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You will see that we don't have much to add under our personal experience of most of the states and territories of Australia, so we welcome some feedback from you. If you have additional info that can contribute, please email me. |
| NSW Facts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| political | population | geography | climate | economy | agriculture | general | ||||||||||||||||||||
 the official flag the proposed flag |
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Political
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Population: approximately 6,687,000 (on the 30th June 2003 - source: www.abs.gov.au) Largest Cities (by population):
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Geography
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Climate New South Wales lies in the temperate zone and the climate is generally free from extremes of heat and cold. The greatest heat is usually experienced in the north-west; a shade temperature of more than 52°C has been recorded at Bourke. The coldest region is the Snowy Mountains, where winter frosts and snow are experienced over long periods. Rainfall varies widely over the state, gradually diminishing to an annual average of 180 mm in the far north-west. The following table describes Sydney's average temperatures at Observatory Hill:
The climate is temperate and slightly humid in the coastal areas of NSW. The deserts of the interior experience hot days and cold nights. Irregular floods and droughts occur, some times due to the El Nino effect. The average amount of daily sunshine is about 6.7 hours.
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The bases of the State's economy are agricultural and pastoral industries, a broadly based manufacturing sector, ample stocks of coal and highly developed service industries.
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Agriculture Principal agriculture in NSW during 2001-02: - Wheat production 8.0 million tonnes - Grape production 452,300 tonnes - Orange production 195,600 tonnes - Potato production 158,500 tonnes - Meat cattle numbers 5.6 million - Sheep and lamb numbers 38.5 million |
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| Major Cities in NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sydney | Byron Bay | Coffs Harbour | Newcastle | Wagga Wagga | Wollongong | ||||||||||||||||||||
| SYDNEY | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Sydney is the capital & largest city of NSW, with a
population of 4,280,900 people. Sydney specializes in recreation - a city that takes full advantage of its spectacular natural environment. Sydney offers various coastal walks - Bondi to Bronte, Rose Bay to Watson’s Bay and The Spit to Manly walks hug the harbour offering spectacular views.
Challenge yourself by climbing Sydney’s Harbour Bridge or
enjoy a thrilling jet-boat jaunt. |
Some of the attraction include: - AMP Tower Centre point - Art Gallery of NSW - Bondi - Botanical Gardens - Circular Quay - Darling Harbour [darlingharbour.com.au] - Featherdale Wildlife Park - Fox Studios [foxstudios.com.au] - Government House [hht.nsw.gov.au] - The Harbour Bridge [bridgeclimb.com] - Hyde Park Barracks - Museum of Contemporary Art - Manly - Museum of Fire - Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Centre - The Opera House [sydneyoperahouse.com] - The Rocks - Taronga Zoo - Sydney Aquarium [sydneyaquarium.com.au] - Sydney Observatory - Sydney Tramway Museum - The Sydney Jewish Museum - Vaucluse House - Victoria Barracks For the detail, click here. |
Just a short scenic drive from Sydney, is the magnificent Blue
Mountains and the home to the famous Hunter wine
region. See Sydney map For some facts on Australia's geography and history, click here. For Australian specific information: maps, population and geographic stats, click here. Most of this info was sourced from: - Australian Explorer - Australia travel - Australia tourism net - NSW Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation - National Library of Australia - Search Australia - Visit NSW - Total Travel: a travel directory |
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| BYRON BAY | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Located on Cape Byron, Byron Bay is the most easterly town
in Australia - so you can watch the sun come up before
anyone else on the continent. From humble beginnings, Byron Bay underwent many transitions from dairy farming to major meat exporter, followed by sand mining and whaling. In the last 40 years, Byron Bay has transformed into a popular beach resort and alternative lifestyle. Renowned for its surfing beaches (Byron's breaks are world class) and beautiful rainforests, Byron Bay today enjoys a relaxed and informal lifestyle that has become a favourite for many travellers. There are art galleries, craft markets, health and well being spas, boutiques, craft centres, hotels, and resorts. There are NO high rise buildings and NO traffic-lights. The main pub, The Beach Hotel, is as hip as they come, having been recently rebuilt in earth-toned stucco brick and wood.
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Over 30Km of Beaches There are beaches for surfers, families, romantics - secluded beaches, beaches to spot whales from and even a nudist beach. Around Cape Byron itself there are four beaches: Clarks, Wategos, Little Wategos, and Tallow beach. These are all linked by walking trails and dramatic cliff top walks. Cape Byron Marine Park An environment rich in marine life including corals, turtles, manta rays, tropical fish and dolphins. Whales, heading north from the Antarctic to breed in warmer waters, can be spotted off Cape Byron around May to June and again when they return around September to October. Dolphins can be spotted off Cape Byron as well as on organised Sea Kayaking tours. Byron Bay is also a good place to Scuba Dive and snorkel as it has direct access to the over 20 000 ha of Cape Byron Marine Park. Over 100 Restaurants and Cafes Byron Bay has an abundance of good places to eat and drink. You can find restaurants serving food from all over the World as well as some fine Australia 'Fusion' cooking with its Mediterranean, Asian, Middle East and American influences. The Hinterland Byron Bay hinterland includes Rainforest, Macadamia nut, banana and Tea Tree plantations, waterfalls, and white water rapids (offering white water rafting). |
Most of this info was sourced from: - Australian Explorer - Australia travel - Australia tourism net - NSW Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation - National Library of Australia - Search Australia - Visit NSW
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| COFFS HARBOUR | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Coffs Harbour is on the north east coast of New South Wales, 540Km and around 6-7 hours drive north of Sydney.
It is just over half way on the Sydney to Brisbane route via The Pacific Highway,
and makes the ideal stop over point. It is also a popular holiday destination in its own right thanks to the sub tropical climate, great beaches, the lush hinterland and a scattering of good resorts and hotels.
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The Big Banana Visitors Centre The hillsides surrounding the region are covered in banana plantations. Play Golf, Dive or Go White Water Rafting Coffs has the famous Bonville International Golf Resort which has been voted as the most beautiful golf course in Australia. Whale and Dolphin Watching Between June and November humpback whales migrate up the coast from Antarctica to warmer waters further north. A Celebrity Retreat Home to Russel Crowe Mutton Bird Island A protected reserve and home to the peculiar bird which nests in small burrows and migrates to warmer climes. |
Most of this info was sourced from: - Australian Explorer - Australia travel - Australia tourism net - NSW Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation - National Library of Australia - Search Australia - Visit NSW
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| NEWCASTLE | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Newcastle, capital of the Hunter Valley, is Australia's second oldest and sixth largest city. Discovered in 1797, Newcastle is the site of the second European settlement in Australia.
Built around a large working harbour, Newcastle is one of the nations largest working ports situated in the mouth of the Hunter River. Nobby's Breakwater and Lighthouse - the city's most famous icon, guard the river's entrance. |
Beaches Newcastle boasts some of Australia’s best beaches: Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Dixon Park, Merewether and Stockton Beaches, all within 5 km of the city centre. All six beaches are patrolled and offer your family a safe place to swim and relax. Bathers Way, a five kilometre coastal walk, starts at Nobbys and finishes at Merewether Beach. Harbour Newcastle is built around a large working harbour, the entrance to which is guarded by Nobbys Lighthouse and Breakwater. The adjacent foreshore area is the perfect place to while away the hours watching the busy harbour traffic while enjoying a drink or meal in one of the harbour side cafes, bars or restaurants. Entertainment Home to some of the finest entertainment venues on Australia’s east coast, you can catch the very best of live performers from around the country and overseas. Blackbutt Reserve Modern spacious facilities allow close viewing of wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wombats and a wide variety of Australian bird species. Convict Lumber Yard Location of white Australia’s first industrial site. Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Extensive gardens with well-developed walking trails. Kooragang Wetlands & City Farm Walk, cycle, fish, and bird watching. Newcastle Jockey Club Administers NSW major regional racecourse at Broadmeadow - 35 race meetings per year. Oakvale Farm & Fauna A fabulous day out where children can discover the way of farm life. Wetlands Centre Australia Discover a sanctuary for wildlife & people. Well-developed programs in a unique wetland area. |
Take a dip in the pool at Bogey Hole, which was cut into
ocean rocks by convict labour in 1819.
Perched high above Newcastle Harbour is Fort Scratchley. This was constructed during the Crimean War to protect the city from invasion. In 1942, at the height of World War II, the fort returned fire at a Japanese submarine shelling BHP, the only fort in Australia to have engaged the enemy in a maritime attack.
www.ncc.nsw.gov.au
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| WAGGA WAGGA | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Wagga Wagga is located on the Sturt Highway and Murrumbidgee
River, midway on the railway line between Sydney and
Melbourne. The City is the gateway to the Riverina Region, a
rich agricultural area of southern New South Wales,
Australia.
Wagga Wagga is one of Australia's leading regional cities,
offering contemporary facilities with a relaxed country
atmosphere. Magnificent parks and gardens combined with
culture and the performing arts, ensure that a stop over in
Wagga Wagga is of value to the visitor. |
Amphitheatre and Gardens Set on Wollundry Lagoon, adjoining the Civic Centre, the Amphitheatre hosts musical performances and is the backdrop for the monthly Farmers Markets. Bikeways Take in the city’s sights by bike as you pedal past Lake Albert, the Wollundry Lagoon, Flowerdale Lagoon and along the Murrumbidgee River. Botanic Gardens Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens is an award-winning tourist attraction offering many different gardens, miniature ride on railway, zoo, free-flight aviary, restaurant, picnic and BBQ facilities. Several Museums Roundhouse Museum (unique collection of railway items and rollingstock as well as a big model train layout), Museum of the Riverina Historic Council Chambers Site (focuses on the people, places and events which give Wagga its unique character) Wineries Borambola Winery, Bidgeebong Winery, Charles Sturt Winery, De Bortoli Wines, The Rock Winery, Wagga Wagga Winery, and Yerong Creek Estate. Crestwood Lavender Farm Historic gold diggings, breathtaking panoramic views, delicious farm food, Crestwood lavender plants and products, farm tours and bushcraft exhibit. National Art Glass Gallery Symbolically shaped as a shard of glass breaking away from the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, the two storey National Art Glass Gallery houses the city's unique National Art Glass Collection. Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre The new $16 million Wagga Wagga aquatic centre offers features unique to Australia: the Wave Ball creating wave rides, two toddler pools with interactive water features, a hydrotherapy pool, 25m x25m multi-purpose pool for participation classes, an outdoor 50m x 10 lane pool, and a diving pool. |
Further info can be was sourced from: - www.wagga.nsw.gov.au - www.waggaartgallery.org - tourismwaggawagga.com.au - Wilkin's Tourist Maps - Walk About
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| WOLLONGONG | Possible attractions | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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One of New South Wales' biggest cities is located just south of
Sydney. It has a population of approximately 266,200, making
it the 9th biggest city in Australia. Wollongong's major foundation is in coalmining, but
today it hosts a large steel industry and an industrial
harbour, Port Kembla.
A city reputed to be Australia's most liveable regional city. |
Bravura Performances The Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of central Wollongong, is the region's major venue for the performing arts. The centre's comprehensive program encompasses a wide selection of in-house, local and touring productions featuring opera, drama, musicals, comedy, ballet and concert performances. Beaches The Wollongong coastline offers 17 sparkling surf beaches that are patrolled by lifesavers from September to April. Artists Wollongong is gaining an international reputation for its excellence in the arts. This is not surprising, as over the centuries many famous artists have been drawn to the Illawarra region for inspiration. Festivals Wollongong's rich multicultural background is celebrated through the annual Viva La Gong Festival. The festival showcases the region's cultural and performing arts in novel and innovative ways. The diverse activities are well attended and range from concert recitals and song and dance spectaculars through to street parades and food fairs. Other cultural celebrations include Illawarra Jazz Festival, Wollongong Eisteddfod, Wollongong Garden Festival. Galleries The northern suburbs are a mecca for those interested in the visual arts. One of the best known is Articles Fine Art Gallery at Stanwell Park. Many of Australia's finest artists and crafts people exhibit here. The Yallah Woolshed Offers unique entertainment based on an Australian country theme. Located only twenty minutes south of the city, the licensed restaurant and entertainment venue boasts a large dance floor, ideal for barn dancing as well as the hugely popular line dancing. |
Further info can be was sourced from: - www.tourismwollongong.com - www.wollongongcity.com.au - Wollongong City Gallery - University of Wollongong - South Coast Leisure - Feel Free - Wollongong
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| Weather in NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||
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From the hot outback
climates of the Far West and Orana regions, to the more
temperate climate of the Australian Capital Region and
everything in between, the climate of NSW is one that supports
an active lifestyle and in most cases, differs remarkably from
season to season. If you’re in search of a hometown whose
weather consists of the ‘four seasons’ it’s likely
you’ll find it in regional NSW. |
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| City | Weather in general | further info | ||||||||||||||||||
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Sydney Byron Bay Coffs Harbour Newcastle Wagga Wagga Wollongong Wollongong has a mild, sunny coastal climate with winter temperatures averaging 17 degrees and a summer average of 27 degrees tempered with sea breezes. Most rainfall occurs between February and June. Listed below is the average temperature and rainfall information month by month in the region, averaged over the last 25 years.
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Sydney's
5 day forecast Byron's weather in detail Coff's 5 day forecast Newcastle's 5 day forecast Today's weather Wollongong's 5 day forecast. Coffs Harbour's climate is subtropical with warm to very warm wet summers and cool to mild dry winters. Summer days are generally cooled by a sea breeze. The climate is pleasant most of the year, although humidity may be uncomfortable some days in the warmer months. Coffs Harbour is usually south of the area affected by strong tropical cyclones. Average maximum temperatures range from 19oC in winter to 27oC in Summer while average minimum temperatures range from 7oC in winter to 19oC in summer. Annual mean rainfall is 1704mm, with the wettest month, March having 248mm and the driest month, September, receiving 62mm. |
Daily weather reports for Oz: |
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| Communities | ||||||||||||||||||||
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NSW government's Community builders website Please contact us to register your community here..
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This site aims to help local communities across the State share ideas on how to enhance and strengthen their community.
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communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au | ||||||||||||||||||
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