Whether it's on board a helicopter, a seaplane, a tour bus or your own set of wheels, New South Wales has journeys to sweep you off your feet. 

The classic drives

The Legendary Pacific Coast
Stretching between Sydney and Brisbane, the Legendary Pacific Coast is a journey of wonders, a compendium of Australia's diversity with adventure, discovery and amazement high on the agenda. It includes some of the most famous surf beaches in the country, the aquatic action sport playground of Port Stephens, mossy rainforests, gorgeous country towns, Aboriginal sites and national parks with World Heritage status. The Legendary Pacific Coast also comes complete with essential lifestyle components such as spa retreats, coastal resorts and the wineries of the Hunter Valley. 

As you head north out of Sydney, make the Central Coast your first stop. At the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby, visitors can hand feed kangaroos, have their photo taken with a koala, hold a snake, see crocodiles and other native Australian wildlife in a natural bushland setting. Glenworth Valley Horse Riding is Australia's largest riding centre, with 3000 acres of green valleys and rainforest trails, and lessons for riders of all abilities.  

The Central Coast is famous for its legendary beaches, and the Central Coast Surf School has a team of professional instructors that teach this exhilarating sport at Avoca, Terrigal and Umina beaches. Just off The Skillion at Terrigal, the former HMAS Adelaide is now the heart of an artificial reef that is developing its own biosphere, an invaluable asset attracting divers from near and far. 

In the Hunter Valley, Ride in the Vines takes small groups of riders on a boutique trail riding experience to take in the wonderful scenery, vineyards and wines of the region. From Port Stephens, visit Stockton Beach one of the largest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.  Take a guided quad bike tour for the adventure of a lifetime. Also in Port Stephens, Moonshadow Cruises has three vessels that operate year-round dolphin watch cruises and whale watch cruises in season, with a high success rate for spotting these marine giants. At Coffs Harbour, Dolphin Marine Magic now has a new interactive experience, Ultimate Dolphin Swim, enabling people to swim and ride with a dolphin. To enhance journeys along the Legendary Pacific Coast, travellers can download a free iPhone app that displays the nearest accommodation, attractions and visitor information centres - a great way to make the most of the opportunities en route.

The Rainforest Way

Located just inland from the north coast lifestyle capital of Byron Bay, the Rainforest Way is a series of short loop drives that showcase the splendours of the region's lush, World Heritage-listed rainforests. Centrepiece of these drives is the bowl of the Tweed Volcano, a dish-shaped caldera, and the cradle for a biological wonderland of subtropical rainforests rich with plants, birds and animals. On the valley floor the forest has given way to banana plantations, sugar cane farms and sleepy country towns that seem to integrate with the surrounding vegetation. This drive takes in the Tweed River Art Gallery, one of the leading regional art galleries in the country. The gallery now has funding to create the Margaret Olley Art Centre, which will be housed in a purpose-built extension that will include a re-creation of Olley's studio and home, to honour the wish of the late, and much-loved Australian painter who inspired so many with her vivid still lives.  

Grand Pacific Drive
The coastal route from just south of Sydney to Nowra, Grand Pacific Drive, is an inspiring, roller-coaster ride with something for everyone. Measuring 143 kilometres end-to-end, the drive knits together the natural treasures of Royal National Park, Jamberoo Action Park, seafront cafes, vineyards, beaches, historic houses, the Illawara Brewery, the amazing Kiama Blowhole, the Buddhist Nan Tien Temple and several golf courses.  A scenic highlight of the drive is Sea Cliff Bridge, a 665-metre engineering marvel that swerves out from the coastal cliffs to soar above the sea. A short detour of Grand Pacific Drive will deliver you to a litany of natural and man-made wonders including Minnamurra Rainforest, the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk and the aquatic reserve at Shellharbour's Bass Point. Set among rolling green hills against the majestic backdrop of the Cambewarra Range, the town of Berry is a bite-sized delight, with a lively monthly market and a stellar collection of cafes and restaurants including the acclaimed Berry Sourdough Café. 

Sydney - Melbourne Coastal Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive is the opening chapter of the giant-sized Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive, a 1,000-kilometre heart-stopper packed with sensational experiences. This is an inspirational drive through rustic country towns and fishing villages, through tangled forests, lush green valleys and past coastal bays that offer a refuge for migrating whales. Among the highlights are the magnificent beaches and seascapes of Jervis Bay, the seal colony at Montague Island off Narooma, a few classic seafront golf courses, Rick Stein's waterfront restaurant at Mollymook and some of the finest, freshest Sydney rock oysters ever to pass your lips.

The Greater Blue Mountains Drive
The Greater Blue Mountains Drive is one of the country's supreme touring routes, a dazzling journey that offers adventure and variety in a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Beginning just west of Sydney, the drive consists of a giant figure "8" loop route with 18  Discovery Trails that branch off the main trail, encompassing mountains, legendary bushwalks, some of Australia's oldest towns and villages,  museums, wineries, wilderness and wildlife. It includes views, country markets, some exceptional cool-climate gardens and bush-lined creeks that hark back to the heady days of the gold rush. Among the many highlights is the Scenic Railway at Scenic World, scheduled for a AUD $20 million makeover to be unveiled at the end of this year. Nearby, at Echo Point, the Koomurri Aboriginal Centre offers handcrafted Aboriginal artworks and hourly performances of Aboriginal music, song and dance. 

Take the time to explore 
When it comes to making a journey to experience the many wonders of NSW, visitors are spoiled for choice. 

If a special interest is the focus of the journey, there are tour operators that cater to all needs. Whether it's wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, a scenic tour of the Blue Mountains, a four-wheel drive safari with a multi-lingual guide or a whale-watching tour, there are expert tour operators with high quality vehicles, vessels and even helicopters and mountain bikes that can guarantee a great day out. 

For those who prefer to get behind the wheel and drive themselves, all major car-hire operators have multiple pick up and drop off points at all major airports and towns. The State's highway network offers fast, convenient access between major regional towns and cities, and bus service operators have cost-effective passes and touring options. 

CountryLink's XPT and Xplorer trains provide a safe, comfortable and relaxing way to travel, in air-conditioned comfort while the magnificent Australian landscape rolls by. Its platinum and gold services are luxurious ways to make the classic journey between Sydney and Broken Hill. 

Motorhomes are a great way to go to really experience the journey. You get transport, a bed for the night and cooking facilities all in a single package. Throughout NSW, there are caravan parks and campgrounds that offer cost-effective touring, some of them in prime spots overlooking surf beaches, or even with golf courses attached. 

Take a trip through the highways and byways of New South Wales, and reward yourself with a world full of difference. 

For more information go to www.sydney.com or www.visitnsw.com.au

To access the image library and download images go to www.images.destinationnsw.com.au



Who's at ATE 2012?

Destination New South Wales. Booth 35. Eastern and Western. www.destinationnsw.com.au
AAT KINGS. Booth 311. Eastern and Western. www.aatkings.com.au
Apollo Motorhomes. Booth 287. Western. www.apollocamper.com
Australian Attractions. Booth 18. Eastern. http://australianattractions.com.au
Australian Eco Adventures. Booth 11. Western. www.ozeco.com.au
Australian Pacific Touring. Booth 142. Eastern and Western. www.aptouring.com.au
Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Booth 19. Eastern. www.reptilepark.com.au
Australian Wild Escapes. Booth 220. Western. www.australianwildescapes.com
Avis Australia. Booth 177. Eastern and Western. www.avis.com.au
Backpacker Campervan Rentals. Booth 215. Western. www.backpackercampervans.com.au
Beautiful Tours Australia. Booth 39A. Western. www.beautifultoursaustralia.com/
Blue Diamond Tours. Booth 4A. Western. www.bluediamondtours.net
Blue Mountains Tourism Ltd. Booth 25. Eastern and Western. www.visitbluemountains.com.au
Bonza Bike Tours. Booth 2. Western. www.bonzabiketours.com
Boutique Tours Australia. Booth 16. Western. www.boutiquetoursaustralia.com.au
Britz Campervan Rentals. Booth 139. Western. www.britz.com.au
Broken Hill City Council. Booth 3. Western. www.brokenhill.nsw.gov.au
Byron Bay and Beyond. Booth 15. Eastern and Western. www.northernriverstourism.com.au
Cape Byron Kayaks. Booth 14A. Western. www.capebyronkayaks.com
Contiki Holidays. Booth 312. Eastern and Western. www.contiki.com
CountryLink/Rail Corp. Booth 233/244. Eastern and Western. www.countrylink.info
Echidna Walkabout. Booth 250. Western. www.echidnawalkabout.com.au
Ecotourism Australia. Booth 221. Eastern and Western. www.ecotourism.org.au
Europcar. Booth 59. Eastern & Western. www.europcar.com.au
Experience Tours Australia. Booth 254. Eastern. www.etaonline.com.au
Gray Line Australia. Booth 271. Eastern and Western. www.grayline.com.au
Greyhound Australia. Booth 245. Western. www.greyhound.com.au
Hertz Australia Pty Ltd. Booth 147. Eastern and Western. www.hertz.com.au
Jucy Australia Campervans. Booth 237. Western. www.jucy.com.au
Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism. Booth 6. Eastern and Western. www.winecountry.com.au
KEA Campers Australia Pty Ltd. Booth 208. Western. www.keacampers.com
Maui Motorhome Rentals. Booth 135. Western. www.maui-rentals.com
Moonshadow Charters Pty Limited. Booth 16. Eastern. www.moonshadow.com.au
Mount n' Beach Safaris. Booth 22. Western. www.mountnbeachsafaris.com.au
Port Stephens Tourism. Booth 7. Eastern and Western. www.portstephenstourism.com.au
Rail Australia -The Indian Pacific. Booth 233. Western. www.railaustralia.com.au/indianPacific.php
Red Carpet Tours. Booth 11. Eastern. www.redcarpettours.com.au
Red Spot. Booth 160. Eastern and Western. www.redspotcars.com.au
Scenic World Blue Mountains. Booth 4. Eastern.www.scenicworld.com.au
Spaceships Campervans. Booth 209. Western. www.spaceshipsrentals.com.au
The Legendary Pacific Coast. Booth 14. Eastern and Western. www.pacificcoast.com.au
Thrifty Car Rental. Booth 252. Western. www.thrifty.com.au
Travellers Auto Barn. Booth 248. Western. www.travellers-autobarn.com.au