Choose from 146 Fun Things to Do in New South Wales
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia explores national identity and heritage in a hugely kid-friendly and fun way.
Like a big abstract Australian storybook, the museum’s creative exhibits use controversy and humor to get you thinking about Australia's big picture.
From Indigenous culture to national icons, personal stories and artifacts, this enjoyable museum has a huge range of exhibits.
To get an overview of the collection, watch the free introductory film or take a guided tour.
Practical Info
The National Museum of Australia is perched on the tip of Acton Peninsula on Lake Burley Griffin, opposite Capital Hill
Public buses run here, as well as the Explorer Bus.
National Carillon
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Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens
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Perisher and Thredbo Ski Resorts
Perisher is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, amalgamating four villages and their surrounding ski fields. Accessible by road and Australia’s only underground rack railway, Skitube, the resort caters well to intermediate skiers but also has plenty of tracks suitable for beginners and advanced skiers. Most accommodation options here are ski lodge or hotel style.
Thredbo has the longest ski runs in Australia, including the famous ‘Funnelweb,’ which is over 3km long, and some of the country’s steepest trails. Several terrain parks cater to everyone from beginners to the more advanced. Thredbo Village, at the foot of Mount Crackenback, has the feel of a European Alpine Village and has plenty of amenities, accommodations and year-round outdoor activities should you wish to visit outside of snow season.
The Australian snow season runs from mid June until early October.
Royal Botanic Gardens and The Domain
- There is no admission fee for the gardens.
- Visitor facilities in the gardens include restrooms, a garden shop, and a number of cafés and restaurants.
- The Choo Choo Express tourist train runs around the gardens, with regular departures from outside the Queen Elizabeth II gate near the Sydney Opera House.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens are wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking and restrooms are available.
- Free Wi-Fi is available.
Luna Park Sydney
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Katoomba
- Katoomba is easily reached by train from Sydney.
- You’ll find a range of accommodation and ample dining options in Katoomba.
- Katoomba’s Edge Cinema has one of the largest movie screens in the southern Hemisphere.
- The Blue Mountains is occasionally affected by bushfires in the summer months.
Mt Ainslie
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Madame Tussauds Sydney
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Manly Beach
Straddling the peninsula of North Head on Sydney Harbour, the town of Manly is Sydney’s most popular seaside resort. It offers the best of both worlds, with calm harbor beaches on one side and wild ocean waves on the other.
Linking the two is The Corso, lined with cafes and restaurants. Along with swimming, surfing, wining and dining, Manly’s most popular attraction is of course Oceanworld, on Manly Cove Beach on the harbor side of the town. Sharks and rays swim overhead curving walkways, or you can don a wetsuit and go diving with these monsters of the deep (if you dare!).
Manly is surrounded by gorgeous beaches linked by scenic seaside walkways. Boating, kayaking, surfing and cycling are popular pastimes in summer, while winter is a good time to visit the historic former quarantine facility Q Station or take a North Harbour walk to Shelly Beach or The Spit.
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Manly is on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, on North Head guarding the entrance to the harbor. Manly Cove is on the harbor, while North and South Steyne beaches are washed by the Pacific Ocean and lined by Norfolk pines.
Manly Cove is 7 nautical miles from Circular Quay by ferry, the time-honored and most fun method of travel. It’s 30 minutes one way by ferry and a speedy 15 minutes by Jetcat. To get here by car takes at least an hour from central Sydney, so ditch the car and take the ferry!
National Library of Australia
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Jenolan Caves
- There is a minimum age of 6 or 10 years for some cave tours, which are graded according to their difficulty level.
- Temperatures in the cave average 60°F (16°C) year-round, so bring warm clothing. Sturdy, enclosed shoes and comfortable clothing are also essential.
- Most caves are not wheelchair accessible, but visits to Orient Cave can be arranged with prior notice. For those with reduced mobility, Imperial Cave is the most easily accessible.
- The Jenolan Caves complex has a number of hotels, restaurants, cafés, and on-site facilities for visitors.
Jervis Bay National Park
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Leura
- Laura is known for its meticulously maintained flower gardens. Many of the town’s gardens are private, but they open to the pubic during the annual Garden Festival.
- There are a number of dining options from casual to upscale in the village.
- Give yourself ample time to explore Leura’s town center with antiques shops, trendy boutiques, cafes and coffee shops.
James Craig Tall Ship
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Rose Bay
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Hyde Park Barracks Museum
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Mt Tamborine National Park
Mount Tamborine National Park originated with the protection of the Witches Falls and has since expanded across the Tamborine plateau and surrounding foothills. Popular national park activities include walking the many mapped and marked bush trails, spotting Australian brush-turkeys and listening for the call of the threatened Albert’s lyrebird.
Once you’ve explored the natural wilderness of Mount Tambourine National Park, be sure to indulge in the boutique beers, local wines and specialty crafts from the Tambourine Mountain township, which is known as a luxury getaway destination and hang gliding hotspot.
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Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary
A new breeding habitat called Penguin Cove was opened in late June 2012 and now houses a small population of cute Little Penguins. As an endangered population that live and breed on Sydney’s busy natural coastline, the penguins in Penguin Cove are provided a safe place to raise their young and be observed by visitors.
Another big attraction that sets Manly SEA LIFE apart from its Darling Harbour cousin is its ‘Shark Dive Xtreme.’ Thanks to a large colony of non-aggressive but fearsome looking Grey Nurse Sharks, this dive is an opportunity to swim amongst the marine life cage-free!
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary has an underwater viewing tunnel for close up but dry views of sharks, sting rays, turtles and other marine life. There are also a number of interactive rock pools where you can clearly see all the weird and wonderful undersea creatures that call Sydney Harbour their home.
The easiest and most fun way to get to the Sanctuary is on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.