Are you interested in living and settling in NSW?

New South Wales offers a multitude of experiences, with plenty of things to see and do which suit all tastes and interests. Read on to find information on almost everything that is associated with moving to NSW…

Introduction to New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW), a southeastern Australian state, is a heavily industrialized state with a profound urban community. With a population of around 6.7 million, it is one of the most densely populated states in Australia. It was founded as the first and foremost British colony that gradually got reduced due to the formation of other newer states and territories, as much of Australia was reborn.

NSW houses the oldest and one of the most significant cities of Australia Sydney. New South Wales extends to the Australian capital region ACT and towards the east, it extends till the subtropical island Lord Howes.

NSW is renowned for its diverse natural treasures; the main attraction of New South Wales being is its endless beaches. In fact, Irrespective of your taste in terms of tourist spots and scenic beauty, you are sure to have a wonderful and a thrilling experience in New South Wales in Australia.

History of New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) was a colony of the Aboriginal tribes for many hundreds of years until Lieutenant James Cook, along with his fleet of 11 ships, came across Australia. As he navigated past the east coast and finally docked at Botany Bay, he made a second settlement at Norflok Island. Captain Phillip later renamed Botany Bay as New South Wales. Further settlements towards the interior of Australia were limited due to the Blue mountain ranges that hindered the settlers from crossing the mountains. Nevertheless, settlements began expanding rapidly from 1813 onwards, which led to the first town of Bathurst.

Around the early 1800s, Sydney became prosperous and was transformed into a busy port destination. Huge construction work sprang up and land was cleared for growing vegetables, fruits and possibly windmills. In 1809, Governor Macquarie was posted in Sydney by the British government to enforce laws so that Sydney could be upgraded into a highly civic society with efficient planning and construction. By the end of the Thirties, construction and development extended to the foothills of the Blue mountain ranges and further the Darling Rivers, Macquarie, Murrumbidgee and Lachlan were thoroughly explored.

The late 19th century witnessed the Gold rush that speeded up the expansion and settlements, but farming and agriculture still continued to be the main occupation of this region. Towards the early part of the 20th century, New South Wales witnessed Industrial revolution, that included coal mining in the Illawarra belt and the Hunter Valley.

Industrial growth also saw the introduction of the steel and ship building industry. Agriculture continued to be practiced by a large population. However revenues generated from farming dipped while Sydney made progress and saw the beginning of service industries, finance, tourism, information and technology.

Geography of New South Wales

Many charming and attractive landmarks surround New South Wales, which makes it a wonderland in the true sense. Sydney is the largest city of Australia and it has a population of 6.7 million. Wollongong and Newcastle are the two other major cities. The most beautiful sites of New South Wales are located outside the metropolitan area of Sydney.

Based on the natural features, NSW is divided into four major geographical zones covering the northern and southern landmarks. NSW covers a total of 1460 kilometers of coastline that includes the low-lying land as well. The Great Dividing Range comprises of a plateau that extends from 50 kilometers to 160 kilometers, forming the tablelands that allows the rivers to meet inland. Mount Kosciusko is the highest peak on the Snowy mountain range and is about 2228 meters. The most fertile land strips are the Western slopes with its rich plains that receive abundant rainfall to sustain cultivation of crops. Nearly two-thirds of the state comprises of the western plains with rich and fertile soil, but unfortunately experience poor rainfall, high temperature, very limited water influx from the major rivers, thus restricting agricultural growth and development. The Murray Darling system is part of the inland rivers that transport at least two-thirds of the water to the state. The chief rivers are Macleay, Clarence, Hawkesbury, Hunter, Hawkesbury, Hunter, Namoi, Gwydir, Macquarie-Bogan and Castlereagh.

Climate of New South Wales

The climatic conditions in New South Wales vary depending on the different geographical regions of the state. The Snowy Mountains receive substantial snowfall that attracts skiing activities in July and September. In mid-winter, the snowfall can touch as low as 800 meters, thus paving the way for beautiful landscapes through the interior of the state while the deserts fail to maintain 15ºC, and the coastal areas drift between 9-17ºC in July. However, Tweed Heads and Byron Bay, which are located in the north coast of New South Wales, have milder weather during the winter ranging from 18-20ºC, which promotes swimming between October and March. In summer, the cities and towns situated in the middle of the state continue to experience high temperatures between 30-40ºC. All activities such as restaurants, transport and communications continue to operate throughout the year. Beach activities are best enjoyed during the summer holidays between December to February, while winter activities are best suited for August to September.

One should avoid visiting Sydney during the summer, as its too hot and humid and the cost of accommodation during these months usually are very high. Autumn and spring are best for indulging in extracurricular activities such as walking, jogging and sightseeing.

More Information on New South Wales

If you are looking for more on information on New South Wales you can visit http://wikitravel.org/en/New_South_Wales, which includes information on getting into NSW, getting around, what to see, do, eat, drink, sleep, cope and staying safe in NSW.

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