7 Types of Post-pandemic Experiences to Look Forward to in New South Wales, Australia

Beyond iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera house and the ​​Harbour Bridge, New South Wales is home to a diverse range of terrains. With the VTL opening up between Singapore and Australia, it’s time to make your post-pandemic vacation dreams a reality!

As Australia’s most geographically diverse state, this all-in holiday destination has everything you can think of, from the seemingly impossible, like skiing and snowboarding, to the oldies and goodies like hitting the waves on Sydney’s famous Bondi beach. No matter who you are and what your dream holiday looks like, New South Wales has you covered with these seven types of post-pandemic vacations.

Also read: UnDiscover New South Wales: 5 Things You Didn’t Know about Australia’s Most Visited State

Ski trips up to the Snowies

What’s more exhilarating than racing down the slopes of a snow-capped mountain? While you might have the impression that these types of vacations are limited to destinations like Japan and Korea, did you know that you can actually take a ski trip to New South Wales?

That’s right, SNOW in Australia. Who would’ve thought?

While the Land Down Under is typically known as a sunny surfer’s paradise, between the months of June and August, New South Wales is blanketed in a dreamy layer of snow. Visitors can travel up to the Snow Mountains, better known as the Snowies, and bask in the wintery wonderland. Most ski resorts across New South Wales welcome visitors all year-round with the ones below coming in as our top pick.

Thredbo

Thredbo is an amazing premier alpine resort located a five hours drive from Sydney, at the foot of Mount Kosciuszko. It is open all year round and offers terrain that is suited for all levels of skiers and boarders. They offer a variety of accommodation from traditional lodges to apartments.

Thredbo also functions as a self-contained village, housing everything you will need for a snowy getaway in a ski resort, from shops and restaurants to a happening nightlife scene. It also features a variety of terrain parks, the highest lifted point in Australia, great child-friendly facilities and easy access to the main range for skiers.

Address: Friday Dr, Thredbo NSW 2625

Perisher Blue

The Perisher Blue is the largest resort in New South Wales and incorporates the villages of Perisher, Smiggins Hole, Guthega and Mount Blue Cow. This one-stop wonder offers amazing terrains suited for any skier as well as all-in packages that cover accommodation, lift passes, and even lessons! There are also shops, restaurants, and bars to entertain you when you’re not hitting the slopes. For a one-of-a-kind experience, check out their night skiing expeditions!

Address: Kosciuszko Rd, Perisher Valley NSW 2624

Farm stays in Hunter Valley

As life-long city-dwellers ourselves, the idea of a farm stay is both novel and enchanting. Removed from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, farm stays give visitors the perfect opportunity to unplug from your electronic devices and enjoy the moment. Look forward to rustic accommodations backdropped by scenic views of nature and maybe even an animal or two! Here are some farm stays to look out for when you visit New South Wales.

Also read: My Gourmet Tour in Hunter Valley – Australia’s Oldest Wine Region

Little Valley Farm

Little Valley Farm is the perfect place for an off-the-grid farm stay. Just 90-minutes away from Sydney, this charming establishment hosts guests in a converted 1950s train carriage affectionately called the T4615 Red Rattler. It offers a spacious bedroom with a queen-size bed, and more excitingly, a wood-fired pizza oven for you to sling your on ‘zza.

As if that’s not amazing enough, the owners of Little Valley Farm are also registered, alpaca breeders! Expect to see these cute fluffy creatures when you step outside to admire miles of lush greenery.

The farm operates with minimal environmental footprint, offering 12-volt power in the cabin which is just enough to charge your phone and torches. For every visitor, the owners will plant a tree to make the farm carbon neutral. Talk about a guilt-free holiday!

Address: Somewhere in Laguana, Hunter Valley. You’ll get the exact location once you book your stay!

Gypsy Willows Farm

The Gypsy Willows Farm is indisputably one of the best farm stays in New South Wales, located just two hours away from Sydney. Spanning an astonishing 10 hectares, this secluded retreat is where luxury meets cottage-core. With two private houses with their own private pools and log fires, herds of cattle and horses meandering around, it is unlikely that you will get bored. But in the event that you somehow run out of things to do, the farm is also a stone’s throw away from the lovely Wollombi Village, home to local restaurants, cafes and boutique wineries.

Address: 201 Narone Creek Rd, Wollombi NSW 2325

From camping to glamping

Camping is a singularly unique experience that, like farm stays, are very much outside the norm for those used to inhabiting concrete jungles. From pitching a tent to roasting marshmallows, live out every childhood fantasy of camping in the bushlands during your next visit to New South Wales. And if camping sounds too rugged for your taste, why not try glamping instead?

Also read: Less Fuss, More Fun! 8 Best Glamping Spots in New South Wales

Burbie Camp, Warrumbungle National Park

Also known as Burbie Springs, this walk-in campground is perfect as a stopover for a longer hike or a weekend of wildlife and bird watching. Located between the iconic Mount Exmouth and the Belougery Split Rock in Warrumbungle National Park, Burbie Camp offers an unparalleled rustic camping experience. Breathe in the fresh air and admire the rocky landscape. When night falls, don’t forget to lay back and enjoy an evening of stargazing!

Address: Burbie Trail, Tonderburine NSW 2828

Bubbletent Australia, Capertee

If you’re a fan of glamping then we’re willing to bet good money that you have this unique safari-style glamping set-up pinned in your Pinterest board. Situated on the second largest canyon in the world, Australia’s Bubbletent provides an experience like no other. Guests sleep in a transparent tent overlooking the stunning Capertee Valley. In the daytime, you can marvel at the amazing safari view. At night, you experience what it is like to fall asleep under the stars.

All three domes come with their own telescope, an outdoor fire pit and an outdoor shower. They also have their own special features, including a love swing, a hammock, a floating bed and even an outdoor hot tub!

Address: Capertee NSW 2846

Wine and dine in the Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands of New South Wales is home to a thriving industry of new world wines with beautiful vineyards and extensive tasting menus that will doubtlessly occupy you for days on end. After all, how many people in the world can say that they are sipping on wine and nibbling on charcuterie that came straight from the backyard (or should we say, vineyard) of the very place they’re dining at?

Also read: This Unique Australian Food & Wine Festival is Nothing Like You’ve Ever Seen

Tertini Wines

Tertini Wines is one of the many award-winning wineries in the Southern Highlands. Founded by Julian Tertini, this world-class vineyard produces a medley of beautiful blends, such as Pinot noir, Reisling, Chardonnay, and more, with the help of expert winemaker Jonathan Holgate.

The vineyard is situated at a high altitude and has directly contributed to the prevalence of the wine scene in this region. Head to the winery early and enjoy some artisanal coffee while you wander through this enchanting place. Then, make sure to stay for their amazing wines and local cheeses.

Address: Kells Creek Rd, Mittagong NSW 2575

Southern Highlands Winery

As the namesake winery of the Southern Highlands, there are high expectations for this vineyard and they meet them with flying colours. With over 60 vineyards, more than a dozen cellar doors and an opulent tasting room, this winery gives you plenty of opportunities to sip and enjoy the scenery.

You can even get a sneak peek into the winemaking process in the daily wine tours they offer. Everything from vintage wines to well-loved classics, get your taste buds ready for some of the best new world wines you will ever consume.

Address: Oldbury Rd, Sutton Forest NSW 2577

Backroll into the reefs of NSW

Australia is definitely on the radars of water sports fans around the world. However, the islands of New South Wales are often overlooked in favour of places like the Great Barrier Reef. Not anymore! Grab your flippers and wetsuit because the next time you’re looking for your dream dive destination, look no further than New South Wales.

Also read: 10 Best Islands in Southeast Asia to Go Scuba Diving

Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island should be on the bucket lists of scuba divers everywhere. Located just a quick two-hour flight away from Sydney, this World Heritage-listed islet is an island paradise that sits at the crossroad of five major oceans. Its crystal clear waters are home to a large variety of marine wildlife and preserved incredibly well by the Australian authorities. Only four hundred visitors are permitted to visit a day so make sure you book your slot fast!

Jervis Bay

If variety is what you’re looking for then Jervis Bay is the place for you. This diving hotspot has not one, not two, but thirty different dive sites! Each site offers a diverse range of reef formations, drop-offs, and gutters that suits divers from all walks of life. Be sure to check out The Docks whilst you’re there. It offers an Indiana Jones-like experience, with a double-decker cave, secret sponge garden and schools of colourful reef fish.

Road tripping through NSW

Road trips might be hailed as an American classic but the sprawling Outback, with their deserted, winding roads and breath-taking pit stops, makes for perfect road trip material. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an ideal vacation, but road tripping is one of the best ways to see a vast array of New South Wales in a limited number of days.

If you’re too lazy to plan your own route, don’t worry because there is a surprising number of pre-planned routes for you to take! Here are two of our favourites.

Also read: ​​5D4N Road Trip Around Sydney & New South Wales: Best of the Southern Highlands & South Coast

Darling River Run

The Darling River Run is a classic route that comes recommended by the New South Wales tourism board. It starts in the town of Walgett and spans four days, includes over eleven hours on the road and reaches 9 spectacular pit stops, including the likes of the dusty outback and the Murray River on the Victorian border. When you finally reach the final stop in Wentworth, you can look forward to spending the serene night on a riverboat!

Check out the itinerary for the Darling River Run here. 

12 day road trip circuit

If you’re indecisive and can’t decide how you want to spend your time in New South Wales, then why not have a taste of the best of everything with a 12-day road trip circuit that will bring you from Sydney to Canberra and back again? After all, variety is the spice of life! Along the way, you will pass by the iconic places mentioned in this listicle, including Hunter Valley, Jervis Bay and more.

Of course, everything will be pretty touch-and-go, but hey, your goal here is quantity over quality. This road trip will allow you to see as much of New South Wales as possible. At the end of the day, if you really feel like staying longer, who’s going to stop you? These plans are just guidelines anyway!

Check out the 12-day road trip circuit here.

Surfer’s paradise: Bondi and beyond

It would be an outrageous faux pas if we did not mention a beachside vacation in a piece about visiting Australia. It is known as THE surfer’s paradise for a reason! And New South Wales truly delivers when it comes to a coastal retreat. With white sand beaches, massive waves and waters so clear they look like they were taken straight out of a photograph, here are two of the many unforgettable beaches in the most visited state in the down under.

Also read: UnDiscover Australia: 6 Highlights in Nature, Beach, City and Culture You Didn’t Know About

Bondi Beach, Sydney

Bondi beach is so notorious it has become practically synonymous with Sydney, New South Wales. There is no self-respecting travel website in the world that would miss mentioning this iconic Sydney beach. From powerful waves that draw in surfers from all over the world to internationally renowned beachside lounges and clubs, this classic tourist hotspot has rightfully earned its place as one of Australia’s most remarkable beaches.

Merewether Beach, Newcastle

Merewether Beach is Newcastle’s most famous beach — the Bondi beach of Newcastle if you will. This massive stretch of sand is made up of three different beaches, Dixon Park, Bar Beach and Merewether beach. Each beach has their own unique quirk, cantering to different types of visitors.

Merewether has gorgeous ocean baths and sizable waves that are perfect for surfing. Meanwhile, Bar beach offers flatter waves that are safer for families that are looking to play in the water. As the sun sets, you can take a leisurely stroll towards Merewether Surf House for a fantastic sunset dinner!

So, are you feeling inspired yet because we sure are! Which one of these is more up your alley? If you have any more vacation ideas in New South Wales, let us know in the comments below! Sydney

Feature image:  Silas Baisch