New South Wales (NSW) embodies the stereotypical image that most of the world have of Australia; beach life, throwing shrimps on the barbie, plentiful lifeguards, V8 Holdens wheel-spinning away from junctions, drinking slabs of bottled lager and shouting "G'day mate, how ye gawing". To be fair, that's a pretty accurate reality.

NSW is very much focussed on living the outdoor life. It's as though alarm clocks start ringing at 5am so people can get out running down the beach at first day break. An envious way of life if you've got the weather for it. It's not uncommon to see the beach packed with people for an iron man competition with steak sandwiches being cooked up before 8am in the morning.

So far we've enjoyed what we've seen in NSW. The variety is spectacular from sea, to beach, to forest and even snowy mountains. More to experience in the next couple of years ... watch this space.