Australia is a continent with incredible variety. And similarly to the way each U.S. state has its own strengths, so do Australia’s six states and two territories. Though it’s hard to pick a favorite, it’s easy to see why New South Wales is beloved by many, including this writer. Think of it like an east coast California, but with 50 percent more coastline (1,328 miles, to be exact) from which to spot humpback whales from May to November, plus cuddly koalas instead of cougars. There’s Sydney in lieu of Los Angeles and its many beaches, wine-growing regions and agricultural hearts, surf breaks, and even snowy peaks.
Up and down its sparkling sapphire Pacific Coast, New South Wales is bursting with surprises and hidden gems in the form of ultra-attractive small towns, design-forward boutique hotels, and eateries where locally sourced produce become some of the prettiest plates of food you’ve ever seen. Here, the latest news, openings, and excitement up and down New South Wales. Not that anyone should need to be further enticed to go, but remember our winter is their summer — hot, sunshine-y, and positively buzzing.
Sensational Sydney
Appropriately for a sprawling coastal city of more than five million people, there is always something appealing happening in Sydney (Warrane in the Aboriginal language) — take last year’s monumental openings of the singular Capella Sydney, W Sydney, and Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point hotels. And don’t forget the launch of Sea Raes, the sumptuous charter superyacht sailing in the city’s harbor during the summer by the owners of Byron Bay beachfront institution Raes on Wategos. Currently the Sydney Fish Market is driving its transformative $490 million (USD) renovation to a conclusion for 2025, making it more attractive than ever to visitors thanks to new dining and culinary classes.
More forthcoming gourmet experiences can be had at the Southeast Asian–focused Song Bird by the legendary chef Neil Perry (also on the docket: a lush bar beside it dubbed Bobby’s) and re-imagined whole-fish hot spot Saint Peter, now in the Grand National Hotel. On the culture side of things, a new Aboriginal bush walk called Gabrugal Yana winds through a 7-mile loop in the Western Sydney Parklands some 45 minutes outside the city, offering wonderful nature immersion alongside storytelling site-specific artworks by First Nations artists.
Song Hotel
Opened in May, 2024, this well located and approachable bolthole is the country’s very first with a profit-for-purpose concept; 100% of the profits from its 156 contemporary rooms benefits YMCA Australia’s work boosting and supporting local women. There’s also Song Kitchen, a restaurant and bar serving international fare that highlights native ingredients.
The Eve
Coming soon to chic Surry Hills and up-and-coming Redfern — save time for shopping and cafe hopping — is this 102-room hotel within the fresh lifestyle precinct Wunderlich Village. Its design celebrates the creative spirit of the neighborhood with vibrant art and bespoke furnishings, while the rooftop swimming pool, deck, and restaurant are already poised to be a scene worth being part of, even temporarily.
25hours Hotel The Olympia
Already sprinkled across Europe, the first 25hours property in Australia is expected to bow in December in the cool ‘hood of Paddington. It’s in the heritage-listed former West Olympia Theatre (thus the name), which has been carefully reimagined to have 109 boutique-y guest rooms and suites across four stories. Multiple venues for sipping and supping — including a rooftop bar with killer views — make it a charming home base from which to explore.
Waldorf Astoria Sydney
You’ll have to wait awhile for this thrilling announcement to become bookable reality, so put it on your calendar. The 220-room, 25-story Waldorf Astoria coming to Circular Quay in late 2026 is set to be the most expensive hotel in all of Australia, with an investment of $575 million to give its future guests privileged panoramas of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Beach Town Beauties
While Sydney has its own clutch of beautiful beaches stretching from the northern beaches (including Manly, Palm Beach, and Shelly Beach) to the eastern suburbs (Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Maroubra, and more), there are an absurd number of sandy stretches up and down the New South Wales coastline that are more stunning still. Many of these are anchored by a charming little town equipped with exactly everything needed for a sweet long weekend, and they’re often populated by surfers and effortlessly chic city-life escapees. Byron Bay is the most known of these sun-drenched spots with waves, whales, beautiful people, cool shopping, and dining galore, plus an ever-expanding roster of excellent overnight options including 2023’s Hotel Marvell. But Byron is far from the only captivating coastal enclave worth a road trip or pilgrimage.
Lo Scoglio
Technically 10 minutes from the closest beach (Tallow), this handcrafted Italian farmhouse and studio in Coopers Shoot comprise an exclusive-use, two-acre estate that drenches guests in Italian hospitality in a regenerative setting. There’s a pool, infrared sauna, ice bath, yoga deck, and more wellness amenities, as well as a vast kitchen where the 12 guests can cook or have a chef prepare bountiful locally sourced meals.
Il Delfino
In the somewhat undiscovered bucolic surf and beach town of Yamba, this boutique hotel opened in April with an Aussie twist on Mediterranean, curated and restored by local creative Sheree Commerford. The chic, leisurely new inn, all shapely architecture in a 1948 structure with a sea-inspired palette, has four ocean-view suites plus a standalone bungalow, each with private balconies, thoughtful amenities, and decor by local craftspeople.
Basq House
Amid the vibrance of Byron Bay on Bundjalung Country is this new boutique hotel that riffs off Moroccan riads. Most of the 32 rooms — with rich splashes of color and vivid artwork — face the temperature-controlled magnesium pool which has cabanas and daybeds plus a self-service bar.
Sea Sea Hotel
This forthcoming ‘70s-esque opening (in November) brings 25 rooms, suites, and villa to the town of Crescent Head (fewer than 1,000 people and located midway between Sydney and Byron Bay). It’s not only beautifully designed rooms that provide allure: there’s also the Sea Sea Sane Kitchen by chef Daniel Metcalf who worked at Icebergs previously and will be bringing locally sourced ingredients to the table, plus a heated pool, surf and souvenir shop, and sauna with ice baths.
The Bonobo by Raes
It’s not opening until 2025, but this upcoming Byron Bay retreat of 41 decisively laid-back hotel apartments and a rooftop pool, lobby bar, retail and wellness hub make this in-town property by the iconic Raes at Wategos masterminds one to watch.
Outstanding Outback
Since the original definition of ‘outback’ was quite literally outside behind a house, “out back” (and now refers to rural areas away from cities and towns), we’re going to count anything not right on the Pacific Ocean. That includes off-the-grid estates, luxury hinterland ranches (last year’s dreamy Sun Ranch), farms, biophilic luxury eco resorts, and truly out-there outback like the town of Broken Hill, where Mad Max II, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert were famously filmed. There’s a museum dedicated to the former plus art galleries and a fabulous annual September festival called Broken Heel that pays homage to the latter.
Mudgee Retreats
Some 3.5 hours from Sydney, travelers find 15 elegant canvas tent accommodations with private decks, four poster beds, and hot breakfast delivered each morning. The wine country getaway that bowed in April also boasts a heated spa, indoor pool, and tennis court.
Copperstone
On 48 bucolic countryside acres in Bangalow — the wholesome yet hip neighbor of Byron Bay — sits this new European-esque ode to slow living. The luxury agrarian stay with extensive green space and five en suite bedrooms has a rainforest planting program as well as stables, a tennis court, game room, sandy lake beach, recycled terracotta brick fire pit, wellness hub, and walking trails.
Gilay Estate
Romantic and escapist, three plush architectural huts full of angles and expansive glass make up this jaw-dropping, off-the-grid destination a pretty 4.5-hour drive northwest of Sydney. Nature is invited in at every turn, from the ceiling window for stargazing to the shower and hot tub with panoramic views of mountains. The one kilometer distance between each solar-powered, air-conditioned hut makes the sense of privacy absolute.
Budgalong Lodge
Think African safari, Australian style. In the tiny central New South Wales town of Spicers Creek, this off-grid lodge is all about wilderness and nature, be it wallabies or the Milky Way. Debuted in May, the bush property is made up of two tented camps that can accommodate eight. In addition to bushwalking and birding, days can be spent wine tasting nearby, visiting historic sites or decompressing with yoga on the deck.
Feature image courtesy of Tourism Australia; Travel Curator may earn a commission from links on this page.
