Experience A Different Sydney
The beauty of Sydney extends far beyond the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sure, the city itself is spectacular, but you’ve only just hit the tip of a very beautiful iceberg if you confine yourself to one area.
If you are just planning to visit Sydney on your next visit, these 17 reasons will definitely change your mind.
1. Sleep under the stars at Cockatoo Island
Once a penal colony, this UNESCO World Heritage site later played a major role in World War II as a major dockyard and shipbuilding facility, which explains the industrial infrastructure found all over the island. Today, Cockatoo Island is home to many art exhibitions and installations including the annual Sydney Biennale.
Cockatoo Island is great for a day trip and also for an overnight stay. Like Tay Tay in her latest music video for Wildest Dreams, you too can have your own luxury camping or glamping experience under the stars.
Fitted with beds, a chest of drawers, amenities and even hot water bottles, you can kiss your worries of reliving a bad school camp experience goodbye. Lamps for the tent are also available for rental from the Ranger’s Office on Cockatoo Island close to the jetty.
For dinner, simply throw some shrimp (or prawns) on the barbie and have a sunset barbeque by the water. Thinking of how to clean up your mess after you’re done? Do it the Aussie way — using just beer and newspaper.
Getting Here
By Ferry
Harbour City Ferries have daily services to Cockatoo Island from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Balmain and Woolwich.
By Water Taxi
Private water taxis are also available for hire. A list of recommended water taxi operators can be obtained from the Ranger’s Office on Cockatoo Island.
2. See The Three Sisters at Echo Point
Just over an hour’s drive from Sydney and two hours by train, the Blue Mountains is one of the local’s favourite holiday destinations. Home to beautiful waterfalls, bushwalking trails and cliffs, visitors can expect to see the best displays of nature like Three Sisters here as viewed from the Echo Point lookout.
Echo Point Lookout
Address: 23-31 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780
3. Go under the earth at the Jenolan Caves
Marvel at Mother Nature’s handiwork in the form of the Jenolan Caves made up of 11 natural caves with underground rivers and limestone formations. Most caves are fitted with walking trails and handrails so if you’re worried about having to pull a Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, you can rest easy.
Click here for more information on ticket prices and packages.
4. Ride on the steepest railway in the world
This 52 degree incline makes this the steepest railway in the world and will literally have you falling out of your seat. Fitted with a glass ceiling, this scenic ride allows panoramic views of the Jamison Valley and the surrounding lush rainforest.
Scenic World also features a cableway, walkway and skyway. Ticket prices are $35 for Adults and $18 for Children (between the ages of 4 to 13 years old). Children under the age of 4 get to travel for free! Find out more about the railway and these other attractions here.
5. Visit Charming Leura
The Blue Mountains is also home to the charming heritage town of Leura. If you’re visiting in Spring, watch the town come alive with cherry blossoms in bloom and don’t miss the Leura Gardens Festival for a celebration of Spring in the mountains! You can also experience a traditional high tea at Bygone Beautys for an experience quite unlike any other.
Bygone Beautys
Address: Cnr Grose & Megalong Streets, Leura NSW 2780
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5.30pm
6. Take an unforgettable picture at Lincoln’s Rock
Soak up the breath-taking sights of the Jamison Valley in the sunshine at Lincoln’s Rock, a uniquely-shaped flat rock that gives others the impression that you’re sitting on the edge of a cliff! In reality, there’s a ledge below that will prevent you from falling too far, but please be careful when taking this picture!
Address: 31/69 Little Switzerland Dr, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782
7. Go Parasailing at Port Stephens
Home to dolphins, whales, sand dunes and endless beaches, Port Stephens combines both fun and relaxation in one amazing location. Roughly a 3 hour drive away from Sydney, Port Stephens is the perfect place for a week-long getaway.
Parasail off a boat in a multi-coloured balloon and enjoy unobscured views of the beach and beyond. It’s always more fun to do a tandem parasail but there are single options available as well.
Visit Port Stephens Watersports to book your parasailing slot!
Rumour has it that Soldiers Point in Port Stephens offers one of the best sunsets around. I once saw a couple sitting on top of their caravan with some blankets just admiring the view. It doesn’t get more romantic than that.
8. Quad bike along sand dunes
One thing you should not miss when visiting Port Stephens is definitely the quad biking. Run by friendly and safe operators, visitors will get a chance to navigate towering sand dunes, some as high as 10-storeys! You will also have the opportunity to learn about the Aboriginal owners of the land and the history of the sand beneath your feet.
Sand Dune Adventures
Address: 2163 Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown NSW 2318
Website: http://www.sandduneadventures.com.au/
9. See the world’s (certified) whitest sand at Jervis Bay
The little town of Jervis Bay made its name with a Guinness World Record for having a beach with the whitest sand in the world. With the promise of soft, white sand and crystal clear waters, Hyams Beach is a definite must-visit if you’re ever in the area. The best part about this beach is that it is still relatively uncommercialized, so you can have most of the beach to yourself.
Jervis Bay is also one of the best places to whale watch in Australia, with multiple companies operating whale and dolphin cruises all year round. However, do take note that the ride out to sea can be rather choppy so stay prepared with seasickness pills.
Everything will be worth it the moment you catch a glimpse of these majestic gentle giants.
Jervis Bay Wild
Address: 58 Owen Street Huskisson NSW 2540
Website: http://www.jervisbaywild.com.au/
Dolphin Watch Cruises
Address: 50 Owen St, Huskisson NSW 2540
Website: http://www.dolphinwatch.com.au/
When in Jervis Bay you simply have to try the World Famous Fish N Chips Huskisson. I mean, you can’t possibly give this restaurant a miss with a name as promising as that. Be it barramundi, snapper or trevally; beer-battered or grilled; you’ll find an unpretentious and hearty meal here in Jervis Bay.
Address: 2/54 Owen St, Huskisson NSW 2540
10. Savour the splendour of Sydney’s own Wine Countrys
Located just an hour and a half away from Sydney, Hunter Valley offers so much more than the wines they are famous for. This is the perfect place especially for families with kids. With attractions like pony rides and chocolate factories, both the young and young at heart will be well-entertained.
The best way to get around the sprawling wine estates is by driving, but don’t be too worried if you don’t have a car or can’t drive. There are numerous operators all over the region offering a wide range of wine tours that will allow you to make the most of your Wine Country experience.
Wine tasting at Tempus Two’s exclusive Pewter Room
You can’t leave Wine Country without having a few sips of the award-winning wines of the region. Hunter Valley is known for their Semillons, a dry, sweet white wine suitable for amateur wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike.
While quality estates can be found all over Hunter Valley, my personal favourite is Tempus Two. Unlike most wineries, Tempus Two offers a good range of both red and white wines. A good tip for wine tasting is to judge the wine on your third sip, which can actually taste substantially different from the first.
Tempus Two
Address: Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Website: http://www.tempustwo.com.au/
12. Enjoy the great outdoors at Glenworth Valley
Located just an hour and a half away from Sydney, Hunter Valley offers so much more than the wines they are famous for. This is the perfect place especially for families with kids. With attractions like pony rides and chocolate factories, both the young and young at heart will be well-entertained.
Glenworth Valley also offers abseiling, kayaking and camping programmes all year round, not to mention the only Bear Grylls Survival Course in the whole of Australia as well! Learn to abseil off 15-metre high cliffs, start a fire and even build your own shelter as you conquer the great Australian outdoors.
13. Feel the adrenaline rush on a Jetpack
Prepare yourself for a day of adventure in the Central Coast! Here you’ll get to experience the thrill of riding a jetpack or jetboard, propelling yourself to heights of 10 metres or more above the water! The feeling of finally being airborne is unparallelled and after executing your first dolphin dive you will literally feel like you’re on top of the world.
Jetpack Adventures
Address: Mt Penang Gardens, Parklands Road, Kariong NSW 2250
14. Take on the world’s longest zip line roller coaster
Featuring over 13km of crazy loops, dips and accelerations, you will certainly feel the adrenaline rush on the Treetop Crazy Rider – the world’s longest zip line roller coaster. Feel the rush of the wind as you zip past the canopy of the lush rainforest and witness spectacular views along the way. The best part of this ride is that anyone can ride it, including the elderly and wheelchair-bound!
Treetop Crazy Rider
Address: Ourimbah State Forest, 1 Red Hill Rd (cnr of Yarramalong Rd), Wyong Creek, NSW 2259, Australia
Website: http://www.treetopcrazyrider.com.au/
15. Experience the scenic Kangaroo Valley from your own kayak
Do your part for ecotourism and paddle your own kayak down Kangaroo River. Teeming with wildlife and peaceful surrounds, paddlers can enjoy a serene ride down the river and may even have the opportunity to get up close to wild kangaroos and other wildlife along the river.
For those seeking a bit of an adventure, Kangaroo River is also home to some river rapids that make for a thrilling experience. Do note that the rapids are closed during bad weather for safety reasons, so be sure to pick a sunny day if you want to try the rapids!
While at Kangaroo Valley be sure not to miss the stunning Fitzroy Falls that will make for a beautiful photo opportunity.
Fitzroy Falls
Address: 1301 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls NSW 2577
Before you leave Kangaroo Valley, do also drop by Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop for some beef pies, lamingtons and caramel slices for the road. Reputedly home of “the world’s best pies”, I’ve tried them before myself and trust me when I say they will not disappoint.
Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop
Address: 2167 Moss Vale Rd, Barrengarry NSW 2577
16. Chill like the locals at Kiama
Kiama lies just south of Sydney and is the perfect place for a day trip. Visit the Kiama Farmers Market in the morning for fresh, unwaxed apples sweet beyond comprehension and some of the tastiest sausage rolls around. I like to grab myself a coffee and a sausage roll and sit by the water’s edge to people-watch.
Kiama Farmers Markets
Address: Black Beach, Kiama Harbour, Kiama NSW 2533
The town’s main attraction is the Kiama blowhole, an intriguing natural phenomenon that, under certain conditions, can produce a spray of water up to 25 metres in the air. Be prepared to get wet!
Kiama is also home to many caravan parks and prime fishing spots.
Kiama Blowhole
Address: Blowhole Point Road, Kiama NSW 2533
17. Bushwalk at the Royal National Park
Kiama lies just south of Sydney and is the perfect place for a day trip. Visit the Kiama Farmers Market in the morning for fresh, unwaxed apples sweet beyond comprehension and some of the tastiest sausage rolls around. I like to grab myself a coffee and a sausage roll and sit by the water’s edge to people-watch.
Kiama Farmers Markets
Address: Black Beach, Kiama Harbour, Kiama NSW 2533
The Royal National Park is home to unparalleled natural beauty; all you have to do is know where to look. Deer Pool is a clearing about an hour and a half hike into the park, and features a picturesque waterfall and a small beach for picnics and campfires. Perfect for a little adventure with your significant other!
Royal National Park
Address: Audley Rd, Audley NSW 2232
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