New South Wales

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, is home to our largest city, Sydney. Its temperate climate, with sunshine most days of the year, provides the ideal environment for visitors to this spectacular state.

The capital of NSW and Australia’s oldest and largest city, Sydney was established by Captain Arthur Phillip as a penal colony. The city grew in chaos for many years until 1810 when Governor Macquarie set about restoring order and improving roads and communications. The city soon became a major shipping and trading centre for the southwest Pacific. Today, Sydney has the world’s best natural harbour with 55 sq km of water catering for 4,000 vessels each year.



MUST SEE DESTINATIONS

  • Sydney City

    Sydney Harbour Bridge - aerial view

    A multi-cultural city of more than four million people, Sydney is a vivid metropolis built around one of the most stunning harbours in the world.

    The dramatic view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House surrounded by the glorious harbour is an iconic image of Sydney and Australia. You'll no doubt have seen countless images of this stunning city but nothing quite compares to seeing it in real life. Wander around the foreshore or take a cruise on the water to see these two architectural feats from a whole new angle.

    Read More
  • Bondi Beach

    Bondi Beach, Sydney

    One of Australia’s most famous beaches, iconic Bondi Beach, is located only 7km from the centre of Sydney City. "Bondi" or "Boondi" is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning the sound of breaking waves. Believe it or not, in the early 1800s swimming at Sydney's beaches was considered a controversial pastime due to the dangers of sharks and conservative views. Now, Bondi Beach is at the heart of Sydney’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle.

    Read More
  • Blue Mountains

    Blue Mountains Three Sisters

    Take a scenic three hour drive west of Sydney and discover the magnificent Blue Mountains, which were first crossed in 1813 by explorers Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson. This World Heritage Listed National Park is recognised internationally for its incredible geographic, botanic and cultural values and boasts a stunning landscape of dense eucalypt forest, grand escarpments, waterfalls and cave systems.

    The area is home to 90 different species of eucalyptus trees and the greatest and most diverse concentration of eucalyptus trees in the world. Ever wonder why the Blue Mountains are called blue? The air is filled with several finely dispersed droplets of eucalyptus oil. These oil droplets not only delightfully perfume the air, but combined with dust and water vapour; they scatter rays of brilliant blue light earning this spectacular mountain range its name.

    Read More
  • Hunter Valley

    Hunter Valley Vines

    The world famous Hunter Valley is in the heart of Australian wine country with the region’s rich history stemming from the early pioneering era. Since its early beginnings, the Hunter Valley has produced many world renowned fine wines and has grown to boast more than 150 wineries.

    Not just famous for its wines, the Hunter Valley also has a growing olive industry, producing excellent cold pressed olive oil. Treat your tastebuds to local gourmet food and wine with the perfect backdrop of charming vineyard landscapes. You can also sample premium local beers and the unique alcoholic ginger beer at the boutique Bluetongue Brewery, opened in 2003 by four Hunter Valley locals.

    Read More
  • Port Stephens

    Port Stephens Dolphine

    A two hour drive north of Sydney is the picturesque coastal town of Port Stephens. Often referred to as Australia’s blue water paradise, Port Stephens’ tranquil waters are home to more than 140 resident bottlenose dolphins. It is Australia’s dolphin capital!

    A visit to Port Stephens is not complete without a dolphin watching cruise. Sit back and relax as you view the amazing nature that surrounds. It’s one of the best places to see dolphins in the wild and also the best place on the New South Wales coast for whale watching between May and November.

    Read More

First Nations Cultural Experiences in New South Wales

AAT Kings NSW Sydney Zoo 2

Sydney Zoo

Sydney

Sydney Zoo is committed to preserve local Aboriginal culture and works closely with the local Darug people. As part of the Bungarribee Dreaming Experience, Aboriginal guides provide interpretation of the Australia precinct and share insights about tools, artefacts and bush tucker.  

Our Big Kitchen

Sydney

Give back to a city you’ve come to love on your Australia tour joining a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to help prepare a meal for those in need of at Our Big Kitchen, a community kitchen in Bondi, Sydney. Last year this organization made and distributed over 120,000 meals to disadvantaged Australians through their encouragement of individuals to help provide meals for those in need. Through meaningful volunteering experiences Our Big Kitchen nourishes, educates, empowers and supports through the power of giving with love. The organization also works closely with local organizations to minimize food waste and turn fresh produce into these home cooked meals that are distributed to many shelters. Feel good contributing to their mission as you connect to locals through work that supports the Sydney community.

Experience this on

Wendy's Secret Garden

Sydney

Uncover a tucked away retreat on your Australia tour at Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay in Sydney. You’ll be welcomed into this beautiful garden with a local volunteer who’ll take you around its meandering paths and tell you its history. Learn how founder Wendy’s husband, famous Australian artist and sculptor Brett Whitely, sadly passed away in 1992, and she got to work clearing out the land behind her house that had become an overgrown area on an unused railway plot. Decades of hard work by Wendy and volunteers has now transformed the land, a source of inspiration for her late husband, into a beautiful, whimsical secret spot. Walk around the grounds among the shrubs, herbs, and towering trees lining winding paths, eyes peeled for the resident parrots, gulls, kookaburras and wagtails and see featuring Brett and other famous sculptors work dotted throughout. Take a moment to enjoy the serenity of the space, knowing that your visit, proudly a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, helps by contributing to the ongoing maintenance of this enchanting garden.

Experience this on
+

PLEASE NOTE

We're experiencing a high volume of enquiries via our email and call centre.

Have a question? Why not head to our website's Frequently Asked Questions section to find what you're looking for, or email hello@aatkings.com.au and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Need to check your Day Tour's hotel pick-up time? Click below for Day Tour departure information.

We have numerous new measures to elevate our hygiene standards and protocols.

New South Wales
ADDED TO BROCHURE

+

CREATE YOUR WISH LIST

Click "My Brochure" to build a custom made brochure with trips selected by you!

VIEW GUIDED HOLIDAYS

New South Wales
ADDED TO BROCHURE

+

Add tours or remove tours from your list

The maximum number of tours has been reached for your custom brochure.