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Gunnedah is located 440 north west of Sydney in the beautiful Namoi Valley. There is an amazing amount of koala living in Gunnedah so it has earned the name “The Koala Capital of the World” If you want to get ‘up close and personal with these creatures then visit the Waterways Wildlife Park. For camping, caravanning and water sport fun head to Lake Keepit State park. Other attractions include museums of various kinds and for the city folk, visit the saleyards and see auctioneers at work. Gunnedah offers all manner of sport including swimming centre and a heated pool, golf, tennis cricket etc and there are numerous walking tracks for the adventurer. There is no shortage of places to stay with caravan parks, B 7 B’s, guesthouses, hotels and motels.

La Perouse is a suburb of Sydney situated east of the CBD. Visit the La Perouse Museum and see many artefacts pertaining to the area’s history and explore the fort on bare Island which was built to protect the area from invasion. There is also a walking trail to Endeavour Lighthouse. Each weekend the area comes alive with Boomerang throwing demonstrations, talks by local Aboriginal people explaining the history of the area and there are many Aboriginal boomerangs and art work on sale. There is also and snake and retile display every Sunday. The waters here off safe swimming and many families enjoy this area. There are several shops for drinks and take away food as well as the Boatshed where you can enjoy a meal. Accommodation is by way of hotels and motels in nearby Maroubra.

Nambucca heads is on the mid north coast of NSW and has a laid back beachside atmosphere and attracts tourist all year round. Nambucca has beautiful clean beaches that are great for surfing and swimming with main beach being patrolled between October and Easter. There are some good walks along the foreshore and lookouts offering amazing views of the area. See the mosaic sculptures, model railway and painted poles. Nambucca Heads Golf Course in situated on Stuart Island and is completely surrounded by water. Yarriabini national park is nearby and is a pleasant way to spend the day exploring. Holiday accommodation is plentiful but is pays to book early for the peak seasons during summer. The town offers good amenities and shopping facilities.

Located between Orange and Dubbo on the Mitchell Hwy in central NSW, Wellington is a great place to visit or live. There are many natural attractions around the area such as Lake Burrendong which is popular for fishing, water skiing and swimming and the world famous Wellington Cave is a favourite for visitor from across the globe. The view of Wellington from Mt Arthur is not to be missed. Wellington has excellent facilities, sports and recreation, a large number of galleries as well as many historical sites and displays. Health and education here is first rate and home prices and rents are quite affordable. There are great shopping facilities and restaurants and cafes. For the visitor accommodation choices include farm stays, caravan parks, hotels and motels.

Situation in Northern NSW, Casino is on the Richmond river 32 kms inland from Lismore. The town is a major centre servicing the many smaller towns dotted around the area. Casino is well known for its beef and holds a Beef festival each may. There are great amenities in casino for the tourist and local alike. Shopping centres with major supermarkets, department and specialty stores. There are plenty of sporting facilities such as sporting fields for a large number of sports, a golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool amongst other sporting venues. Admire the well cared for parks and gardens in and around the town. There are numerous places to eat an accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

Port Macquarie is 4.5 hours from Sydney or 7 hours from Brisbane and is right on the coast. Naturally this means there is an abundance or water sports including diving, surfing, swimming, canoe and kayaking. Other pass times such as paragliding, fishing tours and visiting historical sites, galleries and lookouts. There are some great wineries and cruises to be had. Accommodation options include caravan and camping parks, guest houses, motel and hotels as well as cabins and holiday apartments. Port Macquarie has many restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine as well as Steak Houses, bistros and cafes. There are many markets in the area some are weekly whilst other operate on a fortnightly or monthly basis.

Griffith is in south western NSW in the heart of the Riverina area and is an agricultural area, growing many fruits and vegetables. Griffith is also well known for its fine wines. There is plenty to see and do including all the usual sports such as tennis, golf, bowls, squash etc Sample some of the areas great wine at the many wineries. Griffith also has art galleries and a large variety of museums. Other places of interest include the Altina Wildlife Park and Australian Cotton Processing Plant. There are many choices of accommodation in Griffith as well as some first class restaurants and bistros. Naturally Griffith has its share of take away and fast food outlets.

Parkes is on the western side of the Great Dividing Range and is a large town. There are many things to see and do in and around the city. A must is a visit to the CSIRO Radio Telescope and Discovery Centre. The movie, The Dish was made here and centre on the dish itself. Other places of interest are Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine, historical museums, Tyndall’s Lavender farm and Memorial Hill. Parkes offers accommodation to suit all budgets and there are a number of restaurants and eateries for your enjoyment. For the nature lovers Goobang National Park is only 30kms north east of the town and you can go bushwalking, bird watching and check out the native orchids that grown there.

Wagga Wagga is in south western NSW on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Wagga Wagga is often referred to just as Wagga which means crow. The town is large and has many attractions such as art galleries, museums of several different types and beautiful botanic gardens. There are many walking tracks around the area and 30 kms to the south of the town is Livingstone National Park and State Conservation Area. Wagga also has a choice of wineries to visit and some great shopping areas. There is no shortage of accommodation either with backpackers, B & B’s, caravan parks, motels and hotels to choose from. There are some great entertainment venues and restaurants and cafes all serving great food. For the takeaway lover, Wagga has all the usual fast food outlets.

Known as the Country Music capital of Australia, Tamworth is situated on the Peel River in the New England area of NSW. This area is rural and relies on beef, dairy, sheep and grains as well as aquaculture, olives and nuts. The town is large and has numerous shopping centres, restaurants and cafes. There are a number of hotels and nightly entertainment venues. For the sports enthusiast Tamworth has it all including but not limited to; swimming pools, 2 18 hole golf courses, playing fields, athletics track, kart, speedway and motor cross tracks, pistol range and ten pin bowling. But the big draw card is the Tamworth Country Music Festival which is held each January and is the second biggest festival of its kind in the world. Tamworth has all kinds of accommodation available to suit all budgets and tastes but remember to book really early if you intend to visit in January.

Eden is the most southerly port in NSW before crossing the border into Vic. Once a whaling town Eden is home to a large Killer Whale museum offering information about the towns whaling history. Now whale watching is an industry unto itself. The timber industry is still alive and kicking though and visitor information centre at the Chip mill gives the visitor an insight into this unpopular industry. Eden is a very tourist orientated town and there are many shops to service the needs of the local and visitor alike. Swimming, surfing diving and fishing are popular in summer. Golf tennis and bowls, squash, bushwalking and hiking are all available pastimes with some spectacular scenery along some of the coastal walks. Stay in the caravan park, motels or hotels in the town, with restaurants and cafes for those who like to eat out.

Bega is located on the south coast of NSW 428 kms south of Sydney. Bega is famous for cheese and the town is surrounded by dairy farms. The beaches on the coastal side are stunning and not far away is Mimosa Rocks National Park. Visit the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, the Bega Lookout or spend the day picnicking at Mumbulla Creek Falls and Picnic area. This quaint coastal town also offers good fishing, food and wine tasting as well as accommodation in the caravan park, motel or Rock Lily Cottages. Backpacker accommodation is also available. Take a scenic flight over the area, go horse riding, mountain biking or bush walking in addition to the many water sports at your finger tips.

Wollongong makes the beginning of the south coast of NSW and the wonderful beaches and scenery. Wollongongs beaches are patrolled which means great swimming and surfing for all with great parklands for picnics in the sun. The area is also home to the largest Buddhist Temples in the Southern Hemisphere. Wollongong has many activities apart from the usually sports, you can go paragliding, try climbing at the Hangdog Climbing Gym, take a canoe or kayak adventure or visit the Illawarra Fly treetop walk. There is accommodation for all as well as some great places to eat for all tastes. Looking further afield take a scenic drive along the coast to the south and enjoy 140 kms of wonderful scenery.

Just over two hour drive from Sydney is Newcastle. Once known for its steel the city has much to offer the resident and tourist alike. Accommodation for the tourist is plentiful with nearly every option you can think of and for those looking to reside there rents and home prices are with the range of the average family. There are restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets to please everyone and Newcastle has great shopping centres as well. Sporting facilities are plentiful with swimming, golf, tennis, go karts, horse riding and playing fields for most field sports. Beaches are clean and you can even go whale watching. With the hinterland not far away there is plenty of inland exploring to be done as well.

Being one of the highest towns in the Blue Mountains, Oberon is a great place to use as a base to visit the many unique places nearby. The area has four distinct seasons with snow in the winter. From here you can visit Jenolan Caves, Abercrombie Caves, go fossicking for gold in the old gold fields, visit the Oberon Museum or see some of the other natural sites. Fishing is always popular and Lake Oberon and Oberon Dam are stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Note that boating and swimming is prohibited. Stream fishing season is from the long weekend in October to the June long weekend and all anglers must hold a freshwater fishing licence. Accommodation options include guesthouse, retreats and cabins and should be booked in advance.

Goulburn lies on the Princes Highway and is between Sydney and Canberra and is a rural area with many small towns in close proximity. Being only one hour from the coast adds an added dimension to the area. There are many wineries in the area and a visit to the Goulburn Brewery which is one of Australia’s oldest is a must. Other attractions include art galleries, antique and craft shops and of course The Big Merino. Goulburn has some good sporting facilities such as a large aquatic centre, golf course, and skate park. For motor sport enthusiasts Wakefield Park offer great motor sport action. There are walking tracks around the area with abundant bird and animal life. For the visitor wishing to stay overnight or for extended times there is accommodation to suite all budgets and places to eat that will satisfy all tastes.

Albury is situated on the NSW/Vic border and is separated from its ‘twin’ city Wodonga in Victoria by the Murray River. Albury has a large population and offer all the amenities one could expect from a city of this size. There is plenty to do in Albury including visiting some of the heritage sites, galleries and the many gardens around the town and nearby ‘suburbs’. There is plenty of sporting and recreational actives on offer including fishing, hiking, golf, tennis and cycling to name a few. There are ample accommodation options with everything from backpackers, caravan and camping areas to hotels and motels with luxury facilities. Generally a friendly city with work available and home prices still at an affordable rate.

Gundagai is on the Hume Highway south west of Sydney and is often remembered for a song about the “Dog on the Tucker Box, five mile from Gundagai”. Naturally one of the first places to visit is actually a road side stop with a bronze dog sitting on tucker box. The town offers some diverse ways of passing the time such as fishing in the Murrumbidgee River, wandering down the streets of the town looking at the heritage listed buildings, visiting the museum and galleries for an insight into the past. There are natural wonders as well, such as the scenery from Mt Parnassus lookout or some lovely walks nearby. Caravan parks and motels as well as B & B’s and guesthouses offer great accommodation and there are places to eat to suit all tastes.

Situated on the banks of the Lachlan River, Cowra is west of Sydney and has a colourful history. Cowra was a POW camp during WWII and in August 1944 the Japanese prisoners staged one of the biggest breakouts of all time. Many Japanese were killed and a Japanese War Cemetery was made there. Also visit the Japanese Gardens which spans over 5 hectares. Cowra is also known for its gourmet food and fine wines and there are many wineries to visit and sample the local produce. There are museums, galleries and craft shops, plenty of accommodation, Darby’s Fall Observatory, Bellevue Hill Lookout and State and national parks to explore. A visit to Cowra will keep you occupied for some time.

Bathurst is best known for the Mount Panorama Racing Circuit and the major car races held there, but the City has much more to offer. The drive from Sydney takes about 2 and ½ hours heading west into the central tables lands of NSW. Bathurst is also known for the many fine wines produced in the area and whilst visiting take advantage of a winery tour. Take the historic walking tour and see many historic buildings and artefacts or try your hand fossicking for gem stones in the surrounding areas. There are galleries and museums to see as well as some of the natural attractions such as nearby Jenolan Caves. As a large fast growing community there are numerous accommodation choices as well as many places to eat.