How to Find Luxury Hotels in New South Wales

New South Wales, Australia, is a state boasting a mixture of different natural environments, from beaches to outbacks. Visitors can enjoy the beaches throughout the year as the temperature remains fairly steady year-round. Read on to learn how to find luxury accommodations in New South Wales.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access

Find Luxury Accommodations

1. Book luxury accommodations at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, a five-star establishment located close to Sydney's most famous attractions. Rooms are expensive, but offer a number of fine amenities. Call 011 (+02) 9230 0700 to make a reservation or visit the hotel's Web site. See the Resources section below for a link.

2. See the surfers attempt infamous Cape Byron, renowned worldwide for its huge surf, while relaxing in New South Wales luxury beach front accommodations.

3. Reserve accommodations near Cape Byron's walking track and visit Captain Cook Lookout. Observe wildlife in its natural habitat by viewing feral goats, wallabies and bush turkeys up close.

4. Stay in a guesthouse in Katoomba complete with luxury accommodations. While in the Blue Mountains, experience real Australian outdoor activities such as bush walking.

5. Experience criminal luxury by staying in a cottage on a four-star estate in Coolangatta. The cottages were originally built by convicts but have since been refurbished.

6. Stay on Bondi Beach to experience a peaceful resort completely at odds with the powerful rip tides at work in the ocean below. Relax on the beach knowing that you are only minutes from Sydney. Test your binoculars while whale-watching or get up close and see the fauna firsthand while scuba diving.

7. Use the Australian dollar to pay for your stay. The Australian dollar is equal to a little less than an American dollar.

Arrive in New South Wales

8. Plan your trip to New South Wales far in advance as it is a popular tourist destination and flights fill quickly.

9. Arrive by plane at the Sydney Airport, which is actually about 10 miles south of the city proper. You will notice a departure tax on your return flight ticket.

10. Travel by multiple modes of transportation once you arrive in Sydney. Trains, buses and rental cars are all transportation options.

Tips & Warnings

• No official, central booking Web site or phone number is available for New South Wales accommodations.
• Book accommodations online through your hotel to view a complete list of amenities for your specific room class.
• Americans need a passport, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or Visitor's Visa to enter Australia.
• Tip five percent to 15 percent at restaurants and cafes in Sydney.
• Bring your Australian slang book and practice your "G'Day" on the plane for when you arrive in New South Wales.
• If you plan on going into the outback, July and August are the best times to go. It is too hot the rest of the year. Sydney experiences heavy rain fall in April and June.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Be careful of jellyfish in or around the ocean, as some stings are fatal.