Sydney holidays

The Rocks

Where Sydney began, this area contains more historical buildings than anywhere else in the city. Wander the cobblestone lanes and discover a haven of specialty stores, galleries and boutiques offering everything from handmade candles to Aboriginal artefacts. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Observatory Hill tower above, as does the range of 5 star hotels lining the beautiful waters edge. Sit and relax in a park and enjoy the city's best harbour views.

Darling Harbour

Often overlooked as Sydney’s modern convention and exhibition heartland, yet Darling Harbour is home to many other popular attractions including the Australian National Maritime museum, the Chinese garden and Imax theatre. It is also fast becoming the city’s hottest nightspot, offering a choice of popular restaurants and the coolest bars. It is close to Sydney’s only casino, Star City.

Kings Cross

One of the best known tourist attractions in Sydney (after the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House of course). Kings Cross is ten minutes from the city in light traffic and is Sydney’s main nightspot. Casting off the areas past reputation, trendy cafes and modern bars are common here too. Stay in Potts Point and sample a wide array of menus, covering every cuisine and catering to every taste.

The Eastern Suburbs

Stretching from the city along the southern foreshore of Sydney Harbour to North Head, the Eastern Suburbs include the neighbourhoods of Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Paddington. Call at trendy Double Bay and enjoy the views of Sydney Harbour on the way to Watson Bay. Visit famous Bondi Beach, where the Eastern Suburbs meet the Southern Beaches.

Take the M4 motorway from Sydney, or the meandering Bells Line road, out to the gorgeous Blue Mountains – less than 2 hours drive away from Sydney. This stunning New South Wales national park offers picturesque villages, breathtaking views and so much to see and do. Walk the nature trails, visit the Three Sisters or explore Aboriginal cultural sites. It’s the perfect holiday destination for families, nature lovers and adventure seekers.

An hour and a half drive from Sydney will take you to the world famous Hunter Valley. An area brimming with picturesque vineyards and independent wineries. You will find the most variety of vines around Pokolbin with traditional varieties like Shiraz and Semillon, as well as extensive plantings of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and small quantities of Pinot Noir on offer. The Hunter Valley gardens are also well worth exploring.

We recommend taking the coastal route and spreading the drive across four or five days. Stop off in Batemans Bay before heading down to the Lakes Entrance. Make time to visit one of the national parks on the way to way to Melbourne. Croajingolong National Park, Wilson’s Promontaory National Park and Gippsland Lakes are all popular choices. Once in Melbourne, hop on the world’s largest tram network and explore sights including Eureka Skydeck, the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere.

Drive the 3.5 hours to Australia’s capital city, Canberra. The Princes Highway is the ideal way to travel by car between Sydney and Canberra. See the sights including Questacon, the science museum or the National Portrait Gallery. Leave plenty of time to explore the great outdoors and take advantage of the extensive cycle paths, world-class mountain biking and city walking trails.

Drive up route 1, along Pacific Ocean, and take in the sights, as you make your way north in to Brisbane. Pass through famous Byron Bay, along the stunning Gold Coast. In Brisbane visit the South Bank Parklands, Roma Street Parkland, the City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane Forest Park and Portside Wharf. We recommend spending at least five days in Brisbane, to get the most out of your stay in the capital of Queensland.