Find awe when you explore NSW

From the stunning extravagance of Sydney Harbour to the natural grandeur of the Blue Mountains – and every wine region, wilderness and hotspot in between – New South Wales has more than its fair share of icons. But wander beyond the expected and you’ll find wonders just outside the spotlight: places rich in culture, creativity and heart, and roads less travelled offering new ways to connect and explore.

As you’ll see in this week’s Event Spotlight, Sydney’s hitlist of happenings dares you to step beyond the familiar and dream big. There are just 21 days until Vivid Sydney flicks the switch on its citywide dreamscape, unleashing a bold, buzzing kaleidoscope of Light, Music, Food and Ideas, with this week’s guide taking you through the festival’s must try culinary delights. Meanwhile, Sydney Writers’ Festival connects authors and readers at more than 200 literary events, spanning everything from captivating biographies to perspective-shifting fiction.

The good times continue as your appetite for adventure takes you across the city – for comforting winter bars and pubs in true Sydney style. And the inspired discoveries roll on as you head deeper into NSW, where the thrill of truffle hunting from the Blue Mountains to Orange awaits. Wherever these cooler days take you, there’s no better time to follow your curiosity across NSW. Enjoy!

Our guide to everything Vivid Food

At Vivid Sydney 2025, dreams take many forms and engage all our senses, including taste with a range of experiences to try for Vivid Food. Whether you're up for flame-cooked feasts, sky-high fine dining, precinct-wide parties or dishes that tell a deeper story, there’s a dream meal waiting to be discovered at Vivid Sydney.

Raise a glass to winter in Sydney 

From whisky-soaked speakeasies to exuberant jazz dens hiding in plain sight, Sydney’s secret waterholes reward those who know where to look – and are bold enough to push the door. 

Truffle hunting experiences across NSW 

Experience the thrill of hunting for coveted black Périgord (Tuber melanosporum) truffles during the winter months of June to August. Rug up, pull on your gumboots and join the hunt while relishing a gourmet getaway to one of New South Wales’s truffle hotspots.