The New South Wales region is one of the most visited destinations for tourists in Australia. This isn’t a surprise because it is home to a number of popular tourist attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Royal Botanic Gardens, Three Sisters Mountains, and the iconic Bondi Beach. While these notable attractions are a definite must-add to your travel itinerary, it does not hurt to change things up once in a while. You will have more incentive to do that when you discover the list of the most beautiful hidden places in NSW.
Jenolan Caves
The Jenolan Caves are located in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. Most of the visitors come to the area to see the famed Three Sisters Mountains. But if you wish to avoid the crowd, then you should definitely head to Jenolan Caves instead.
It is a great spot to go to if you want to see a different yet equally stunning side of the Blue Mountains that many don’t even know exist. This is a subterranean network of nine caves that boast of impressive natural rock formations. In addition, there is also an underground river waiting to greet you during your exploration. The best part is that the caves maintain an ideal 15-degrees Celsius temperature all year round. There are plenty of guided and self-guided tours available if you want to see this natural wonder. You can even go for a nighttime caving option, if you prefer a unique experience.
Kutti Beach
If you are looking for a great beach but want to escape the crowd at Bondi Beach, there is another one that is worthy of a visit – Kutti Beach. It is known as one of the best beaches in Sydney and you will know why it’s a secret gem when you see it. There is a small entrance that leads to this beach and you can find it at a corner from Parsley Bay. While this is not a big beach, you will be impressed with the quality of the sand and water.
You can get to this beach by driving your own car or taking the bus from Town Hall. It is one of the most beautiful beaches near Bondi Beach but one that is not too crowded, making it among the best kept secrets in New South Wales.
Mahon Pool
Are you still looking for a hidden place that is near Bondi or Sydney? Mahon Pool in Maroubra is an absolutely gorgeous natural wonder. This ocean pool is the perfect spot to cool off during summer days. While this is a hidden beautiful place in the sense that it is not as crowded as Bondi Beach, there are adequate amenities for visitors to enjoy here.
Wollomombi Falls
Another equally stunning yet hidden attraction in New South Wales is the Wollomombi Falls in Northern Tablelands. It belongs to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. This is one of the most stunning waterfalls you will bear witness to in the state of NSW because of the whopping 230-meter drop. In fact, it is the third tallest waterfall in the country.
The water falls from the plateau country before it joins the Wollomombi Gorge. If you love natural attractions, this one is a can’t-miss item in your NSW bucket list.
Lord Howe Island
If you need more proof that New South Wales is one of the most gifted regions in Australia, then head to Lord Howe Island. Albeit tiny, this island is filled with spectacular natural beauty at every inch. This is located on the coast of Port Macquarie and is abundant in lush rainforest, turquoise water, and white sand shores. If you are in search of the most picture-perfect spot in New South Wales, this is a heavy contender.
Jervis Bay
Do you like to seek white sand beaches? If you do, then don’t forget to check out this hidden gem in New South Wales – Jervis Bay. If you need more convincing, then it holds the current record for the whitest sand in the world, according to the Guinness World Record.
Aside from being a world record holder, the white sand of this gorgeous bay also highlights the stunning color of the water. If you are up for some swimming, this is also one of the best beaches to enjoy in Australia as it is safe for leisure swimming.
Shark Island
If you are looking for a hidden gem near Bondi, Shark Island should be on your list. This is an isolated gem that is a part of Royal National Park. If you are looking for an island getaway that is a short distance from Bondi and Sydney, then Shark Island is definitely where you need to go.
The island can only be reached by boat, which helps to add to its isolation. Once you reach the island, you can treat yourself to a spectacular 360-degree view of the iconic Sydney Harbour. The island also features lush lawns that are ideal for a leisurely picnic. Other notable features to check out on this hidden gem include the hidden grottoes that were built by hand and the rock pools. You can even go for a snorkel, if you desire.
Lightning Ridge
This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive hidden gems in New South Wales. Lightning Ridge is a small mining town in the outback region of the state. This town boomed in the late 1800s for its production of the rare black opal. Today, tourists can get a glimpse of the town’s old glory through tours of the local opal mines.
In addition, there are other interesting things to do at this town such as relaxing in a bubbling Artesian bore bath. You can also check out the Gothic style castle known as Amigo’s Castle while you are in town. This castle was designed in order to mimic the look of Italian ruins and is made with ironstone boulders. And if you are a fan of cactus, you cannot afford to miss out on the Southern Hemisphere’s largest collection of cacti at the Bevan’s Cactus Nursery.
Excited to visit New South Wales yet? Which of these hidden attractions are you most excited to see?
