Craving fresh air, nature, and open space? Take a deep breath and discover nine unforgettable NSW outdoor experiences to add to your travel to-do list.

Stand on the top of Australia 

You don’t need to be a mountaineer to make it to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak at 2,228m. Located in Kosciuszko National Park, around six hours’ drive southwest of Sydney, the mountain has two summit tracks. There’s an 18.6km-return trail from Charlotte Pass or a 13km-return trail from Thredbo that includes a lift on the Kosciuszko Express chairlift. The pathways are smooth and well maintained, and are best hiked between December and March, when the snow has melted and wildflowers are in bloom. Even in the middle of summer it will be chilly at the top, so be sure to bring warm layers.  

Discover a secret side of Sydney 

Sydney might look like a bustling metropolis, but you’ll be amazed at how much untouched wilderness lies within the city limits. Much of the foreshore around iconic Sydney Harbour is protected as part of Sydney Harbour National Park. You’ll find leafy green areas all along the coast, threaded with walking trails and secret beaches. Try the 4km Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk near Taronga Zoo for great city views across the harbour, or enjoy the short nature walk to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Sydney’s northern tip for superb views along the Northern Beaches. 

Learn ancient stories on the Bingi Dreaming Track 

Follow in the footsteps of the Brinja-Yuin People, who have lived around the Moruya region of the NSW South Coast for thousands of years, on the Bingi Dreaming Track, which follows ancient Aboriginal Songlines linking traditional camps, ceremonial and trading sites, fresh water and food sources. The 13.5km coastal trail in the Eurobodalla region, 4.5 hours’ drive south of Sydney, passes beaches (perfect for a cooling dip), lakes, heathlands and forests, and you can expect to see kangaroos and wallabies lazing in the sun and whales cruising up the coast from May to November. 

Ride horses on the beach at Port Stephens 

Three hours’ drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens is home to some of the state’s most beautiful beaches. Get a different perspective on a horseback ride with Sahara Trails. Experienced guides will take you for an exhilarating ride along the sand and into the waves, then through the huge sand dunes that surround the beach. The rides are suitable for all ages and levels of experience, so first timers can stay at a walk while experts canter along up ahead. 

Walk through ancient rainforest at Barrington Tops 

The most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world stretches along the east coast of Australia. Step deep into this unforgettable wilderness in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park, a five-hour drive north of Sydney. Its rugged peaks were carved by ancient lava flows and rise up to 1,500m above sea level. Walking trails range from gentle hikes that take a few hours to challenging overnight treks with bush camping under the stars.  

Follow the Yuraygir Coastal Walk along the Clarence coast 

Stretching 65km from Angourie to Red Rock, the Yuraygir Coastal Walk on the NSW North Coast is one of the state’s top multi-day walks. The coastline of the Clarence region (a 1.5-hour flight from Sydney) is fairly untouched and pure, so you’ll be completely immersed in nature amid striking cliffs, fields of wildflowers, native animals and sweeping ocean views. Look out for dolphins frolicking in the waves and whales migrating along the coast in season. There are beach and riverside campgrounds along the way where you can pitch your tent, as well as a few cabins and holiday parks if you prefer a little more comfort on the four- to five-day journey.  

Go chasing waterfalls in the Blue Mountains 

What’s better than one waterfall? Seven waterfalls! Go deep into the Valley of the Waters on the Wentworth Pass Loop Walking Track in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just 90 minutes’ drive west of Sydney. The trail passes no less than seven stunning waterfalls, ranging from the jaw-dropping 867m-high Wentworth Falls to the gentler moss-covered cascades of Sylvia Falls. There are icy waterholes to swim in along the way; look out for lyrebirds hiding among the vivid green foliage. 

Cycle along a piece of history near Sydney 

Built in the late 1880s, Lady Carrington Drive started life as a scenic carriage trail through Royal National Park, an hour south of Sydney. The trail is now closed to traffic and is instead one of the prettiest cycling routes in the state. Starting at Audley, the trail runs for 10km, following the edge of the Hacking River and flanked by huge sandstone cliffs. You’ll be immersed in peaceful bushland, cycling to a soundtrack of native birdsong. Pack a picnic and stop at one of the three designated areas along the trail or eat at the Audley Dance Hall, a beautifully restored 1940s building that now houses a busy café. You can also hire a kayak from the nearby Audley Boatshed (expected to reopen in June 2021 following a refurbishment) and take a paddle along the weir. 

Camp under the stars in Mutawintji National Park 

In Mutawintji National Park, a three-hour drive northeast of Broken Hill, you’ll find a stunning outback landscape of rich red earth, secluded waterholes, dramatic ridges, towering red gums and saltbush plains that stretch to the horizon. The park has deep cultural significance to local Aboriginal people; admire its rock art on a tour with Broken Hill-based Tri State Safaris. After a day exploring the park, pitch your tent at the Homestead Creek Campground and sleep under a canopy of a million stars.  

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