Top 30 Things To Do In Sydney

27 Royal National Park

Wattamolla for a beautiful lagoon, cliffs and beach. Walks a plenty. Garie beach to Bundeena. There is a small entrance fee to get into the Royal National Park but well worth it. The Royal National Park is a beautiful slice of Australia. It has been decimated by bush fires in the past but recovers amazingly quickly.

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Kayak The Royal National Park

Royal National Park

The kayak tour begins on the beach with a brief on paddling technique, safety and fitting of kayaks and safety vests.

Kayak styles will vary and include both enclosed and sit-on-top double and single kayaks, all of which are top quality touring class kayaks, equipped with rudders and plenty of storage space.

With an experienced and knowledgeable guide accompanying you, you'll paddle across the bay, along beaches and into the surrounds of the Royal National Park.

During the tour, we will stop at select points along the way where your guide will talk about the history and wildlife of the area.

Half way through the paddle, we stop for a break, swim and a leg stretch at one of the many secluded beaches or grassy patches in the National Park.

Enjoy a light, sweet morning tea and hot drink before paddling back to base.

Kayak The Royal National Park

28 Sydney Harbour Fireworks

Get down to Sydney Harbour at 'New Years' for an amazing display - usually two – a short one for the kids at around 9pm and a longer one for the party people at midnight. If you miss that don't worry Sydney does it again on Australia Day on the 26th January. All you need is a decent vantage point around Sydney Harbour, some patience and maybe a little something and/or someone to celebrate with. .

29 Port Stephens Dolphins

Rather than go straight back to Sydney from the Hunter Valley why not say ‘tuna’ to a Port Stephens dolphin? Numerous boats have nets you can climb into to get a little closer (and potentially a lot colder). Hanging off of the boat might just be what you need to kill off your hangover. You could also get seriously lucky and spot a whale. Most of the boats are run out of Nelson Bay. And as a bonus – Port Stephens has small but beautiful white sandy beaches and is quite picturesque.

Port Stephens Dolphin Magic

Depart Sydney for Port Stephens in an air-conditioned mini coach. Travel across the Harbour Bridge and past the towering sandstone cliffs of the Hawkesbury River. Arriving at Williamstown, commence your 4WD trip to the stunningly beautiful 'Desert by the Sea' sand dunes and 40km beach at Stockton. Travel to Port Stephens for lunch at a spectacular local restaurant.

Fresh seafood is on today's menu. Relax overlooking the picturesque marina. After lunch join our dolphin watch cruise in the calm waters of the bay. The expert crew bring pods of wild dolphins into view with a 97% success rate at finding dolphins. Return to Sydney by approximately 6.00pm.

Port Stephens Dolphin Magic

30 (26) Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park resides on, or at least close by, to the site of the Old Sydney Town theme park about an hours drive north of Sydney. If you look closely on your way out you should see some of the old buildings / facades and picnic areas. The drive itself is a pleasure if you haven't done it before and aren't stuck in a traffic jam. The road has been cut deep into the earth and Hawkesbury River looks spectacular.

The Australian Reptile Park is sign posted from the freeway by a giant dinosaur billboard and their is also a large thrilly Priscilla Queen of the Desert Lizard (not a drag queen) on top of the entrance.

This made for a big, and slightly scary introduction for my two year old which was soon offset by a cartoon sign for Eric the Crocodile.

The slightly scary but very family friendly theme seemed to continue for rest of the morning.

On the one hand we listened to tales (Reptile show 11am) of a kookaburra taking out eyes and rattle snakes eating cowboys. There is the largest collection of Alligators I've ever seen, crocs, spiders, snakes, lizards etc

The family friendly is evidenced by a nicely well spread picnic area with pet friendly emus and kangaroos and an excellent children's park nearby.

Of the exhibits I'd rate the Cassowary the highest (even though I didn't actually see one), the friendliest and fastest moving wombat I've ever seen and weirdest turtle I've ever seen re the Alligator turtle. Now I think that's three 'ever seens' which is pretty good for one day.

The environment in the park is relaxed and laid back which may well rub off on the residents. Its a good day out.

To fill in a few holes / stand on a soapbox:

Cassowaries are rare and endangered so if the Reptile Park is looking after theirs properly and not forcing them on show then I applaud them. If they were just on holiday can I have my money back please.

Don't we have enough snakes in Australia. Rattle snakes maybe more crowd pleasing but surely not necessary. Secondly, the talk was too repetitive we 'got it' that animals are dangerous the first six times.

Finally, it is a jungle out there and zoos are competing with each other, The Reptile Park could offer some water based tours such a trip on Alligator Lake. Come on guys, apply your imagination and the people will come.

For more official information as opposed to my rantings:

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