Birding Spots in New South Wales: Some of our Favourite Places

Looking for some great (and a little different) birding spots in New South Wales? Here are four locations we really like, from coastal wetlands to valleys to urban habitats.

This is part two of our LYFER series exploring some of our favourite places to go birding across Australia. We’re still getting around to them all, so this series includes places we’ve been to, places high on our hit list, and a few favourites shared by others in the birding community. Thanks to those who have contributed too.

Like many of you, we don’t see birding as being all about the twitch. It’s often about the destination too, the places it takes you, and the areas you might not have otherwise explored.

New South Wales has some special birding spots, and there are many more than those included in this article. We always like to include an urban spot, so that’s why one minute you can be birding in the middle of Sydney, the next you’re standing in a valley with a chance to see one of Australia’s rarest birds.

If you’re new to birding, have a read of the Modern Birder’s Guide for a simple starting point.

We’ll keep updating this as we find new favourites. If there’s somewhere you think should be here, we’re all ears.

Birding Spots in New South Wales

Sydney Olympic Park / Homebush 

Map Link: Sydney Olympic Park

Urban birding, done properly.

Sydney Olympic Park is a reminder that great birding doesn’t always mean getting far away from the city. Right in the middle of Sydney, Homebush brings together wetlands, mangroves, waterways, ponds, grasslands and restored habitat.

That mix makes it one of the best urban birding locations in NSW.

The Waterbird Refuge is a major drawcard, but the broader park is worth exploring too. Different pockets offer different birds, from waterbirds and reedbed species to raptors, lorikeets, swallows and the everyday birds we love too.

Hero bird:

Bar-tailed Godwit

Time to allow:

2–3 hours

Why it stands out:

• One of Sydney’s best urban birding locations
• Wetlands, mangroves and restored habitat
• Great for newer birders
• Easy to return to regularly

Boyters Lane Wetlands, South West Rocks 

Map Link: Boyters Lane Wetlands

Coastal birding with a bit of magic.

Near South West Rocks, Boyters Lane Wetlands brings together rehabilitated bushland, mangroves, salt marsh and wetland habitat. It is easy to access, but still feels like one of those places you could easily drive past if you didn’t know to stop. Which is half the fun!

There’s a bird hide, walking tracks, open water, reeds, edges, and plenty of places to pause. It’s the kind of spot that works well when you slow down and let the birds appear in their own time.

Hero bird:

Black-necked Stork

Time to allow:

1–2 hours

Why it stands out:

• Coastal wetland birding
• Easy walking and bird hide access
• Impressive birds just waiting for you to discover them

Lake Cargelligo, Central West NSW 

Map Link: Lake Cargelligo

Big country, big skies, and big birding!

Lake Cargelligo is one of those places that is a real experience. It sits in Central West NSW, with lakes, wetlands, river country, mallee, open roads and that unmistakable country feeling.

Around the lake and nearby wetland areas, you can find pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, spoonbills and other waterbirds. Head further out and the broader area opens into mallee and inland birding, which gives the whole region a very different feel to the coast or city.

Hero bird:

Pink Cockatoo

Time to allow:

Half day to full day

Why it stands out:

• Strong wetland and inland birding
• Nearby mallee habitat
• A proper NSW birding road trip

Capertee Valley National Park

Map Link: Capertee Valley National Park

One of NSW’s great birding landscapes.

The valley brings together woodland, cliffs, open country and big views. It’s serious birding country! For many birders, Capertee Valley is closely tied to the Regent Honeyeater, one of Australia’s rarest birds. Seeing one should never be treated as expected, but knowing the valley plays a part in its conservation gives the place an added weight.

Even without a rarity, Capertee delivers. Honeyeaters, parrots, robins, raptors and woodland birds all make this a place worth returning to.

Hero bird:

Regent Honeyeater

Time to allow:

Full day, or longer if you can

Why it stands out:

• One of NSW’s best-known birding landscapes
• Woodland birds and valley habitat
• Big views and slow birding

What are your favourite birding spots in New South Wales? Share them in the comments.

There are bigger lists, rarer sightings, and more remote locations. We’ll get there. For now, these are the places we keep returning to.

One last thing, if your are out and about in the cities of Melbourne or Adelaide be sure to check out and get your Urban Birders Guides from us too!