Highlights
Sydney
Sydney is a vibrant coastal city offering a wealth of sightseeing attractions, along with a multifarious range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Photograph the iconic Opera House; sunbathe on the legendary golden sands of Bondi Beach; partake in a little retail therapy in the global fashion houses and street markets; take a tour of the Olympic Park on over 30-kilometres of off-road cycle paths; or picnic at Sydney Harbour National Park, which protects a collection of Aboriginal sites. If you’ve a head for heights, it is possible to book a place to climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, day or night, for some of the most incredible views over the city.
The Blue Mountains
The breathtaking range, the Greater Blue Mountains, whose name derives from the blue haze given off by its thousands of Eucalyptus trees, can be reached within a two to three-hour drive of Sydney. Amongst its valleys, forests, canyons and waterfalls are a host of Aboriginal sites, while there is plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for - including kangaroos, wombats, a variety of birds, reptiles and frogs. These peaks are the perfect destination for bush-walking and adventure pursuits.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is renowned for its thriving arts scene, and individuals with a creative or spiritual side are drawn here by the laid-back lifestyle and outstanding natural scenery - including pristine beaches and sparkling turquoise waters that are amongst the very best in Australia. As well as a plethora of art galleries, popular activities include yoga, nature walks, horse-riding, kayaking, mountain bike tours, hang-gliding and whale-watching (Humpback Whales migrate along the coast between May and November).
Lord Howe Island
Just a two-hour, utterly scenic flight north east of Sydney, Lord Howe Island has a World Heritage-listed eco-system providing sub-tropical splendour, a reef-fringed lagoon, marine park, majestic volcanic peaks and a rainforest hiking trail to Mount Gower.