New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 177

4 New South Wales

by Marc Llewellyn

W ith so much to experience in a
state as big as New South Wales, you're
not going to see all the major attrac-
tions in one hit, so you must priori-
tize. If you have just a few days to
spare, you should certainly head out to
the Blue Mountains, part of the Great
Dividing Range that separates the lush
eastern coastal strip from the more
arid interior. Although these moun-
tains are more like hills, they are spec-
tacular, with tall eucalyptus trees, deep
river valleys, waterfalls, and craggy
cliffs. Or spend a day in the vineyards
of the lower Hunter (also known as
the Hunter Valley). If you have a few
more days, I recommend heading to
Barrington Tops National Park, north
of the Hunter, for the rainforest and
native animals, or down to the pristine
beaches of Jervis Bay for gorgeous
scenery and great bushwalks.

For longer trips, you can head
north toward the Queensland border
on the 964km (598-mile) route to
Brisbane. You'll pass pretty seaside
towns, deserted beaches, and tropical
hinterland. Another option is to travel
along the south coast 1,032km (640
miles) to Melbourne. Along the way
are some of the country's most spec-
tacular beaches, quaint hamlets, good
opportunities to spot dolphins and
whales, and extensive national parks.
If you want to experience the Out-
back, then head west across the Blue
Mountains. You are sure to see plenty
of kangaroos, emus, reptiles, and giant
wedge-tailed eagles. The main Out-
back destination is the extraordinary
opal-mining town of Lightning Ridge,
where you can meet some of the most
eccentric fair-dinkum (that means
“authentic” or “genuine”) Aussies
you'll come across anywhere.

EXPLORING THE STATE
VISITOR INFORMATION The Sydney Visitors Centre, 106 George St.,
The Rocks ( & 13 20 77 in Australia; www.tourism.nsw.gov.au) will give you
general information on what to do and where to stay throughout the state. Oth-
erwise, Tourism New South Wales ( & 02/9931 1111 ) will direct you to the
regional tourist office in the town or area you are interested in.
GETTING AROUND By Car From Sydney, the Pacific Highway heads
along the north coast into Queensland, and the Princes Highway hugs the
south coast and runs into Victoria. The Sydney-Newcastle Freeway connects
Sydney with its industrial neighbor and the vineyards of the Hunter. The Great
Western Highway and the M4 Motorway head west to the Blue Mountains,
while the M5 Motorway and the Hume Highway (via Canberra) are the quick-
est (and least interesting) ways to get to Melbourne.
The state's automobile association, the National Roads and Motorists' Asso-
ciation (NRMA), 151 Clarence St., Sydney ( & 13 11 22 in Australia), offers
free maps and touring guides to members of overseas motoring associations,