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Outback, rainforest, beaches: NSW has stunning natural attractions

A world of natural marvels and wilderness experiences can be found in the 867 national parks and reserves located around NSW. From white-sand beaches to pristine rainforest and the expansive outback, NSW offers a snapshot of Australia’s most diverse nature experiences in the one State.

Top environmental credentials

NSW has a well-deserved reputation for conservation and nature experiences. The State’s record of preserving its natural habitats contributed to Sydney being named recently as host city for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUNC) World Parks Congress, to be held in November this year. More than 3,000 leading environmental minds from 160 countries will attend the conference at Sydney Olympic Park to discuss issues affecting the world’s 200,000 national parks.

In the heart of Sydney, The Royal Botanic Gardens, founded in 1816, plays its part in botanical conservation work. In 2015, it becomes home to a spectacular new environmental attraction, the Biome Project, which will include three distinct climatic regions including billabongs complete with small birds, lizards and insects.

Great walks of NSW

You’re virtually assured of meeting Australia’s amazing birdlife on the many walking tracks of NSW, as you ramble through rainforest with fairy-wrens, rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras for company.

The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk presents the best of Sydney’s coastline as it traverses headlands, offering views of sea-carved sandstone and crashing waves, then dipping down for a close-up look at some of Sydney’s best-loved beaches.

In regional NSW, the Main Range Walk is one of the most awe-inspiring, one-day walks in the country, traversing the UNESCO Kosciuszko Biosphere Reserve in the Snowy Mountains that includes the headwaters of some of Australia’s greatest rivers. The hike to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko is regarded as one of Australia’s best one-day walks. Start from the top of the chairlift at Thredbo or from Charlotte Top: Byron Lighthouse along the Legendary Pacific Coast. Pass. Middle: Mount Warning National Park Credit: Sharyn Cairns, Destination NSW. Bottom: Let’s Go Surfing stand-up paddle boarding in Sydney.

On the South Coast, enjoy Kiama’s stunning reserves are a world-first in recognising surfing’s scenery along the 22-km Kiama Coast Walk, iconic status and its contribution to Australia’s which begins at Minnamurra and meanders past beach culture. headlands, rivers, beaches, Kiama, to Blowhole Point and beyond. Further south, in Jervis Bay National parks to explore National Park, beach walks are top of the must-do list. The White Sands Walk from Greenfield Beach Exploring NSW national parks is more popular than to Hyams Beach is truly spectacular. ever. Most park users simply want to go walking in protected bushland, and are doing so in increasing Bushwalks abound in the Blue Mountains west of numbers. The parks notched up 35.5 million visits Sydney, with trails to suit all comfort levels. There’s across the state in 2012. even a Festival of Walking each October, which includes bushwalks, family events, history tours, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and cheese and wine sampling. manages an extensive array of natural open spaces, from aquatic reserves that preserve and On the North Coast, Crystal Shower Falls Walk protect marine life to coastal rainforests and through lush foliage in Dorrigo National Park is outback deserts. Several national parks are so considered one of the most beautiful short outstanding they have been included on UNESCO’s rainforest walks in NSW. You can learn about the World Heritage list in recognition of their national park’s flora and fauna at the Dorrigo outstanding beauty, unique plants and animals. National Park Rainforest Centre. Inland from Byron bay are some of the World Heritage-listed They include Wollumbin National Park (formerly Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the world’s known as Mount Warning National Park), the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest, Border Ranges National Park, Washpool encompassing the major rainforest parks and National Park and the adjacent Gibraltar Range reserves of northeast NSW. National Park. Blue Mountains National Park, a scenically dramatic region of forested ravines and Beaches and surf pristine bushland about 120 kilometres west of Sydney by road, is part of the Greater Blue NSW’s beaches range from remote expanses of Mountains World Heritage Area, listed for its perfect sand to city strips with espresso bars as extensive eucalypt forests and natural biodiversity. well as sand bars – spas, surf lessons, and maybe a dolphin or two. Sydney has plenty of urban One of Sydney's most popular national parks, the beaches; the city’s shores extend some 350 Royal National Park, adjoins the city to the south, kilometres. providing plenty of opportunities for barbecues, fishing, bush walking, bird-watching and whale- Bondi, Australia’s best-known beach, loved by watching. Just 60 kilometres west of Sydney, Blue locals and international visitors alike, is just a short Mountains National Park is known for inspiring trip from the city centre. Another classic Sydney scenery and native wildlife. The park includes beach, Manly, also home to the Australian Open of Grose Valley, a place of wild unspoilt natural Surf, lies across Sydney Harbour – the ferry trip beauty. there from Circular Quay is a must. Other highlights along Sydney’s northern beaches include Dee To Sydney’s south, Morton National Park displays Why, Mona Vale and Palm Beach. Sydney’s nature on a grand scale: majestic tranquillity at southern coast offers a spectacular stretch of sand cascading Fitzroy Falls and scenic grandeur from at Cronulla, the only Sydney beach that can be the top of Pigeon House Mountain Didthul. Further reached by train. south, Booderee National Park encloses Jervis Bay at its southern end and provides pristine NSW now has seven National Surfing Reserves, coastal wilderness. From Wreck Bay village on sites of environmental, cultural and historic Summercloud Bay in the park's south, a walking significance in Australia’s surf culture. From Lennox trail circles the peninsula to St Georges Head. Head in the north to Killalea National Surfing Reserve near Shellharbour, south of Sydney, these

Heading north from Sydney, Dorrigo National only the lightest footprint on its majestic Park (part of Gondwana Rainforest Reserves of surroundings. Nature-based activities include Australia, selected as World Heritage sites for their wildlife safaris, mountain biking, nature walks and exceptional biodiversity or rarity) offers wondrous horseback riding. waterfalls. National parks around Nimbin in the state’s north, including Nightcap National Park Golf in spectacular locations and Mebbin National Park, are also exceptional. World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park in Golf comes naturally in NSW. For those who like to the far north of NSW, formerly known at Mount enjoy a round of golf, here are a few of the best: Warning National Park, is a truly beautiful place to be, with the view of an ancient volcano surrounded  Outback golf - Wanaaring Golf Course in by Gondwana-age rainforest. far northwest NSW features red dirt fairways, oiled sand greens and an old Relish the beauty of Sea Acres National Park on timber club house with gas barbeque. the doorstep of Port Macquarie. A guided  Highest golf course in Australia - meditative walk meanders through pristine Thredbo Golf Course on Australia’s ski subtropical rainforest from the comfort of the 1.3km fields is open daily from first to last light. elevated rainforest walkway, called the Nature of Hazards include the snake pit and Wally Stillness. Wombat’s House.  Best views - The 14th hole of the Leura Tour Mungo National Park with new operator Golf Club in the Blue Mountains looks out Outback Geo Adventures and wander the sands of over spectacular Jamison Valley. the ancient park in the heart of Willandra Lakes  Best public golf course - Surrounded by World Heritage Area. Human footprints here date ocean on three sides, Sydney’s Long Reef back to the last Ice Age, dramatic testimony to the Golf Club offers grand views along the long history of Australia’s Aboriginal people. coast.  Black sand greens - Lightning Ridge Golf Wondrous Wolgan Valley Course provides black sand ‘greens’, hard dirt fairways and eight water hazards. The Located on the western slopes of the Blue Lightning Ridge Pro-Am is known as “the Mountains, about three hours from Sydney by road, most bizarre event on the PGA tour”, a Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa mixes eco- much treasured title. tourism with unparalleled luxury. The property was  Island golf - One of Australia’s most scenic awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 2013 by golf courses, the Lord Howe Island Golf TripAdvisor, recognising that traveller feedback Club, traverses a kentia palm forest and places it in the top 10% of world hotels. The resort overlooks the lagoon with a stunning is also recognised by TripAdvisor as Best Hotel in backdrop of Mount Ligbird. Australia.  Pro-designed - With an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, The With room for just a handful of guests in Vintage Golf Club, Hunter Valley winds sumptuous, free-standing suites that occupy just through wetlands, eucalypt forest and past 2% of the total land area, this deluxe resort leaves celebrated wineries.

 Most beautiful - Bonville International Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour is carved from a forest of flooded gums, home to native More information: Australian wildlife, including large black sydney.com, visitnsw.com cockatoos, parakeets, water dragons and goannas. Twitter: @sydney_sider, @NSWtips

 Exclusive and historic - The oldest and Facebook: facebook.com/seesydney, facebook.com/visitnsw most exclusive golf club in Australia, The Instagram: @visitnsw, @sydney Australian Golf Club will reveal its new look Hashtags: #newsouthwales, #ilovesydney this year, redesigned by famed pro golfer Jack Nicklaus, in time to host the Australian Open of Golf in late 2014. Media contacts: Jasmine Cook +61 (0)2 9931 1426/ +61 (0) 427 639 134 [email protected]

Tonia Davis +61 (0)2 9931 1441/ +61 (0) 417 374 100 [email protected]

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