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From Surry Hills wine bars to oysters in the Tweed and Blue Mountains retreats, discover a side of Australia’s New South Wales that most travellers miss
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Thursday 27 November 2025 10:48 GMT
From cool neighbourhoods to foodventures and the great outdoors, discover New South Wales’ hidden gems, such as Mount Portal in the Blue Mountains (Destination NSW)Sydney might be famous for its iconic Sydney Opera House and century-old Sydney Harbour Bridge, but the best way to really get under the skin of this multifaceted city, and the diverse state it’s situated in, is to wander beyond Circular Quay and explore the lesser-known spots, beyond the breathtaking skyscrapers and the buzzy CBD. From leafy neighbourhoods where locals sip natty wines at cosy bars to overlooked coastal suburbs where swims turn into sunset beers – this is Sydney and New South Wales when you slow down and look beyond the surface.
Explore like a local
Enjoy laid-back surf culture in must-visit suburb Manly (Destination NSW)Start in inner-city Sydney and make your way to Surry Hills, where Victorian terraces line leafy streets and the vibe feels more quaint and chic than barefoot Aussie beach life. Natural wine bars sit next to vintage shops, and art galleries are sandwiched between terraced houses. Breakfast and brunch here are a ritual, with cafes spilling onto pavements and neighbourhood restaurants serving seasonal Australian menus.
Just a short stroll away, Chippendale has racked up awards as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. It's chock-full of independent galleries, cool concept stores, hidden courtyards, and even has its own Asian food alley, an open-air hawker-style food market tucked away behind a row of old terrace houses, lit by the glow of lanterns.
If you’re someone who prefers to spend their time by the water, Manly should be on your radar. This northern-beaches suburb is just a short ferry ride from the city centre and swaps the CBD’s skyscraper-dotted skyline for laid-back surf culture. Sunrise swims, cold beers and permanently sandy feet are just part of life here. Plus, the view of the city in the distance is worth getting your camera out for.
Enjoy fresh foodventures
At the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, you can feast on oysters and learn about pearl cultivation (Destination NSW)Most travellers head to the Hunter Valley for wine (and fair enough), but Orange is the coolest wine region on the block. This cool-climate region sits high up in the Central Tablelands, turning out chardonnay, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc, thanks to its fertile volcanic soils and cooler evenings. The cellar doors here feel more intimate and practically made for languorous lunches, complete with beautiful bucolic scenery, not to mention the food scene that pays homage to the very best local produce.
In the Tweed region, you’ll find the Husk Farm Distillery, a family-run, paddock-to-bottle distillery set among cane fields just north of Byron Bay. This pastoral paradise is home to Australia’s first agricultural rum distillery and the maker of the now-famous colour-changing Ink Gin. The surrounding fields and rolling farmland mean tastings come with epic views, especially if you book one of their picnic experiences, where you can watch cattle quietly graze in the distance while sipping on seasonal drinks. Nearby, you can try your hand at mud crabbing with Indigenous guides or slurp freshly shucked oysters straight from the estuary.
Further down on the Central Coast, and only one hour’s drive from Sydney, the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, New South Wales’ only pearl farm, runs ‘Shellar Door’ tours, where you can snack on the freshest oysters and learn about pearl cultivation while gliding across mirror-flat waterways surrounded by gorgeous green hills.
Reset in nature
For unbeatable views and a complete escape, head to the breathtaking Blue Mountains (Filippo Rivetti)Go off grid and get some serious R&R in the Blue Mountains, where blankets of eucalyptus forests spill down into sandstone valleys. The panoramic views from every angle make you feel small, and days are best spent holing up at a luxurious hotel where you can switch off your phone for a few days.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat, situated amidst the untouched beauty of Bowen Mountain, is just one of the many options to rest your head. Awarded two Michelin Keys it’s known for its secluded suites, infinity pool with treetop views, and a focus on immersion rather than excess. Wake early to views of mist-covered cliffs and Angophora gums in every direction, then treat yourself to a spa treatment or settle in for a wine-and-watercolour class.
On the North Coast of New South Wales, Byron Bay has its own version of laid-back luxury, offering a more barefoot, beachy vibe with stays like Crystalbrook Byron. Here it’s all about seafront restaurants serving just-caught seafood, world-class beach breaks for surfing, and some of the most drop-dead gorgeous national parks in the world.
Alternatively, head South to Jervis Bay which also delivers similar vibes with options like Paperbark Camp, inspired by an African safari. It offers cosy canvas-tent glamping, with a treetop candlelit dining room surrounded by native bushland.
For travel information, inspiration and to start planning your New South Wales holiday visit Travelbag
