Overview

New South Wales being the most populous state has a population of approximately 6.7 million people and is situated in the South East of the country. British settlers arrived in the state back in 1788 and the state became the core territory of the first British settlement in Australia. New South Wales is home to the country's oldest, largest and most famous city which is the state capital, Sydney. The state is also home to the Australia's capital city of Canberra. New South Wales is bordered by Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south and South Australia to the west.

Climate

New South Wales and Sydney in particular have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. The following information represents an average year in Sydney:

• Annual Rainfall:                  1217mm
• Average Temperature:         16C in winter and 26C in summer
• Days of Sunshine:              240

Much of New South Wales experiences a similar climate. Typically the climate is drier and warmer the further inland you progress as Sydneys climate in particular is influenced by oceanic factors.

Major Towns and Cities

Sydney

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the city most synonomous with Australia. Boasting the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House as well as Darling Harbour and Bondi Beach, Sydney is awash with landmarks and sights. In addition to the asethetics of the city, Sydney has a rich cultural mix with large European and Asian populations, which all contribute to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.

In addition to the social and cosmopolitan side of Sydney, the city is also the I.T and financial capital of Australia. If you are looking to progress your career, the best opportunities are in Sydney where large national companies and multinationals have their head offices.

Newcastle

160km North of Sydney, Newcastle is a beach fringed town with 300,000 inhabitants in the greater Newcatle area. Sharing much the same climate as Sydney, the town is a smaller more peaceful alternative to its illustrious neighbour. Still a working port, it serves the Hunter Valley and is the exit point for tonnes of raw materials which are exported.

Whilst the lifestyle is quieter and more relaxed, the town still has regular festivals and has an active sport and arts scene.

Wollongong

The third largest town in New South Wales, Wollongong is situated some 80km South of Sydney. An Industrial port, the town is home to some 265,000 Australians. As with most of the New South Wales coastline, pristine beaches are readily accessibl, with 17 easily accessible in the Wollongong area.

Whilst not an area popular with migrants, Wollongong does offer quieter suburban life with easy access to Sydney and the delights of the city.