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Picton is about a one hour drive south west of Sydney and offers a village lifestyle. Surrounded by many farms and villages Picton has much to offer the person who loves nature and the outdoors. Thirlmere Lakes National park is a wonderful place to visit and is heritage listed. There are lakes and bush land with walking trails. There are lakeside picnic areas with BBQ’s. Swimming and canoeing are permitted but not power boats are allowed. Have a drink in the George IV Inn which has its own brewery and is one of the oldest in the country. Another fun thing to do is to take a guided night ghost tour, these are popular in this area. There is accommodation and places to eat as well as local arts, crafts and produce.

Only minutes from the heart of the CBD Chinatown offers a glimpse of Asian street life. There are many festivals held in this area and the streets are alive with restaurants, Asian supermarkets, noodle bars and oriental souvenir shops. In Chinatown you can see a real Chinese herbalist and get an eastern style remedy or have a relaxing massage. There is always somewhere to get a great meal no matter how late or find a bar with karaoke and make yourself famous. Chinatown is close to the Sydney Entertainment as well as many discount factories where you can pick up a great bargain. Speaking of bargains, don’t miss a trip to nearby Paddy’s Market.

Kings Cross certainly has a history and is one of the most visited places outside the CBD apart from Bondi Beach. Only a short bus ride from the city Kings cross is always busy and is a hive of excitement. The place really comes to life at night with entertainment of all types and there is usually something to suite most tastes in you are into exciting nightlife. Don’t miss the El Alamein Fountain, Harry’s Café de Wheels, visit the Garden Island Naval Base or check out the many nightclubs and restaurants in the area. There is plenty of accommodation to suit most budgets from backpacker to high class hotels. See the lights and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Rocks in central Sydney and only a few minutes from Circular Quay. The Rocks is the oldest are of the city and is home is an amazing array of old buildings some dating back to convict days. Today they are shops, cafes, warehouse and the old terraces are often used as offices. Walking around the Rocks there are numerous small lanes, and courtyards which serve as a reminder of how Sydney grew from an unplanned convict town. There is a lot to do with live music in bars, shops and galleries to explore and you can even take a guided Ghost tour and see if you can feel the presence of the spirits of the convicts from this area. Plenty of accommodation and places to eat make this a great place to visit.

Sydney is the capital of NSW and has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. There is so much to see including the harbour Bridge, the amazing Opera House and the many historic buildings in and around the city. Visit places like Taronga Park Zoo, darling harbor and the Aquarium. There are museums of all kinds as well as art galleries, displays and a huge library. Sporting wise there is just about everything you can imagine and some wonderful beaches, bays and parks to enjoy. Hotels, motels, backer accommodation Sydney has them all. There is no limit to the fine cuisine available as well as fast food outlet of all descriptions. Work or study, holiday or settle Sydney has some to offer everyone.

Sofala has a population of only 100 people and is situated 241 kms north west of Sydney. A visit to Sofala is like stepping back in time as Sofala is Australia’s oldest surviving Gold Rush Town. Unchanged since the Gold Rush days this town has amazing old buildings which are still in operation as shops today. As this town is on the Turon River with mountains behind many fossickers still come and try their luck fossicking or panning with the souvenir shop doing a roaring trade in equipment. Explore the upper reaches of the Turon River and see the old diggings some buildings and old graves. For accommodation the Old Gaol is now a B&B and Chesleigh Homestead is on 3000 acres of land with mountain lookouts, caves and creek and offers first class facilities.

Temora has earned the title of friendliest town and it is not surprising why. Situated in the Riverina district t 90 kms north of Wagga Wagga, Temora is a great place to take a rest on route to and from capital cities. Apart from the great hospitality of this town it is also famous for aviation and has a wonderful aviation museum. There is gliding, hot air ballooning, Temora Aerodrome and skydiving. Visit the arts and crafts shops as well as the local markets. There are plenty of sporting and recreational activities to indulge in or you can walk in one of the surrounding nature reserves. Accommodation is plentiful as are the places to eat and the friendliness of the locals.Ideal place for all ages to visit.

Woy Woy is on the Central Coast of NSW and is only 82 kms north of Sydney. Woy Woy has long been a favorite weekend destination of Sydney siders looking for a few days away and has become home to many retirees. Surrounding by many other tons Woy Woy means the big lagoon and that is exactly what is there but Woy Woy also boasts some great fishing from Fisherman’s Wharf, close to surf beaches at Umina and Ettalong. There is plenty of accommodation in the way of caravan and camping parks, motels and hotels. There are plenty of shops to cater for all your needs and no end of great places to eat.

Kogarah is 16kms south of the Sydney CBD and is close to the sores of Botany Bay. Kogarah has some very old buildings for the visitor to see in including the Kogarah Railway Station, The School of Arts, and the old Courts House. The area has a large shopping centre with supermarkets and specialty shops and the town square is home to the Kogarah Library and Cultural Centre as well as many cafes and restaurants. Kogarah is a residential area with many houses and units, some good schools and easy transport. There is no shortage of sporting facilities with something for everyone. Kogarah is the northern home of the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL team.

Clovelly Beach is an ideal spot for a summer’s day. Situated between Bondi and Maroubra the area is an ideal spot to holiday, rest or invest. Only a short distance to Sydney CBD or Bondi Junction there is no end of great shopping and entertainment venues. Accommodation is plentiful in and around the area and the beach is ideal for all. A calm almost bay like beach it is a favorite for families, snorkelers and divers, with many dive schools using these waters as a training ground. Although it rarely gets too rough, there is a swimming pool at the end of the beach. Clovelly is great for picnics with play equipment for the children, toilet facilities and a huge parking area.

Tamarama is a beachside suburb located in the east suburbs 7 kms from Sydney’s CBD. Tamarama is in between Bronte and the famous Bondi Beach. Once home to a large aquarium, Tamarama became a quiet almost forgotten beach until recent years when is has become very trendy with the ‘beautiful people’ atmosphere. The beach is a sandy strip with a backdrop of parklands, hills and gullies but don’t be deceived, the surf here can be very treacherous even on a calm day. It is one for experienced swimmers and surfers only. There are local shops nearby for drinks, ice creams and takeaway food. The area is basically residential with accommodation limited to Bondi and Bronte areas.

Located half way between Sydney and Melbourne, Leeton in the heart of the Riverina. This town is near the Murrumbidgee River and offers the visitor plenty to see including the Sunrice centre, Yanco Powerhouse Museum and miniature railway, Whitton Courthouse and Historical Museum as well as the many wineries, and orchard in the area. The Murrumbidgee River offers some great water sports and fishing with sandy beaches ideal for a picnic. Leeton has excellent shopping facilities with large shopping centers, cinema and many specialty stores. Accommodation ranges from camping and caravan parks to motels, hotels, guest houses and B&B’s with all facilities. Great place to visit and relax away from the crowds.

Emu Plains is in western Sydney on the banks of the Nepean River at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Emus Plains is basically a residential area with good quality homes. There is a good shopping centre called Centro Lennox and there are a number of very good schools. Sports facilities are great in this area with many playing fields, a beautiful golf course, swimming, Little Athletics etc. There are plenty of accommodations options including hotel and motels and the Emu Plains Caravan Park. Emu Plains, being on the western side of the Nepean River is only a short drive across the bridge to all the amenities of Penrith including the Penrith Panthers World of Entertainment.

Known as the Horseracing capital of Australia with over 70 horse studs, Scone is located 255 kms North West of Sydney. Scone has some good historical buildings to see as well as the Scone Museum. Visit the Australian Stock Horse Museum and wonder through the arts and crafts shop. Don’t forget to visit the information centre and winery. In the area is the World heritage Listed Barrington Top and 15 Kms away is Lake Glenbawn where you can see the Museum of Natural Life, go for a bushwalk or have a picnic or BBQ at the facilities provided. Scone has good accommodation facilities and ample shopping.

Huskisson is located just south of Nowra off the highway on the shores of Jervis Bay. Huskission has a long history of being an ideal family holiday destination, not only for Sydney siders but those living further inland. In recent years Husky as it is affectionately called has grown and offers great accommodation, licensed clubs and of course the revamped Husky Pub. The beaches are safe and Hyams beach is known for having the whitest sand in the world. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and diving as well as fishing. There is a wide variety of shops and plenty of walks to keep the explorer in you satisfied.

Yamba is a great tourist destination on the far north coast of NSW. Yamba is seven hours north of Sydney and only three hours south of Brisbane and is situated on the Clarence River. There are some fantastic beaches to suits the surfer or family. Fishing is very popular and good catches are possible from the beach, rocks or boat. Yamba has some great accommodation options including caravan parks and motels as well as guest houses and B& B’s. There is plenty of shopping and some good restaurants. There is a golf course, bowling greens, swimming pool etc plus a cinema, arts and crafts and natural attractions such as whale watching and the nearby National Parks.

Winston Hills is west of Parramatta and is a residential area close to Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill. The area is a great place for families with a great shopping center with over 70 shops and a huge car park. There is a great hotel with an award winning restaurant. The area boasts some great sporting fields catering for many sports including football, soccer, netball and little athletics to name a few. There are excellent schools both State and Catholic. Home prices are creeping up and finding a three bedroom house under $500k would be a task. Still a nice place to live close to Parramatta and the Hills District.

Botany is a suburb of south eastern Sydney close not only to the CBD but also to Mascot Airport and the major terminal of Port Botany. Most of Botany is residential with some lovely old homes mixed with new unit complexes. There are a few local shops of convenience, several hotels and Botany golf course, as well as a swimming centre. Botany is not far from the major shopping centre, Eastgardens, where there are three floors of shopping and food court. Botany house prices are still expensive but are affordable when compared with other suburbs in the area. There are many older people living in the area.

Mascot is very close to Sydney CBD and can be divided into two very distinct parts. There is the residential area which has federation style a houses and semi along with flats and units. Many of these streets are quite and are great for families and retirees alike. Property prices like any area so close to the city are on the high side yet Mascot is not as highly priced as those suburbs close to the water. There are some good shopping facilities including supermarkets, discount department store and speciality shops. There is a good library and several clubs nearby for entertainment. Not far away though is Sydney’s domestic and international airport. This busy airport is one of the major entry points to Australia and as such is very busy. There are a number of transport and freight companies near the airport as well

Watsons Bay is a harbour side suburb in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Watson Bay is a residential area yet attracts visitors not only from overseas but also neighbouring suburbs. Famous for “The Gap” a high cliff overlooking the sea, this suburb also has a great park near the water which is ideal for picnics and social get togethers. Watson’s bay has a harbour side pool which is netted, a wharf where many people like to fish and the very busy Watson Bay Hotel with a great beer garden for sunny days. Watsons Bay is also of the world renowned Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant. Homes prices here are very expensive and there are very few rentals.