NSW Car Hire
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Compare car hire in New South Wales
On the eastern coast of Australia lies New South Wales (NSW), the gateway to the azure Coral and Tasman Seas. Its capital city, Sydney, is a populous, cosmopolitan enclave consisting of over 8 million people. New South Wales is famous for magnificent golden beaches, rugged bushlands, sophisticated dining scene and of course, amazing architecture. After all, it is home to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the National Art House.
You can enjoy car hire prices as low as $17.61 when booking your New South Wales car hire in advance with Enjoy Travel. The most popular car at Sydney airport is a Mitsubishi Outlander with an average price of $40.86 and as cheap as $24.35 per day if you book in advance. The overall cheapest car in Sydney airport is a Hyundai Accent.
Guide to New South Wales
Climate
New South Wales enjoys rather mild weather year-round. The coastal areas tend to be hotter and wetter due to the sea breeze, but the hinterlands see temperately warm summers and nippy winters, but nothing too extreme.
Sydney & Bondi Beach
Sydney’'s easy-going beach culture is famous for a reason. If you want to verify this for yourself, then Bondi Beach should be your first stop. It is probably one of the most visited places in the entire country and certainly a tourist favourite. Enjoy an early morning walk along the coastline as you inhale the fresh sea breeze while watching surfers and swimmers get their morning workouts. Pick up a beach volleyball and indulge in a friendly game, or put on your snorkelling mask and explore the resplendent corals at Gordons Bay. After a full day of exploring, return in the evening to experience the spirited nightlife on the beach, along with some excellent dining options.
Natural scenery in New South Wales
New South Wales’ best natural attractions hide in the Blue Mountains. Take the world's steepest passenger railway into an ancient rainforest before being suspended in a cable car above a steep gorge; we guarantee you’ll be enthralled by the magnificence of this place. In addition to popular outdoor activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, bushwalking and hiking, you can also learn about Aboriginal culture. In fact, one of the Blue Mountain’s most recognized landmarks, The Three Sisters, is a reference to a Katoomba legend about three sisters who were turned to stone by a witch doctor after they fell in love with three brothers from a rival tribe. Each stone monolith reaches over 3000 feet above sea level. If you can't get enough of the beauty of the place, there are accommodation options available within the park for you to extend your stay.
Things to do in NSW
Climb Sydney Bridge & take a boat cruise
While you are in Sydney, you can’t miss the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, the largest steel arch bridge in the world and fondly called “Coathanger” by the locals. Besides pedestrian crossing and a bicycle path, you also have the option to reach the summit of the 134-meter high bridge with BridgeClimb. It’s fairly pricey but pays off in epic 360-degree views, a free group photo, and a certificate. Alternatively, you can climb up 200 stairs of one of the bridge’s pylons for AUD$20. For a different vantage point, glide underneath the bridge by taking a ferry or cruise boat which will pass well-known destinations like Darling Harbour, Cockatoo Island Barangaroo and Parramatta. Once you’ve returned to Circular Quay from your boat trip, walk along the promenade to visit the graceful Sydney Opera House and Museum of Contemporary Art (free entrance).
Discover laid back vibes outside the city
Head to Byron Bay to spot whales and dolphins while hiking to reach the easternmost point of the continent. If you’re into new-age hippie living, then you’ll like Nimbin, a small town close to Byron Bay and a homeland for everything and everyone counter-culture.
Take a trip to Lord Howe Island
In the event that you’re ready to splurge on a truly special experience away from the throngs of tourists, then you might want to consider Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage-listed paradise situated about 600 kilometres from the northern coast of Sydney. Capable of hosting only 400 guests at a time, this island offers exquisite landscapes like a dormant volcano surrounded by a thick jungle with native plants, overlooking pristine white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. You can choose to snorkel, dive, swim, surf, kayak, fish or birdwatch...when you’re not blissfully sunbathing on the beach, of course. Perhaps the best part about this island for a lot of people is that there is no cell phone reception here and the main mode of transport around the island is bicycling, so it’s a true retreat from the stressors of urban life in every sense.
Go snowboard in Australia’s highest mountain
You might be surprised to find that New South Wales has yet another secret up its sleeve - snow! The Snowy Mountains contain Australia’s highest peak, the 2228-meter Mount Kosciuszko. A part of the Great Dividing Range, the Snowy Mountains are also recognized for being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Although thinking of Australia doesn’t usually typically conjure up images of snow, these mountains offer alpine terrains like glacial lakes and snow-covered slopes perfect for skiing and snowboarding. As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the winter season runs from June to October. The three names that you’ll want to remember are: Perisher, home of the largest ski resort south of the equator; Thredbo, which boasts the longest ski runs in the nation; and Charlotte Pass, Australia’s highest village. Stop by the Ragland Art Gallery and Cultural Center to be further amazed by Australia’s history of snow sports.
Eating out in New South Wales
Muse Restaurant
Situated at the doorway of the iconic Hungerford hill winery, Muse Restaurant focuses on highlighting ingredients abundant around the Hunter Valley. The restaurant has a four-course menu format and the offering keeps changing depending on what’s fresh and in season. You can choose from the Autumn Menu, Autumn Vegetarian menu and Wine list. We recommend making a reservation before you go for dinner, and just a note to remember: they’re open only from Tuesday to Saturday.
Fleet
Located on the far north of the New South Wales coast is Fleet Restaurant, nested in Brunswick Heads, a charming seaside town. Just like Muse, their innovative menu keeps changing to emphasise what is most local, and their inspired dishes can be paired with organic wine sourced specifically from small consciously-fun vineyards. They serve only around 10-12 patrons at a time, which ensures uber-personalised service for each table. If it is your first time visiting, we recommend going with the tasting menu which comprises a series of smaller dishes. Alternatively, if you prefer to order a la carte, Fleet’s crab dishes have a dedicated fan following. They accommodate all dietary preferences.
Paper Daisy
Paper Daisy is a boutique hotel that offers a gorgeous view of Cabarita Beach, located on Australia’s east coast. The restaurant has bagged much recognition, such as one of Australia’s Top 100 Restaurants (Australian Financial Review 2018) and one Hat Award (The Good Food Guide 2020). Their famous breakfast is available for in-house guests alone, but the public can opt for group lunch bookings and dinner reservations. The restaurant is renowned for its mix of sophistication and simplicity. Chef Jason Barratt is known for designing and cooking delectable dishes using locally sourced seafood.
Social Brew Café
Located in Pyrmont, the Social Brew Café is a hip establishment that offers outdoor seating overlooking lush greenery. So a gastronomical experience there isn’t just limited to your taste buds. The food menu has something for everyone. Start your meal with a cup of yummy coffee, follow it up with a hearty meal, and end it with a pastry or sweets. Their dishes are inspired by various cultures, and some of their most popular menu items include the Freekeh salad with crispy potatoes, walnuts, and fresh grapes, and soft-shell crab tacos with homemade harissa mayo. This is a pet-friendly café, so bring your furry friends with you and let them prance around in the garden area.
Transport in NSW
Airports in New South Wales
New South Wales is served by Sydney Airport (SYD), the busiest airport in Australia. It has three terminals that connect to 46 domestic and 43 international destinations. It is the primary hub for Qantas Airways and a secondary hub for Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airlines. The airport is located 25 minutes away from the city.
Public transport & driving in New South Wales
New South Wales also has intercity and regional trains that take you to destinations like the Blue Mountains, South Coast, and more. Purchase an Opal Card to use the public transportations systems in the greater Sydney metropolitan region, the Blue Mountains, and the Central Coast, among others. Car hire is also a major mode of transport used by tourists as it allows for schedule flexibility as well as the ability to reach less touristy places. Enjoy Travel make comparing the best car hire agencies and choosing the best vehicle for your travel around New South Wales a breeze.