ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DESTINATION GUIDE

Shelley HancockMember for South Coast

WELCOME MESSAGE: ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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On behalf of the NSW Government, welcome to the NSW South Coast for the Adventure Racing World Championships.

The NSW Government is proud to be supporting the event through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Over the course of ten days, the region will host over 240 athletes from as many as 30 countries to complete in the non-stop race that includes trekking, mountain biking and kayaking.

The NSW South Coast is a playground for surfers, cyclists, runners, and nature lovers alike, so it’s a fitting location to host this outdoor endurance event.

I encourage all visitors and competitors to take some time to experience everything this incredible region has to offer. From natural beauty to world class food and wine, great accommodation and shopping, there really is something for everyone.

I wish all competitors and their supporters the best of luck for the 2016 Adventure Racing World Championships.

From the iconic Harbour City to the ageless beauty of the state’s World Heritage Areas and its stunning coastline of more than 720 ocean beaches and marine reserves as well as the dramatic landscapes of the Outback, New South Wales is a playground of contrasts that is always open for you to explore.

Sydney is one of the world’s most loved cities and its lively and vibrant buzz makes it the ultimate destination throughout the year. There are always plenty of things to do – from world-class dining, shows and entertainment, to sightseeing and great walks or fun in the sand at one of Sydney’s sun-kissed beaches.

Australia’s history plays out indigenous caves, sandstone facades and gracious old pubs scattered throughout small country towns. Alternative lifestyles lure the free-spirited to the hinterland around Lismore, ski bunnies hit the slopes in the Snowy Mountains while surfers carve up the coast from the Tweed to Eden.

Naturally, with such diversity, New South Wales is ideal for adventure getaways – take your pick from kayaking, skiing, surfing, bushwalking, cycling, whale watching and even goanna pulling (not what it seems).

We invite you to enjoy New South Wales, the state that has it all.

Download our free digital travel guide for Sydney and Regional New South Wales, plus the special travel and event apps. Get started by heading to sydney.com and visitnsw.com.

There’s so much to love about New South Wales, offering holiday memories to last a lifetime.

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MUST-SEE SYDNEY1. Get beached in Bondi. You can’t go past

one of Australia’s most iconic beaches on your visit to Sydney. Take a dip in the waves, have a coffee or a cocktail at Icebergs. Dining Room and Bar, or try the coastal walk to nearby Bronte Beach.

2. Do dinner in Surry Hills. Sydney is a destination made for epicureans – and Surry Hill is a great locale to sample what’s on offer. Head to Nomad for its mouth-watering special degustation menu, or try Toko for modern Japanese at its finest, paired with fun first-class ambience.

3. Get a culture injection. Sydney offers up a veritable feast for art buffs year-around. Be sure to pay a visit to the Art Gallery of NSW and Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) to discover the season’s latest exhibitions.

4. Eat at Bennelong. With acclaimed chef Peter Gilmore at the helm, this is first-class food in a truly unforgettable location and is a dining must when you’re in town. Expect a focus on Australian produce and wine, such as Lady Elliot island bug or an innovative version of the Aussie lamington.

5. Shop in Paddo. Paddington, or ‘Paddo’ as locals affectionately refer to, is a style lover’s dream. Explore the leafy street and discover achingly hip designer boutiques nestled just off the main strip of Oxford Street. Hit the intersection for a cluster of top Australian designer brands, or visit the beautiful boutiques on William Street.

6. Have a drink at Opera Bar. Relax with a sunset tipple and lap up one the best views in town, then check out a show at the Sydney Opera House.

7. Wander through King Cross. Take in the sights by day, or try one of the various dining hotspots in nearby Potts Point, like Cho Cho San, by night.

8. Catch the ferry to Manly. Once there, test your balancing skills with a surfing lesson at Manly Surf School. When you’ve had enough of the waves, enjoy an afternoon tipple at Manly Wine Bar or the revamped Hugo’s at Manly Wharf.

9. Enjoy sparkling Darling Harbour. Whether you stroll along the waterfront and people-watch, eat at one of the many restaurants on the main strip, or enjoy a film on the big screen at IMAX, every visitor needs to embrace this entertainment hub.

10. Relax on a rooftop terrace. Sydney’s rooftop bars are a great way to soak up the scenery and the sunshine. Try the Butler in Potts Point for slick city vistas, the rooftop bar at Coogee Pavilion, or The Glenmore at The Rocks for sensational harbour views.

11. Walk, run (or climb!) over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Walk from the north side, appreciate the views, the finish up city-side with a kangaroo pizza at The Rocks Australian Heritage Hotel.

12. Explore Chinatown. Make sure you get your fix of Yum Cha or dumplings while you’re there.

13. Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Go it alone or book in for the Aboriginal Heritage Tour.

14. Experience the opera. For an unforgettable evening, catch a performance by Opera Australia at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

15. Splurge on a seaplane. The ultimate indulgent experience is to catch a seaplane and visit Jonah’s Whale Beach for lunch or dinner. It’s one of the most stunning ocean-side restaurants in Australia.

SYDNEY ADVENTURESUMMER FUN IN GREATER SYDNEYFrom multicultural taste sensations to whitewater thrills and walks through history, the suburbs west and southwest of Sydney offer an eclectic mix of summer treats. Created for Sydney’s Olympic Games, Penrith Whitewater Stadium is a whitewater rafting paradise. Sign up for an exhilarating rafting trip with an expert river guide, take a self-guided tour or try your hand at whitewater kayaking. More than 300m long, the course designed to test the skills of the world’s best paddlers now provides unlimited action for novices.

Sprawling across more than 400ha, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan incorporates hills, meadows, wild bushland, picnic areas, barbecues

and wetlands. It also provides a sanctuary for rare and endangered species, including its stand of 1000 Wollemi pines. While you’re welcome to hike the hills or watch the birdlife from wetland hides, the garden also encourages the unleashing of wilder passions. Fly a kite, fling a frisbee, play cricket, kick a football or ride a mountain bike on a 12km competition-standard mountain bike trail that dishes out the rough stuff.

Getting wet doesn’t get any better than at Wet’n’Wild Sydney, the aquatic fun park located at Prospect, just a 40-minute drive from the heart of Sydney. Ride the water slides, enjoy an adrenaline-pumping experience on the Aqua Tube, race your friends down the H2GO, soar through the

Riptide, take a ride into the dark side on T5 or indulge in a wild slalom as you zoom down six storeys on 360Rush. If that’s not enough, book in for an introductory session at iFly Downunder in Penrith, where you’ll be effortlessly lifted into flight inside a tall, glass tunnel.

Australia’s second-oldest European settlement, Parramatta is known as Sydney’s living museum. Bordering the Parramatta River, Parramatta Park incorporates woodlands, water features and an outstanding collection of historic buildings, including Australia’s first observatory and Old Government House.

As well as the giant ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park is home to a popular aquatic centre, hectares of parklands with walking and cycle paths, an Urban Jungle Adventure Park, an archery centre and Circus Arts Sydney, where aspiring high flyers can polish their raw talents on the trapeze in perfect safety. Cabramatta is Sydney’s own little Vietnam, a magic carpet ride to the Orient with all the flavour and bustle of a southeast Asian street market. A specialty at the thriving cafe and restaurant scene along John Street is pho (say “fur”), the beef broth with rice noodles that features on just about every Vietnamese breakfast table.1 Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney, 2 Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre, 3 Circus Arts Sydney

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SYDNEY & NSW FAMILY FUNANIMAL ENCOUNTERSSydney offers plenty of options for interacting with the creatures that hop, crawl, burrow and fly across this incredible island continent.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is the best place to see Australia’s marine life without getting wet. Located on the edge of Darling Harbour, just five minutes’ walk from the CBD, this dazzling aquarium displays the fish and reptiles that live in our rivers and oceans, including saltwater crocodiles from Australia’s tropical rivers and multi-coloured marine life from the Great Barrier Reef. Seethrough tunnels give you a fish-eye view of the underwater world while sharks and rays glide overhead.

Taronga Zoo is home to some of the superstars of the animal kingdom, including lions, komodo dragons, rhinos, red pandas, seals and snow leopards, in surroundings that recreate the animals’ natural habitats. Cute new faces helping to celebrate the zoo’s 200th anniversary

include a boisterous Australian sea-lion pup, a new addition to Taronga’s western lowland gorilla family and a koala joey.

Diving with sharks is the ultimate thrill, and that’s exactly what Shark Dive Xtreme at Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary is all about. After a full briefing, divers are kitted out in wetsuits and scuba gear before plunging into a tank with huge grey nurse sharks, giant stingrays and sea turtles. Suitable for anyone over 14, and accompanied by a divemaster. Located just a short stroll from the ferry wharf at Manly, the sanctuary features a spectacular ocean tunnel and a large collection of Australian marine animals.

At Doonside in Greater Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park is a rollcall of Australia’s extraordinary and elusive animals and birds. With a flourishing population of koalas, kangaroos, reptiles and birds, it offers a great opportunity for close encounters with some of the most remarkable species on the planet in their native habitats.

CULTURE CLUBWith an endless line-up of educational but thoroughly entertaining experiences in NSW, you’ll be able to win over the kids with real-life fun.

Budding horticulturalists and wildlife conservationists can sign up for a guided tour or check out the park heritage exhibition at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre on the state’s North Coast.

Others will be amazed to learn about the bizarre fish that once lived in our rivers — some had lungs, others had jaws like crocodiles — at the Age of Fishes Museum at Canowindra in Central NSW.

When it comes to learning all about the animal world, who could resist cheetah brothers Warrior and Vongani, residents at Port Macquarie’s Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park? They inhabit the grounds alongside mischievous meerkats, red pandas and snow leopards. For a zoofari option, there’s the award-winning Taronga Western Plains Zoo, within coo-ee of the Old Dubbo Gaol (should anyone need reminding of what life could be like for miscreants).

At the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby on the Central Coast, youngsters can watch a funnel-web being milked and venture into the snake venom room to see how life-saving anti-venoms are made.

The nearby Australia Walk about Wildlife Park is home to kangaroos, emus and wallabies, and you can check out bilbies and baby crocodiles as well as ancient Aboriginal rock art sites.

To find out more about Aboriginal traditions and culture, visit Waradah Aboriginal Centre at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains or, for a full-on adventure, journey into the Outback with Tri State Safaris, which operates one-day to 18-day tours out of Broken Hill.

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NSW SOUTH COASTStretching from Stanwell Park along the coast to Eden, the South Coast is a region of unspoilt natural beauty. Popular water-based activities include whale watching (May-Nov) and swimming with seals; the lush bushland is enjoyed by bush walkers, bird-lovers and bike riders. Local dairy farms have a long tradition of producing gourmet cheeses while pristine waterways form part of a 300km oyster trail. Explore the region by following the Grand Pacific Drive from Sydney to Wollongong.

Less than two hours from Sydney you can swim, surf, snorkel or dive around the beautiful beaches of Shellharbour. Located at the end of Bass Point, Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve is regarded as one of the best dive sites in NSW. Riding a beach segway around this verdant and unspoilt coastline is another great way to explore the region.

Some of the best Shellharbour surf beaches can be found in Killalea State Park, a National Surfing Reserve with 250 hectares of pristine coastal reserve.

Just over an hour further south you will find Kiama, a classic seaside town with great beaches surrounded by pastures and forests. Enjoy the stunning scenery and coastal views by following the beautiful Kiama Coast Walk. This spectacular 22km

trail weaves past headlands, rivers and beaches, taking in Blowhole Point. Kiama’s golf courses are also known for unrivaled views of the region.

From Kiama, head inland to immerse yourself in the serenity of Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park. Home to excellent walks and enchanting waterfalls, the Minnamurra Rainforest is a 15 minute drive from Kiama, past the picturesque Jamberoo.

Camp near the white sandy beaches of the Shoalhaven, visit one of its famous surf beaches, or choose from a range of pet-friendly accommodation. Explore the wonderful region bordered by mountains and green hinterland by taking a inland trip to the charming country towns of Berry, Milton, or Kangaroo Valley.

Jervis Bay National Park is well known for its beautiful beaches, towering cliffs and lush national parkland. Make the most of the white sand and pristine blue wayers by kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and fishing. Or bring nature right to your doorstep by following the White Sands Walk around Jervis Bay. You can also enjoy the brillant birdlife around the great camping and picnic spots.

Continue south and watch sleek fur seals play in the wild at Montague Island, just off the coast of Narooma. Try fishing for mulloway, whiting and bream in the pristine estuaries of the Eurobodalla. Wander through the growers’ markets, an integral part of the region’s hinterland villages.

Visit Ben Boyd National Park, located just south of Eden near the Victorian border. The epic Light to Light walk winds 31km past spectacular headlands and beaches, and offers the opportunity to spot whales, eastern grey kangaroos, echidnas and white-bellied sea eagles.

The coastal walks along the Sapphire Coast also make great viewpoints for whale watching during winter and spring.

ROAD TRIPThe 138km Grand Pacific Drive touring route crosses the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge and passes through seaside villages north of Wollongong. The Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive (1,033km) continues the scenic drive south.

From Canberra, it’s less than a two-hour drive to Batemans Bay via historic Bungendore and Braidwood.

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BLUE MOUNTAINSJust 90 minutes’ drive west from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations. Small towns and villages spread along a narrow escarpment are surrounded by the sandstone cliffs and deep valleys that make up the vast Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

This extraordinary landscape offers a perfect backdrop for activities ranging from bushwalking and bird-watching to canyoning and abseiling. Visit Jenolan Caves, Scenic World at Katoomba and Wollemi National Park. Stay at award-winning resorts or quaint B&Bs, browse galleries and antiques shops, play golf and wander through pretty seasonal gardens.

EXTEND YOUR STAY IN NSW

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDSRelax and unwind among the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands, with a cool climate and rich soil known for producing award-winning wines, and exquisitely manicured gardens. Surrounded by national parks and nature reserves, the area boasts an impressive range of walking trails, scenic lookouts and other natural marvels to explore, such as Fitzroy Falls. Whether you’re looking for a challenging outdoor adventure or to savour some quiet time encircled by ancient forests, the Southern Highlands is brimming with outdoor experiences.

Only 90 minutes drive south of Sydney, the area is renowned for its heritage villages and old world charm. Head to Bowral, Bundanoon, Berrima, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Kangaroo Valley or one of the region’s many small villages to discover rustic local eateries and eclectic boutiques and savour the quiet country setting.

De-stress with a soothing spa treatment, a relaxing massage session or by making your way to one of the Southern Highlands’ tranquil bushland lookouts. Unwind in a cosy bed and breakfast or put your feet up in a grand country manor. For indulgence of a different kind, satisfy your tastebuds with flavoursome local produce plated at one of the area’s restaurants or head to a cellar door to sample local cool climate wines.

Home to fertile soils, the gardens of the Southern Highlands are renowned for their diverse and vibrant flora. Find fragrant roses blossoming during the summer, bulbs flowering throughout the autumn months or enjoy the colourful blooms of tulips on show at the Bowral Tulip Time Festival during spring.

SNOWY MOUNTAINSHome to exhilarating alpine wilderness and Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, the Snowy Mountains presents a stunning vista of rivers, mountains and glacial lakes.

Enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snow-play at Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snowfields; when the snow melts, highaltitude landscapes, lakes and waterways are the perfect natural setting for adventure. Trek to the top of Mt Kosciuszko, enjoy worldclass mountain biking and road cycling, go bushwalking and hiking, explore Yarrangobilly Caves, go fly fishing (obtain a fishing licence or go with a registered guide) and horse riding. Discover fine food and wine, including Tumbarumba’s renowned sparkling wines, or beer and schnapps, and explore exhilarating alpine routes.

Snow season runs from early June to early October.

ROAD TRIPThe Kosciuszko Alpine Way (108km from Jindabyne to Khancoban), the Snowy Mountains Highway (180km from Tumut to Cooma), the Snowy Valleys Way (140km from Khancoban to Tumut via Tumbarumba), the Monaro Highway (south from Canberra) and the Elliott Way (69km from Tumbarumba to Cabramurra) all pass through stunning landscapes.

The region also provides some of the best motorcycling routes in Australia, including the Snowy Valleys Way, Snowy Mountains Highway, Monaro Highway, Cann River Highway, Alpine Way, Elliott Way, Tooma Road and Batlow Road. Twowheel-drive vehicles require snow chains from the June long weekend to the October long weekend. Tumut is the northern gateway to the Snowy Mountains; it’s an easy hour’s drive from Tumut to the Selwyn Snowfields.

ROAD TRIPThe most direct route is west from Sydney CBD on the M4 Motorway; the drive to Katoomba takes less than two hours. An alternative scenic route via Bell’s Line of Road starts at Richmond and continues through to Mt Tomah and Bell, and across to Mt Victoria (a little over two hours in total). The Greater Blue Mountains Drive (1,200km on major roads) encompasses some of the region’s best natural attractions, with a series of discovery trails branching off the main route.

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IT’S ON! IN NSWSCULPTURE BY THE SEA Celebrating 20 years! The world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, is back and celebrating 20 years!! One of Sydney’s most loved events, the outdoor sculpture exhibition returns to the stunning Bondi to Tamarama coast walk. See the spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk transformed into a two kilometre long temporary sculpture park featuring over 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world.

When: 20 October – 6 November 2016Where: Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney, Australia

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EDEN WHALE FESTIVALSpend a few days in Eden, 546km south of Sydney, and join in the celebration of one of the greatest migrations on earth this spring.

There’s no better place to have a close encounter with whales plus a great adventure in an unspoilt coastal wilderness. The festival combines whale watching from shore and sea, and even under sail, with seafood and local produce, tours, live shows, hands-on family fun, street theatre, film and music.

So if you love adventure in the great outdoors, make sure you keep the first weekend in November free and head to beautiful Eden.

When: 28 - 30 October 2016Where: Eden

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SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE -THE OPERA (THE EIGHTH WONDER)The story of the Sydney Opera House does not shy away from drama. With more twists and turns than most operas, this is a tale you couldn’t make up. The architect walked out. The Premier died. The costs ballooned and the fate of one of the world’s most iconic buildings hung in the balance.

From the producers of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, now experience outdoor opera in an exciting new setting. Enter a nostalgic Australian wonderland of Hills Hoists and cricket pitches, settle into your seat, enjoy a glass of wine from one of the many bars, and gaze up at the Sydney Opera House, the stunning backdrop for The Eighth Wonder.

The 100-metre wide steps of the Sydney Opera House will transform into an opera stage for the first time ever, harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver a story that shaped the cultural landscape of Australia. Platforms will glide across the steps, delivering the fast-paced action. Giant screens will unfurl to display historic photos and giant glowing balls of paper, projections and lighting effects will complete the son et lumière spectacle.

This is Sydney’s story writ large, with as much behind-closed-doors scheming as you’d expect from a story about NSW.

When: 28 – 29 October& 3 – 5 November 2016Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt

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Peter Lundberg, open, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, 2015. Photo Gareth Carr

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SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL ART SERIES TATSUO MIYAJIMA: CONNECT WITH EVERYTHING.Be captivated by hundreds of twinkling lights this summer as the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia features the works of acclaimed Japanese artist Tatsuo Miyajima.

This Sydney-exclusive exhibition will include immersive installations, technology-driven sculptures and video and performance works from the beginning of Miyajima’s career to the present, as part of the 2016-2017 Sydney International Art Series.

Central to Miyajima’s practice are numerical counters that count from 1 to 9 using light emitting diodes (LEDs). Presented en masse, in vast groupings with contrasting speeds and colours, Miyajima’s

counters symbolise both the multitude of humanity as well as the individual, with their varied tempos and flashing colours. They also reflect time’s central importance in our lives and draw inspiration from Buddhist philosophy, with its exploration of mortality and human cycles of life, death and renewal.

After your visit, head to the MCA Cafe on our rooftop terrace, sample our Japanese-inspired menu and soak in the uninterrupted Sydney Harbour views. Or chill out over yakitori, gyoza and sake-based cocktails at our pop-up Cherry Blossom Bar on the MCA front lawn.

When: 3 November 2016 – 5 March 2017Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

mca.com.au/miyajima

SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL ART SERIESNUDE: ART FROM THE TATE COLLECTIONIn a partnership between Tate, London and the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney, Nude: art from the Tate collection will present over 100 major representations of the nude, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Lucian Freud, Henri Matisse and Louise Bourgeois.

At the heart of the show lies the world’s most famous image of erotic love, Auguste Rodin’s sculpture The kiss 1901-04. Other notable works include Pierre Bonnard’s The Bath 1925, Picasso’s Nude Woman in a Red Armchair 1932 and Ron Mueck’s Wild Man 2005.

Each artist in the exhibition offers a different way of looking at the naked human body. Some look tenderly; some idealise it; some look anxiously or politically. Together they show how the nude in art has persisted yet changed, shifting shape and acquiring new meanings in the hands of successive generations, from the idealising painters of the Victorian era to the artist-provocateurs of our time.

When: 5 Nov 2016 – 5 Feb 2017Where: Art Gallery of NSW

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EMIRATES AUSTRALIAN OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPSThe world’s best golfers will return in 2016 to compete in the Emirates Australian Open at the Royal Sydney Golf Club - the 15th time the Sydney icon will have hosted the championship first staged in 1904.

In the time since that first championship, the Open has evolved from humble beginnings to once being rated by the likes of Nick Faldo, Raymond Floyd and Jack Nicklaus as the world’s “fifth major” championship.

It has been the stage for the game’s greatest players as they have battled to claim Australian golf’s most prized silverware – the Stonehaven Cup. It is of no surprise then, that the names engraved on that cup are synonymous with major

championship history, there’s; Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Australian greats Peter Thomson, Greg Norman.

The Emirates Australian Open grow’s in stature among the world’s players every year. The field is always strong and Royal Sydney should be a great test. World golf sensation and world number one, Australia’s Jason Day is set to take on Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and a whole host of the world’s best golfers for the staging of the 101st Emirates Australian Open, 17 - 20 November.

Don’t miss the one event every player wants to win, join in the action as the world’s best battle it out for the most esteemed trophy in Australian Golf, the Stonehaven Cup.

When: 17 – 20 November 2016Where: Royal Sydney Golf Club, Rose Bay

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Auguste Rodin The kiss (Le baiser) 1901–04. Tate: Purchased with assistance from the Art Fund and public contributions 1953 Photo: © Tate London, 2015