New South Wales

For many travellers backpacking Australia, New South Wales (NSW) will be their first taste of Australian life and what a place to start!! Situated on the east coast of Australia, New South Wales is Australia's most populated territory. With one of the world’s most famous cities Sydney, sitting proudly as its state capital.

However the state has a lot more to offer than one of the world’s finest cities. The natural diversity of the state is astonishing, from the lush green rainforests in the north to the harsh red centre in the west. The New South Wales climate varies dramatically from season to season. During summer months you can expect the sun to shine from cloudless skies and temperatures to regularly reach the high twenties.

During the winter temperatures can plummet throughout the state, with the snow fields in the south attracting visitors in pursuit of fresh powder to ski and snowboard upon.

If you’ve come to Australia for sea, surf and sand then NSW won’t disappoint. The pacific lined coastline is breath taking with some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer. Some of the world’s most famous beaches scatter the NSW coast, you can bask in the sun at Bondi, Manly or head further up the coast to do some surfing at world famous Byron Bay.

With dozens of National Parks within easy reach of major towns and cities in NSW, exploring these natural wonders couldn’t be easier. Just hours outside of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a very popular attraction and are visited by thousands of visitors every year. Experience some of the best views and hiking the state has to offer in this wonderful state national park.

The NSW capital is Australia's premier entry port, and has masses to offer the traveller with iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, and The Harbour Bridge. All the towns scattered throughout NSW have something different to offer the backpacker, from the sights and nightlife of Sydney, to the cowboy experience at Tamworth, or the relaxed atmosphere of Byron Bay to the real Australian experience of Dubbo.

NSW has an abundance of attractions for the traveller backpacking Australia and you can feel spoilt for choice at times. Some of the attractions NSW has to offer that shouldn’t be missed are the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains, Byron Bay, Bondi Beach and Sydney’s North shore to name but a few.

NSW Backpacker accommodation offers very good value for money with numerous hostels scattered throughout the state. The capital has an abundance of Sydney backpacker hostels at your disposal. Other parts of NSW such as the backpacker mecca Byron Bay offer dozens of Byron Bay backpacker hostels for you to choose from but book ahead in the summer months.