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CREATE YOUR NSW TRAVEL WISHLIST
With a diverse landscape unlike any other state in Australia, NSW is the place to plan your next adventure. Golden beaches, tranquil national parks, vast vineyards and legendary locals will all be waiting for you, right here in NSW. This month, meet some of our top NSW winemakers, spend the night in a luxury farm stay, and find out which iconic Sydney restaurant has launched a dedicated NSW wine menu. For more inspiration on how to #LoveNSW, go to visitnsw.com
Image: Bondi Icebergs at sunrise, Bondi Beach
Relaxation Zone, Eléme Day Spa, Byron at Byron
WHAT'S NEW IN NSW
Nestled within 18 hectares of subtropical rainforest, Byron at Byron is set to reopen its doors on September 1, 2020 after a $6 million refresh. The resort will feature a new restaurant, offering sustainable and local produce, with 80 per cent of all ingredients sourced within a three-hour drive from Byron Bay. The new Eléme Day Spa will be unveiled in November.
To celebrate its reopening, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has launched a distinctive wine list highlighting the wine regions of NSW. Our state has more than 14 wine regions and Icebergs has cherry-picked from some of the best. Sample a bold chardonnay from Orange or pinot noir from Gundagai and get a taste of NSW while soaking up Bondi Beach views.
High tea, Hermes Estate, Gleniffer NSW
Hermes Estate, a luxury private villa on the mid-north coast of NSW, is ready to welcome visitors once again. You and your guests will have the two-hectare hinterland estate to yourselves, with a personal assistant on hand 24/7 for requests. This one-of-a-kind opulent stay has everything for the discerning guest: wellness experiences, a private chef, complimentary Champagne and access to a cellar of Penfolds.
Just outside of Dubbo in Central West NSW, Callubri Station is the next high-end farm stay to put on your travel wish list. The rugged Merino sheep farm has event and dining spaces in the transformed Shearer’s Quarters and Wool Shed, and guests can stay in chic Sky Suites, fashioned out of modern shipping containers with breathtaking views across the sheep station, as well as a mineral lap pool.
Step inside this rustic, luxurious three-bedroom barn located just three minutes outside picturesque Bowral. Overlooking the town, Black Barn Bowral by fashion designer Collette Dinnigan ticks all the boxes when it comes to staying in an elegant countryside manor. Sit by the open fireplace and sleep well, wrapped up in beautiful Egyptian cotton bed linen.
Climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge
BridgeClimb Sydney has launched a new ‘Ultimate’ climb in time for Father’s Day with the BridgeClimb Ultimate available to book from September 6. The route will follow the southern approach span and journey over the entire arch towards the northside pylons, then return to the Climber Base.
Escape the everyday at Marramarra Lodge, sublimely positioned on the edge of the Hawkesbury River. Retreat to your luxury glamping tent or bungalow with river views and soak up the serenity of the native bushland. Boat transfers, a sunset cruise, gourmet breakfast, lunch and a degustation dinner prepared by a Michelin-star chef are all included.
Hendriks Cognac & Wine, Crows Nest. Credit: Steven Woodburn
Crows Nest in Sydney’s north welcomes a dedicated Cognac bar, Hendriks Cognac and Wine. It boasts 30 of the very best cognacs in the world, more than 100 bottles of wine with 20 by the glass and oversized gourmet jaffles stuffed with cognac mushrooms. Book in for one of their cheese degustations with matching drinks.
Whitton Malt House is set to become one of the Riverina’s most iconic destinations when it opens in Whitton in October. Featuring a large cellar door, high-end event space and villas for accommodation, visitors will be taken on a journey of the barley-to-brew process. The venue will showcase regional produce in a beautiful indoor and outdoor setting with landscaped gardens, swing bridge, a stunning lake where you can fish, as well as hole-in-one lake golf.
Book a guided backcountry tour with Thredbo Backcountry Tours and venture beyond the popular snow slopes. Ride across the incredible mountain landscape and learn about the unique terrain and important backcountry safety skills. There is an adventure for everyone, from introductory through to advanced tours, each catering to different levels of knowledge, experience and ability.
Join Bill Peach Journeys and embark on a seven-day spring adventure through the heart of ‘Australia’s food bowl’ in the stunning Riverina. Discover acclaimed wines, taste gorgeous fresh produce and explore spectacular natural scenery through the country towns of Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Jugiong, Cootamundra, Temora, Narrandera, Lockhart and Griffith.
Rural escape Belisi, just outside Wagga Wagga, offers a unique combination of wellbeing and equestrian activities plus a farm stay. Discover luxury two-bedroom cottages crafted from shipping containers and on-site activities including yoga, skin treatments and horse riding. The team are also creating a new wellbeing hub for the community, with a focus on equine-assisted therapy.
Photographer Eugene Tan
FIVE MINS WITH: EUGENE TAN, AQUABUMPS
Eugene Tan is one of Australia’s most coveted coastline photographers. Recently Eugene teamed up with Destination NSW to capture aerial and land content across six secret Sydney locations featuring his distinctive aerial perspective and unique style. Here Eugene reveals what he loves about his hometown of Sydney, why he’s an early morning person and his favourite NSW holiday spot.
You’re up early to take stunning photographs of waves, surfers and beach culture. What do you love most about this time of the day? Mornings in Sydney are special — the sun rises above the ocean, so it’s the best time to shoot beaches. Morning light is gold, vibrant and flattering: it makes anything look good. Also in the morning, there are fewer distractions — no phones, just the ocean and me. Best way to start my day.
Which Sydney beach do you love photographing the most? Bondi — I live there and our Aquabumps Gallery is there so I shoot Bondi most often. I love that no day is ever the same and that I still find new angles and things to shoot.
What is your favourite café? Depends how much time I have on my hands. On Friday, I like a treat at Porch Parlour, North Bondi. UMU on Gould Street is suitable for a fly in and fly out.
Your favourite holiday spot in NSW? The North Coast of NSW. There are just so many stunning beaches and fantastic surf breaks all the way to Byron Bay. I love Byron, it’s just got such a chilled vibe, sensational waves and lots to do. You see plenty of nature, whales, birds and the weather is generally warmer than Sydney.
You’re known for your incredible aerial photography, how would you describe the landscape here in Sydney and NSW? Sydney is like a cracked egg: a myriad of bays, coves and beaches. There’s not a straight part to it — it’s all nooks and inlets. And with all the recent rain, everything is a lush green from the air.
What does a normal day look like? I shoot at sunrise Monday to Friday until about 8am, usually the eastern suburbs beaches, but recently I’ve been venturing north as far as Palmy, south and all over greater Sydney. Most days I drop my boys to school, then come to our gallery and work on the daily email that goes out to our 45,000 subscribers and update socials: collectively we have a 330K following.
Your favourite Sydney restaurants and bars? Café Sydney for lunch! Love it. That view is sensational: get a table out the front. The Opera Bar is excellent for a drink. If I am around home, I will go to Totti’s for dinner then have a drink at The Royal Bondi pub afterwards — a lot of my friends hang out there. Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has a great view too.
When you are hosting visitors in Sydney, where do you take them? Bondi to Bronte coastal walk followed by a swim at South Bondi, seaplane to Palmy, see the harbour beaches by boat, and a chopper ride around the harbour is quite something.
Do you have a favourite photograph that you have taken as part of your Secret Sydney shoots so far? I love the shots of Sydney Opera House; I tried hard to shoot it differently.
Do you have a favourite Secret Sydney experience? Camp Cove: have a drink or coffee at the little café on the beach after a swim at sunset. Or I love Tamarama rocks for a sunset drink and pizza: watch the ocean — it’s impressive. I proposed to my wife Debbie on those rocks.
Contact media@dnsw.com.au for Aquabumps Secret Sydney collaborative imagery.
Australian blues rock band, The Teskey Brothers
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS: LAND OF 1000 GIGS
In an Australian first, Great Southern Nights will bring 1000 COVID-Safe gigs to Sydney and regional NSW, from the coast to the bush. The gigs in bars and pubs across NSW will showcase emerging and established artists: Aussie greats Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Tones and I, The Veronicas and The Teskey Brothers are already in the lineup. The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW is working in partnership with ARIA.
Magician Bruce Glen at the Sir Stamford, Circular Quay.
MAGIC IN THE CITY
For a magical night of storytelling in the comfort of the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, book into Bruce Glen’s popular show, The Gentleman Magician. You’ll be greeted with Champagne and canapés before settling in for a night of unique magic and enchanting Australian tales. The elegant soiree is reminiscent of the intriguing shows from 19th century Viennese salons and has a cocktail dress code.
Frankie Firefighter, Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie.
MEET FRANKIE ON THE KOALA SCULPTURE TRAIL
The Mid North Coast’s award-winning Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail will launch its latest addition, Frankie Firefighter, to commemorate the service of NSW’s Rural Fire Service during the 2019/2020 bushfires. Launched by the Minister for Tourism last month, Frankie is the 71st koala to join the Koala Sculpture Trail family. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is open every day of the year and is completely free, featuring more than 70 individually designed one-metre high Hello Koalas sculptures across the Port Macquarie district.
Image: Rosie Cupitt, founder, winemaker and cheesemaker at Cupitt’s Estate
MEET THE WINEMAKERS OF NSW
Meet the winemakers behind your favourite NSW wines in this vibrant series of seven video stories created by Destination NSW. The series provides a revealing insight into NSW’s unique wine regions, hero varietals, wine production heritage, exceptional visitor experiences and how the state’s diverse terroir is creating memorable drops.
You can view the Meet the Winemakers of NSW #LoveNSW video series here.
Camel Safari on Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
EIGHT ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS IN NSW
NSW is home to abundant wildlife and you can experience an animal encounter in the wild or in one of the many sanctuaries and zoos across the state. From four-legged critters to sea creatures, birds and marsupials, whatever your animal instinct, NSW has an animal experience for you.
1. Take a twilight camel ride along the sands of Birubi Beach, with Oakfield Ranch, in Port Stephens or Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie.
2. From August to November, swim with the whales along the ‘Humpback Highway’ off the South Coast with Dive Jervis Bay.
3. Swim with sea turtles just off Tweed Heads at Cook Island, a tiny volcanic outcrop that is home to a permanent population of Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles.
4. Go birdwatching at Narrandera Nature Reserve, a wildlife haven situated on the shores of the Murrumbidgee River. The surrounding area is also home to over 200 koalas.
5. Fishing in the pristine waters of the Snowy Mountains is an unforgettable experience. With Australia’s highest peaks creating a beautiful backdrop, the lakes, rivers and water catchments are great fishing spots for recreational anglers.
6. Play with meerkats at Mogo Wildlife Park, go behind the scenes at the Australian Reptile Park, be a zookeeper for the day at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, feed the koalas at Oakvale Wildlife Park, or meet the animals at Port Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo — including tong feeding their world famous snow leopards.
7. For the ultimate Aussie farm-stay experience, camp under the NSW night skies at an outback station. Options include Eldee Station, Bindara on the Darling and Trilby Station.
8. The recently opened Sydney Zoo is a one-of-a-kind destination with more than 2,000 animals. Located in Western Sydney, the zoo is made up of four iconic precincts: Australia, Primates, South-East Asia and Africa.
For the full 213 Ways to Reboot 2020 in NSW list, go to visitnsw.com/213adventures or contact media@dnsw.com.au
Friends enjoying a day out at Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast
EIGHT IDEAS FOR A NSW SPRING BREAK
With the NSW spring school holidays coming up, discover the adventures right on your doorstep.
Horse Riding on the Central Coast
Tucked in the hinterland of the Central Coast is Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures: Australia’s largest horse-riding centre. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never ridden a horse — try a guided trail ride for beginners or book a pony ride for the children.
See Scenic World
For nature-loving thrill seekers, Scenic World offers adventures such as cable car rides and rainforest walks in the majestic Jamison Valley. The Scenic Railway — the world’s steepest incline passenger train — commands awesome views as it emerges through a cliff-side tunnel into the valley.
Hit The Surf in Byron Bay
Byron’s picturesque beaches and surf breaks attract families and surfers all year round. Popular spots include the patrolled Main Beach, as well as Clarkes and Wategos beaches. Little Wategos is Australia's easternmost beach, accessible on foot, and The Pass is an Instagram-worthy surf beach with a famous right-hand point break. Let’s Go Surfing Byron Bay hosts surf lessons throughout Byron.
See Native Wildlife in Western Sydney
For an animal-loving child or a kid who’d love to be a zookeeper, there’s no better experience than the Mini Zookeeper for a Day program at Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney. The program teaches children what it takes to become a zookeeper and provides an opportunity to get hands-on experience feeding and caring for a range of different animals.
An inland beach, Canola and Countryside
Wagga Wagga is just a short flight or road trip from Sydney and it’s got lots to explore for the whole family. Enjoy a scenic walk or a picnic at Wagga Beach on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, right in the centre of town. Take the kids horse riding at Belisi Wellbeing & Equestrian Centre or drive The Canola Trail: a tourist loop between Temora, Coolamon and Junee that takes in the spectacular sight of golden fields of flowering canola.
Take an Outback Road Trip
Be inspired by the unique land formations of outback NSW on a family road trip. Discover rare and luminous opals, fabulous underground art caves and natural heated springs in the majestic surrounds of historic Lightning Ridge. In Mungo National Park, uncover a starkly beautiful panorama of ancient dry lake basins and sand formations.
Pristine Beaches
The beaches in the Shoalhaven region are among the safest and most beautiful in the country. The calm turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. Famed for its dazzling stretch of fine white sand, stroll along Hyams Beach then stop into Hyams Beach Store and Cafe for some local fish and chips.
See Wildlife on Montague Island
Take the family to the intriguing ocean-bound wilderness of Montague Island for wildlife encounters and fascinating maritime history. Get up close and personal with fur seals and little penguins or explore historic Montague Lighthouse and stay overnight. Situated off the far South Coast of New South Wales, Montague Island Nature Reserve is instantly recognisable with its iconic lighthouse rising up over an undulating green landscape.
Ravioli of pansotti, silverbeet, stracciatella and brown butter at Ragazzi, Sydney. Credit: Nikki To
WORLD PASTA DAY
Celebrate vibrant Italian culture with a delicious plate of pasta at one of the many traditional and modern Italian restaurants across Sydney and NSW for World Pasta Day on October 25.
Haberfield
For a truly traditional Italian feast head to Haberfield and enjoy a plate full of pasta from La Disfida: a cozy Italian restaurant serving up gnocchi, spaghetti and Casarecce that will make you feel like you’re in Sicily. Pop into Peppe's Pasta for supplies, pick up some delicious cheeses from Paesanella deli and stop by Pasticceria Papa for their famous baked ricotta cheesecake.
Sydney CBD
Sample delicious, fresh pasta inspired by the different regions of Italy at Ragazzi restaurant in Sydney’s Angel Place. The restaurant has launched monthly Sunday lunches — Ragazzi Avventura — to showcase regional Italian cuisine and what the locals drink with it. Chef Scott McComas-Williams crafts the pasta on the fast-changing pasta menu by hand, using primo produce. While paying respect to traditional shapes and sauces, he also makes them uniquely his own.
Newtown
In the bustling suburb of Newtown is the authentic Italian restaurant, Alba. Opened in 2019, the venue serves up Italian dishes inspired by the region of Salento, a beautiful province in the Southern Italy. Discover Italian home-cooking cuisine with their menu of mouth-watering pasta dishes and traditional meals.
Tweed Heads
For a superb handmade pasta in the Tweed region, book a table at Gallura Italian. Drawing inspiration from the Island of Sardinia and the Italian coastline, head chef Mike Dackiw uses fresh local seafood, handmade pasta and innovative Sardinian methods to produce a variety of Italian dishes.
Griffith
Set in beautiful Griffith, Limone Dining is a modern Australian restaurant with Italian influence. It showcases delicious local and seasonal produce with an ever-evolving menu of fine food. Chef and owner of Limone Dining, Luke Piccolo, has grown up cooking with an abundant supply of fresh produce from Piccolo Farm — a fully functional farm that produces most of the restaurant’s herbs, garnishes, fruits and vegetables.
VISUAL STORYTELLING GALLERIES
By the Sea
From fresh seafood to NSW’s best surf spots, we explore the diverse coastline and abundant marine life in NSW.
Bird's Eye View
Get sky high with an exciting experience above NSW: click through these beautiful images of hot air ballooning, skydiving, scenic flights, along with extraordinary
lookouts and vantage points.
