There is so much that Sydney and New South Wales have to offer - from Australia's biggest icons to many hidden gems in this harbour city, which you will have plenty of opportunities to discover on this itinerary. Next, meet passionate winemakers and sample their prized wines in Hunter Valley which played a pivotal role in the history of Australian wine as one of the first wine regions in the early 19th century, and today has received international acclaim from their classic shiraz to emerging varieties. Lastly, head to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with one million hectares of tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons, waterfalls and bush land, with plenty of walking and hiking trails to appreciate its beauty.
Itinerary Highlights
- Join intimate small sized groups with like-minded individuals seeking in-depth experience and quality cultural and wildlife encounters.
- DIY your Sydney experience to enjoy wildlife, nightlife and good life.
- Exceptional Aussie bush experience in search of Australia’s Big 5 – Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Emus & Wombats and more!
- Sip your way through Australia’s oldest wine region.
- Explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains which forms part of the Great Dividing Range, hort bushwalks, crowd-avoidance, secluded lookouts and aboriginal
Itinerary Outline
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Day 1
Arrival in Sydney
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Day 2
Sydney
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Day 3
Sydney / Southern Highlands / Sydney
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Day 4
Sydney / Hunter Valley
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Day 5
Hunter Valley
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Day 6
Hunter Valley / Blue Mountains
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Day 7
Blue Mountains
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Day 8
Blue Mountains / Departure from Sydney
Itinerary
Arrival in Sydney
Upon arrival in Sydney, meet your private chauffeur for your transfer to hotel. (Early check-in subject to hotel’s discretion only).
Enjoy this afternoon at leisure or choose from 1 of the below 3 optional activities:
Option A: Taste of Sydney on Bike (2.5 hrs, Join in Basis)
Enjoy stunning harbour views as we pedal past Circular Quay, the piers at Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Helmets, bicycle mounted bag, ponchos, bag storage included. (2.5hours, starting at 2.15pm or 3.15pm. Join in basis - Max 20 persons; child bikes available)
Option B: Sydney Bridge Climb (3.5 hrs, Join in Basis)
Climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, day, or night! A comprehensively trained Climb Leader escorts each group of Climbers, while delivering commentary on the history of the Harbour Bridge and interesting facts about Sydney. (3.5hours, Join in basis - Max 14 persons; allows children 10 years and above)
Option C: The Rocks by Night: An Insider Perspective (4 hrs, Join in Basis)
Walk into back alleys of the Rocks and delve into Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood. Hear stories of the powerful black market rum trade and how it led up to The Rum Rebellion. Hop between some of the Rocks’ favourite pubs and top it off with a Aussie BBQ in true local style! (4hours, Join in basis - Max 12 persons; no children below 18 years old; Operates daily except Mon)
Sydney
Today, choose between one of the two options:
Option A: Sydney Harbour Kayak Adventure with Picnic Lunch (4 hrs, Join in Basis)
Enjoy a guided kayak adventure on Sydney's inner harbour offering fantastic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a break at a stop for a delicious picnic lunch in a pretty location. Embark on this adventure with a professional kayaking guide in state-of-the-art dagger double sea kayaks which are the most stable kayaks in the market.
Duration: 4 hours; starting at 9.45am - 2.30pm; includes hotel pickup/drop-off
Children: 8 years and above only
Group size: Max 16 persons; suitable for beginners
Operates Daily
Option B: Essentials of Sydney (6 hrs, Join in Basis)
Learn about Sydney with a knowledgeable guide and small group of like minded travelers. Start with a tour of the historic Rocks precinct. We soon make our way to the stunning botanical gardens and on to Macquarie Street with a walking tour of the harbour’s edge to enjoy the magnificent view. Enjoy lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Australia's premier yacht club. We continue on through Darling Point and soak up the atmosphere of this beachside Mecca – Bondi. We make our way back to Sydney via the vibrant Oxford Street and the suburb of Paddington; admire this boutique shopping precinct and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the homes.
Duration: 6 hours; 10am – 4pm ; includes hotel pickup/drop-off
Group size: Max 12 persons
Operates Daily
Sydney / Southern Highlands / Sydney
Big 5 of Australia on 4WD – Aussie Bush Experience with Naturalist Guide (10 hrs, Join in Basis)
This is an exceptional Aussie Bush experience in search of Australia’s Big 5 - Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Emus & Wombats and more!
This is an in-the-wild experience, travelling to private farmland & swathes of quintessential, pristine bushland in the Southern Highlands, 90 min drive south of Sydney. Walk through towering forests of Grey Gums in search of koalas, look for platypus along the riverbanks, drive through woodlands as mobs of kangaroos & emus feed. After dinner, go night-spotting for nocturnal wombats, gliders & possums when their most active!
Duration: 10hours
Pick up: 11.30am – 10 pm (Apr-Sep); 1pm – 10.30pm (Oct-Mar)
Includes hotel pickup/dropoff
Group size: Max 10 persons
Sydney / Hunter Valley
Boutique Gourmet Wine Tour with Expert Guide (10 hrs, Join in Basis
Morning, check-out and meet your private guide for a beautiful day to Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region (Approx. 2.5 hours’ drive).
We focus on the boutique wineries, where the passion of the wine-makers is obvious. Gain access to a range of excellent wineries, meeting the people who make and grow the wine. We also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour at one of our favourite boutique wineries.
Duration: 10hours
Pick up: 7.20am- 4.30pm; Includes hotel pickup/drop-off; those self-driving will make your way and be picked up at the next hotel in Hunter Valley
Group size: Max 14 or 20 persons
Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley at Leisure
Have an easy day at leisure enjoying the wine region for more opportunities of tasting. You might like explore vineyards on bike, play a game or two of golf, enjoy top regional produce, try hot-air ballooning or go horse-riding etc.
Hunter Valley / Blue Mountains
After another free morning, be met by your private chauffeur to your hotel in Blue Mountains in the afternoon (Approx 3hours.).
Check into your hotel in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains which is a rugged and beautiful region forming part of the Great Dividing Range - linking tropical north to temperate south, while dividing coastal cities from the vast Outback.
Blue Mountains
Unchartered Blue Mountains (10 hrs, Join in Basis)
This award winning trip of the Blue Mountains stands out from others as one with a strong focus on nature, short bushwalks, crowd-avoidance, secluded lookouts and aboriginal culture.
We begin our day at the stunning clifftop location of Wentworth Falls, overlooking Jamison Valley. We’re here early in the morning to enjoy the views in peace with a number of short or long walks to stretch your legs. Next we travel to Echo Point beside the famous Three Sisters rock formation.
Duration: 10hours
Pick up: 9am – 6am Includes hotel pickup/dropoff
Group size: Max 14 or 20 persons
Does not operate on Sundays
Blue Mountains / Departure from Sydney
Take a private transfer back (Approx. 2 to 3 hrs) to Sydney airport for your flight home.
Hotels & Tour Price
Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel as stated on bed & breakfast basis
- Meals as stated
- All transfer on private basis
- All tours on join-in basis as stated
- All entrance fees in sights stated
Excludes
- International Airfare
- Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses e.g. telephone bill & laundry
- Visa