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Swain Destinations
OFFER ID 1434702
Wine and Wildlife Discovery
Romance and relaxation are in store for you on this fifteen night adventure. Arrive in Sydney and enjoy a harbor cruise, taking in the gorgeous views and sights from Sydney Harbour. Drive yourself from Sydney to Hunter Valley where quaint farming country and wine tasting await. Once you head down to Adelaide it's time for adventure. Full day tours of Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley are on the itinerary. Enjoy the iconic animal of Australia and more wine sampling as you absorb the culture of southern Australia. Wine and Wildlife Discovery combines the great outdoors with Australian culture, the perfect mix of relaxation, fun and sightseeing to give you a real taste of Aussie life.
Your Itinerary Includes:
15 nights from $10,065 per person
Swain Destinations: Wine and Wildlife Discovery
Day 1 Welcome to Sydney
Welcome to Sydney. Australia's most visited state, New South Wales partly owes its popularity with tourists to the glamorous city of Sydney. With its harbor beaches and intoxicating blend of bushland and bustling city, Sydney is a perfect snapshot of Australia. Beyond the glow of Sydney, New South Wales becomes a sweeping landscape of quaint, beachside hamlets, inland opal-mining towns, and alpine hideaways. Visitors can take a surfing lesson on one of the world's most renowned beaches or get intimate with Sydney - whether by a walking tour of the Rocks area, a visit to Sydney's fish market or dinner at one of the city's famed restaurants.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Day 2 Southern Highlands - Farm, Bush and Wildlife
Depart Sydney early morning for the 90-minute drive to the historic town of Berrima, and a stop for a coffee at a quaint local café. Take time to stretch your legs and enjoy the tranquillity of this colonial township before heading to Fitzroy Falls to visit a local farm who supply their produce to restauranteurs and local businesses. Red leaf Farm is true Australian farming at a grass roots level complete with chicken caravan, Highland Cattle, horses, Wolfhounds and their stunning Railway Carriage accommodation conversions that include a sunken bush bath. The Red leaf Farm experience encompasses it all. See waterfalls, flying foxes or swim in billabongs if it's warm enough. Enjoy a true Australian farm adventure with country style morning tea by the farms private billabong with billy tea, damper or homemade muffins.
From Red Leaf farm, transfer to Nature Experience where you will do some bushwalking and enjoy some magnificent views over the valley and waterfall. Have lunch at the Burrawang General Store which prepares and serves a high quality and innovative menu with an emphasis on local produce. After lunch, visit Tertini Wines. The region is known for its cold climate wines and Tertini have some fine wines to taste. A great way to end the day over a cheese platter before heading back to Sydney.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B, L
Day 3 Sydney At Leisure
It is no surprise that when the British first arrived in Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one is still surrounded by bush land in this bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach, and Eucalyptus embrace the endless and beckoning bays of Sydney Harbour.
It is Sydney's man-made wonders, however, that draw most visitors. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the most photographed icons on the continent. Choose a Seaplane Safari experience and enjoy a bird's eye view of the Opera House's signature sails. See the Harbour Bridge up close and personal by climbing the metal monolith to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the glittering vista below with BridgeClimb as you climb to the top. Whether it is an early morning visit to the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, or your very first surfing lesson on Bondi Beach, in this vibrant metropolis you will find no lack of energetic escapes and dynamic distractions.
There are many ways to enjoy the harbor: on a small luxury motor cruiser or sailing yacht, or ferries that take you to Taronga Park Zoo or Manly and the harbor suburbs. Take the Darling Harbour Rocket that connects Circular Quay to Darling Harbour where there are many restaurants and attractions such as The Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World, The IMAX Theater and the Naval Museum. For a more leisurely afternoon, take a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park, or learn about Australia's National Gemstone, the Opal, at Altmann; Cherny or The National Opal Collection, right in the heart of the city on Pitt Street.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B
Day 4 Travel to Adelaide
Takeoff to Adelaide and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Mount Lofty House
Meals: B
Day 5 Kangaroo Island One Day Adventure
This full-day tour starts with a flight from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. Meet your host on arrival who will be on-hand through the day to introduce you to the lifestyle, culture and wildlife of this large and diverse Island. Today you will get an introduction to Island life - where things take time. Where drivers wave as they go by - or even stop you for a chat. Have a 'cuppa' with home-made refreshments and perhaps walk down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead.
Start the morning at Emu bay, looking for kangaroos before enjoying morning tea at the jetty. Heading inland, stop at Duck Lagoon, seeking out koalas and birds, then joining the Historic Eucalyptus distillery interpretive walk. Lunch is at Cygnet Park, before heading to Seal Bay, where you may walk with your guide among Australian sea lions on the sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. The remainder of the afternoon is spent exploring more of the southeast region of D'Estrees Bay before returning to Kingscote for your flight back to Adelaide.
Mount Lofty House
Meals: B, L
Day 6 A Taste Of Adelaide Hills
Departing Adelaide, travel through the scenic Adelaide Hills to Mount Lofty Summit for an unsurpassed view over the City. From here, begin to taste the fine wines tucked away in the Hills. Wander through the small villages of the Hills, Crafers and Stirling, with a short visit to the Organic Market before visiting Hahndorf. Stroll through the German village of Hahndorf then do a tasting of the excellent Hahndorf Hill wines. Perhaps also visit the stylish Shaw and Smith winery to taste their exceptional white wines and new reds. Visit the Bridgewater Mill, home of the renowned Petaluma Wines, then tour through the Methode Champenoise Cellars followed by tasting. Lunch is at a restaurant in the region. If time permits, travel further into the heart of the Hills to Chain of Ponds wines owned by the Amadio family. They produce a range of awarding winning white and red wines in their little piece of land reminiscent of Tuscany.
Mount Lofty House
Meals: B, L
Day 7 Travel to Hobart
Takeoff to Hobart and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Macq 01 Hotel
Meals: B
Day 8 Bonorong Feeding Frenzy
Bonorong Park was established in 1981 as a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. Owner, Greg Irons, has had a lifetime passion for animal rehabilitation and releasing animals back into the wild, and he has turned Bonorong into a sanctuary that focuses on education, rehabilitation and the release of native wildlife. The staff at Bonorong is very experienced in interpretation and wildlife husbandry. Enjoy an exclusive, guided feeding tour of the park where visitors engage with the animals in a very special and individual way. During this unforgettable excursion, experiences may include feeding the wombats their breakfast, giving the cockies (cockatoos) their wattle treats, feeding the echidnas as they snuffle around your feet, having a tug of war with a Tassie devil, feeding Bonorong's two special species of quoll (can you spot their differences?), putting in some fresh leaves for the koalas and watching them while they snack, hand-feeding the tawny frogmouth to watch him swallow his food whole, throwing lunch to the kookaburra and seeing how well he can catch and getting up the courage to hold a blue-tongued lizard.
Macq 01 Hotel
Meals: B
Day 9 Travel to Freycinet National Park
Transfer from Hobart to the Coles Bay/Freycinet area by private vehicle. The drive will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Freycinet Lodge
Meals: B
Day 10 Day at Leisure in Freycinet
Freycinet National Park is loaded with natural assets, including the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range that dominate the Peninsula and the iconic Wineglass Bay. The short trek to Wineglass Bay lookout is a bit of a scramble, but it's well worth it for one of Tasmania's most photographed views.There are many more short walks across the park that are suitable for all abilities and that lead to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons. For an excellent half day trek, continue on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beautiful, perfectly curved beach and back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay and the coastline surrounding the sleepy seaside village of Swansea. The Hazards look their best at sunrise and sunset when the pink granite glows bright and brilliant. For a longer trek, take on the whole length of the Freycinet Peninsula on a minimum two day walk, taking in more remote places like Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach. Be prepared with water and supplies and take your time for an even longer stay in this beautiful part of Tasmania.
Freycinet Lodge
Meals: B
Day 11 Travel to Cradle Mountain
Enjoy a leisurely transfer from Freycinet to Cradle Mountain.
Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: B
Day 12 Cradle Mountain National Park At Leisure
Carved by glacial ice more than 20,000 years ago, Cradle Mountain National Park is Tasmania's most beloved wilderness area. Its deep gorges, wild moorlands and glacial lakes are enjoyed by hikers of all abilities. Day walks to Lake St. Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake, are popular, but it is the spectacular trek from there to Cradle Mountain that has earned its reputation as a bush-walker's Mecca.
Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: B
Day 13 Travel to Melbourne
Takeoff to Melbourne and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 14 Private Wine Explorer Yarra Valley
Wine touring at its very best. Outstanding scenery with wines to match and only an hour from Melbourne CBD. Your driver/guide is friendly and a knowledgeable wine expert that helps guarantee a superb day in the Yarra Valley. The itinerary outlined can be adjusted to suit your special requirements (additional arrangements at additional cost). Head from the city to the Yarra Valley, and start the senses going at French Champagne company Moet & Chandon's Australian production house Domain Chandon. Your guide will take you for a fascinating walk through the winery explaining the nuance of Sparkling Wine Production, then enjoy a relaxing glass of Australia's best bubbly with a view that you will not wish to surrender. From there, head to Soumah, a location that delivers with spectacular undulating topography, ancient soils and well tendered vines. A hidden gem, enjoy wine tasting and then a one course lunch with a glass of wine and tea or coffee.
The afternoon offers flexible touring, with your driver able to make suggestions for some wonderful wineries to visit. Top of the list is Helen & Joey Estate, nested in the foothills of the Warramate Hills this cellar door offers a unique range of wines. Another option is Yering Station Winery and Gallery, offering rustic charm in the winery building, and a contemporary art gallery. You will then leave the Yarra Valley and head back to Melbourne.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: B, L
Day 15 Melbourne at Leisure
Melbourne is Australia's second largest city (after Sydney), but it is second to none when it comes to fashion, festivals and sport. Set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay, the city itself is laid out in a large rectangle. She boasts a lively, cosmopolitan pulse, sitting on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about three miles from the bay. Visitors come for its shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Residents stay for its cultural diversity, passion for the arts and enviable sports calendar. Melbourne is renowned for playing host to a number of nationally- and internationally-recognized events each year, including the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the ever-impressive two-mile horse race, The Melbourne Cup. This is a major event that spreads an addictive buzz through the city streets. You can be sure that locals and visitors alike will embrace the energy surrounding it.
Explore the famous lane-ways and arcades of the city, catch a tram to trendy Southgate, rub shoulders with locals at the Queen Victoria Market or take in a show at the ornate Princess Theatre. For a break from the hustle and bustle, cruise along the Yarra River, or head out to one of the many beautiful beaches just outside of the city. Go in search of the unique Australian animals like Koalas, Kangaroos and the Little Penguins, and see them in the wild just an hour or two outside Melbourne. Explore one of the premier wine regions in Australia exporting wines to the U.S. to find your Yarra Valley blend. It is the closest wine region to any major Australian city, just an hour out of the city, but worlds away from the bustling streets of Melbourne.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 16 Depart Melbourne
Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodation to Melbourne Airport.
Meals: B
Melbourne
Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:
1. Shop till you drop
Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.
2. Bar hop and dance till dawn
Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.
3. Get into the gourmet goodness
Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.
4. Fill up on culture
See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
5. Go sports mad
Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.
Jutting out from the sea on Tasmania ’s mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet National Park, reserved in 1916, consists of knuckles of granite mountains,surrounded by azure bays and white sandy beaches.The mountains create a spectacular sight from numerous vantage points along the east coast.
The scenic grandeur of Freycinet has long been admired,with the size and barren composition of the granite peaks of the Hazards rising from the low lying coastal vegetation. Freycinet National Park offers a range of opportunities that provide full immersion into the Tasmanian coastal environment. Wildflowers,birds and native animals can be seen,along with various marine creatures.
There are so many things you can do within this beautiful coastal park. You can take a explore the miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches, go kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving or rock climbing.
It's important to be prepared while exploring the park. Bring in plenty of water, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Hobart
Don't miss this small, scenic capital, famous for its Georgian buildings and crisp air. Browse bustling Salamanca Markets and run your hands over the sandstone buildings in Salamanca Place. Climb craggy Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the wide Derwent River. Do a ghost tour in Battery Point, walk across Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond and visit the cute coastal hamlet of Kettering. Wind past forest and farmland to the cool-climate wineries of the Coal Valley. See bright spinnakers on the water and dine on fresh seafood from one of Hobart's waterside restaurants.
Five must-have Hobart experiences:
1. Wander Salamanca Place
Step back in time in Salamanca Place, the captivating cobblestone square on Hobart's waterfront. On Saturday mornings, you can wander through bustling Salamanca Markets and see glassblowers, potters and painters selling their wares. Buy a one-off piece of craft or pick up organic fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and freshly-cut flowers from the friendly local growers. Drink coffee under the sun umbrellas while listening to the slap of sails on masts and busking string quartets. Explore the galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in the 1830s Georgian warehouses, once the haunt of sailors, whalers and workmen.
2. Climb Mount Wellington
Take in panoramic views over Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula from the interpretation centre at the top of windswept Mount Wellington. Stroll through cool forested gullies along the historic Pipeline Track or traverse Wellington Range on the back of a horse or mountain bike. Climb Sphinx Rock and see the Octopus Tree, the forest's tallest tree. Abseil or climb the Organ Pipe's craggy dolerite towers. Camp under the stars, four wheel drive along rough mountain trails or bike-ride down the mountain on an exhilarating tour. Mount Wellington's wilderness experience is 1,270 metres above sea level but just 20 minutes from the city centre.
3. Stay in Hobart's oldest suburb
Stay in bed and breakfasts next to grand old mansions and simple fishermen's cottages in Battery Point, named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns have long been dismantled but Battery Point has retained its original seafaring charm. Visit elegant old buildings such as Arthur Circus Cottages, St. George's Anglican Church and Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum, a Georgian building on landscaped grounds. Check out Kelly's Steps, built by legendary adventurer James Kelly in 1839. Or walk in the footsteps of convicts, bushrangers, whalers, sailors, barmaids and prostitutes on a ghost tour.
4. Visit Richmond and Kettering
You can walk across Australia's oldest bridge and stand in the cell of its oldest jail in picturesque Richmond, a 30-minute drive north-east from Hobart. Explore the cobblestone streets by the lantern light of a ghost tour or picnic on the banks of the Coal River. Check out local art and craft in the galleries and cafes. On your way back to Hobart, stop off at one of the Coal Valley's many wineries. South from Hobart, you'll find the sleepy seaside town of Kettering on the shores of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Have lunch watching the yachts and fishing boats bob on the sheltered harbour or take the ferry to Bruny Island.
5. Fill up on seafood and fine wine
Savour classic cool-climate wines at the cellar doors and wineries of the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley, all a short drive from Hobart. You can team them with a plate full of fresh produce in a sunny vineyard restaurant. Feast on freshly shucked oysters at Barilla Bay and fresh-off-the-boat fish from Salamanca Markets. Or you can watch the catch being unloaded from the balcony of one of Hobart's waterside restaurants. Wrap yourself in the aroma of ground coffee in the cafes of Salamanca Place. Or spice up your holiday with a meal at one of Hobart's many great Indian eateries.
Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.