Sydney & the Blue Mountains

On arrival at Sydney Airport, make your own way to your hotel (flights anytime). The rest of the day is at leisure.

Admire one of the iconic buildings of the 20th century during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. See the city sights before visiting famous Bondi Beach. Back in the city board a lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour. Later, travel across the Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point for views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Head east to La Perouse, a historical headland suburb with views across the bay to Captain Cook’s landing place at Kurnell in 1770. See the historical buildings and learn how the Aboriginal people were impacted. Wander cobbled laneways in the Rocks District on a walking tour and hear how the area has transformed from a British colony of convicts and sailors to a thriving entertainment precinct.

Explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park. View the famous Three Sisters rock formation from a perfect vantage point before arriving at Scenic World, where you’ll witness the vastness of the Blue Mountains and enjoy 360° views of the Jamison Valley. You can ride the Scenic Railway, Cableway, or Skyway, a great way to see the steep valleys and canyons, and follow the boardwalk along the valley floor (own expense). Visit picturesque Leura, a delightful blend of quaint shops and groomed gardens.

Visit Sydney Zoo, where you will see native Australian animals including dingoes, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils and echidnas in an open range, cage-free environment in the Australian Precinct. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus roam free for guests to interact with along the level pathways that lead to the Bungarribee Dreaming Experience which is delivered by Aboriginal guides. Hear dreamtime stories and learn about traditional tools, artefacts and bush tucker through interpretation within the talking huts in the Australian Precinct. Visit the underground Nocturnal and Reptile House and see bilbies and ghost bats as well as a wide range of lizards, insects, pythons and venomous snakes in a huge world class facility. Continue along to the native aquarium with its underwater shark viewing, eye level little penguin display and enormous saltwater crocodile. Get a close-up view of chimps, baboons and monkeys, and see animals from Asia & Africa including lions, tigers, pandas, giraffes and rhinos, from the boardwalk.

Your Short Break concludes this morning after breakfast. Make your own way to Sydney Airport (flights anytime).