New South Wales, or The First State as it is known, sits on Australia's east coast and with a population of 7.3 million is the most populated of all Australian states. With almost two-thirds of the state living in and around Sydney, there's plenty of excitement to be had in seeing the city's beautiful architecture and sunning yourself on the beach. But there's much more to the area than your typical beach holiday; the sheer size of the region makes car hire in New South Wales almost a foregone conclusion for anyone who wishes to get to grips with both the metropolitan and rural regions of eastern Australia.
Combine stunning performances with equally striking architecture by planning a trip to the Sydney Opera House; one of the highest-regarded constructions in all of Australia. The various venues within hosted almost 2,000 performances for well over a million fans in 2013, and guided 310,000 people around its hallowed halls. Approximately six hours northwest you'll find Warrumbungle National Park. Around 40,000 visitors per year enjoy the chance to see nature at its most appealing, as this former volcano range is home to many varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles - including cuddly-looking koalas around the creeks.
Make sure to plan in enough driving time wherever you're heading in New South Wales - some towns could be further away than you think, especially in rural areas. Needless to say, this part of the country experiences very hot weather so we'd definitely recommend taking plenty of drinking water in your car. Even the best engines (and drivers) can sometimes overheat so make sure you take regular driving breaks, and always have the number of a breakdown service on hand - your rental agency will be happy to provide you with cover options. Speed limits vary between each state, in both built-up areas and on the open road.