10 reasons NSW is better than QLD

I still have a problem. Game One of the 2017 State of Origin might be done and dusted, but there are two more to go and I still haven’t decided which team to cheer for. I’ve lived half my life in QLD and half in NSW, and last game I let my Maroon side argue the 10 reasons why QLD is better than NSW. But my Blue side thinks that’s a bit one-sided. In fact, Blue Cassie has 10 very good reasons why NSW is the superior state.

2017 belongs to the Blues.
QLD may have won more series, but that’s living in the past. With Jonathan Thurston only just back from injury and NSW’s best line-up in years (not to mention that brutal NSW victory a couple of weeks ago. QLD, were you even awake?), 2017 is looking decidedly blue. Sorry, QLD, but Blue Cassie might just follow the odds.
City beaches.
Bondi, Manly, Cronulla, Coogee, Clovelly, Maroubra, Dee Why, freaking SUMMER BAY (aka: Palm Beach). Sydney has more beautiful beaches than you can throw a sandy stick at. In fact, there are 37 of them within 30 minutes of the CBD. But nice try with Streets Beach, Brisbane. I’ll give you a B for effort.
That Harbour.
The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the green and gold ferries… Forget Australia – Circular Quay is one of the world’s most iconic harbours. QLD, on the other hand, has… the Brisbane River? Yeahhh, no.
Big-city excitement.
Hey, it’s nothing personal, QLD. It’s just that when it comes to big concerts, shows, and events, sometimes you guys just miss out. But not Sydney. Everything and everyone comes here – we get every tour, every new shop, and every exhibition. Sorry, not sorry.
Superior public transport.
QLD, I’m not even going to make fun of you for this one. As a non-driver, I genuinely sympathise with your public transport plight. You have the third most expensive public transport in the world (ouch!), and it doesn’t even cover everywhere you need to go. If you’re even a smidge out of the CBD, or staying longer than a week, you really need a car.
Mount Kosciuszko.
So I think QLD’s got some hills or something.Which is cool, I guess. But NSW has Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. It’s in the Snowy Mountains, where you’ll also find some of Oz’s best scenery.
Snow.
Like QLD, NSW has some gorgeous beaches. But you know what else it has? Snow! Snow for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snowman-ing. And you’ve really got to experience it, even if just once. Check out our 2017 Ski and Snow Guide if you’re not sure where to go.
Little penguins and fur seals.
Yes, QLD has dugongs. And I think I made it clear just how much I love them (a lot). But NSW has little penguins and fur seals, and – oh my god! – you can swim with them. Head to Montague Island, just 9km off the coast of Narooma. And forget about dugongs, ‘cause seals are your favourite animal now.
The Hunter Valley.
The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine regions, and its delicious scenery and foodie experiences should be enough to get you there. But the fact that it’s also less than an hour’s drive from Newcastle’s fab beaches? Stop it, NSW. You’re just showing off.
No cane toads!
Well, fewer cane toads. But if you haven’t lived in QLD, then you don’t know how gross and creepy these things are. I’ve seen entire backyards carpeted in them. The horror…