New South Wales is where the first settlers landed, and as such is the birthplaces of modern Australia. You won’t want to miss the vibrant urban charms of Sydney, one of the world’s favorite cities, but do allow a few days to discover the rest of the state. The wine-producing region of Hunter Valley and the stunning Blue Mountains both have definite appeal , or head up the coast to discover laid-back seaside resorts where the day’s main decisions depend on whether the surf’s up.

New South Wales enjoys a warm, temperate climate and 4 distinctly-marked seasons. Average summer temperatures (Nov-Mar) hover around 25°c or sometimes higher, and the general rule is it gets hotter as you travel north, and drier as you travel west.