9 Days • 8 Nights
Grand Sydney & New South Wales
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll cruise Sydney Harbour and walk the Bondi coast, head into the Blue Mountains for the Three Sisters and Scenic World, taste wine in the historic Hunter Valley, and enjoy a dolphin cruise and sand-boarding at Port Stephens. Harbour sunsets, mountain lookouts, vineyards and beaches fill the days.
With hand-picked hotels and the key experiences arranged, it is Sydney and New South Wales in full.
Trip Highlights
- The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
- A Sydney Harbour lunch cruise
- The Three Sisters and Scenic World
- Wine tasting in the historic Hunter Valley
- A Port Stephens dolphin cruise and sand dunes
- The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Koalas and kangaroos at a wildlife park
- City, mountains, wine and coast
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Arrive in the harbour city and settle in, with a welcome dinner by the water.
A guided tour of the Opera House and The Rocks, then a lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour.
The famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and time on the golden sands, with a ferry ride.
Travel into the World Heritage Blue Mountains for the Three Sisters, Scenic World and the pretty village of Leura, staying in a mountain lodge.
A morning walk in the mountains and a wildlife park, then travel to the Hunter Valley wine region, settling in among the vines.
A guided day among the boutique wineries and gourmet producers of the Hunter Valley, with a long vineyard lunch.
Travel to the coast at Port Stephens, a bay of golden beaches and dolphins, with an afternoon on the sand.
A dolphin-watching cruise and the thrill of sand-boarding the giant Stockton dunes, before returning toward Sydney.
Travel back to Sydney airport for your onward flight, with a final breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and scenic touring throughout
- 4N Sydney, 1N Blue Mountains, 2N Hunter Valley, 1N Port Stephens
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, a harbour lunch cruise and a vineyard lunch
- A guided Sydney city tour and the Bondi coastal walk
- The Blue Mountains with the Three Sisters and Scenic World
- A Hunter Valley wine tour and cellar-door tastings
- A Port Stephens dolphin cruise and sand-dune experience
- All listed activities and entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Australia
- Australian ETA or visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional attractions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa arranged online before travelling, with a passport valid for the duration of your stay. We can point you to the right one for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Australian Dollar. Sydney is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere; an Opal card makes public transport easy
- Seasons reversed: Sydney is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is warm and beachy, while winter (June to August) is mild. Spring and autumn are lovely for sightseeing
- Sun protection: The Australian sun is fierce, so pack high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses and reapply often — slip, slop, slap, as the locals say
- Beach safety: Always swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches, and be aware of rips and surf. Sydney's beaches are beautiful but the ocean can be powerful
- Getting around: Sydney is well served by trains, buses and iconic ferries, all on the Opal card. The harbour ferries are a scenic way to travel and a highlight in themselves
- Best time: Sydney is a year-round destination — summer for beaches, spring and autumn for comfortable sightseeing, and events like New Year's Eve fireworks and Vivid Sydney (May-June) light festival
- Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Australia, though rounding up or leaving a little for great service is appreciated
- Wildlife & nature: Day trips to the Blue Mountains and Port Stephens offer koalas, kangaroos and dolphins; respect wildlife and never feed animals unless guided
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM or eSIM gives good coverage. Power is 230V with the Australian type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise or a Hunter Valley wine lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Sydney's superb dining and beachside cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, sightseeing and day trips are arranged for you, and Sydney is easy to explore independently by ferry, train and on foot in between.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa, applied for online before you travel. We guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit Sydney?
Sydney is wonderful year-round — summer (December-February) for the beaches, and spring and autumn for comfortable sightseeing. Winter is mild, and the Vivid Sydney light festival lights up May and June.
Is Sydney easy to get around?
Very — the train, bus and iconic ferry network all run on the tap-and-go Opal card, and the harbour ferries are a scenic delight. The centre, The Rocks and the harbour are very walkable.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and day trips like the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley wine country or Port Stephens can all be tailored. Just tell us what you have in mind.
What day trips can we add from Sydney?
Popular day trips include the World Heritage Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley wine region, and Port Stephens for dolphins and sand dunes — all of which we can include or arrange.
Does this cover the best of the Sydney region?
Yes — it brings together Sydney's harbour and beaches, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley wine country and the coast at Port Stephens, the most complete tour of Sydney and New South Wales.
Is nine days a comfortable pace?
Very — with a base in Sydney and scenic overnight stops in the mountains, wine country and coast, the pace is relaxed with short, beautiful transfers between them.
More Beach Journeys
El Salvador Surf & Beach: Pacific Coast
El Salvador Surf & Beach: Pacific Coast
El Salvador
Viva Cuba Beaches: Cayo Coco & Cayo Santa Maria
Viva Cuba Beaches: Cayo Coco & Cayo Santa Maria
Cuba
Pura Vida Beaches: Guanacaste & Nicoya
Pura Vida Beaches: Guanacaste & Nicoya
Costa Rica