Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Visit the icons from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and beyond!
Members from: $945 P.P Twin ShareNon-members from: $955 P.P Twin ShareSolo traveller from: $1,310
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
Australia
Supplier
AAT Kings
Booking Code
SS11
Departs
Multiple departures available. Enquire for more details.
New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, is home to our largest city, Sydney. Its temperate climate, with sunshine most days of the year, provides the ideal environment for visitors to this spectacular state.
The capital of NSW and Australia’s oldest and largest city, Sydney was established by Captain Arthur Phillip as a penal colony. The city grew in chaos for many years until 1810 when Governor Macquarie set about restoring order and improving roads and communications. The city soon became a major shipping and trading centre for the southwest Pacific. Today, Sydney has the world’s best natural harbour with 55 sq km of water catering for 4,000 vessels each year.
Take a scenic three hour drive west of Sydney and discover the magnificent Blue Mountains, which were first crossed in 1813 by explorers Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson. This World Heritage Listed National Park is recognised internationally for its incredible geographic, botanic and cultural values and boasts a stunning landscape of dense eucalypt forest, grand escarpments, waterfalls and cave systems.
The area is home to 90 different species of eucalyptus trees and the greatest and most diverse concentration of eucalyptus trees in the world. Ever wonder why the Blue Mountains are called blue? The air is filled with several finely dispersed droplets of eucalyptus oil. These oil droplets not only delightfully perfume the air, but combined with dust and water vapour; they scatter rays of brilliant blue light earning this spectacular mountain range its name.
Travel dates:
1 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023
Day 1 Arrive Sydney
On arrival at Sydney Airport, make your own way to your hotel (flights anytime). The rest of the day is at leisure.
Hotel: Rydges Central or Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour, Sydney, 3 nights
Day 2 Sydney Sights and Harbour Cruise Lunch
Admire one of the iconic buildings of the 20th century during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. See the city sights before visiting famous Bondi Beach. Back in the city board a lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour. Later, travel across the Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point for views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Head east to La Perouse, a historical headland suburb with views across the bay to Captain Cook’s landing place at Kurnell in 1770. See the historical buildings and learn how the Aboriginal people were impacted. Wander cobbled laneways in the Rocks District on a walking tour and hear how the area has transformed from a British colony of convicts and sailors to a thriving entertainment precinct.
Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3 Blue Mountains & Australian Wildlife
Explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park. View the famous Three Sisters rock formation from a perfect vantage point before arriving at Scenic World, where you’ll witness the vastness of the Blue Mountains and enjoy 360° views of the Jamison Valley. You can ride the Scenic Railway, Cableway, or Skyway, a great way to see the steep valleys and canyons, and follow the boardwalk along the valley floor (own expense). Visit picturesque Leura, a delightful blend of quaint shops and groomed gardens.
Visit Sydney Zoo, where you will see native Australian animals including dingoes, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils and echidnas in an open range, cage-free environment in the Australian Precinct. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus roam free for guests to interact with along the level pathways that lead to the Bungarribee Dreaming Experience which is delivered by Aboriginal guides. Hear dreamtime stories and learn about traditional tools, artefacts and bush tucker through interpretation within the talking huts in the Australian Precinct. Visit the underground Nocturnal and Reptile House and see bilbies and ghost bats as well as a wide range of lizards, insects, pythons and venomous snakes in a huge world class facility. Continue along to the native aquarium with its underwater shark viewing, eye level little penguin display and enormous saltwater crocodile. Get a close-up view of chimps, baboons and monkeys, and see animals from Asia & Africa including lions, tigers, pandas, giraffes and rhinos, from the boardwalk.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Depart Sydney
Your Short Break concludes this morning after breakfast. Make your own way to Sydney Airport (flights anytime).
Included Meals: Breakfast
South Western Escape
Members from: $4,645 P.P Twin Share
Tassie's Parks and Nature
Members from: $3,635 P.P Twin Share
All prices are per person in Australian Dollars unless specified. Prices are based on costs,
charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies, exchange rates and other considerations.
All are subject to change. For up-to-date pricing contact your Travel Agent or check on
AATKings.com.
No surcharges regarding cost or currency fluctuations will be made to the land only price
once the deposit is received. No refund will be made on account of reduction of any of the
above. If the total holiday price increases by more than 10% guests will have the option to
cancel the holiday within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty