8 Best Downtowns In New South Wales
New South Wales, a southeastern state in Australia, has many incredible cities and towns where arts, culture, entertainment, history, and the great outdoors create unforgettable experiences within their downtown districts and surrounding areas. Imagine yourself enjoying a world-class performance at Sydney's famous opera house, catching waves at Newcastle's premier surf beaches, shopping at Wollongong's top retail destinations, exploring Byron Bay's breathtaking marine park, spending the day at Coffs Harbour's theme park, strolling Orange's historic streets, admiring Tamworth's love of country music, or sipping on local beers at Bellingen's leading brewery. No matter what you are into, these communities have some of the best downtowns in New South Wales.
Sydney
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is home to the Central Business District (CBD). The vibrant downtown area features The Rocks, a tourist suburb that offers an enjoyable walking tour with stops at historic landmarks. The Rocks Discovery Museum, also located there, has many interactive exhibits that date back to the pre-European period. The Museum of Contemporary Art is within the area, showcasing works from talented Australian artists. Its café offers excellent cuisine and breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour.
For places to shop, spend a few hours at Pitt Street Mall or the Queen Victoria Building to see everything they offer. Another notable downtown landmark is the Sydney Opera House, an iconic performance arts venue that offers various tours. For other discoveries in Sydney, hop on a ferry from Circular Quay to the Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach, Watsons Bay, or Shark Island.
Newcastle
Newcastle is a lively coastal destination known for its prime surfing locations and gorgeous beaches, such as Merewether Beach and Nobbys Beach, just a short walk from its downtown area. Many popular waterfront restaurants and bars, like The Dockyard and Harbour Bar, are located along Honeysuckle Drive. A few steps away is the Newcastle Museum, an ideal place to dive into the city's heritage.
Visit Civic Park Newcastle, where shaded trees, terrace garden beds, war memorials, and lawn space for picnicking surround the area. Beyond the park lies the Newcastle Art Gallery, home to one of Australia's finest public art collections. After admiring the impressive artwork, head to Darby Street to explore Cooks Hill Books, find unique gifts at Blackbird Corner, or shop for stylish home goods at Palinopsia Ceramics.
Wollongong
Wollongong, located within the Illawarra region of New South Wales, has a bustling downtown area filled with entertainment, culture, and adventure at every corner. Harbour Street is home to venues such as WIN Stadium and WIN Entertainment Centre, which host events like the Wakakirri National Story-Dance Festival, the Australian Darts Masters, and the Stars of Wollongong. You can also catch an Illawarra Hawks basketball game, see major acts like Keith Urban live in concert, or attend family-friendly shows like Disney on Ice there.
Nearby, Wollongong Harbour is ideal for relaxing, with many pathways, parks, and playgrounds surrounding it. On Burelli Street, art enthusiasts can enjoy Wollongong Art Gallery, Australia's largest regional art museum, with diverse Australian, Aboriginal, and Asian art collections on display. A short walk away is Wollongong Central, the city's premier shopping hub, featuring over 200 stores and hosting special events, activities, and exhibitions year-round.
Byron Bay
While Byron Bay is famous for stunning beaches like Main Beach, Wategos Beach, and Belongil Beach, it offers much more than sand and surf. On the first Sunday of every month, the streets near Railway Park come alive for the Byron Community Market. Farmers sell fresh produce, artisans offer handmade items, and local musicians perform there. It's the perfect way to kick off the month and spend a lovely Sunday morning or afternoon.
On any day of the week, visitors can seek out attractions like Cape Byron Marine Park for a kayaking adventure, a lighthouse tour, or whale watching. When it comes to annual events, the Byron Bay Bluesfest, held at the Byron Events Farm, is one of the best. The four-day music festival, usually over Easter weekend, attracts more than 100,000 visitors who are drawn to its entertainment lineup, diverse food options, retail vendors, bars, and beer garden.
Coffs Harbour
One of the many highlights that make Coffs Harbour's downtown area a big draw is the Big Banana Fun Park, a fun-for-all-ages amusement park with everything from thrill rides and water slides to ice skating and mini-golf activities. There is also a café, a gift shop, banana plantation tours, and nearby lodging options, such as BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort. Many of Coffs Harbour's wildlife attractions, like the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, Solitary Islands Aquarium, and Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, are a short drive away.
Visit the Jetty Strip on the southern side of Harbour Drive for a taste of its vibrant dining and nightlife scene. From Jetty Beach House's modern Australian cuisine to Bella's Pasta Bar & Pizzeria's Italian fare, there is something for everyone along the way. Early risers can enjoy a nice breakfast at Twenty46, while Element Bar is perfect for happy hour meetups or live music on the weekends. Sundays are well spent at Harbourside Markets along the Jetty Foreshores on Marina Drive.
Orange
Downtown Orange is home to the Orange City Centre, a shopping mall on Anson Street with specialty stores and retailers like Big W, Best & Less, and the Reject Shop. A few blocks down are cozy cafés like Nimrod's and Good Eddy, plus delightful eateries like Lords Place Thai Restaurant and Lucetta Dining. Further along Orange's downtown streets are attractions like Orange Regional Museum, which provides an insightful look at the area's past. Nearby, the Orange Regional Gallery showcases paintings, sculptures, and photography from talented Australian artists. From there, travel to Hill Street for a serene outing at Orange Botanic Gardens, which offers free admission daily.
Down on Summer Street, Cook Park is a beautiful park with traditional Victorian design features like expanded pathways, trees, gardens, and water fountains. A highlight is the Park Guildry, where you can find gifts ranging from handcrafted pottery to jewelry, baked goods, and produce. The park also has play areas, picnic tables, a conservatory, and an aviary featuring native birds. Take time to explore the area's history and everything it offers on a self-guided heritage walk.
Tamworth
Tamworth's downtown area gets busy in January every year as its annual Tamworth Toyota Country Music Festival, which happens to be the largest and longest country music festival in the Southern Hemisphere, takes place. Throughout the 10-day festival, country music lovers gather to hear local bands and big-name acts and enjoy other events, such as the Golden Guitar Awards. Those visiting the city in the summertime can look forward to attending the Hats Off To Country Music Festival, which usually occurs in July.
For more country music fun, the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame on Peel Street has memorabilia and various exhibits on display. A few steps from the attraction is the Capitol Theatre, a performance venue that hosts everything from jazz concerts and live comedy to family-friendly shows and musicals. Tamworth's arts scene is also worth exploring, with the remarkable Tamworth Regional Gallery offering free admission. Nearby, the Bicentennial Park offers relaxation with pathways, lush green spaces, and a large playground. It also hosts events, including farmers' markets, food festivals, and car shows, and is the site of a weekly running club.
Bellingen
Nestled in Bellinger Valley, there is so much to love about the charming town of Bellingen and its downtown area. On Doepel Street sits the historic Old Butter Factory Café, a popular dining spot open for breakfast or lunch. The eatery also offers a selection of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, housemade cakes, and pastries. After enjoying a hearty meal, check out the artisan shops housed there. Take a short walk from there to Waterfall Way to reach the Bellingen Golf Club before heading to Church Street for in-house beers, wood-fired pizza, and live music at Bellingen Brewing Co. With Bellinger River National Park not too far away, outdoor enthusiasts can spend time enjoying nature's beauty or water activities like kayaking, canoeing, and tubing along the river.
For a sense of what the Bellingen community is all about, the monthly Bellingen Community Markets event, held every third Saturday of the Month in Bellingen Park, features local artisans and farmers lined up along the streets. While there, pick up handmade soaps, artwork, handmade clothing, or even fresh produce. Live music throughout the event sets the tone for an enjoyable Saturday afternoon in the park. For other events unique to the town, the Bellingen Fine Music Festival, which takes place every September, brings together some of the finest Australian classical musicians.
Discover Vibrant Urban Areas In New South Wales
New South Wales in Australia has many cities and towns with incredible downtown areas worth visiting. From exploring Sydney, Australia's largest city, which boasts the historic Sydney Opera House, to Wollongong, home to the world-class venue WIN Entertainment Centre and the premier retail destination Wollongong Central, to a fun-filled day at Big Banana Fun Park in Coffs Harbour, these vibrant downtowns offer something for every traveler.
