Underrated Destinations in New South Wales (Australia)

Lord Howe Island is one of the most extraordinarily awe-inspiring destinations you can find afar the Australian mainland. This is a small sickle shaped island paradise resting 660km off the New South Wales.

The extreme remote location is only a two-hour flight from Brisbane or Sydney and houses abundant birdlife (over 200 bird species) and exotic wildlife such as humpback whales and dolphins. For a good reason, the tropical getaway can never become a tourist magnet in its own right due to the limited accessibility for holidaymakers, which means less than 400 tourists are allowed on the island at a time. With a population of just 360 residents, it doesn’t not only boast of being a unique corner of the country but also a certified world heritage site that offers dramatic volcanic peaks, untouched forests, pleasant beaches, and world’s best scuba diving  and snorkeling sites.

From watching birds to fishing and hand feeding tropical fish on Ned’s Beach, going over The Valley of the Shadows and enjoying the stunning vistas of the Mount Gower to meeting the cheerful islanders and chatting about life on the island, the Lord Howe is where you are bound to make many fond memories that last a lifetime.

Consider visiting in between September and May, as it’s the ideal time to visit here or March for the Rockfest Music Festival, or book in winter months (June, July or August) for warm weather.

Those who do not want go out of New South Wales, I recommend Hunter Valley region, one of the overlooked wineries, about a 2-3-hour drive from Sydney. It’s not just about sipping the finest wine, as there is something for families as well. Mini golf courses, top-notch restaurants, wilderness areas, Aussie animals, hot air balloons, family singing time driving through the vineyards, and elegant spa days are some lovely pastimes worth enjoying in this infamous region.

The most popular time to visit Hunter Valley is from March to May, which means the autumn season for the pleasant weather. However, summer (December to February) is the harvest time in the hunter valley for wine picnic tours. When it comes to take part in activities such as hiking and riding hot-air balloons, spring (September to November) offers the best time as everything comes back to life.

In the mean time, don’t forget to stop by Great North Road and Mount View for spectacular views of the Hunter Region and add Australian Reptile Park and Wollombi too to your bucket list, which are found nowhere else in the world.