ebriscombe

Hi,

my dad is coming to visit me and my partner, we are currently living in Lismore NSW and i was wondering if anyone could reccomend some places to visit around the state?

commonwealth

http://www.visitnsw.com/

visit sydney if you can

DC10

Jenolan Caves & Hotel, west of the Blue Mtns (also good, but more touristy), are the state's best-kept secret imvho.

LittleKittyCat

We went to the Jenolan Caves last week, and agree it is great. Also the back side of the Blue Mountains, the Kanangra-Boyd National Park is worth a look. Blue Mountains is very nice but touristy (as DC10 said), although my children both love the Scenic Railway at Katoomba. Zig-Zag railway at Lithgow also good.

DC10

It was the Jenolan Hotel that really struck me - certainly wasn't expecting to find a grand (if slightly faded) European-style hotel in a place like that!

I would add that in terms of coastline, imo NSW's best by far is from Batemans Bay to the VIC border.

Bermudashorts

If they like wine, the Hunter Valley might be an enjoyable trip.

commonwealth

Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Forster

oz miller man

Border ranges, Mount warning, Clarrie hall dam, Uki, Byron Bay, Nimbin, Gold coast, Lennox Heads, Angourie, Minnie waters, Yamba and Nymboida (white water rafting) are all close to home. you live in the best bit of NSW anywhere else is like taking coal to Newcastle

couple of hours drive south you have Bellingen from there you can go to Dorigo via the waterfall way, one of Australia’s most scenic roads.
South west rocks for the history (trail bay jail).
for a great coastal NP away from it all - Point plommer near cressent heads.
Forster-Tuncurry has great beaches (seal rocks), National parks and lakes.

Katoomba and the blue mountains if you get that far south and if you get the chance the south coast of NSW is totaly different from up here.....Jervis bay, Tathra, Eden and Kosciuoszko NP

DC10

North coast = enormous sandy beaches that stretch on forever

South coast = intimate little nooks and crannies, calm "personalised" beaches separated by rocky outcrops, azure blue waters

If you have experienced any of the world's great alpine areas then frankly Kosciuszko and co are going to be underwhelming (esp. now that bushfires have ravaged much of the area over the last decade)

commonwealth

don't forget sydney!

Jon77

Blue Mountains of course. But I hate Katoomba, the place is a dump and a tourist trap, still can't believe that shopping centre thing they have built near the three sisters look out. Built to try and empty the pockets of Japanese coach tourists with no regard for the environment or feel for the area. Get out of the car, take a look at the view and get out of Katoomba for some nicer areas.

harrip

Don't forget the Central Coast. Just 1.5 hours north of Sydney by car or train. Various attractions are listed here - http://forty-five.com.au/category/attractions/

commonwealth

when will the visit take place?

DC10

E.g. Govett's Leap.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Ones about 20min from me and is usually deserted.
The other one is usually packed with Chinese tourists.

Who needs the Blue Mountains?!