Kiama is likely to be your first stop on the South Coast. This delightful seaside town is the perfect place to call your base of operations. Not only does Kiama have many wonderful attractions in its own right, its central location means that you can easily reach many other popular destinations without spending half your day driving.

From Kiama, a short drive inland will take you to Berry. Berry is a rural village steeped in heritage and charm. It will enchant you even before you arrive in the city centre as you pass through the rolling hills of the surrounding dairy lands. Don’t expect a sprawling metropolis in Berry. The total population of the city is around 2000, but the town centre is accustomed to catering to the needs of visitors and you’ll love all the restored buildings and wonderful shops.

A little further inland and you come to Kangaroo Valley. Like Berry, it is a small town, but it has a unique character all its own. Many people say Kangaroo Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. As you cross the historic Hampden Bridge, you will likely agree and when you look down on Kangaroo Valley from a distance, your thoughts will echo the words of explorer George Evans, who described the valley as something "no painter could beautify" any further.

Just twenty minutes drive back towards the coast and you arrive in Nowra, the regional centre of the south coast and its largest town. Situated on the Shoalhaven River, Nowra has an abundance of natural attractions. For a fascinating look at Nowra through an artist’s eyes, visit Bundanon, the rural property Australia’s great artist, Arthur Boyd bequeathed to the state as an artist’s retreat. It is only open to the public on the first Sunday of each month, but is well worth planning a south coast holiday around.

Whenever you happen to be in Nowra, you can take a Shoalhaven River cruise. As you make your way slowly up the river, the scenery will always be changing. One minute you will overlook a long, flat landscape and the next you will be passing by sheer sandstone cliffs.

You can return to your Kiama accommodation or choose Nowra for your South Coast accommodation. For that matter, you might be intrigued by one of the other famous landmarks south of Nowra. Mollymook and Bateman’s Bay are just a couple of the coastal towns that will enchant you before the south coast turns into the Sapphire Coast and you continue on the Pacific Hwy south as far as you like. Be careful, though: you may become so enchanted by the south coast you will decide never to leave.

Throughout this article, we’ll provide you with some little short-cuts to help make ends meet so you can still get to experience this must-see world famous, and largest Aussie city.

Food/Drink
Vegemite sandwiches and 2 minute noodles will suffice for a few days, at best. However you’re going to need real food that sustains your hunger. In and around the city hotspots such as Kings Cross, China Town the CBD and Circular Quay, keep your eye out for bakeries and food kiosks. Many offer cheap yet nourishing breakfast options such as coffee/muffin or coffee/toasty or ham & cheese croissants/coffee for under $5.00. Tip: Some offer discounts if you eat out rather than require table service. 

And for lunch or dinner, there’s plenty of specials being offered in exchange for your travelling dollar. For under $10.00 The Bodega Cafe in Surry Hills offers a great menu with loads of specials for between $5.00 – $10.00 per main meal – Make sure you try their famous wagyu burger and Chorizo roll with chimichurri. Other super-cheap eat-outs for chomping around town include the 60 + Asian restaurants in China Town. Take your pick from these cuisines on every corner: Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. Entrees start at just $2.00 as well as yum cha for under $6.00 per person. If you like it spicy, Flying Fajita Sistas in Glebe offers authentic Mexican Tacos and tequila shots for $3.00.       

Sightseeing and Culture
Getting from A to B isn’t a problem, and there’s no shortage of free or low-cost places to go and see, and the mono-rail can get you to any of the central locations around the city. If the $200 price tag attached to the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb isn’t an option, for under $10.00, head to Pylon Lookout for the same vantage point.

Hyde Park hosts the historical Anzac Memorial. Hyde Park is akin to New York’s Central Park, offering magnificent beauty and nature walks overlooking the water, and provides hundreds of tall trees that inhabit sleeping bats scattered throughout the park, perfect for a picnic or even as a cheap yet romantic dating idea with your boyfriend or girlfriend. An ideal location to ‘pop the question’ if you have romance and dating in mind with your sweetheart. For an afternoon of more famous Sydney treats, jump on the bus (grab a 3 day travel pass for $12.00) and head 10 minutes East to Bondi Beach, and chances are, you’ll spot a celebrity or two!

The Art Gallery of NSW and the Contemporary Art Museum offer free entry for those with an appreciation for world class art exhibits. Other famous museums and galleries include the Powerhouse Museum, as well as various other galleries scattered throughout the Rocks, which showcase some of the finest Aboriginal paintings in the country.

Accommodation
Your best bet for cheap accommodation will be a hostel, starting from $25.00 for a shared dorm. And if you require some privacy for both yourself and the person you might be dating or your boyfriend/girlfriend, expect to shell out around $50 per night. Check out the deals offered by the YHA which has several central locations around Sydney. YHA accommodation typically has clean facilities and friendly staff with an NRMA rating of 3 stars.

Entertainment
The singles and dating scene is one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world. Whether you’re in town as a solo traveller looking for love, lust, casual dating or just any type of companionship, the scene is electric, and you’ll simply never want to leave. Happy hour venues are always a good option, and these are aplenty in Sydney. We’ve also tracked down some other cool entertainment venues with a very reasonable price tag. The Mars Lounge offers $10.00 cocktails until midnight. The Sanctuary Hotel at Darling Harbour offers $3.00 drinks before 9PM, the venue is also a hotspot for backpackers. While you’re at Darling Harbour, check out some other trendy venues like Tokio Hotel and Home Bar – but only stop by these bars if money is no object.

This Sydney travel piece was written by Matt Fuller. Matt also writes about other related topics including singles dating travel, online dating sites advice, Sydney entertainment reviews and free dating websites tips for single people.

Bondi has been synonymous with surf since the aboriginals named it thousands of years ago. Originally pronounced "Boondi", the word means "the sound of waves crashing against the rocks." It is a perfect name, since the waves do crash against the rocks on the two headlands that border sandy Bondi Beach.

Today, all the action at Bondi takes place on the beach between the two headlands. Directly in the middle of the beach is Bondi’s iconic Surf Lifesaving Club. First established in 1907, the Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club is the oldest club of its kind in the world. The club’s primary objective throughout its history has been to live up to its name and save lives. Many of the surf life saving techniques used by this club have been adopted throughout the world, especially since Sunday, February 6, 1937. On that day, club members made over 300 rescues in a single day. Although five lives were lost, the club received international acclaim for saving hundreds of lives.

In its early years, most of the beach goers to Bondi got there from Bondi Junction via the old Sydney tram line. The last tram to Bondi ran in 1961. Since then, buses have largely replaced trams and a large parking area has been created behind and around the surf club. On a busy Sunday in the summer, Bondi lifesavers have to keep track of as many as 20,000 beachgoers, while the local restaurants and cafes are kept busy keeping them fed. Fortunately, there are enough surf lifesavers and businesses to cater to everyone. Mishaps in the ocean are rare, thanks to the lifesavers and no one goes without sunblock, a beach hat or a hearty meal thanks to the dozens of shops and restaurants lining Campbell Parade, the main traffic thoroughfare.

While Bondi attracts the greatest crowds on hot days, it is a popular destination 365 days a year. In the middle of winter, surfers brave the cold winter waters to ride the waves and the world famous "Bondi Icebergs" jump into the icy waters of their salt water pool. Those who prefer to stay warm and dry exercise by jogging or walking on the scenic coastal walking trail that starts on the southern end of Bondi and goes around the headland to beaches further south.

Bondi is equally popular at night, when the pubs, entertainment venues, restaurants and other nightspots come to life. Bondi’s nightlife reflects its diverse community and tastes. As you wander down the street, you may hear the strumming of an acoustic guitar coming from inside a cafe/bookshop, the sound of electric guitars inside a local pub or the tinkling of piano keys from inside a lavishly appointed gourmet restaurant.

Bondi’s fame has spread throughout the world and almost everyone who visits Sydney also visits Bondi at least once before they go back home. Many of them choose to stay in Bondi. That is easily done, since there is a Bondi accommodation for every lifestyle and budget. The Bondi backpacker accommodations are some of the most popular in Australia. At the other end of the scale, you can choose a 5 star resort with spectacular views. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in Bondi.

Lieutenant John Shortland stumbled across the Hunter River in 1797 while looking for escaped convicts. While he did not find the convicts he was looking for, he did find a verdant valley rich in natural resources. Shortland spread the word about the Hunter Valley and as soon as land access to the region was established, settlers started planting vines: by 1823, over twenty acres were already planted.

George Wyndham, William Kelman and James King were a few of the early Hunter Valley wine producers, but an amateur viticulturist, James Busby, is credited with having a big influence on the Hunter Valley’s future. After two study tours in Europe, Busby returned with over 500 vine cuttings. Many experts credit Busby as the man most responsible for turning the Hunter Valley into a major wine growing region.

James Busby had a sister named Catherine. She fell in love with and married William Kelman. Many of Kelman’s first vines were some of those brought over by Busby. Others followed suit and by 1840, there were over 500 acres of vines in the Hunter Valley. Before the turn of the century, many of the most famous names in Hunter Valley wines were already established, including Dr. Henry Lindeman and the Tyrell, Wilkenson and Drayton families.

The first half of the 20th century, plagued by wars and depression, saw no further growth in the Hunter Valley, but in the prosperous 1960s, the region began another growth spurt. In that era of increased prosperity, the dry table wines that the Hunter Valley produced became popular. The sixties were also a period of expansion in the Hunter. After over a century of domination by a handful of growers, Dr. Max Lake set the stage for the future when he started Lake’s Folly in 1963. His success led to the establishment of dozens of other boutique wineries. Today, there are over 120 wine producers in the Hunter Valley.

Before the 1960s, wine was shipped out of the Hunter Valley, but very few consumers travelled to the Hunter Valley. That changed with the road improvements between Sydney and the Hunter Valley. After it became so quick and easy to get to the Hunter Valley from Sydney, the area became a popular weekend destination for Sydneysiders. In an effort to compete for tourist dollars and attract more visitors, the wineries began offering entertainment, food and wine festivals and family attractions.

It goes without saying that there are now plenty of Hunter Valley accommodation options to choose from. From basic family campgrounds to luxurious spa resorts, the Hunter Valley has everything for every budget and lifestyle. The Hunter Valley is easily reached by car, coach or air, so there is nothing stopping you from visiting this world-class wine growing region.

Darling Harbour didn’t always have so much to boast about. Over the 19th century and much of the 20th century, the Pyrmont-Darling Harbour area was a huge manufacturing center. Slowly, though, the area lost its attraction to manufacturers and they moved elsewhere, leaving neglected warehouses and factories behind. By the 1970s, Darling Harbour was a virtual ghost town.

Australia celebrated its Bicentennial in 1988, but planning for the big event began many years before. As part of the Bicentennial preparations, then Premier of NSW Neville Wran initiated an ambitious Darling Harbour development plan. The project was finished on time and Darling Harbour was back on the map. It got another, even bigger boost in development when private and public funding spent another one and a half billion dollars on it in preparation for the 2000 Olympics.

You don’t need a reason to enjoy Darling Harbour. On a warm spring day, there’s nothing more enjoyable than taking a stroll over Pyrmont Bridge and then across the long promenade that stretches along the waterside in front of the development. If you’re feeling hungry, you will find dozens of cafes, restaurants and take-out stalls to select from. It’s a great place to bring the entire family. The kids love to take the small train tour and, for a big outing, there’s the Sydney Aquarium, one of the world’s biggest, the IMAX theatre and the fascinating National Maritime and Powerhouse Museums.

These are only a few of the things you are able to do in Darling Harbour and even these cannot be done in just one day. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, you hear about Sydney Wildlife World’s six thousand examples of Australian animals. Then you can get a babysitter for the kids and enjoy an evening of entertainment at Star Theatre or the Lyric Theatre at Star City Casino.

If you do not feel like walking, why not get to Darling Harbour via the Sydney Monorail and see the city from a whole new point of view? If you are looking to explore the city by water, it is possible to catch a Sydney Harbour cruise from Darling Harbour. If you would like nothing more than a quiet afternoon in a lovely setting, a stroll through the immaculate gardens of the Chinese Garden of Friendship will be sure to restore your spirits.

Now can you see why Sydneysiders call Darling Harbour their best Sydney attraction? An excellent way to spend your vacation in Sydney is to make a Darling Harbour accommodation your base. Just try and find at least a bit of time to tear yourself away from Darling Harbour and explore the rest of the city!

Situated just across a quiet street from a beautiful sandy beach, the village of Lennox Head couldn’t be in a better location. Right across the street from all the great shops and cafes is the Lennox Head Surf Lifesaving Club, so you can take the kids to the beach and know that they are under the watchful eye of trained lifesavers.

Lennox Head can better be described as a village than a town. Its compact size means than everything is easily within your reach. Granted, Lennox Head is not renowned for its nightlife, but it is so close to Byron Bay, nothing stops you from taking a short drive up the coast for a night out in the entertainment capital of the North Coast. If you need to stock up on supplies, the big shopping centres of Ballina are equally easy to get to.

If you’re a surfer, you’ll love Lennox Head. The break just outside of town at the headland from which Lennox gets its name is a classic spot. The rounded stones on the "beach" out at the headland make access to the water more difficult than out at Byron’s Pass. That’s a good thing, because it keeps the crowds at a minimum. The waves out there are more challenging, too. This is something experienced surfers appreciate.

Everyone still loves Byron Bay, but it has because so famous, it can sometimes become over-crowded. Byron is an exciting place to visit, but not always the best place to stay. Lennox is a laid-back version of Byron, much like Byron Bay was 40 years ago. It has all the amenities you could want, great beaches and beautiful surroundings. The only difference is that you don’t have to drive around all day looking for a place to park or take your life into your hands when you cross the street.

Lennox Head’s central North Coast location makes it an ideal place to start your exploration of the rest of the region. You can take a fairly direct route to the wonderful village of Bangalow. From there, you can go on to Lismore and all the great National Parks and other inland attractions of the north coast you might otherwise miss. Make Sunday your excuse to go exploring the region. Check out the schedules of the north coast markets and head for Bangalow, Byron Bay, the Channon or Mullumbimby. Each has a market day on a different Sunday of the month.

Lennox Head may be small, but it is not short on Lennox Head accommodation options. You can find all the same great accommodations you can find elsewhere on the north coast, including camping grounds, backpackers lodges, family accommodations and resorts. The only difference is that they tend to be less expensive than they are in Byron Bay. Discover Lennox Head and you will enjoy your North Coast NSW holiday even more than if you stay elsewhere.

Just in case you’re still wondering: South West Rocks isn’t a rock pile southwest of some large tourist destination. It’s the name of a beautiful coastal town with a population of about four thousand. The town was first settled as a place to house low-security prisoners in the late 1800s. Their first job was to build a breakwater around the bay beneath the rocky cliffs on the southern end of the settlement. That may be how the town got its name.

At any rate, the breakwater was never completed. The prison was closed in 1903 and wasn’t reopened until WWI, when German and Austrian immigrants were detained there. These detainees, many of whom had lived in Australia their entire lives, were not really considered a threat, so enjoyed some privileges the earlier inmates did not. They were probably the first settlers in South West Rocks who got to enjoy the beach life, since that was where they spent much of their free time before being locked up again at night.

The early convicts and the WWI detainees were housed in Trial Bay Gaol. If it weren’t for its high walls, this well-constructed granite building could be mistaken for a 19th century mansion or resort. It stands proudly above a sheer cliff and commands a million dollar view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside.

While the gaol is one of South West Rock’s biggest onshore attractions, the town’s biggest global attraction lies beneath the surface of an island about a mile off its shores. Fish Rock Cave runs for over 100 yards (125 metres) beneath the surface of Green Island. It is known for its abundance of sea life, including the grey nurse sharks that live and breed in the waters around the island and has been rated as one of Australia’s Top Ten diving spots.

If you’re looking for a great place to just sit back and relax, then you’ll love the village atmosphere of South West Rocks. As soon as you arrive in town, you begin to relax and unwind as you drive down its wide, tree-lined streets. No doubt, the first thing you will do is stop in for an alfresco lunch and cappuccino in one of the many cafes that line the main road.

You may go to South West Rocks thinking you’ll just spend a few hours relaxing there, but you’ll wind up wanting to spend a few days there. The Tourist Park is one of the more popular South West Rocks accommodation options, but if you want something more private or luxurious, there are many great places you can stay. If you’re traveling during the height of the tourist season, be sure and book ahead, because South West Rocks is an increasingly popular holiday destination.

The Gay and Lesbian community is very active in the city. But the most famous event is the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. This is party central and the event has general popular appeal. Many non homosexual Sydneysiders stand along the parade route to enjoy the fun atmosphere.

Beaches are everywhere around Sydney. A short ride across the harbor is the Manly area with it’s surf beach and laid back way of Life. There are a wide choice of beaches that are good for swimming and surfing or just lying back and improving your tan. If you want to find naturalist beaches there are four in the area just to the North of Sydney.

Food and cafes are a way of life here. The range of cuisine is immense and you will be able to find an option that suits your budget. One of the highlights of Sydney must be sitting in the sun at a cafe on the harbor and watching the people and boats go by.

The area around Oxford street is known as the Pink Strip. Here is a concentration of Gay friendly shop, bars and clubs. The shopping is diverse as are the clubs – so there should be something for everyone.

If you are in need of some relaxation and sun don’t forget Sydney is southern hemisphere and the seasons are the flip of what they are in the Northern hemisphere – February is still summer. Gay travel to Sydney Australia is great and the city is definitely gay friendly.

While you are in Australia, nose around some of the other spots. You will find Queensland to be gay friendly, as well as a delightful, alternative getaway. Plus, you’ll find gay resorts in Queensland as well.

Situated next to Hawks Nest in Australia, they are connected to the world’s only ‘singing’ bridge, so named because of the whipping wild winds going through the rails that seem to make a singing sound for passengers going across its roadway. Myall River is next to the two towns and it dumps into the Myall Lake and all are a beautiful and grand site to see according to the people of the town.

Several times a day, the dolphin-watching tours leave the harbor for a location chock full of dolphins for watching and swimming with them. The passengers of the small boat are allowed to get into the water with the mammals, if they wish, and swim along side them and a trained professional. With these types of trips into the waters that are dolphin-rich, is in not required that someone jumps in and swim with these charming creatures. One would be just as happy watching from the top of the boat and perhaps taking a photograph or two of them swimming gracefully along.

The regions biggest Koala colony is located in Hawks Nest which is right next to the gardens and one can watch them in their natural habitat. There are hundreds of other natural wildlife including fish and migratory birds. One of this area’s strongest attractions for tourists is the fishing. There is plenty of it and lots of boats to take people out where they are.

There are lots of bushwalking trails and hiking for those outdoors types in addition to biking around the wildlife nature areas surrounding the great lakes. In the water, there are many sports such as surfing and swimming, boating and kayaking and all around the region there is just about anything and everything one could want in outdoor activities.

In the evening or for the more indoor type person, there is the ten pin bowling and squash is a national pastime for those people who like their sports a little more rouged. The less sporty of the visitors could enjoy some gambling, a game show style amusement at a nearby club which also hosts BBQ and live bands on the weekends. It also houses a coffeehouse type of cafe for those who want to relax and read while sipping coffee. There is a good range of Tea Gardens accommodation to be found on the net.

There is also a new and exciting outdoor market where people can find just about anything from fresh produce from local venders to handcrafted items that local artisans created, some from a nearby art school. These framers markets and handcraft items are all sold to local people and visitors every weekend, rotating different types and styles each month. There are miles of booths for people to wonder through in order to find that something special for a souvenir or a little memento of their trip.

The Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest do not stand alone; they are surrounded by Bulahdelah, Pacific Palm and the Forest/Tuncurry regions of Australia. They all offer a different outlook on the wonderful beaches and rich forest lands. Many have isolated retreats for getaways that are more private while the other locations are filled with restaurants and shopping for a real tourist treat.

Any visitor will find exceptional shopping malls, superb restaurants, a large variety of Bathurst nsw accommodation and a thriving business sector. The people are well known for their welcoming hospitality. Bathurst is the continent’s oldest inland city. It was in existence before the first colonial settlement was formed.

Bathurst was given ‘town’ status in 1815. With the discovery of gold, it experienced a phenomenal growth during the 1850s and 1860s. Today, it one of the country’s fastest growing modern cities which is easily accessible by car, plane or train. With a fascinating history and rich heritage, it offers visitors a host of interesting attractions.

Housed in a renovated 19th Century school building is the outstanding Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. It is one of the world’s most notable fossil and mineral collections. A 10 meter long Tyrannosaurus Rex takes centre stage and is a real star. It is Australia’s one and only dinosaur.

You can also see a 40 million year-old lizard and dinosaur eggs. There are more than 2,000 exhibits at the museum. They are displayed in two sections. One section is called the MasterFoods Fossil Gallery and the other is the Minerals Gallery.

If you are a train enthusiast, you will enjoy the unique Bathurst Miniature Railway which is in the John Matthews Sports Complex. There is a track of 600 meters and visitors can take rides on designated days, weather permitting. If you want to ride, you must wear closed shoes or you will not be allowed on the train.

The acclaimed Mount Panorama Racing Track is just outside the city. It was established in 1938 and was named the Mount Panorama Scenic Drive. Later, it became the bona fide home of Australian motor racing. What started out as a dusty country road has become one of the world’s leading motor racing circuits. It is 6.2 kilometres long and is situated almost 2800 feet above sea level.

A Bathurst attraction that you must not miss is the Jenolan Caves. Here, you will see the most wonderful formations in colours like pink, milk white, brown and orange. There is a total of 9 show caves plus 4 adventure caves, all of which are open to the public. Guided tours take place every day of the year. You can also take a night tour, a theme or specialty tour, or try your hand at adventure caving. You can choose a beginner adventure where you will be helped by a guide all the time.