7 Hacks for a Stress-Free NSW Holiday

Every year, more than 40 million domestic or international tourists visit New South Wales, seduced by the pull of Byron Bay, Blue Mountains and, of course, Sydney.

While they all undoubtedly have different things they want to see, they equally share the common goal of wanting to enjoy their time away with as little hassle as possible.

But how can they go about ensuring that?

Here are seven hacks every visitor should adopt for a stress-free NSW Holiday.

1. Book Your Accommodation Early

As you can tell from its visitor numbers, New South Wales is a popular place to visit. So, if you plan to go there for any length of time, it is worth securing your accommodation well in advance of your arrival. Otherwise, you could find availability limited to more expensive options.

Generally speaking, overnight accommodation will be more expensive in cities than in country areas. Likewise, you’ll end up paying more in hotels than you will at Airbnbs.

Wherever you decide to stay, make sure you confirm booking the day before your arrival to avoid the disappointment of a potential mix-up.

2. Know what and where you will eat

There is nothing worse than arriving at a new destination late and desperately trying to find somewhere to eat when you are very hungry.

For this reason, it is worth doing some research before your trip to find at least one decent venue where you could dine on your first night. You don’t have to eat there if you find somewhere better, but it is good to have a backup just in case.

If you are staying in the NSW state capital and don’t fancy the idea of eating out every night or cooking something from scratch, you should consider the option of convenient Sydney meal delivery with FoodSt.

You’ll be able to order a range of international cuisines, including Cambodian Chicken Rendang, Eggplant Parmigiana and Chinese Chicken Fried Rice that are freshly cooked and delivered to you frozen. So, all you will need to do is heat them up when you are ready to eat.

3. Get travel tips from YouTubers and Bloggers

One of the best ways to enjoy a stress-free holiday in New South Wales is to get travel tips from YouTubers and bloggers who have already visited the places you are going to.

Often, these resources provide you with fascinating insights that will make your trip a lot easier. This could be anything from the best place to park for a particular hike to a recommendation for a hidden gem you’ve never previously heard of.

Overall, they provide a goldmine of information that not only saves you time, money and hassle but can also help you make memories that will stay with you for a very long time to come.

4. Use Apps

Thanks to advances in technology, the modern tourist has it much easier than those who travelled before the launch of the internet.

Today, there are plenty of apps that make travelling around New South Wales a breeze. One of the most useful is the National Public Toilet Map app, which highlights the location of the nearest bathroom facilities to your current location. Additionally, Google Maps and Waze provide detailed instructions on how to get to your intended destination.

Other useful apps include those that advise of the closest petrol and EV charging stations, where to find the nearest public car parks and platforms that enable you to book hotel accommodation.

All of these apps can provide you with much-needed assistance when required and also make your visit to NSW much easier than it otherwise might be.

5. Get an Opal Card

If you are planning on visiting Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains or both the Illawarra and Hunter regions and do not have a car, it would be worth getting yourself an Opal Card.

With these smartcard tickets, you can pay for public transport in all these regions, including buses, trains, light rail, and ferries.

This makes travelling from place to place much easier. Moreover, as there is a daily travel cap imposed on them, you’ll pay a maximum of $50 a week or $18.70 a day between Mondays and Thursdays or $9.35 on Fridays, at the weekend and on public holidays, regardless of where you go and how many times you use them.

6. Use National Park Passes

NSW is home to 225 national parks, including the Royal National Park, Kosciuszko and the magnificent Blue Mountains.

Most of these destinations require an entry fee, which can add up if you want to visit a few of them. For this reason, it is worth investing in a National Parks NSW pass.

This pass will entitle you to unlimited vehicle entry into every single national park in New South Wales for one or two years.

Having one makes entry much easier because you do not have to pay at the gate. Depending on how many parks you visit, you can also save quite a bit of money in the long run.

7. Stay Hydrated and Sun Safe

NSW can get very hot, especially in summer. Therefore, it is important to carry water and hydrolytes with you at all times. Doing this will significantly reduce the threat of becoming dehydrated, which could negatively impact your travel experience.

Additionally, you should wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat and avoid being out in the sun during the hottest parts of the day, especially if you are hiking or at the beach.