DAY 1 Sydney

Image credits: BridgeClimb

 

Start your Sydney adventure with a walk across its most famous landmark, the Harbour Bridge. There’s a fenced pedestrian path running beside the road with incredible views over the harbour and Opera House. Finish with a swim at the North Sydney Pool or tackle the rides at Luna Park. For a guided climb in record time, try the BridgeClimb Sampler. In one and a half hours, climb the inner arch of the iconic Bridge to a spectacular vantage point halfway to the top. 

 

Image credits: Let's Go Surfing

In the afternoon, head to Bondi Beach. You’ll find plenty of keen surfers catching the waves at Bondi, Sydney’s most famous beach. Sign up for a private surfing lesson with Lets Go Surfing and in just an hour they’ll have you standing up on your board like a pro. Finish with fish and chips at The Bucket List overlooking the sand.

 

Image credits: Taronga Zoo

 

Many people do not know you can stay overnight inside Taronga Zoo Sydney in a safari-style tent, enjoy gourmet feasts under the stars and have an up close and personal experience with the exotic and native animals in the zoo. The Roar and Snore itinerary involves a twilight walk through Taronga Zoo once it’s closed to general visitors, canapés, drinks, buffet dinner, then a night-time safari.

 

DAY 2

Image credits: Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures

 

From Sydney, choose your own adventure! Australia's largest horse riding and outdoor centre is at Glenworth Valley, set on 1,200 hectares of wilderness, about 40 minutes north of the city. Then meet the local wildlife at the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park and the Australian Reptile Park.

 

Image credits: TreeTops

 

For adrenaline junkies, try the TreeTop Crazy Rider, the world’s longest rollercoaster zip line, at TreeTop Adventures in Ourimbah State Forest. The 1km line winds through the trees and includes four 360-degree loops, one 540-degree loop and two heart-racing drops.

 

DAY 3

Image credits: Destination NSW

 

Towards the coast, don’t miss the famous Pelican feeding time at The Entrance. The Pelican Feed takes place on The Entrance waterfront at 3:30pm each day and is one of the Central Coast's most popular tourist attractions, entertaining and educating visitors and residents alike about the area's own pelican colony.

 

Image credits: The Legendary Pacific Coast

 

About an hour north of The Entrance is Lake Macquarie on the New South Wales Central Coast. The golden sands and clear waters of Lake Macquarie’s beaches are among the best in New South Wales, and Caves Beach has amazing caves and rock pools to explore. Hire a tinnie boat for the day and explore the sandy inlets, islands, and secluded bays of the lake.

 

DAY 4 

Image credits: Hunter Valley Gardens

 

From the coast, head to wine country. The Hunter Valley is about a two-hour drive from Lake Macquarie and is Australia’s oldest wine-growing region known for its semillon and shiraz varietals. Stroll through the Hunter Valley Gardens picturesque gardens along 8km of walking trails past majestic trees, shrubs, flower beds, themed gardens for children, waterfalls, statues and more.

 

Image credits: Balloon Aloft

 

Visit Audrey Wilkinson, one of the country's oldest vineyards. Picnic among the vines, tour the cellar or stay in a guest cottage on this historic working vineyard. And don’t miss your chance to see the Hunter Valley from above in a hot air balloon. Balloon Aloft have been hosting hour-long sunrise balloon rides with a champagne breakfast for over 35 years. And for the kids, finish the day hitting the dessert trail at Sabor Dessert Bar, Cocoa Nib, and Cupcake Espresso.

 

DAY 5

Image credits: Destination NSW

 

Port Stephens is about a one and a half hour drive towards the coast. With 26 golden beaches, a vast blue bay and many beautiful inlets, Port Stephens is an idyllic beach getaway for families with freshly caught seafood and outdoor adventures like quad-biking.

 

DAY 6

Image credits: Destination NSW

 

Spend the day having a unique adventure on the famous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay. The beautiful sandscape is forever changing. Created thousands of years ago, the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere are spectacular. 

 

Image credits: Destination NSW, Hugh Stewart

 

The dunes tower as much as 40 metres above the sea level and the steep slopes are ideal for sand-boarding, an exciting activity all year. You can sand board down the massive dunes, traverse the majestic landscape on board a 4WD Hummer or on a 400cc quad bike, and for a quirky adventure, you can also ride a camel along the soft silky sand.

 

Image credits: Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

 

In the afternoon head across to the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters at Port Stephens. The guided tour of the interactive aquarium is where the whole family can meet sharks and rays, and even pet and feed them!

 

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This article was first written in May 2019 and updated in November 2022.