4 Best Sights in New South Wales, Australia

One of the most iconic and recognizable buildings in the world, and listed as a World Heritage site in 2007, the Sydney Opera House is a multivenue performing arts center and a unique architectural sight that wows more than 8 million visitors annually. While it sits pretty and worry-free today, this famous landmark had a long and troubled backstory. What should have taken Danish architect Joern Utzon four years and A$7 million to complete when commissioned in 1959, in fact took 15 years, A$102 million, and an additional team of Australian architects. Although you can access the building throughout the day and early evening, all you really get to see is the main foyer area, which is less than inspiring. To see the best of "the house" join one of the guided tours, which include the one-hour Sydney Opera House Tour, departing daily from the lower forecourt level between 9 and 5; and the two-hour backstage tour, departing daily at 7 am. Or book in to see many of the shows running in its five theaters.

Just north of the city, impossible to miss, is the Big Banana—the symbol of Coffs Harbour. This monumental piece of kitsch has stood at the site since 1964. It welcomes visitors to the Big Banana complex, which takes a fascinating look at the past, present, and future of horticulture. There's a multimedia display called "World of Bananas" and a walkway that meanders through the banana plantations and banana packing shed. The park is fantastic for kids and has varied rides all with different prices, including toboggan rides (A$7), a waterslide (A$19.50 for 90 minutes), an ice-skating rink (A$16.50), and laser tag (A$9.90). There's a café on the premises, as well as the Banana Barn, which sells the park's own jams, pickles, fresh tropical fruit, and frozen chocolate-covered bananas on a stick.

This was one of several forts built on headlands along Australia's shore in the mid- to late-19th century to defend the colony against a possible Russian attack. Built in 1882, its guns had never been fired in anger until June 8, 1942, when the fort returned fire from Japanese submarines in a little-known World War II confrontation called "the shelling of Newcastle"—the city sustained 34 shells but neither damage nor loss of life. The fort, situated on Flagstaff Hill in Newcastle's east end (not far from the railway station), was occupied by the Australian Army until 1972, after which it became a historic site. Although admission is free, a tour of the fort's tunnels is A$13, and a tunnel and fort tour is A$16. Tours run from 10:30, with the last one at 2:30.