It is also the gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park. The Warrumbungle Region is 6 hours drive from Sydney and 2 hours drive north-east of Dubbo, and 2 hours west of Tamworth. Coonabarabran is on the Oxley and Newell Highway. It is about half-way between Brisbane and Melbourne as the crow flies.
See the Warrumbungle Region tourist information site for events and information.
- Local Council: Warrumbungle Shire Council
- Jazz in the Tops Jazz Festival in the Coolah Tops National Park
- Warrumbungle Region tourist information site
Coonabarabran Accommodation
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Corowa is on the banks of the Murray River, on the New South Wales side of the border, west of Albury. It is 3 hours from Melbourne, 4 hours from Canberra and 6 hours from Sydney.
- The Australian Billy Cart Championships, held on Easter Saturday each year, is an event for all ages with competitors racing down the main street in their home-made or professionally created designs.
- Corowa Swim-In Military Vehicle Rally held annually since 1980 on the banks of the Murray River
- Corowa Festival of Fun for Kids annual event held on the 1st Sunday in April. See Corowa Shire website for details
- Corowa Festival of Dance held on the NSW Labour Day Long Weekend every year
- Cod Fishing Classic
Corowa Accommodation
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Charlestown is a major commercial centre between the northern end of Lake Macquarie and the coastline, just 10 kilometres west-southwest of the Newcastle CBD.
Charlestown Accommodation
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Cessnock is in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, approximately 2 hours north of Sydney. It is well known for producing excellent table wines. Adventure activities including hot air ballooning, rally car driving and fighter jet flights are local attractions.
Cessnock Accommodation
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Central Coast Hotels – just north of Sydney
The Central Coast region, covering the Gosford and Wyong Shire, is south of Newcastle and north of Sydney. The region includes the towns of Dooralong, Wyong, The Entrance, Toowoon Bay, Ourimbah, Bateau Bay, Gosford, Terrigal, Avoca Beach, Woy Woy and Ettalong.
Central Coast Accommodation & Services
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- Accommodation in Avoca Beach available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Ettalong Beach available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Gosford available through booking.com
- Accommodation in The Entrance available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Terrigal available through booking.com
- Accommodation in Woy Woy available through booking.com
Central Coast Tours, Activities, Experiences
Byron Bay Skydiving
Cabins and cottages in regional NSW provide privacy for getaways, retreats or solitude for creative work.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Casino is on the Richmond River, 32kms west of Lismore, in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Casino is at the junction of the Bruxner Highway and the Summerland Way.
Casino Beef Week, held in May each year, has a street parade, family fund day, “Breakfast with the Butchers” and more.
Casino Accommodation, Tours & Activities
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Capital Country refers to the region that lies on the northern borders of the Australian Capital Territory and is set along the tableland of the Great Dividing Range. The Capital Country Region includes the following towns:
Capital Country Accommodation
- Follow the links above for detailed listings, or…
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Capital Country Links
Capital Country Experiences
Byron Bay is on the eastern coast of Australia, about 200 km south of Brisbane, 105K south of Surfers Paradise and 800 km north of Sydney.
During the summer months Byron is flooded with tourists, many of them surfers vying for the best waves. There are plenty of beaches in and around Byron to choose from including Main Beach, which is close to the esplanade and is patrolled by surf lifesavers. There is also Tallow, Clarkes and Belongil – a dog’s beach and Kings which is frequented by nude sunbathers.
Byron is also a popular Easter holiday due to the annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival.
Another popular attraction is Australia’s most easterly point, Cape Byron. The lighthouse here was built in 1901. Many locals and tourists alike make the morning trek to this point to be amongst the first in Australia to watch the sunrise.
Byron Bay Services & Accommodation
- Accommodation in Byron Bay available through booking.com
Byron Bay Tours and Activities
- Byron Bay & Ballina Skydiving
- Byron Bay Tours day tours and extended surf tours to Byron Bay
Community Links & Information
- Byron Bay postcode – 2481
- Schools
- Byron Bay Community Centre
- Byron Shire Council
- Byron Echo – The area’s free, independent community newspaper
- Byron Bay Writers Festival – A three day festival held the first weekend in August each year. Set in the grounds of the Byron Bay Beach Resort. Crowds come to listen to their favourite writers and engage in conversations about books.
- Bluesfest – East Coast Blues & Roots Festival
- Wikipedia about Byron Bay
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Byron Bay Tours Byron Bay is approx 105K south of Surfers Paradise. It is included as a stopover in many coach tours of the east coast and is popular as a destination in its own right.
Tours to and at Byron Bay through Viator
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Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Byron Bay Backpacker Hostels
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Brunswick Heads is at the mouth of the Brunswick River; it is 10km north of Byron Bay. Brunswick Heads is part of New South Wales Far North Coast Region. Local Council: Moreland City Council
Brunswick Heads Accommodation
- see also Byron Bay Accommodation
Bourke, NSW
Bourke is 780 km north-west of Sydney, and about the same distance south-west of Brisbane. It was an historic riverport on the Darling River and is seen as the edge of the “real outback” – anything beyond is “out the back of Bourke”. Visit the Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre
Bourke Accommodation
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Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach and Elizabeth Beach are small coastal towns at the southern end of Wallis Lake on the north coast region of New South Wales. They are approx 300 km north of Sydney. Local attractions are the beaches, lake and Wallingat National Park.
Coming from the north, you can get to the Beaches along The Lakes Way from Forster. From the south, turn off the Pacific Highway onto The Lakes Way after Bulahdelah.
Blueys Beach Accommodation
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- See more NSW North Coast seaside resorts
Bowral, in the New South Wales Southern Highlands, is approximately 107 km south of Sydney, at the base of Mount Gibraltar. Grand gardens, historic estates and manor houses are a reminder of its history as a retreat for Sydney’s well-to-do.
Bowral is also home to the Bradman Museum, now The International Cricket Hall of Fame, which celebrates the life and sporting achievements of cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman.
Famous for its gardens, Bowral hosts the annual Tulip-Time Festival in Spring each year. At less than ninety minutes from both Sydney and Canberra, it’s possible to do in a day trip but better as if you stop over. There are plenty of accommodation options below.
- Local Council: Wingecarribee Shire Council
- Empire Cinema On September 15, 2015 the Empire Cinema in Bowral will celebrate its centenary – the oldest commercial cinema in Australia.
Bowral Accommodation
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The famous mining town of Broken Hill is the western-most town in NSW – further from Sydney than it is from Adelaide or Melbourne. Even though it is in NSW, Broken Hill and Silverton operate on Central Standard Time which is the same as Adelaide and South Australia.
Broken Hill Accommodation
- Accommodation in Broken Hill available through booking.com Get prices and book online for hotels, motels and backpackers hostel accommodation
Broken Hill Region Schools, Colleges & Universities
- School of The Air Broken Hill
- Alma Public School in Southern Broken Hill
- Broken Hill High School
- Broken Hill Public School
- Broken Hill North Public School
- Willyama High School
- Railway Town Public School
- Morgan Street Public School
- Burke Ward Public School
Broken Hill Links
- ABC News – Broken Hill
- Broken Hill City Council
- Broken Hill Community Inc
- Barrier Daily Truth Broken Hill’s local newspaper
- Invest in Broken Hill – extensive site for those interested in moving to or setting up a business in Broken Hill
- Broken Hill local tourism site
- Postcode of Broken Hill is 2880
- Telephone Directory
The Blue Mountains are west of Sydney, New South Wales. There are several small towns including Katoomba, Blackheath, Leura, Lithgow, Mount Victoria and Wentworth Falls
Other Blue Mountains Links
- Blue Mountains City Council
- University of New England Armidale
UNE has centres or associate campuses in Brisbane, Sydney, Blue Mountains and Blue Mountains to enable students to study courses in metropolitan and regional locations - Blackheath Primary School
- Katoomba High School
- Katoomba North Primary School
- Katoomba Primary School
- Leura Primary School
- Mt Victoria Primary School
- Wentwthfal Primary School
- Hazelbrook Primary School
- Medlow Primary School
- Springwood High School
- Springwood Public School
- Ellison Primary School
Blue Mountains – Jenolan Caves Accommodation & Tours
Katoomba is just over 100 km west of Sydney and just over 1000m above sea level. The Scenic Skyway to Katoomba is the steepest railway in the world.
Katoomba Accommodation
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Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
- Accommodation in Katoomba available through booking.com
Blue Mountains Hotels, Cottages, Retreats, B&B
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and…
Blue Mountains backpacker hostels
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Bermagui is a seaside town at the northern end of the Sapphire Coast in NSW’s South Coast Region. As well as beach, surfing and swimming, natural attractions include Bermagui State Forest, Bermagui Nature Reserve and Wallaga Lake National Park. Bermagui also has a goldmine. Bermagui is in the Bega Valley Shire Council local government area.
Bermagui Accommodation
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Blackheath is a small resort town located near the top of the Blue Mountains, approximately 120 km west of Sydney. The town is the highest in the Blue Mountains and is well known for its breathtaking views.
Blackheath Accommodation
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Bega is in the south-east region of News South Wales, famous for the popular Bega cheese. It is located between the beachfront and the Kosciuszko snow resorts. Bega is near the junction of the Princes and Snowy Mountain Highways which link Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Bega is part of New South Wales South Coast Region.
- Bega Valley Regional Gallery
- Local Council: Bega Valley Shire Council
- TAFE / Universities: Illawarra Institute of TAFE – Bega Campus
Bega Accommodation
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
- See also nearby accommodation at Merimbula, a coastal town, south along the Princes Highway, or Bermagui to the north.
Berry is a small town on the Princes Highway, about 145 km south of Sydney, and between Kiama and Nowra. Berry is in rich dairy country in New South Wales’ Illawara Region.
The Berry website by the local chamber of commerce has a wealth of local information and events.
Berry Accommodation
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- Accommodation in Berry available through booking.com
B&Bs can provide a more personalised stay, with lots of local advice, information and insights. Even better – someone else makes the breakfast!
NSW Regional Bed & Breakfast
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Bathurst Tours & Activities
There’s more to Bathurst than Motorsports at Mt Panorama.
Bathurst, the oldest inland settlement in Australia, is perhaps best known for motor racing at Mt Panaroma.
Bathurst Local Knowledge
This description was written by BCL readers.
Established in the early 1800s, today Bathurst has a youthful feel. This is a “uni town” and the sprawling campus of Charles Sturt University lies on the edge of town. Academic excellence is prominent, and Bathurst boasts six secondary schools. There are heritage buildings and quite a few stately, well-preserved homes from a bygone era, set against a backdrop of gentle rolling hills.
Modern shopping complexes have been incorporated into two of the most central CBD blocks, and other shops, parks and gardens radiate outwards from the town centre. The charming Keppel Street area of boutiques and cafes feels almost like a separate mini village. Coffee shops, restaurants and pub bistros are dotted around town. A personal favourite of mine is the atmospheric and centrally located Acropole Restaurant, where great coffee and everything from early morning to late night dining can be found.
Bathurst often celebrates the rich colours of autumn with a series of themed events. There is a multi-theatre cinema, a Regional Gallery and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre for cultural productions.
Mount Panorama racing circuit draws huge crowds of motoring enthusiasts, especially for the annual Bathurst 1000 Race (one of the V8 Supercar Series) when the population swells to almost bursting point. 2.5 hours drive (207km) to Sydney, 3.5 hours to Canberra. Air, train and coach services operate daily.
– Ellis Ash
Bathurst Accommodation & Services
- Accommodation in Bathurst available through booking.com
- Tours and Activities
- Bathurst Motorsports
More Links
- Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.
- Bathurst Regional Council includes local information, attractions and events
- Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
- There are airports at Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Parkes. Airlink Airlines operates return flights to Sydney from Bathurst
- Countrylink Rail rail timetables. It is approximately 4 hours rail journey from Sydney.
- National Motor Racing Museum The collection includes race cars, cycles, trophies, photographs, paintings, posters, special exhibits and memorabilia of Australian motor racing with an emphasis on the international Mount Panorama motor racing circuit
- Western Institute of TAFE – Bathurst Campus
Barrington Tops is a World Heritage listed National Park located in the Hunter Valley Region, approximately 200km north of Sydney. It is noted for its spectacular mountain scenery and is on one of the highest points of the Great Dividing Range
Barrington Tops Accommodation & Experiences
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
- Accommodation in Barrington available through booking.com
Batemans Bay, NSW Batemans Bay is a coastal town on the estuary of the Clyde River. It is approximately 280km south of Sydney on the Princes Highway, and south-south-east of Canberra along Kings Highway (52). Batemans Bay is part of Eurobodalla Shire Council local government area and South Coast Region of New South Wales.
The George Bass Surfboat Marathon, claimed to be the “Longest, Toughest Surfboat Race in the world” is held each January in even-numbered years. After a send-off from Batemans Bay, crews row 170 km south to Eden.
Batemans Bay Accommodation
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Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Bathurst is famous for its motor racing at Mount Panorama
- Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
- National Motor Racing Museum The collection includes race cars, cycles, trophies, photographs, paintings, posters, special exhibits and memorabilia of Australian motor racing with an emphasis on the international Mount Panorama motor racing circuit
Barooga is a small NSW town and popular holiday resort on the Murray River opposite Cobram in Victoria.
Cobram/Barooga is at the centre of a rich pastoral, dairy, fruit and wine-growing district, known as the ‘the food bowl of Australia’.
Tocumwal is upstream, about 20 kilometres drive. The local council is Berrigan Shire Council
Barooga Accommodation
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Ballina, at the mouth of the Richmond River in northern NSW, is on the Pacific Highway just 90 minutes drive south of the Gold Coast or 2 1/2 hours south of Brisbane.
Ballina Accommodation
- Accommodation in Ballina available through booking.com
Ballina Tours and Activities
- Ballina Activities – go skydiving
Ballina Schools, Links and Information
- Postcode: 2478
- Local Council: Ballina Council
- Local Schools:
- Ballina High School
- Ballina Primary Schools
- Southern Cross School Government K-12 and distance education
- TAFE / Universities: North Coast Institute of TAFE – Ballina Campus
- Ballina Bowling & Recreation Club
- Ballina Players is a community-based amateur theatre group
Helicopter flights, flying lessons in Ballina.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Armidale is the lively major city of the northern New South Wales tablelands and New England region. It is approximately half way between Brisbane and Sydney on the New England Highway. Passenger rail services and flights run to and from Sydney. Within Armidale, there are bus services around the suburbs into the city centre.
Armidale has a population of around 20 000 which includes many young people who come to study at the local schools and University of New England. As a regional and administrative centre, Armidale is well serviced by major retailers, local newspapers and radio, banks, and government services.
There are cafes and shops along the Beardy Street Mall, between Marsh and Dangar Streets, and other main retailers are focussed in the shopping centres and plazas in the blocks between Jessie, Dumaresq, Marsh, and Rusden Streets. Armidale is also known as a cathedral city, with Anglican and Catholic cathedrals plus many other denominational churches.
Armidale is a regional centre for bushwalking, surrounded as it is by the New England and Oxley Wild Rivers national parks. Because of its altitude of approximately 1km above sea level, Armidale has a mild climate, with distinct long spring and autumn periods, unlike many parts of Australia. The Autumn Festival is a major annual event in the city.
Armidale Accommodation
- Accommodation in Armidale available through booking.com
Armidale Activities and Attractions
- Armidale Show in March.
- Autumn Festival in April.
- New England Wool Expo in May.
- Armidale International Film Festival in August.
- Clubs, community groups, and services directory from the Armidale Dumaresq Council.
- New England National Park – 85km east of Armidale.
Armidale School and Community Links
- Postcode of Armidale is 2350
- Local Council Armidale Dumaresq Council
- Local Schools:
- TAFE / Universities:
- Guyra Tourism & Commerce Association Inc Guyra is 38km north of Armidale on the New England Highway. Guyra is the highest town on the tablelands.
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
Albury is a New South Wales city on northern bank of the Murray River. Together with the Victorian city of Wodonga on the south bank, it forms an urban area with a population of around 80,000.
The city is surrounded mainly by agricultural land, including many vineyards. It is a short distance from the historic goldmining towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah.
- Accommodation in Albury available through booking.com
Albury Schools, Links & Information
- Schools:
- TAFE / Universities
- Community Links:
- The Border Morning Mail local news
- Albury Regional Gallery
Quick Links: Booking.com for accommodation in Sydney, and NSW.
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