Sydney - the oldest, largest and most beautiful city in Australia is memorable for more than its landmarks. Created around one of the world’s most dazzling harbours, there’s no doubt that The Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge deserves their dues but Sydney is also renowned for its shopping and world class restaurants. Take a cruise up the Parramatta River or an evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Within an hour or two you can also explore the Blue Mountains and the vineyards of the Hunter Valley
- some “Must-dos”
1. High Tea at Sydney Opera House; see below;
2. Take the ferry to Manly from Circular Quay.
3. Rich in history and architecturally splendid, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) occupies an entire George Street block, and has over 180 of Sydney's finest shops, cafes and restaurants.
4. Enjoy dinner at Restaurant 41, probably the restaurant with the best powder-rooms in the Southern Hemisphere.
5. Take a walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens and visit the NSW Art Gallery. A great morning’s programme.
6. If you have a car, drive to Whale Beach and have lunch at Jonah’s. Great food and views.
7.Fish-at-the-Rocks, you have a great dining experience. It may not be new and minimalistic - but then isn't that the charm of The Rocks?
8. You can't come to Sydney without taking a cruise on Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises. Click here for details.
9. Gourmet safaris in Sydney - http://www.gourmetsafaris.com.au
Day tours
1. Sydney Highlights - morning tour.
Enjoy a morning highlights tour capturing the history of Sydney, stunning architecture, spectacular harbour views and the world famous Bondi Beach. • Pass through the historical Rocks area and Circular Quay as your driver / guide points out and tells you about the history and significance of the areas. • View the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. A chair specially designed for the governor’s wife to look out over the harbour. • Travel through Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross and Double Bay. • Stop at “The Gap”, the heads of the Harbour photo opportunities. • Morning Tea at the world famous Bondi Beach (own expense). • Complete your day with one of our exciting add-ons or a harbour buffet lunch cruise. Departs at 08:45 or earlier from your hotel. Tour J6.
Cost: Adult AUD 54.00 Child 27.00 Priced from 99.00 incl. lunch cruise.
2. Manly and Northern Beaches - afternoon tour.
Take an afternoon tour across the Harbour Bridge and enjoy the charm of Sydney’s coastline. Capture the beauty and lifestyle of Manly and Northern Beaches. • Travel over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. • Visit Milson’s Point for the best possible photo opportunity of the Sydney Opera‑House. • View the beautiful Middle Harbour area and Spit Bridge from Seaforth Lookout. • Stop for afternoon tea at the renowned Manly Beach (own expense). • Travel along Sydney’s northern coastline, past white sandy beaches including Curl‑Curl, Harbord and Freshwater. Departs 2:00 pm, return around 5:00 pm from Circular Quay,Jetty 6.
Cost: Adult AUD 54.00 Child 27.00.
3. Blue Mountains Wildlife with River Cruise - full day tour.
Highlights of your day include :
· Complimentary Hotel pick-ups ( tell us where you're staying when booking ).
· Visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park ( included ), simply the best wildlife park in Sydney. Don't miss it ! Hand feed Kangaroos, pat Koalas and see over 2000 different types of Australian animals including Crocodiles, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Fairy Penguins, Dingoes and Snakes.
· Stop at the Sydney 2000 Olympic site where you can take photos and see Stadium Australia, The Superdome, The Aquatic Centre, The Olympic Village and more.
· Award winning small group ( max 20 people ) personalised tours
· Lunch option : For $10 extra your tour guide can organise lunch and a drink on the day with spectacular views in the heart of the mountains. Vegetarian option available. Alternatively, bring your own picnic lunch or purchase your own choice from the cafe / restaurant.
· The Three Sisters at Echo Point - hear the aboriginal story of this world famous rock formation · Walk through temperate rainforests
· Throw a boomerang ( weather permitting ) and learn about Aboriginal ( the indigenous people of Australia ) culture. Opportunity to purchase authentic returning boomerangs made by one of the local tribes ( while stocks last ).
· Visit the Scenic Skyway, Scenicsender and the Steepest Railway in the world with time to do the rides ( not included, $A8-16 pp ).
· See the mountain villages of Katoomba and Leura ( the heart of the mountains ). See why they call Leura the garden village.
· Breath in the fresh mountain air as you view the huge valleys of Australia's " Grand Canyon " - the Megalong and Jamieson Valleys
· Travel on the spectacular scenic cliff top drive
· Get off the beaten track - visit Sublime Point for the best untouched lookout in the Blue Mountains ( our small group sizes are permitted here ).
· Enjoy afternoon tea ( included ) in a relaxed country setting.
· Cross the picturesque Nepean River · Finish your enjoyable day by taking a river cruise ( included ) from Homebush Bay down the Parramatta River and into Sydney Harbour. See the waterfront properties and enjoy the unique views as you go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and cruise into Sydney Harbour. See the Sydney Opera House close up before arriving at Circular Quay where your tour finishes.
Cost: Adult AUD 74,00, Child 65.00 Pick up from all hotels.
4. Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour - Full day.
Here’s your chance to enjoy a day you will never forget including :
· FREE wine tasting at up to 5 wineries ranging from the large wine producers to excellent smaller boutique establishments.
· Award winning small group, personalised tours
· Complimentary Hotel pick ups ( tell us where you're staying when booking ).
· Dual-airconditioned late model vehicle fully equipped for your extra comfort.
· Throw a boomerang ( weather permitting ) and learn about Aboriginal culture. Opportunity to purchase authentic returning boomerangs made by a local tribe ( while stocks last ).
· We go direct to the Hunter Valley so if you want more time tasting great wine, food and cheese then this is the tour for you.
· Travel through beautiful countryside, rolling fields and Australian bushland - a very scenic tour.
· Cross the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and travel through the leafy green North Shore of Sydney.
· Maximum 19 people
· Cross the scenic Hawkesbury River
· Cheese factory visit and free tasting
· Step-by-step wine making tour
· Lunch option : For $10 extra your tour guide can organise lunch and a drink on the day at Oscar's Restaurant in the picturesque Hunter Valley Gardens resort. Our clients regularly tell us this is the best lunch they've had on any tour. Try for yourself ! Vegetarian option available. Alternatively bring your own picnic lunch or purchase your own choice from the cafe / restaurant. · Free Chocolate tasting
Cost: Adult AUD 89.00 Child 65.00 Pick up from all hotels.
SYDNEY SEA PLANES - FLY AND DINE.
A mere 20 minutes flying time from the hustle and bustle of Sydney is the exquisitely tranquil and award winning Cottage Point Inn. This beautiful restaurant is perched on the waters edge in the heart of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is renowned for offering exceptional modern Australian cuisine. Upon landing we taxi the aircraft to the restaurant’s seaplane dock, where Cottage Point Inn’s friendly staff offer a warm welcome and any number of great Australian wines! After a leisurely 3 course à la carte lunch reboard your seaplane and return to Sydney Harbour. To top off a magical afternoon we offer you an incredible photo opportunity flying a circuit of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, before landing at Rose Bay. Total tour duration 4 hours, total flying time 40 minutes. $445 per person, minimum 2 adults (includes seaplane flights and lunch). Daily departures 11.30am/12.30pm/1.30pm Go to Cottage Point Inn accommodation Typical Cottage Point Inn menu
Perched high on the edge of a cliff, enjoying dramatic views of Whale Beach and the sprawling Pacific Ocean, Jonah's at Palm Beach is one of Australia’s most prestigious ocean retreats. Something of a Sydney institution, Jonah’s salubrious guest list has included Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. Departing Sydney Harbour late morning your seaplane flight tracks north past Sydney’s spectacular northern beaches before touching down in the expansive waterway of Pittwater. Jonah’s courtesy vehicle will meet you at the dock and transfer you the short distance to the restaurant. Jonah’s offers Modern Australian cuisine under the direction of award-winning chef George Francisco. George's style of cooking has a significant French influence, but it is his passion for finding and using the best and freshest local produce that will ensure Jonah's diners are as impressed about the food as they are about the restaurant’s 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Enticing you to leave such a stunning location is difficult, but we find the prospect of a glorious afternoon seaplane flight back to Rose Bay, encompassing a Sydney Harbour circuit in front of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House does it for most! Total tour duration 4 hours, total flying time 40 minutes. $465 per person, minimum 2 adults (includes seaplane flights and lunch). Daily Departures 11.30am/12.30pm/1.30pm Go to Jonah’s accommodation Typical Jonahs Menu
Accommodation:
We recommend the following hotels in Sydney but can, of course also offer very competitive raters on your preferred hotel;
5 stars ***** The Observatory Hotel;Superbly located near Sydney's historic Rocks and Central Business District, The Observatory Hotel is the ideal base for exploring Australia's most vibrant city. The hotel, which has won almost every prestigious domestic and international award, offers guests the highest standards in accommodation, cuisine and personal service .
Park Hyatt Sydney - Stylish uncluttered surrounds of French navy hues, cream leather and touches of polished stainless steel glamour create a sophisticated residential ambience. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors open onto a private balcony overlooking Sydney Harbour. A direct Opera House view may be enjoyed from the Opera Room. Room size: 46sqm or 495sq.ft.
4 stars **** The Rendezvous,Rendezvous Stafford Hotel is a collection of spacious studios, one bedroom apartments and historic terrace houses that have been beautifully restored and internally renovated to 4-star boutique hotel status. Superbly located in the famous Rocks area of Sydney, moments to Circular Quay, shopping, fine dining and downtown Sydney. The hotel is the ideal place for the discerning corporate or leisure traveller to relax in style and comfort.
Four Points Sheraton Excellent location on Darling harbour, next to Sydney aquarium, a short walk (across the Pyrmount bridge) to the Maritime museum and an easy walk to both the convention center and the Star casino. Dozens of shops and restaurants within a short walk in Cockle Bay wharf, King St. wharf and Harborside. 2 min. walk to the monorail station.
The Menzies - an icon of time-honoured Sydney hotel tradition is truly a classic experience in Sydney accommodation. Overlooking Wynyard Park, The Menzies Sydney Hotel is ideally located ...Sydney's shopping and central business district, Sydney Opera House, Sydney's famous The Rocks tourist precinct and Darling Harbour are all just a short walk away. The Menzies Sydney Hotel offers grace and style in arguably the best Sydney hotel accommodation location
3 stars *** The Castlereagh - is an elegantly restored, heritage-listed property ideally located in the heart of Sydney's commercial, retail and entertainment centres. The hotel features a sandstone frontage and stunning heritage architecture which is accentuated by the elegant and luxurious furnishings. Holding a small but significant piece of Sydney's history, the building was the first reinforced concrete construction seen in Sydney and became the yardstick for all of the other buildings built in the 1920s. Rarely is accommodation with a perfect location and five star atmosphere offered at such an affordable rate.
The above hotels are our personal choice. There are many other excellent hotels in Sydney and you'll find them all on the hotel booking site below;
For more information on hotels and rates please click here.
Blue Mountain
Our choice is Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort & Spa.
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa is a renowned haven of relaxation for its favoured guests. This historic five star, European style country house, set amidst two acres of manicured gardens and just a short drive from Sydney, is a breathtaking escape for romantics, a delight for gourmets and a wonder for lovers of nature.
Ever thought of a luxury beach hide away? Only one hour north of Sydney you'll find Kim's Beach Hideaway which we warmly recommend.
Check with us for best deals.
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