Sydney and Surrounds Road Trip Itinerary

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

See inside the world's most recognisable sails. Experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds - to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building - our guides will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns.

You'll visit at least one of our venues - where we live performance every day. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million. Duration: 1 Hour.

Collect your rental car and take a leisurely drive to the famous Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley

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: 172km | 107 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Hunter Valley - 2 Nights

Experience the Hunter Valley total "Winery Experience". The on-site winery is by far the largest, and most advanced in the Hunter Valley. The Wine Tasting Cellars are open every day to try the fruits of their labour... Crushing some 6.500 tonnes of grapes each year, the winery produces around 6 million litres of wine.

Join the comprehensive winery tour to experience how wine is actually made... right from the grapevine to bottle! The two-hour Hunter Valley Wine School promises an education of wine. Walkthrough the vineyard and learn how and why a grapevine grows. Then it's off to the crusher, and into the Winery. See the huge vats, the Potter Tanks, the filtration equipment, and the largest Rotovat in the Hunter. From there, the tour then moves through into the Cask Hall, and on into the Wine Tasting Cellars.

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. Port Stephens is home to around 165 bottlenose dolphins, which live in the Port itself. If you are lucky you can view them from the shore or hire a boat. Alternatively, join a tour that takes you around the Port dolphin watching.

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

Accommodation: Port Stephens - 2 Nights

From Port Stephens enjoy a great Whale Watching Cruise You will never forget seeing the awesome bulk of a Humpback whale, up to 18 metres long and weighing 40 tonnes! Being the most surface active of all the whales, it is highly likely that you will see spectacular displays - spyhops, pectoral slaps, body rolls, and ... the breathtaking breach.

Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, entertaining and informative commentary, and a bonus dolphin and outer island cruise - Two Cruises for the price of one! With two vessels to choose from with great viewing decks, you can rest assured you're getting the best view of these friendly giants.

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: 305 km | 190 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Blue Mountains - 3 Nights

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.

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.

After an amazing trip, travel to Sydney Airport and return your rental vehicle prior to boarding your onward flight.

Today we say farewell. There maybe time for some last-minute excursions or shopping before you head home. 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 a camera full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your holiday!

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