Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is a natural harbour. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The harbour's discovery by Europeans is credited to Lt James Cook in 1770, although he did not enter it. Cook named the harbour after Sir George Jackson, Judge Advocate of the Fleet at the time; he noted in his log that "there appears to be a good anchorage". Captain Arthur Phillip established the first colony in Australia at Sydney Cove inside Port Jackson in 1788 which was to become the city of Sydney.

The Snowy Mountains are the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2228 metres AHD. They are located in southern New South Wales and are part of the larger Australian Alps and the Great Dividing Range. The mountain range is thought to have had Aboriginal occupation for twenty thousand years. It was first explored by Europeans in 1835. It is host to a low laying type of pine tree suspected of being the world's oldest living organism. It is one of the centres of the Australian snow industry during the winter months.

Byron Bay is located about 800km north of Sydney and 200 km south of Brisbane. Cape Byron, a headland adjacent to the town, is the eastern-most point of the continent of Australia, and is part of a giant volcanic crater. The Cape Byron lighthouse was opened in 1901, and has the most powerful beacon in Australia. The town has several beautiful beaches and it is a resort popular with both domestic and international tourists, including backpackers, who travel along the Australian coast and the magnificent scenery attracts sky divers. The area is also noted for its wildlife.

Bondi Beach is about one kilometer long and has many tourists visit throughout the year. In actual fact, there are up to five rip currents operating along the beach, the Backpackers' Express being the one closest to the designated swimming area. There is an underwater shark net shared, during the summer months, with other beaches along the southern part of the coast. Bondi Beach is the end point of the City to Surf Fun Run which is held each year in August. The race attracts over 63,000 entrants who complete the 14km run from the central business district of Sydney to Bondi Beach.