The state capital is
Sydney, Australia's most populous city with a
current population 4.4 million. The most popular year-round holiday
destinations are the beachside towns along the coast to the north and south
of Sydney.
Inland from Sydney lies the majestic
Blue Mountains
and the southern plateaus rising to the high ski country of the Snowy
Mountains. For a country renowned for its dry climate and heat, Australia
has a very well developed ski industry that spans the border between New
South Wales and Victoria.
To most people
New South Wales embodies all that is truly Australian. As well as the
vibrant young cities, you will find golden beaches,
incomparable Sydney Harbour, the world class vineyards of the
Hunter Valley and tropical rainforests.
The Great Dividing Range runs north to south about
100km inland from the coast and it is this coastal belt that is home to most
of the more popular tourist centres, larger cities and major towns.
The inland
areas of the state are dotted with an assortment of mining towns, rural
support centres, the rich farming areas of the
Riverina and miles of rolling sheep and cattle pastures.
As you travel further west, the grassland plains gradually become
the dry, arid outback of central Australia.
As is the case with all the states, New South Wales is big - it is 1200 kilometres (750
miles) east-west and 1000 kilometres (625 miles) north-south. Those are straight line map
distances, actual road distances are much further.
