Sydney is just the starting point to begin exploring this state of contrast and incredible diversity.  Located on the southeast coast of Australia, New South Wales offers an abundance of different experiences.  After visiting the capital, Sydney, one should experience the Blue Mountains, the snow-capped snow fields of the Snowy Mountains, the vineyards of Hunter Valley, and the red desert Outback around Broken Hill.   There are also miles of beautiful beaches and subtropical rainforests to experience.  The region has four seasons, which are the opposite of the calendar seasons in the U.S.  You can also drive north from Sydney along the beautiful Pacific Coast Touring Route to Brisbane, Queensland, a distance of  641 miles, or the adventurous can drive all the way to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef - another 1,000 miles north.  Or drive southwest to Canberra or Melbourne to pick up the spectacular Great Ocean Road.  New South Wales has a population of 6,663,700  and covers an area of 800,628 km.   The coastline is 1,247 miles long  and abounds with 140 national parks.  The state was named by Captain James Cook because he thought it looked like South Wales in Britain.