18 Days Australia & New Zealand: Diverse Landscapes Down Under

YOUR DAY

Welcome to Sydney, Australia’s largest city.

You will be met at the airport by private shuttle and transferred to your inner city hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this incredible city at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through the Botanic Gardens or along Darling Harbour. Your interactive travel app provided will have some great suggestions on where best to eat, drink, explore and enjoy your surroundings.

Bespoke options today include:

• Harbour dinner cruise
• Sydney bridge climb
• Taronga zoo visit
• Whale watch

Let us know when you flight arrives, as this changes what we can plan for you!

This evening you will be taken on an exclusive Harbour Cruise where you will dine on board with spectacular views of the cityscape and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

YOUR DAY

This morning take in the local sites at your own pace!

At midday, step aboard a small luxury vessel for the private Whales of Sydney Lunch Safari.

Your adventure begins as we make our way speedily towards the entrance to the harbour and then out past Sydney’s famous beaches and rugged cliffs to the whale watching area in deep blue Pacific Ocean waters, just a few kilometres off the Sydney coast.

We’ll get you to the whale grounds after your light lunch, where our experienced captain will instruct you on how to spot the whales, just like the early whaling boats did for hundreds of years. Be the first on board to shout “thar she blows” and feel the excitement when you spot your first whale or pod. Your captain will then manoeuvre the vessel into the best whale watching position, providing expert commentary, so you feel as close to these magnificent creatures as possible.

You may also get the chance to spot bottle-nosed dolphins or local fur seals off South Head, but the real stars of the show are always the magnificent whales.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to soak up the harbour atmosphere before returning to your accommodation.

YOUR DAY

Begin in the city with the Australian Museum, where you can explore Australia’s natural history and Indigenous cultures. From here, walk across Hyde Park to visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, a fascinating insight into Sydney’s early colonial and convict history, set within one of the city’s most important heritage buildings. Continue on to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, beautifully positioned on the edge of the Domain, showcasing a strong mix of Australian, Indigenous, and international art.

In the afternoon, shift your focus to one of Sydney’s character filled inner suburbs. Paddington offers a great mix of history and modern Sydney life, with rows of Victorian terrace houses, small boutiques, and relaxed cafes. Alternatively, head to Balmain, known for its working class heritage, historic pubs, and village atmosphere. Take time to wander the streets, browse local shops or galleries, and finish the day with a meal in one of the area’s long standing pubs, soaking up the feel of old Sydney.

Tonight, you will enjoy the ultimate Bridge climb with a twilight climb of the Sydney harbor bridge. (We think doing this at twilight is the best, seeing the sunset across the city!)