Sydney Stopover

Sydney is a great place to spend more than just a day, whether you are looking for an exciting place to explore or hoping to just sit back and relax. Discover Sydney’s unique dining, shopping, and recreational options in one of the world’s most attractive cities.
If you have only a short stop in Sydney on your way to New Zealand, PNG, or other Asia/Pacific destinations, you may want to consider one of these optional day trips around the city and the nearby wilderness for a taste of the Australian experience.

OPTIONAL DAY TOURS

Sydney Highlights Tour
Duration: half-day tour
Group size: 2-12 people
Land cost: please inquire

This tour takes in all the icons of the beautiful city of Sydney in just a half-day. Departing your city hotel, you travel to the charming Rocks area, where you take a stroll around the historic area, with its quaint old cottages, pubs, and churches. Rejoin the vehicle and travel along Macquarie Street, the seat of government for NSW, the Mint and Hyde Park Barracks. Traveling past St Mary’s Cathedral, you visit Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for an unsurpassed view of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and Bridge. Continuing along the shores of Sydney Harbour, you travel through Kings Cross, Double Bay, and Rose Bay. Passing by the high-end real estate, you pause briefly for morning tea in the beautiful Sydney Harbour National Park. Then you travel further to South Head, with its breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and the city. Take a short stroll along the cliff tops and rejoin the vehicle to continue to Bondi Beach and Centennial Park returning to Circular Quay where your tour ends.

Ultimate Sydney Sailing Tour
Duration: day tour
Group size: 2-12 people
Land cost: please inquire

This unique day is the ultimate way to experience the beauty of Sydney. Your experienced guide greets you at your city hotel for a walk around the historic Rocks precinct, visiting the first church in Australia and the convict built cottages. Then you take a walk around the Observatory, continuing around Circular Quay, the Opera House and into the magnificent Botanical Gardens.

Joining the vehicle under the famous Harbour Bridge, you drive through Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross as well as the ritzy Double Bay area. Along the foreshore of the eastern suburbs, you pass by the high-end homes of the rich and famous.

Arriving at Watsons Bay on South Head, you will enjoy a meal of Doyle’s famous fish and chips in the park with a bottle of chilled Australian wine and a cheese platter. Then return to the city, visiting Darling Harbour, where your yacht awaits for a cruise around Sydney Harbour with a delicious afternoon tea. After an incredible 2 hours on the world’s most beautiful harbour, your vessel returns to Darling Harbour. Here you may decide to eat out at any one of the dozen or more restaurants, stay and enjoy the entertainment, or take the monorail into the city, returning to your hotel at your leisure. (L)

Blue Mountains High Country Ecotour
Duration: day tour
Group size: 2-12 people
Land cost: please inquire

Head westwards across the coastal plain to the Great Dividing Range of Australia. It is here that you leave the “average” Blue Mountains tourist behind and enter the National Park to unlock a piece of Australia you would never have known existed. Visit ancient aboriginal sites and outstanding lookouts and examine rock formations and the unusual plants and wildlife that abound the area. From the quaint little village of Leura, skirt around Cliff Drive to Katoomba, where you will find yourself looking out over the magnificent Jamieson Valley (Australia’s Grand Canyon) and the Three Sisters rock formation. Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch including a selection of fine Australian wines and cheeses under the canopy of the Australian bush. Before returning to Sydney, drop into a hidden valley where you can roam the area, seeking out the many kangaroos that graze in the wild (conditions permitting). Upon leaving the National Park, you will pass through the 2000 Olympic Games site on your way back to your hotel. You will arrive at your hotel around 5:30 pm. (L)

Historic Hunter Valley Vintage Tour
Duration: day tour
Group size: 2-12 people
Land cost: please inquire

A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to the world-class wineries of Hunter Valley. Today, you begin your journey traveling through the historic Rocks area before crossing over the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge. Wind through the leafy Northern Suburbs and then escape through the brilliant sandstone outcrops of Ku-ring-gai National Park to reach the mighty Hawkesbury River. Stop for morning tea deep in the bush and then continue on to the historic township of Wollombi, famous for its local brew called Dr. Jurd’s Jungle Juice. Stroll through the villages before departing for the Broken Back Range. Here, climb the escarpment to Mt. View before descending into Hunter Valley to begin your wine tasting at a few of the very special boutique wineries in the area. Chat with the owners, admire the quaint cottage locations, and let these wineries show off the best of their vintages. In the foothills of the Broken Back Range, enjoy a gourmet lunch and spend the afternoon visiting some of the larger vineyards for more superb wine tastings. As the afternoon approaches, return to Sydney via the scenic freeway to conclude this enjoyable, relaxing day. (L)

Port Stephens Dolphin Magic Tour
Duration: day tour
Dates: regular departures on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Group size: 2-18 people
Land cost: please inquire

Depart Sydney and travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the northern freeway. Witness the towering sandstone cliffs of the Hawkesbury River and see Sydney rock oyster farming. There will be a stop along the way where you can have some tea. Upon arrival at Williamtown, you will begin your 4WD trip to the stunningly beautiful “Desert by the Sea” sand dunes. Then, travel to Stockton beach and search for pipis (Australian clams). You will learn how aboriginal people found water in this arid environment. Then, leave the beach and travel through Port Stephens. Here, you will enjoy lunch at a spectacular local restaurant – fresh seafood is on today’s menu! Relax and enjoy the wonderful views of the picturesque marina. After lunch, you will experience one of the many highlights of Australia – a dolphin watch cruise on the calm waters of the bay! The expert crew bring pods of wild dolphins into view for you. Later, depart Port Stephens and return to Sydney. You will arrive back at your hotel around 6:30 pm. (L)

***Please inquire about pricing and availability regarding these day tours.