Whether you crave sea air, rolling hills or tropical rainforest, NSW is home to many wonderful places to work remotely.

Experiences Are Forever

17 November 2020

We’re all hating on 2020 right now and with good reason.

But looking at life through Covid-tinted glasses isn’t all bad. It has brought us one precious gift: the ability to work remotely.

No longer can your micromanaging boss label you a bludger for working from home. It’s now expected and often preferred.

So, what’s to stop you from trading chaos and smog for tranquility and fresh air? Don’t you deserve space to roam naked without being caught on your partner’s zoom calls? Or a place to do Yoga, free of your flat mate’s face-licking dog?

You deserve all these things and more, which is why we’ve brought you this list of the 10 Most Beautiful Places To Work Remotely In NSW. A selection of rural and coastal gems chosen to make all your sea change fantasies come true. Each destination boasts clean air, lush scenery, laid-back vibes and space in abundance.

Table of Contents

1. Bellingen
2. Kangaroo Valley
3. Byron Bay
4. Blue Mountains
5. Crescent Head
6. Mudgee
7. Eden
8. Orange
9. Port Stephens
10. Southern Highlands

1. Bellingen

The first on our list of the Most Beautiful Places To Work Remotely In NSW is Bellingen. Five-and-a-half-hours north of Sydney, Bellingen is a peaceful haven for artists and nature lovers situated on the Bellinger river.

Blessed in its proximity to the idyllic Dorrigo National Park and its World-Heritage listed rainforest, a trip to Bellingen will suit those looking to cleanse their smog filled lungs and get back to nature.

Highlights:

Activities: Check out Hamden Bridge – Australia’s last surviving wooden suspension bridge and visit the Pioneer Settlement Museum. You can also kayak, bushwalk, horse ride, mountain bike, do Yoga, play golf or tennis and fish.

Food & Drink: Kangaroo Valley is known for its epic pies, which you can buy from Kangaroo Valley Pies (they are doing takeaway only at present due to Covid). There’s also the Kangaroo Valley Fudge House and Ice Creamery and cooking classes with long table lunches showcasing the region’s produce at Flavours of the Valley.

If it’s coffee and breakfast you’re after, then The General Café is a great pick.

There’s a cellar door at Yarrawa Estate and a great local pub called The Friendly Inn for those who like a drink.

Kangaroo Valley.

3. Byron Bay

Byron Bay is famous for its awesomeness, just ask the whole raft of Hollywood stars who have traded in L.A for its blonde sand shores.

A good eight-hours’ drive or a one-hour flight from Sydney, Byron Bay has it all. Here you’ll find amazing beaches, bushwalks, plenty of activities, great cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and a fun atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for those who want their sea change with a side of city comforts.

Highlights:

Activities: There’s a lot to do in Byron: surf lessons, snorkelling, diving, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, Yoga, Pilates, day spas, shopping, sky diving, ballooning and more. The stunning Cape Byron Walking Track is also must do.

Beaches: Wategos Beach is paradise found and watching the sunset here is bliss. Little Wategos around the corner is also lovely. The Pass is the go-to spot for surfers as it has the longest right-hand point break in the bay.

10-minutes south of Byron is Broken Head Beach within the Broken Head Nature Reserve. There are other secluded beaches here, walking tracks, breathtaking views and BBQ and picnic facilities.

Food & Drink: Byron is full of quality cafes and restaurants. The iconic Rae’s at Wategos Beach restaurant is a standout, as is Three Blue Ducks at The Farm and Harvest Newryba. Great cafes include Bay Leaf and Folk.

Nearby Towns: Byron Bay is hugged by several towns worth exploring, including Nimbin, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Lennox Head.

4. Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are only an hour west of Sydney but feel far from the chaos.

Looking out over the navy-hued mountains and valleys, it’s impossible not to let out a “coo-ee” when taking in the vastness of this untouched wilderness.

Besides being a great place to chill out and work remotely, there are tonnes of things to do here. Such as bushwalks and adventure activities that allow you to explore the area, as well as quaint, historical towns to visit, shopping boutiques and lovely cafes and restaurants to try.

Important note: In some more remote Blue Mountains locations internet and phone service can be patchy so check the quality with your host/hotel before you book.

Highlights:

Activities: Bushwalks including the multi-day Six Foot Track, abseiling, mountain biking, canyoning, horse riding, visit a day spa, Jenolan Caves, Scenic World, shopping boutiques, museums, art galleries and much more.

Food & Drink: There are tonnes of great places to eat including: Pins on Lurline and Darley’s in Katoomba, Silk’s Brasserie in Wentworth Falls and The Red Door Café in Leura.

There are also wineries and cellar doors such as Dry Ridge Estate and Megalong Creek Estate or the Zig Zag Brewery and Bilpin Cider Co. for beer and cider lovers.

Blue Mountains Towns: There are many adorable towns to explore including Leura, Glenbrook, Bilpin, Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.

5. Crescent Head

Crescent Head has long been a favourite of east coast beach goers and surfers alike. Situated on the NSW Mid North Coast, the town is just under five-hours’ drive from Sydney or a one-hour flight to nearby Port Macquarie.

Beach lovers looking to escape the hustle and bustle, will enjoy Crescent Head’s laid-back lifestyle and sublime sandy shores. While surfers and outdoorsy types will relish the epic surf breaks, national park and nature reserve.

Highlights:

Activities: There’s lots to do in Crescent Head: bushwalk, canoe, swim, fish and bird watch in the Lime Burners Creek National Park.

Surf, snorkel, bushwalk and spot whales, turtles and dolphins in the Goolawah Reserve and its 10km of beaches, bushland and heritage sites of the Dunghutti people.

Head to the Crescent Head lookout for spectacular panoramic views of the area.

Surfing: Crescent Head is a National Surfing Reserve and the home of the Malibu Classic. The next comp is scheduled for the 27-30th May 2021. This may change due to Covid.

Top surf spots are found at Killick Beach, famous for its long, right-hand break and Point Plomer, Goolawah Beach and Delicate Beach/ Nobby.

Food & Drink: For a drink and a great pub meal with a view try the Crescent Head Country Club. For a good coffee and breakfast spot try Blackfish Café.

6. Mudgee

Mudgee is three-and-a-half-hours north-west of Sydney by car or an hour’s flight from Sydney. But we recommend a road trip to get an eyeful of that exquisite country scenery.

If you love wide open spaces, charming country towns and good food and wine, then get to Mudgee ASAP. It’s rich pioneering history, striking rural landscapes and epicurean excellence make it one of the best towns in NSW.

Highlights:

Wine: Home to some of Australia’s oldest and highest vineyards, Mudgee has many exceptional wineries. Standout cellar doors include Lowe, Logan and we loved the Short Sheep Winery for its delicious vino and because they let us pat the short-legged lambs that eat the grass around the vines!

Food: There are loads of cafes and restaurants in Mudgee featuring local produce. Elton’s, The Butcher Shop Café and Alby + Esthers are great café options. Pipeclay Pumphouse at the Robert Stein vineyard or Zin House at Lowe Wines are your top-rated fine dining restaurants.

Activities: Explore Wollemi National Park, where you can kayak, paddle board, swim, bushwalk or rock climb. Enjoy local shopping boutiques, day spas, cooking schools, museums, do some hot air ballooning and more.

7. Eden

Roughly a six-hour drive from Sydney on the NSW Sapphire coast, Eden is a natural paradise.

Twofold Bay is Eden’s crowning glory and one of the deepest natural harbours in the Southern Hemisphere.

Ben Boyd National Park which spans 47km across the coastline is another of Eden’s natural treasures. It features crystal clear waters, secluded inlets perfect for swimming and snorkelling, scenic bushwalking tracks and camping spots.

Highlights:

Whale watching: Take a boat tour from September to November to see Humpback, Baleen and Toothed whales migrating to Antarctica. Or watch from viewing spots throughout town. Visit in November to join the celebration of the annual Eden Whale Festival.

Activities: Explore Ben Boyd National Park where you can swim, snorkel, surf, kayak, bushwalk and fish. You can also snorkel and scuba dive in Two-Fold Bay.

There’s also the Eden Killer Whale Museum, Potoroo Palace wildlife sanctuary, golf at the Eden Gardens Country Club and the Magic Mountain fun park.

Food & Drink: Eden is known for its delicious, locally sourced seafood such mussels, oysters, fish and abalone. Try some of the local catch at Eden Fish & Chips.

Overlooking Two-Fold Bay, the Great Southern Inn is a good place for a drink and a casual meal.  And Sprout is a great café option.

8. Orange

A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, this thriving, cosmopolitan town has so much to offer. Not only is it surrounded by stunning landscapes, it’s also a beautiful town with an interesting history that is famous for its exceptional food and wine.

In recent years, city-dwellers have been flocking to Orange to work remotely. Here they have been enjoying the fresh air and wide-opens spaces without sacrificing the pleasures of great restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.

Highlights:

Food: Orange is one of Australia’s top food and wine destinations with exceptional local produce including apples, exotic fruits, meats and cheeses. The 10-day Orange F.O.O.D Festival, next held in April 2021, showcases the region’s best producers. (Check this link to confirm dates as they may change due to Covid.)

There are over 70 cafes and restaurants in Orange. Top options include Charred, Tonic, Mr Lim and Birdie. Byng Street Local Store and Groundstone Cafe are favourites for breakfast and coffee.

Wine: The high altitude and mineral rich soil makes Orange idyllic for growing cold climate wines. Stand out cellar doors and wineries include: Printhie, Rowlee and De Salis.

Orange Wine Festival or Wine Month is held in spring each year and coincides with the bloom of the cherry blossoms.

Other activities: Take a tour of Orange and learn about its history, visit surrounding towns and historical museums, bushwalk in the Nangar National Park, go ballooning in Canowindra, fruit pick, enjoy regional Australia’s best shopping, golf, or learn about the traditional owners of the land – the Wiradjuri people.

10. Southern Highlands

Only an hour-and-a-half from Sydney, the Southern Highlands is a popular weekend getaway spot for Sydneysiders.

Filled with beautifully restored colonial architecture, impeccable gardens and estates, the region is famous for its adorable towns modelled after English villages.

Foodies and wine lovers also take pleasure in the delicious local produce served in its restaurants and cafes and its emerging wine scene.

Highlights:

Towns: Bowral is the largest town. It features antique shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques, quality restaurants and cafes and plays host to the annual tulip festival. Cricket fans will also find The Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral.

Other lovely Southern Highlands towns to visit include Berrima, Mittagong and Robertson. Kangaroo Valley is also a part of the Southern Highlands.

Nature: Bushwalk in the Morton National Park, the Lover’s Walking Track between Echo Point and Bonnie View or at Mt Gibraltar. There are also cycling tracks in the area and the picturesque Fitzroy, Belmore and Carrington Falls.

Food: Bowral is a foodie heaven. Boasting award-winning local produce including meats, cheese, truffles, olives and a variety of fruit and veg. There are also many cafes and award-winning restaurants in which you can try these local delights.

Restaurants Birch, Eschalot and Onesta Cuchina will all hit the spot, as will cafes such as Highlands Merchant, The Press Shop and Rush. Or try a quaint country pub with delicious food such as the Burrawang Village Hotel or the Robertson Public House and Kitchen.

Wine: The Southern Highlands is another region that specialises in cold climate wines thanks to its high altitude and fertile soil. Top wineries include: PepperGreen Estate, Tertini Wines and Centennial Vineyards.

Important! Before booking your remote working holiday always check the quality of the internet at your destination to ensure that you can actually work. Or don’t check if you prefer and use it as an excuse to go outside and explore your beautiful new surroundings!

Did we miss your favourite? Tell us which town you think is the best to work remotely from in NSW!