Things to do in Australia | A Sydney Vacation with All the Australia Highlights

Posted on: May 13th, 2016 by Melissa Maxwell No Comments

How to see the best of Australia on a short vacation to Sydney.

People visit Australia because it is an amazing country that has a lot to offer. As Australian Travel Experts (we’ve been sending our clients to Australia since 1999), we’ve narrowed down the Australian experience to 7 main highlights everyone should to fit into their Australian vacation: Beaches & Aquatic Life, Wildlife, Rainforests, Outback, Food & Wine, Modern City Culture & Arts and Indigenous Culture.

Obviously the best way to see all the great Australian Highlights is to visit a variety of Australian cities.

  • Melbourne has an amazing and unique City, Arts & Cafe Culture;
  • Cairns & Port Douglas offer access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Rainforest;
  • Brisbane allows you to see the Great Barrier Reef and Steve Irving’s (the crocodile hunter’s) famous Australian Zoo;
  • Ayer’s Rock showcases the best of the Outback and Aboriginal experiences;
  • Adelaide gives you access to the country’s largest wine region, most robust produce market and most amazing wildlife sanctuary, Kangaroo Island and;
  • Sydney is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on earth (plus there’s the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge).

But many people don’t have the time or luxury to travel across the great continent of Australia (it’s nearly the same size as the US).

That’s ok – no worries! You can still experience all the main highlights just by visiting one or two cities and staying just 5-7 days downunder.

Here’s how you can make it happen in Sydney.

Beaches & Aquatic Life

Take a secluded dip in calm blue waters.

Enjoy the feeling of your toes in the soft white sand.  

 

Take an invigorating swim in the ocean or simply relax in the sun.

Learn to surf or just watch the surfers catch some waves.

Cruise out on the Harbour…  

The bridge to our heart. #ilovesydney Photo taken at Mrs Macquaries Chair by @gustapratama A photo posted by Sydney Australia (@sydney) on

 

… or venture further for some whale watching.

Whale watching Sydney #whale #wildlife #Sydney #sydneyharbour #ocean

A photo posted by Will Giles (@willgilesuk) on

Get to know the marine life of the South Pacific at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.  

 

Wildlife

Sydney maybe a thriving metropolitan, but you can still find plenty of opportunities to see the local wildlife. Find Kangaroos, Koalas, Wallabies and more!

Visit the Taronga Zoo.

Get up-close at the WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo.

 

Rainforest

Australia is known for the rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, but you can see rainforests on a day trip from Sydney.

Just two hours south of Sydney, hike the Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park.

Closer to Sydney you can find pockets of rainforest in The Blue Mountains.

 

Outback

While not red, like Australia’s Red Centre, Sydney’s Outback still offers fun experiences for any lover of nature. Bushwalk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.  

J e r u s a l e m B a y || n s w #jerusalembay A photo posted by e m i l y g r a h a m (@_emilyke) on

 

Take an adventure to the cliffs at North Head Reserve.

From West Head to North Head, great start of the week! #northhead #ocean #sydney #northernbeaches #manly

A photo posted by Natasa Milosevic (@hangrikapkejk) on

Breathe deep in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area – one million hectares of sandstone cliffs, bushland, waterfalls and eucalyptus forest.  

 

 

Food & Wine

Sydney is a top foodie destination with a city full of talented chefs, superb fresh produce, and cultural and culinary influences from across the world. There are many eating options, from casual and affordable cafés and pubs, to award-winning restaurants on Sydney Harbour. Seafood is caught daily in the clean waters of the Pacific Ocean. Skilled winemakers produce a wide variety of award-winning wines.

Discover quality restaurants in the vineyards serving fresh local produce matched with local wines.

You’ll find amazing food and views at Quay…

This view never gets old #regram @nik_to #Quay #PeterGilmore #sydney #Australia #RestaurantAustralia

A photo posted by QUAY (@quayrestaurant) on

and artful presentation at Sepia.  

Nigiri @martinbennsepia A photo posted by Sepia Restaurant (@sepiasydney) on

 

Just, “Yum!”

Hunter Valley Wine Region can be reached in under 2 hours. Australia’s oldest growing wine region is renowned for its fine dining, cooking schools, galleries, health spas and golf courses.

 

Modern City Culture & Art

Catch an opera performance at the Sydney Opera House or right on the Harbour during Handa Opera on the Harbour.

Enjoy art at the Art Gallery of New South Whales.

 

Sol, calor, céu azul = #museum #sightseeing #sydney #art #gallery #museum #nerd #holidays #traveling #pop

A photo posted by Sabrina Matuda (@sabrinamatuda) on

 

Visit during Vivid Sydney for a city wide celebration of Light and Art.

Indigenous Culture

A historic walking tour through The Rocks. Learn how Aboriginal people lived in Sydney before the first European settlement on a Dreamtime adventure.

Take an Aboriginal Cultural Cruise on Sydney Harbour. Discover the stories of the Eora, Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people.

Photo credit: James Horan Tribal Warrior cultural performers A photo posted by Tribal Warrior (@tribalwarriorassociation) on

Visit the Australian National Heritage site, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to see thousand year-old rock engravings.

 

 

So whether you’re traveling to Australia for 3 weeks, a month or 7 days, you can make your trip across the pacific worth it, if you plan ahead. We’re happy to help with the planning! Contact us and your very own personal Destination Specialist will call you to discuss your dream vacation. Then our team of logistical professionals will book your trip and take care of all the details. Start by telling us what you want to do!

Get-A-Trip-Quote or Phone us Toll Free on 1-888-359-2877 (CT USA, M-F 8.30am – 5pm).

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