Getting Oriented

New South Wales, with the country's capital city Canberra and the A.C.T. carved out in an area half the size of Rhode Island, covers the southeast corner of the country. Despite this being Australia's most populous state, the rich variety of landscapes is its biggest selling point. The Blue Mountains, a World Heritage site, lie approximately 100 km (60 mi) to the west of Sydney; the Hunter Valley is about 160 km (100 mi) or two hours north of Sydney. The North Coast is exactly where its name suggests, while Lord Howe Island is offshore, 700 km (435 mi) northeast of Sydney. Canberra is 288 km (180 mi) southwest of Sydney.