Every year from late May to mid-June, a stunning creativity and tech festival is held in Sydney, Australia. Vivid Sydney blends art, technology, and innovation with revolutionary thinkers, artists, musicians, and culinary experts leading the way. Dining experiences and food markets dazzle your palate with tantalizing new tastes (and live demonstrations!). Groundbreaking innovators and free-thinking minds lead deep discussions tackling questions that have captivated humanity for centuries (for example, “why do we sleep?”). Established and emerging artists weave stories through song and dance with live performances that transcend the ordinary (including celebrations of Australia’s Pacific-Islander community).

This 23-day festival transforms Sydney into a living, breathing work of art, with stunning 3D light and art installations scattered throughout the city. Some installations are community-made, inviting you to partake and make your own mark during the festival. Immerse yourself in this vibrant cultural gala and emerge a wholly different person.

Image Credit: Destination NSW

Reconnect with nature and yourself at the majestic Blue Mountains. Ever wanted to board the world’s steepest passenger train, or glide 270 meters (885 feet) above the ground and watch birds fly below you? You can get your adrenaline pumping and heart racing with adventures like these thanks to Scenic World Blue Mountains, a family-owned operation since 1945, that specializes in unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Alternatively, for those seeking less heart-pounding activities, there’s the family-friendly Three Sisters walk, presenting breathtaking views of these iconic weathered sandstone peaks. Striking the perfect balance between action and relaxation this UNESCO World Heritage – listed National Park is a walker’s dream, with over 140 kilometers or 87 miles of tracks and trails, ranging from gentle to truly challenging to accommodate your personal hiking experience and capabilities.

Image Credit: Destination NSW

Get officially koala-fied when you visit Guulabaa in the Cowarra National Forest on the NSW mid-North Coast. Meaning “place of koala” in the language of the Biripi people, Guulabaa hosts several exciting visitor experiences as well as opportunities for relaxation and learning. Enjoy Aboriginal art at the Bunyah Bilbay Cultural Centre, bounce around a tree canopy at WildNets, a fun and unique treetop experience, and learn about the ongoing rejuvenation of the koala species at the world’s first Koala breeding facility, operated by Koala Conservation Australia. Anyone who loves these adorable critters will get a thrill out of this incredible program set into motion following the 2019-2020 Mid-North Coast fires.

And for a moment of respite, there’s the Guulabaa Cathedral, providing seating for up to 150 people in a cool, relaxing space beneath the Hub, where you can take a break and reflect on all you have seen and experienced.

Image Credit: Destination NSW