New South Wales Bucket List: Best Adventures & Unique Stays Near Sydney

From skies ablaze with starlight to thrilling marine life encounters and adrenaline-pumping adventures, New South Wales offers an unforgettable checklist of experiences that are just a quick drive away from Sydney.

Whether you’re soaking in nature’s serenity, snorkelling through crystal-clear waters, or chasing the next adventure high, New South Wales serves up moments that are as enriching as they are exciting.

Here’s a curated list of experiences that you must do at least once.

1. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

There are views, and then there’s the view from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The legendary BridgeClimb is not just a bucket-list tick—it’s a spine-tingling ascent that gives you front-row seats to one of the world’s most iconic skylines. As you scale the steel arches, 134 metres above sea level, the city unfolds in all its glittering glory—from the sails of the Opera House to the cobalt sprawl of the Pacific. Whether you go at dawn, dusk, or under a canopy of stars, this is Sydney at its most cinematic

2. Sleep in a clear bubble under the stars

Picture this: You’re sleeping under the stars in a clear bubble with a rotating bed set in a 1000-acre farm, just two hours from Sydney. NSW boasts some next-level stargazing stays. Into The Wild Escapes and Paperback Camp offer dreamy domes and cabins in nature’s lap, which are one of the best experiences and unique stays near Sydney. Whether you’re deep in the bush or perched on a cliff’s edge, these off-grid escapes make reconnecting with nature a luxurious affair, and they look good on your feed.

3. Leap over Australia’s stunning coastline

For thrill-seekers craving an unforgettable plunge, Wollongong offers Australia’s only beach skydive just an hour south of Sydney. Strap in with a seasoned tandem instructor and ascend to 15,000 feet before free-falling at over 200 km/h for a heart-racing 60 seconds. As the parachute deploys, soak in panoramic views of the Illawarra coastline, Royal National Park, and the turquoise sweep of the Pacific Ocean. With a guaranteed beachside landing and optional photo and video packages, this is skydiving at its most cinematic.

Free transfers from the Sydney CBD are available.

4. Ride the dunes and taste the land

Strap in for a high-octane introduction to Aboriginal culture with Sand Dune Adventures near Port Stephens. Led by a local Indigenous guide, this quad biking tour takes you roaring across the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. But it’s not just about the thrill—along the way, you’ll stop to dig for freshwater and sample bush tucker, native ingredients packed with flavour and cultural significance. 

5. Get up close with humpback whales and dolphins

Jervis Bay isn’t just postcard-perfect—it’s a front-row seat to one of Australia’s greatest marine spectacles. From May to November, humpback whales glide through these sheltered waters, often breaching within metres of eco-cruise boats. Year-round, resident bottlenose dolphins add playful energy to the scene, darting through waves and riding the bow. For a closer encounter, snorkel or dive with Dive Jervis Bay, where clear waters bring you face-to-fin with these majestic creatures.

6. Ride the world’s steepest passenger train

Ready to ride gravity’s wild side? The Scenic Railway in the Blue Mountains is officially the world’s steepest passenger train, plunging a heart-racing 52-degree incline into the lush Jamison Valley rainforest. Originally built for coal miners, this thrilling ride now whisks passengers 310 metres down into ancient landscapes. At the base, explore a maze of walking tracks winding through dense forest. Want the scenic way back up? Take the glass-floored Scenic Cableway. It’s part adventure, part history, and all jaw-dropping beauty.

7. Snorkel the Underwater Garden of Lord Howe Island

Tucked 600 kilometres off the New South Wales coast, Lord Howe Island is a snorkeller’s dream— uncrowded, ecologically rich, and UNESCO-listed. It’s one of the best adventures and unique stays near Sydney. The island is home to the world’s southernmost coral reef and more than 90 species of coral and 500 species of fish. Slip into the calm, crystal-clear waters of Ned’s Beach, where you can hand-feed fish and snorkel alongside vibrant reef life just metres from the shore.