"Set on a 7,000-acre reserve between Wollemi National Park and the Gardens of Stone National Park, Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa is a luxury ecolodge backed by the dramatic canyons of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney , the resort consists of 40 stand-alone suites and two homesteads built from traditional timber and sandstone under steel roofing. Most materials were sourced within a 60-mile radius; the fence posts were found on the property, and fallen eucalyptus trees were milled into unique furniture pieces that make up the Wolgan Valley Furniture Collection. Environmental initiatives extend to rainwater collection, water recycling, solar panels for water heating, and the use of traditional windmills instead of electrical pumps.The resort was also built by local tradesmen and decorated with iron lamps and furnishings, artworks, and porcelain jugs created by artisans from the area. Aside from its setting, the most intriguing aspect of the property is an original farmhouse, built around 1832, that hosted Charles Darwin in 1836. Today, the homestead functions as a museum that highlights the Aboriginal, settler, and agricultural history of the valley. A fruit orchard and edible garden supplies the kitchen with organic herbs, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. A comprehensive program of activities was designed to take advantage of the inspiring Wolgan Valley region, which offers peaks to climb, glowworms to ogle, and many memorable food and wine experiences."

"Luxe Camping (Glamping) in NSW Featuring unique accommodations in luxury tents in Jervis Bay, Paperbark Camp is the epitome of the burgeoning trend of glamping. Set in the bush south of Sydney , this gorgeous place offers hot showers, good linen, and a near-solid roof over your head. There's a good restaurant in the camp. In the morning there are shrieking cockatoos and a cacophony of kookaburras. This is camping for the smart set, the great outdoors for the luxury inclined."

"Chef's Garden and Table, Central Coast A day trip from Sydney to Stefano Manfredi’s restaurant in the Central Coast national park, Manfredi at Bells, is worth the drive. The restaurant is sophisticated, with a casual coastal tilt. There's blue-and-white-striped awnings and starched white tablecloths, a sprawling garden outlook and the faint smell of the sea. The garden has a huge influence on the food the chef serves—he grows his own beans, tomatoes, arugula (rocket), silverbeet, chard, sorrel, onions and potatoes, and so much more. The garden spans about 500 square meters and supplies the restaurant with more than 15 percent of the produce on the menu. We visited the 50 free-range hens, which supply fresh eggs to the restaurant. Visitors can wander into the gardens and see the produce while they wait for their meal. Manfredi himself is often around to talk through the more usual vegetables, handing over leaves of sorrel or arugula to taste. Stay over in one of the little private cottages, which are quaint and luxurious. There's an outdoor pool for warmer months. Or pop down to the local beaches for crashing waves."

"Beachside Dining This Hawkesbury river boathouse looks like it's come straight from a shoot with Vogue. Elegant and casual, fun and cheery, it's worth taking a day trip to Palm Beach for. Red-and-white awnings hang over charcoal-painted tables where the white umbrellas don’t reach. Tin pots of orchids and tulips sit on stools. It's lazy, albeit very busy (be prepared to queue), and linen, jeans and flip-flop clad diners order from a large blackboard. The signature beer battered flathead and chips are light and crispy, served in a little wooden box. The pot of herby Boston Bay mussels are small and sweet. For breakfast, the fluffy French toast, piled up with mixed berries and drizzled with maple syrup and mascarpone, and the Boathouse baked beans are hard to beat."

"Step Towards Enlightenment in Australia Just over an hour south of Australia’s largest city is a more tranquil “largest,” the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere, Nan Tien Temple. This spiritual, educational and cultural refuge brings a bit of the east to the western world. Classic Chinese architecture accents this “Paradise of the South” with symmetrical structures like the tiered seven-level pagoda and ski-slope-roofed shrines including the Great Compassion Hall that features an intricate 16-handed Bodhisattva statue. Stroll the serene landscape to discover the lotus pond, tea garden, vegetarian dining hall and playful statue studded hillsides and to learn more about the Fo Guang Shan sect of Mahayana Buddhism that is practiced on-site. To end, meditate at the main Great Hero Hall under the powerful yet peaceful presence of five grand Buddha statues set in front of 10,000 miniature ones. Make the most of this moment to reflect and walk out the red doors into the world a more enlightened person. Tip: For those with time, spend a day or weekend with one of the temple’s retreats for a fully serene experience."

"Cave Tours in New South Wales Jenolan Caves offers guided tours through 11 cave systems, with many more caves still to be explored. The well-developed tours include caves with secure walkways, railings, and ample mood lighting (when necessary). Lodging and a variety of dining options are available for guests in the Cave House. Programing includes children's tours, ghost tours, night tours, murder mystery events, musical arrangements in the caves, and even wedding planning."

"Newcastle's Respite from City Life Take the train less than two hours north of Sydney for a relaxing weekend in Newcastle, a town of historic pubs, welcoming cafes, and beautiful beaches. A visit to the oddly named Bogey Hole is a quintessential Newcastle experience, as you can swim in the rock pool on the ocean carved by the convicts that populated the area. Known also as the Commandant's Baths, it was constructed for the Commandant of Newcastle's personal use in 1820."

"Shopping Trip to the Blue Mountains The Blue Mountains region, an hour and a half from Sydney , is renowned for its natural wonders, and for good reason. But these mountain towns aren't the podunk sort you might imagine. Leura, especially, has some amazing shops including Bespoke & Found (pictured), tucked up a narrow stairwell and lovingly arranged with such locally made treasures as hand-painted tea towels, embroidered pillows, wooden jewelry, woven rugs, and ceramic dishes. There's also a small room dedicated to vintage dresses and shoes. Inner Space is another highlight for its handcrafted furniture, modern lamps, cushions woven with images from Picasso and Miró paintings, and vintage Blue Mountains posters. The area is absolutely brimming with vintage and antiques stores and regularly holds craft and flea markets as well. When you're done shopping in Leura, grab lunch at Red Door cafe, which serves great sandwiches, salads, ginger beer, and cold drip coffee."

"The largest and most storied of the Sydney Harbour islands, Cockatoo was once an Aboriginal fishing ground, a naval shipyard, a girls' reform school, and a gruesome prison. Today, it offers fascinating walking tours, a casual café, and a number of events such as the Biennale of Sydney. When most visitors line up in the evening to catch the ferry home, those staying on the island are just setting off on a leisurely sunset stroll. They can watch the city light up from what feels like another world and then retreat to their campsite, canvas "glamping" tent, heritage home, or modern apartment until they wake up to birds and boats the next morning."