Arts, Culture and Heritage

Cultural and heritage attractions in NSW are as diverse and fascinating as the landscape. Whether you're travelling along the spectacular coastline north or south, winding through mountain ranges, driving on country roads, exploring the mighty Murray River or visiting the dramatic NSW Outback, you'll be captivated by museums, galleries and heritage and historical tours.

In regional centres such as Wollongong on the South Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Macquarie on the North Coast, Goulburn, Bathurst and Orange in Country NSW, and Broken Hill in Outback NSW there are excellent art galleries. You'll find plenty of other things to do and see, from wine tasting to uncrowded beaches on the coast.

Another enjoyable way to experience NSW is to visit historic sites, like the Old Dubbo Gaol in Dubbo, Cowra's Prisoner of War Camp Site and the Port of Echuca in the twin towns of Echuca and Moama, where you can board a paddle-steamer and travel on the Murray River. Or visit famous film locations in the Snowy Mountains and Outback NSW to see the striking landscapes captured on celluloid.

Following self-guided heritage trails is an engaging way of discovery. Historical towns offer insights into colonial life. Set out along the Gold Trails for a sense of the 1850s gold rush, make your way along the Orange Heritage Trail for fine heritage buildings, or walk in the footsteps of famed explorers on the Hume and Hovell Walking Track.

A snapshot of Australia's pre-historic landscape is at the Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra. Fossils some 360 million years old were discovered here in 1955. About an 80-minue drive from Canowindra is the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst. For those travelling south, a must-visit is Sapphire Coast's Eden Killer Whale Museum.