Intrepid Travel: Best of Sydney & Blue Mountains

Welcome to Sydney, Australia – or Warrane, in the language of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Sydney is now located. Your adventure starts today with a welcome meeting at your hotel at 1 pm. After, you’ll head out with your local leader and fellow travellers for a walkabout tour with an Aboriginal guide in and around The Rocks. Walk through Hicksons Reserve, Campbells Cove, Cumberland Walk and more as your guide teaches you about this area's history, land and water use and spiritual connection with the First Nations peoples. After your journey into the Dreaming, head out on a leader-led orientation walk to Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park and the Sydney Tower Eye. Join your group for an included welcome dinner along Darling Harbour and then settle into your hotel for the night.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.   

Activities:

• Sydney - The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

This morning, head out on a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains – a land of rugged peaks, waterfalls and dense eucalyptus forest. Stop at Wentworth Falls for grand valley views at Fletchers Lookout. Head to Katoomba and visit Echo Point Lookout, which overlooks the iconic Three Sisters. Walk the Three Sisters track for views of the national park below. You might like to stop for lunch at the famous Lookout Restaurant for the views overlooking Echo Point Escarpment. Or maybe head into Katoomba town to check out the shops. This afternoon, you’ll head to Scenic World – a private, family-owned tourism spot backdropped by the mountains. Hop aboard the steepest railway in the world and ride into Jamison Valley, where you can explore the many boardwalks through the rainforest, looking out for lyrebirds and ancient tree ferns. Ride the cableway, which cruises past the sandstone escarpment and Orphan Rock. See Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters again, but from above, on the Scenic Skyway, which soars through the mountains. Tonight, return to your accommodation in Darling Harbour.

Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Your leader will choose the most appropriate walks for your group and the weather today, which might include the Three Sisters Walk (Grade1, about 25 to 45 minutes) and Wentworth Falls track (Grade 3, about 45 minutes to 1 hour).

Activities:

• Wentworth Falls - Wentworth Falls Lookout
• Katoomba - Scenic Skyway
• Katoomba - Scenic Walkway
• Katoomba - Three Sisters Walk
• Katoomba - Echo Point Lookout
• Katoomba - Scenic Cableway
• Katoomba - Scenic Railway

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

This morning after breakfast, you’ll hop on the public ferry from Sydney Harbour to Manly. Departing regularly from Circular Quay, the ferry cruises past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before passing Kirribilli House (the Prime Minister’s official residence), Bradleys Head and South Head before arriving at Manly Wharf. From here, you’ll walk to Manly Beach where you can enjoy the cafes and laidback beach lifestyle or join your leader for a coastal walk to the nearby Shelly Beach. This afternoon, take the ferry back to Circular Quay and take a short walk back to your accommodation. Your trip will now end, and you’re free to leave any time after checkout. If you’d like to stay in Sydney longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Activities:

• Sydney – Harbour to Manly return ferry
• Sydney – Exploration of Manly Beach