Just a few hours outside of Sydney, you'll find Australia's oldest wine-growing region as well as one of its most spectacular landscapes. This five-day self-drive tour includes the World Heritage-Listed Blue Mountains National Park, and the famous Hunter Valley wine region.
Ninety minutes west of Sydney lies Blue Mountains National Park. Its dramatic sandstone cliffs, thundering waterfalls and eucalyptus-forested gorges invite bushwalkers to stretch their legs, while its charming art deco cliff-top villages will entice you to wander their café-lined streets. Your itinerary here includes charming country house-style accommodation and a small group half-day walking tour of this beautiful region.
A short detour inland and still only 2 hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 100 wineries and dozens of fabulous restaurants, perfectly complemented by a fine selection of olive farms, galleries and antique shops. It is world-renowned for its unique dry Semillon and Chardonnay white wines & its distinctive earthy Shiraz red wines. Accommodation here is a charming boutique heritage hotel, with a small group shared tour of the wine region, including lunch.
Today commence independent arrangements to Sydney City depot to collect your intermediate automatic rental car (includes unlimited kilometres, daily insurance and GPS satellite navigation).
Drive from Sydney to Blue Mountains (approximately two hours’ journey).
The remainder of the day is at your leisure and while in the Blue Mountains we suggest the following optional activities:
• Bushwalking
• Shopping in Leura Village
• Ride the sceniscender, scenic railway and scenic skyway at the Scenic World
• Visit Koomurri Aboriginal Culture Centre to view Aboriginal art and see a live performance
• Visit Jenolan Caves
ACCOMMODATION FOR TWO NIGHTS IN A DELUXE KING ROOM INCLUDING BREAKFAST AT: LILIANFELS RESORT, BLUE MOUNTAINS
This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your guide for a half-day small group walking tour.
Your walk today begins at the start of the famous Six Foot Track. You will walk the first 500 metres of this amazing marathon before taking the short walk to Bonnie Doon Falls Lookout where you overlook the Megalong Valley and the farm land, woodland and rainforest that has made this track legendary for over 110 years.
Your qualified guide will tell you about the local history and point out some interesting landmarks on the horizon. Where does the blue haze come from? He will talk about the lifestyle of the Aboriginal people who lived here for thousands of years.
On your walk across the cliff top you will travel through beautiful fern gullies with an abundance of native wildlife and cross small waterfalls fed by underground springs. Moving between fern gullies, woodlands and open heath you may meet some of our inquisitive wildlife while you take in the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains. Your guide will explain the importance of preserving the natural environment and the effect on rare and endangered species.
Your walk will finish at Cliff Drive a short distance from Katoomba where you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Today depart Blue Mountains and drive to Hunter Valley (approximately four and a half hours’ journey).
The remainder of the day is at your leisure and while in the Hunter Valley we suggest the following optional activities:
• Spend time at the stunning Hunter Valley Gardens
• Golf
• Tennis
• Swimming
• Bike riding
• Hot air ballooning
ACCOMMODATION FOR TWO NIGHTS IN A DELUXE QUEEN ROOM INCLUDING BREAKFAST AT: PEPPERS CONVENT, HUNTER VALLEY
This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your ‘wine expert' guide and vehicle for a small group full day tour to the Hunter Valley wine region.
Richard Everett, your guide for today, has 35 years experience in the wine trade and is a graduate Oenologist (Winemaker). After morning tea on the verandah at Peppers Guesthouse, you will then visit the region’s best 1850's era establishment and recent arrival contemporary wineries, where Richard will host you through comprehensive sit down private tastings of the top wines, including bottle aged vintages not available to the public.
Lunch today is a choice of any 2 courses from the a la carte menu at one of the region’s finest restaurants.
Upon completion of today’s touring, you will be returned to your accommodation.
Today depart Blue Mountains and drive to Hunter Valley (approximately three hours’ journey).
Upon arrival in Sydney return your rental car to the Sydney City or Airport depot.
Cost: Based on two people sharing a room cost per person is USD$1,800 (total cost for two people is USD$3,600) and includes:
• Accommodation and meals as specified
• Intermediate size automatic rental vehicle including daily insurance, unlimited kilometres and GPS navigation system
• Shared small group Blue Mountains walking tour
• Shared small group Hunter Valley wine country tour
• Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 10%
Price may be subject to seasonal fluctuations and public holiday surcharges.
All services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
