9 DAYS IN NEW SOUTH WALES - SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES OF AUSTRALIA

At a glance:

• 3 nights Sydney
• 1 night Hunter Valley
• 2 nights Port Stephens
• 2 nights Pretty Beach

The Journey

• Nearest Major City: Sydney
• Duration: 9 days
• Mode of Transport: On Foot, Touring Vehicle, Yacht, Car, Boat

DAY 1

Embark on a morning walk with Dreamtime Southern X.

This leisurely walkabout around The Rocks uncovers the authentic history of the Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage within Sydney Harbour and their spiritual connection to it.

Enjoy lunch at a historic pub in The Rocks area.

Check in to the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Walk to the Sydney Opera House for this evening’s Gold Experience Package.

Setting off from Stage Door, explore beneath the sails, venturing to back of house areas and theatres. After the tour, enjoy a 2-course pre-theatre dinner at Bennelong or ARIA both offering magnificent harbour views. Upgrade your package by adding a ticket to the Opera, Ballet, Symphony.

Highlights:

• Discover Sydney’s Dreamtime heritage on a walking tour.
• Enjoy lunch at an historic pub.
• Take a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House and dinner overlooking Sydney Harbour.

DAY 2

Take a Southern Highlands Wildlife Day Tour with Boutique Wildlife Tours.          

Travel to private farmland and bushland locations to spot Eastern Grey kangaroos, koalas, Red-necked wallabies, platypus and some of the 260 bird species that call the area home. After dinner, go night-spotting for nocturnal species, including Common Wombats, Sugar Gliders, Brush-tailed Possums and Tawny Frogmouths.

Highlights:

• Search for native Australian wildlife in their natural environment.
• Go spotlighting after dark to see nocturnal animals including possums, gliders and wombats.

DAY 3

Walk to Bridge Climb Sydney for a Bridgeclimb experience.

Experience breathtaking views and discover fascinating facts as you climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Transfer to Sydney By Sail at Darling Harbour for a three-hour sail and lunch.

Join your skipper and crew for an exploration of Sydney Harbour on a luxury yacht.  Play a part in the crew - trimming the sail or trying your hand at the helm.

Alternatively, spend the afternoon indoors at the Australian National Maritime Museum on their Hidden Gems and Ancient Artefacts Tour*. Gain exclusive access to the museum’s collection stores and discover hidden gems not on display to the public.

*Minimum 4 people

Enjoy dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants around Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Highlights:

• Absorb 360° panoramic views from the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Join the crew onboard a luxury yacht as you sail around Sydney Harbour.
• Discover private collections on a VIP tour of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

DAY 4    

Make your way to the Hunter Valley.

Visit Tyrell’s Vineyard for the Sacred Sites Exclusive Experience. Taste wine at the cellar door, take a tour of the ‘sacred sites’ and see the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation.

Drive to Audrey Wilkinson and enjoy a Picnic Among the Vines. Join a masterclass and premium tasting then collect your handpicked wine and picnic hamper and select a scenic location within the 270-acre property.

Visit the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company and indulge in a fine range of unique handmade chocolate products and fudge.

Check in to Spicers Vineyards Estate – a boutique five-star retreat.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at much lauded Restaurant Botanica at Spicers.

Highlights:

Visit the site of rare 100-year-old vines at Tyrell’s.

Pick your own secluded spot for a picnic amongst the vines.

Select from unique handmade chocolate and fudge.

DAY 5

Visit Brokenwood Wines for a VIP Soil-to-Cellar Experience. Enjoy three uniquely garnished oysters perfectly matched with three styles of premium Brokenwood Semillon followed by a tour of the winery with personal host.

Enjoy a 4-course degustation lunch in Brokenwood’s private dining room then conclude with a gourmet grazing charcuterie platter amongst the wine barrels. Be one of the first to taste Brokenwood’s pre-release Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz.

Stock up on local cheese at the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory before driving to Port Stephens.

Check in to Bannisters Port Stephens.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at Rick Stein at Bannisters.

Highlights:

Tour and taste with your own personal host for the day at Brokenwood.

Enjoy a 4-course degustation lunch with matching wines.

Taste pre-release Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz.

DAY 6

Drive to Williamtown for an Aboriginal Culture, Sand Boarding and Quad Bike Tour with Sand Dune Adventures.

Enjoy an exhilarating quad bike tour of the largest mobile sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tour includes a hands-on experience at the midden/tool making sites and sandboarding.

Head into Port Stephens town centre or Nelson Bay for a leisurely waterfront lunch.

This evening enjoy a Sunset cruise with Blue Water Sailing.

Glide across the bay onboard a luxury yacht as the wind eases and the light turns golden. Enjoy gourmet cheeses and fresh Port Stephens seafood.

Highlights:

• Quad bike down the biggest dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Savour fresh local oysters, cheese and wine onboard a sunset cruise.

DAY 7

Before departing Port Stephens, visit Tilligerry Habitat, a favourite feeding and resting spot for local koalas.

Depart Port Stephens and drive to Pretty Beach.

Arrive at the exclusive Pretty Beach House in the Bouddi National Park.

This evening, enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés before experiencing a traditional smoking ceremony, incorporating didgeridoo and song. Learn of the ancient rock carvings on the property and Indigenous Dreamtime stories.

Enjoy a degustation dinner at Pretty Beach House.

Highlights:

• Spot koalas in their natural environment at Tilligerry Habitat.
• Enjoy a traditional smoking ceremony.

DAY 8

After breakfast take a guided walk or tour.

See the extraordinary coastal sandstone cliffs, discover hidden beaches and Aboriginal sites, hear the history of the local Darkinjung culture and learn about traditional bush foods.

This afternoon enjoy a charter cruise.

Explore secret coves and bays and unspoilt rugged coastline then relax at a secluded beach for a picnic, snorkel and swim.

Alternatively, enjoy a therapeutic spa treatment at the Bouddi Spa or a VIP private pearl farm tour.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a complete sensory experience on a guided bush walk or cultural tour.
• Cruise hidden beaches and coves with gourmet picnic hamper and wine.
• Indulge in a spa treatment at the Bouddi Spa
• Take a VIP private tour to Broken Bay Pearl farm and learn about Australian pearl farming in a fabulous hands-on experience.

DAY 9

Return to Sydney.