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Explore the vineyards, gourmet food, cultural history and perfect beaches of Sydney, New South Wales and Norfolk Island. Start in Sydney, where you'll climb the iconic harbour bridge and gaze up at the Opera House and then head north to the Hunter Valley. Taste local wines and cheese as you explore the vineyards, before driving along to Mudgee to continue your exploration of New South Wales' gourmet delights.
Admire the incredible Capertee Valley, hike in the Blue Mountains and sink your toes into the pristine beaches around Jervis Bay. Fly to Norfolk Island for four days discovering this unique place - convict history, scenic walks, Polynesian culture and fresh seafood awaits. Finish with a couple of days in Coogee Beach, enjoying the Aussie brunch culture and taking long walks along the coast.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
On arrival in Sydney, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for two nights.
Spend the day exploring the iconic city of Sydney. Why not head down to the harbour and join one of the many boat cruises to see the Harbour Bridge at its best? Stroll through the Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the best views of the Opera House and the bridge before heading to one of the city's interesting museums. Find the best street food in the markets of the Rocks, explore the Australian National Maritime Museum or take the ferry to explore the beach suburb of Manly.
We've included the Burrawa BridgeClimb, where you'll discover the aboriginal history of Sydney as you climb the iconic Harbour Bridge. Burrawa is a local Aboriginal word that means 'above' or 'upwards'. During this spectacular experience, you can admire unrivalled views of the Indigenous landmarks around Sydney Harbour including Bennelong and Barangaroo, while hearing the stories of Australia's First Nations people. Your guide will tell stories about local history from an Aboriginal perspective whilst looking down on the shores where Patyegarang taught William Dawes the language of Sydney.
Enjoy a final morning in Sydney - watch sulphur-crested cockatoos in the Botanical Garden and admire the architecture of the Queen Victoria Building before picking up your hire car and heading north towards the Hunter Valley. Stop in at the waterfront Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed for a seafood feast for lunch, hike to the pretty Gap Creek Falls in Watagans National Park before arriving in Pokolbin. Why not head to a local vineyard for dinner - there are plenty of cellar doors with restaurants to choose from.
Today you'll head out on a fantastic tour to experience the best of the Hunter Valley. You'll enjoy several stops at different wineries, tasting local wines and feasting on a mouth-watering grazing box amongst the vines. You'll also get to experience a cheese and wine pairing masterclass with 7 different cheeses together. Look out for local kangaroos as you enjoy artisan chooclate and try a range of craft beers at a nearby brewery. You'll be needing a small dinner after this brilliant day in the Hunter Valley.
Leaving the Hunter Valley behind, you'll drive to Mudgee, through the rural New South Wales scenery. Stop in for some hiking at Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve before arriving in Mudgee, ready to explore this quaint little town. Hop between award winning wineries, head to the farmers market for local produce and sip artisan spirits at Baker Williams Distillery.
If you're interested in Australian history, the museum is a must see, as well as a visit to the nearby gold rush town of Gulgong. Finish your day with a pale ale at the Mudgee Brewing Company before tucking into some pub grub for dinner.
This morning you'll be heading to the Blue Mountains, one of New South Wales' most famous regions to explore. Stop in at Pearson's Lookout for epic views over the Capertee Valley, the world's widest canyon, before arriving in Katoomba and Medlow Bath – the gateway to the Blue Mountains. Why not visit Scenic World, where you can hop on the cable car for spectacular views over the Jamison Valley. Arriving at your hotel you'll be checking in for two nights - why not kick back and have a relaxing evening - you have all day tomorrow to explore the Blue Mountains.
Known for its dramatic scenery, this region encompasses eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages, a perfect place to enjoy some great walks and take in the views. Why not start with a visit to Echo Point to soak up the most famous view of the Three Sisters rocks, perfect in the afternoon light. After this you could enjoy the hike down the Giant Stairway to Honeymoon Point before stopping into quaint Leura for dinner.
Leave the mountains behind and head to the beach. Drive through the eucalyptus trees of Royal National Park, enjoy some short hikes along the coast before heading south past the beachfront cafes of Wollongong. Soon you'll arrive in Jervis Bay, home to one of the best beaches in Australia, Hyams Beach and a unique glamping spot where you'll be spending the night.
Paperbark Camp is a luxurious eco-retreat, with safari-style tents hidden amongst the eucalyptus trees, where you can enjoy a comfortable stay within nature, whilst still just minutes from the spectacular local beaches.
Today is a real beach day - whether you want to kick back and relax with some sunbathing or want to explore several of the region's best stretches of sand. Start the day with a stroll along the White Sands Walk, a scenic trail that links together several different beaches, before heading into Huskisson for brunch at a beachside café. In the afternoon you could hire a kayak or paddleboard, or simply go for a swim whilst looking out for dolphins in the ocean. Hike to Cape St George Lighthouse for perfect coastal views to end your scenic day.
After the sun has set, you'll head back out to the beach to enjoy a 90 minute stargazing tour, learning about the twinkling sky and soaking up the breath-taking views of the solar system above you. It's the perfect end to a beautiful day.
Take one final stroll along the squeaky clean sands of Hyam's Beach before heading north towards Sydney. Stop in Wollongong, where you can stop for a coffee in one of their beachfront cafes before dropping off your car at Sydney Airport and boarding your flight to Norfolk Island. On arrival, you'll pick up your hire car and head to your hotel, checking in for three nights.
Spend the next few days soaking up the natural beauty and local flavour of Norfolk Island. Explore the historic town of Kingston, where museums, ruins and convict history abound. From there, you can hike along the stunning coastline, gazing up at the famous pine trees and out over the blue water along Emily Bay or to Captain Cook's Lookout. On Day 12 you'll head out on a tour to experience the island's culture - you'll learn traditional weaving, sample local dishes and even learn to speak a few words of the Norf'k language.
On your final evening you'll head out to the Island Fish Fry, where you'll feast on fresh fish, coconut bread and sweet potatoes whilst enjoying traditional dancing and music. It's such a fun, warm and wonderful way to finish your time on this extraordinary island.
After breakfast, you'll drive back to the airport and drop off your car, before hopping on the flight back to Sydney. On arrival, you'll be driven to Coogee Beach, a coastal suburb of Sydney, to spend your final two nights in Australia.
Spend today relaxing in the beach suburb of Coogee. Start your morning with a swim in Wylie's Baths, soaking up the ocean views from the tidal swimming pools before grabbing a coffee as you dry off. Hop on the bus to Bondi and enjoy the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, enjoying the scenic views out of the rugged cliffs and wild beaches as you hike your way to Coogee. Feast on shellfish for lunch, take another swim or even try your hand at paddleboarding before enjoying drinks in a local bar as you toast your epic holiday in Australia.
Take in your final views of the Pacific Ocean before you're picked up and driven to Sydney Airport in time for your flight home.
New South Wales is generally warm with mild winters and a more tropical-style climate. Spring and autumn are great times to travel with fewer crowds outside of Australia's Christmas holidays to enjoy Spring's flowers and Autumn's crunchy leaves. The best time to visit Norfolk Island is between October and April, when you can swim, snorkel and enjoy the island's cultural events.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.