Sydney, Wildlife and Waves Family Holiday Itinerary

Hot Air Ballooning in the Hunter Valley
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Arrive in Sydney

After planning your personalised journey with one of our Travel Designers, your family adventure begins today.

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Dynamic, cosmopolitan and surrounded by stunning natural attractions, Sydney is the ultimate big city getaway. Set on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and with famous architectural icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to explore, Sydney offers plenty of excitement at any time of the year.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights

Sydney

Adina Town Hall Sydney is a stunning, fully refurbished apartment hotel centrally located on Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD. Conveniently adjacent to Town Hall Station, it offers easy access to the city’s top attractions. Accommodations include spacious studio and apartment-style options with contemporary design and modern comforts. The hotel also features an on-site gym and indoor swimming pool.

adina apartment hotel sydney town hall

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Bondi Beach Surfing

This exclusive tour gives you the opportunity to design your very own perfect beach day out. 

The experience includes private touring and history of the area, private surf lesson, lunch, LGS T-shirt/hat and photos on your very own surfboard USB. You will have your own private surf guide, who will not only be extremely knowledgeable about the area but also a professional life saver and surf instructor. They will be able to work with you from the start of the day to ensure every need is met.

Included Meals: Lunch

Bondi Beach

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Sydney Harbour Summit Bridge Climb

BridgeClimb is an experience that will never be forgotten on one of the world's most modern wonders, The Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

The BridgeClimb experience begins with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration to prepare you for the Climb of Your Life. The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved by reaching the top of the Bridge is rewarded by the breathtaking view that lies before you as you scale up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is no adventure like it in the world ...no view like it ...no feeling like it!

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

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Sydney to the Blue Mountains

Explore Sydney at your leisure this morning before collecting your rental vehicle and exploring the Blue Mountains region. 

Prepare to be awed by rugged sandstone cliffs, hidden canyons, towering waterfalls and never-ending expanses of gorgeous eucalyptus forests. 

The World-Heritage-Listed Blue Mountains region is guaranteed to impress. Outdoor-lovers will delight in 140 kilometres (87 miles) of walking tracks, surrounded by native bushland and the blue haze which gives the region its name.

Approximate Distance: 65 km | 40 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Blue Mountains - 3 Nights

Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains Heritage Motel offers a comfortable, great‑value base in the heart of Katoomba, just steps from cafes, galleries, and the famous Three Sisters lookout. Rooms are simple, clean, and well‑equipped. Guests enjoy access to nearby leisure facilities, making it ideal for travellers wanting walkability, and a relaxed stay while exploring the Blue Mountains and its dramatic landscapes.

Blue Mountains Heritage Hotel Credit: Expedia

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Blue Mountains at Leisure

With a blue horizon of eucalyptus trees that appear to stretch on forever, expect to be enchanted by the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. 

Set out on foot to explore some of the 140 kilometres (87 miles) of walking tracks, admire the native bushland, marvel at the impressive rock formations and explore underground caves on a holiday centred around the outdoors.

Whether you're out for a gentle stroll with the family or embarking on a vigorous multi-day trek with calf-burning descents to the valley floor, the Blue Mountains has a bushwalk to suit every level of ability and enthusiasm.

We recommend popping into the National Park Visitors Centre in Katoomba to discuss options.

Blue Mountains Walk

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Blue Mountains Discovery Pass

There's no better way to take in the breathtaking views of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains than with our Unlimited Discovery Pass. 

Explore the area at your own pace, starting with a ride on the world's steepest railway into the Jamison Valley. 

Wander along kilometers of raised boardwalks through the rainforest, where you can spot Lyre Birds and ancient tree ferns among other flora and fauna. Hop on the Cableway to glide past the sandstone escarpment and Orphan Rock, then marvel at the iconic Three Sisters and the valley below from the Skyway. With the Unlimited Discovery Pass, you can experience all of this as many times as you can fit into a single day.

Scenic World

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Hunter Valley Wine Country

Take a leisurely drive to the picturesque Hunter Valley region, famed for its prestigious vineyards and world-class Semillon wines. 

Australia’s oldest wine region is home to a staggering 150 wineries, from the biggest names to tiny boutique growers. It’s only a 40-minute drive from one end of the Valley to the other so there's plenty of time to admire the region's sweeping landscapes: you're likely to encounter your first wild kangaroos here too.

Approximate Distance: 280 km | 174 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Hunter Valley - 2 Nights

Hunter Valley
Accommodation:
Hunter Valley Resort is a country-style retreat set among vineyards in the Hunter Valley wine region. It offers rustic accommodation, vineyard views, and easy access to cellar doors, farm experiences, and horse riding. Guests can enjoy relaxed dining featuring local produce and a peaceful rural atmosphere. The resort focuses on unplugged stays, making it a suitable escape for those seeking a break from connectivity and a slower pace.
Hunter Valley

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Hunter Valley Wildlife Park Sunrise Experience

The Wildlife Sunrise Tour offers a remarkable way to begin your day at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. 

Set on expansive grounds that are home to a lot of animals, the park contributes significantly to preserving species threatened by habitat destruction worldwide. Enjoy early morning access and a bespoke guided tour led by an experienced zookeeper. Highlights include hand-feeding a magnificent giraffe with a keepsake 6"x4" photograph and a delicious breakfast overlooking Lemur Island by Alligators Lake.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Hunter Valley Wildlife Park

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Port Stephens

Port Stephens is called the "blue water paradise" because of the beauty of its marine surroundings. 

It is located about two and a half hours north of Sydney, on the East Coast of Australia, and has a population of about 50,000. With over 19 miles of clean, white, sandy beaches, Port Stephens boasts vibrant tourism and fishing industries.

If you are lucky you can view one of the 165 bottlenose dolphins, which live in the area, alternatively, join a tour that takes you around the Port dolphin watching.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 115 km | 71 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Port Stephens - 2 Nights

Port Stephens
Accommodation:

Mantra Nelson Bay provides a relaxed coastal escape with modern apartments, spacious layouts, and private balconies designed for easy holiday living. Set close to the marina, beaches, and dining, it’s an ideal base for exploring Port Stephens. Guests enjoy a heated lagoon‑style pool and leafy surrounds that create a peaceful atmosphere.

Mantra Nelson Bay Accor

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Port Stephens 4WD Tour & Dune Sandboarding

Venture out on a Beach and Dune Tour for a thrilling adventure across the stunning Stockton Sand Dunes. 

Kick off along wild Birubi Beach as your guides share stories, help you hunt for Pipis, and build the excitement for what comes next. Then charge into the towering dunes for unlimited sandboarding on the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. Climb the steep ridges, launch down the giant slopes, race your friends, and keep going as long as you like in this epic desert style playground built for pure adventure.

Port Stephens 4WD Tour

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Sydney Harbour Taronga Zoo Overnight Stay

Travelling from Port Stephens to Sydney, you’ll arrive ready for an unforgettable Roar and Snore experience at Taronga Zoo. 

This overnight adventure combines safari‑style glamping with intimate keeper talks and close encounters with some of the zoo’s friendliest residents. After a delicious dinner, join an exclusive night safari led by expert guides, offering rare views of animals after dark. With Sydney Harbour as your backdrop, settle into your tent and feel immersed in nature as you enjoy this unique blend of wildlife, storytelling, and harbourside atmosphere.

Approximate Distance: 185 km | 115 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Sydney - 1 Night

Giraffes at Taronga Zoo
Camp in safari style tents in the Zoo and wake up to spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Guests will enjoy an opportunity to get up-close with some of the Zoo's friendliest creatures. As a Roar & Snore camper, you will rise to the noises of the animals greeting the day followed by a continental breakfast and two exclusive, interactive keeper experiences.
Glamping at Taronga Zoo - roar and snore

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Farewell from Sydney

After a wonderful family holiday, return your rental vehicle to Sydney Airport prior to boarding your onward flight. 

We know you will enjoy your holiday and our promise to you is to make your travels through Australia as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with huge smiles on your faces when recalling your holiday!

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What Elizabeth says about this tour: This journey is perfect for families who want a balance of shared adventure and time to simply enjoy being together. From wildlife moments to iconic landscapes and a night at Taronga Zoo, it’s a trip designed to feel memorable, effortless, and full of possibility…
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