23 Magical Things You Didn't Know You Could Do In NSW

    Hand feeding fish right by the shore? Don't mind if I do!

    Michelle Rennex
    by Michelle Rennex

    BuzzFeed Staff, Australia

    1. Take a dip in the Figure 8 Pools.

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    Situated in Sydney's Royal National Park, these naturally formed pools are the perfect place to take a quick dip. You'll definitely need the cooling effects of the water after the 3.5km trek needed to reach the pools. Also make sure you visit during low tide as during high tide the entire area is underwater.

    2. Trek from Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock.

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    Also nestled within Sydney National Park, this naturally white cliff formation is a popular spot to take breathtaking photos. While it is advised that you stay off the rock, the hour long coastal walk from Bundeena provides many Instagram opportunities.

    3. Stop by the mountains for a spot of apple picking.

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    Take a drive to the Blue Mountains and on your way stop by Bilpin Springs Orchard to pick your own fresh apples. Depending on the time of the year, other fruits like pears, plums and peaches are available for picking too!

    4. Bask in the natural beauty of the Dalwood waterfall.

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    Near Byron Bay, the Dalwood Falls are an off-the-track hidden gem in Northern NSW. You'll be surrounded by nature, and the soothing sounds of water falling off rocks into the pool below.

    5. Visit the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern hemisphere.

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    The Nan Tien Temple is a cultural and architectural hub located in Berkeley near Wollongong. You can explore the grounds and learn about the Buddhist faith and if you want to have the full experience, you can even stay the night on the Temple's grounds.

    6. Watch the sun set through a sculpture.

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    Venture into Broken Hill's Living Desert to see a set of 12 sandstone art pieces that are over 20-years-old. Known for aligning with the sun, the pictured sculpture should definitely be seen in person at least once in your life.

    7. Hot air balloon over wine country.

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    See Hunter Valley from a whole other level by taking a hot air-balloon ride over the vineyards. After you experience the stunning views, you can start tasting the delicious wines that the Hunter Valley is known for.

    8. Tip-toe through Australia's most haunted house.

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    The Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee is open for ghost tours (and overnight stays for those who are game enough). Running for over 10 years, visitors often talk about feeling or seeing spirits and some even experience physical reactions to the spirits in the home.

    9. Experience wildlife more intimately with a night at the zoo.

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    The Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo provides the opportunity for you to stay in one of their beautiful Zoofari lodges overnight. The safari-style lodge looks out over the zebra and giraffe paddocks. And if you’re lucky, the animals might find their way over for a bit of hand-feeding!

    10. Walk through the largest limestone tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere.

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    The archway is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and the wooden bridge is the perfect place for a photo op! You can walk the Abercrombie Caves in Bathurst alone during the day or at night with a guide.

    11. Let it all hang out at a nude beach.

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    Take your kit off and be totally free and legally nude at Lady Bay beach up near Watson's Bay. You'll finally have the opportunity to fix those awkward tan lines, but be sure to be sun-safe and to slip, slop, slap!

    12. Paraglide right off a beach cliff.

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    Get a different view of Stanwell Park Beach by paragliding over the top of it. Located near Wollongong, Stanwell Park features various lookouts if paragliding isn't quite your style. If you’re extra lucky you may even be able to spot the whales from one of the lookouts!

    13. Get lost in the sounds of water trickling down a waterfall.

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    Kelly Falls, also at Stanwell Tops, is a beautiful place to take a dip and set up a picnic after walking on one of the many walking tracks. Also, if bird-watching tickles your fancy, the area surrounds of Kelly Falls is scattered with a variety of species.

    14. Do a spot of snorkelling in a natural rock pool.

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    The Blue Pool, located in the South-Coast town of Bermagui is the perfect place to swim and snorkel. Surrounded by a rocky cliff face, the natural rock pool fills with water from the ocean and the viewing platform means you can soak in the views without getting soaked.

    15. Get up-close-and-personal with a bunch of hungry pelicans.

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    Up at The Entrance in NSW's Central Coast, pelicans are fed every day of the year. The feeding serves as a way to asses the health of the local birds, and to educate the community about the animals themselves.

    16. Paddleboard across a country lake.

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    Lake Canobolas, in the country town of Orange, is the perfect spot to kayak, paddleboard, or to even just swim. But if you prefer to stay dry, try your luck at fishing and then cook up your catch on the BBQ facilities located around the lake!

    17. Go horse-back riding along the beach.

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    In Ballina, near Byron Bay, Tassiriki Ranch runs beach trail rides along the beautiful and secluded South Ballina Beach. If galloping on the sand takes it out of you, stay overnight at the ranch to energise and recover.

    18. Get a fresh fruit juice at a monthly market.

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    Down near the always eclectic Byron Bay, the Mullumbimby Market happens every third Saturday of the month. You can sip on some freshly blended smoothies while walking around looking at the fresh produce, beautiful crafts, and an array of clothing and accessory stalls.

    19. Wander through a field of sunflowers.

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    The Farm in Byron Bay, as the name suggests is a working farm where animals are cared for, produce is gathered and plants are grown. Once you've explored the grounds, and wandered through the sunflower field, you can grab a bite at the restaurant, purchase some produce or grab a loaf from the bakery before you head home.

    20. Tip-toe across a wooden bridge suspended over a rainforest.

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    Minnamurra Rainforest located in Budderoo National Park near Kiama features a bunch of elevated boardwalks, hikes and waterfalls. Once you finish exploring, you can unpack your picnic gear and start up the barbecue and just take in the stunning views of nature.

    21. Hop along stones to cross a green lake.

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    Get lost in a little slice of Japan in the Auburn Botanical Gardens in Sydney's west. Walk across bridges and hop from stone to stone over a lake filled with fish and ducks. And if that wildlife isn't wild enough for you, you can visit the animal enclosure full of kangaroos, wallabies and even wombats.

    22. Hike to the peak of a mountain.

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    Mount Warning, in Northern NSW is a mountain that requires a 8.8km walk to reach the summit. While the trek isn't the easiest, and can get steep at times, the five hour return walk is well worth it when you see the views from above.

    23. And hand feed some fish right by the shore.

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    Take a quick two-hour plane over to Lord Howe Island and visit Ned's Beach and get real close to some marine life. The Sanctuary Zone allows you to hand feed fish with a dispenser serving visitors with healthy fish food for the animals.

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