Things to
do close to Sydney
 Hunter
Valley Winery
We all need a change of scene
from time to time. We all need to getaway. Sometimes, we have to do things
somewhere else its just the thing we have to do, somewhere that's not
where we are, I guess, so lets do it:
A word of warning before you
jump in your car. Australia is a big place. What Sydney100 regard's as
close might not seem that close to you:
North of Sydney
If you fancy a short trip north,
perhaps an enticing glass of Hunter Valley wine might be in order:
North
of Sydney
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.
Swim with Wild Dolphins
Nothing compares to being close
to a dolphin in it's own environment. During this amazing experience you
will "interact" with the Short Beaked Common Dolphins that live
in the pristine waters of Port Stephens. This is the only dolphin swim
that is allowed within the Port Stephens Marine Park and only experience
of it’s kind in Australia.
 Swim
with the Wild Dolphins of Port Stephens
Things to do South of Sydney
Perhaps South is the go. Kangaroo
Valley has an almost English countryside look to it mixed in with gum
trees and Aussie bush. The civilised Fitzroy Falls is also well worth
a visit. The beautiful coastal scenery of Jervis Bay invites exploration
and just north of Sydney you will find the Royal National Park. One of
Australia's great coastal drives starts in the Royal National Park and
ends just south of Wollongong. Further South west you will discover the:
Alpine Way, Snowy Mountains,
Overnight trip from Sydney
The Alpine Way is part of a
250k stretch of road that loops its way towards the NSW / Victorian border
from Snowy Mountains Highway. This trip will require you to overnight
somewhere. Cooma in the south or the more rural Tumut in north are the
most logical candidates. If you like pizza give it a miss if you end up
in Tumut.
Australia is old and geography
professors around the world have condemned it into having small mountains.
Tallest is Mount Kosciuszko at approximately 2227.826m :). A mere hill
to some. No laws against substituting Snowy Hills for Snowy Mountains
but don't worry, size isn't everything. Don't expect the Park Rangers
to impressed either by any sizeist comments, they have heard it all before.
As you will know if you have
every seen an Aussie transfixed by white stuff, snow is quite rare in
Australia. Most aussies come to the Snowies to ski and party. I'd argue
that's not the main attraction.
Swimming kangaroos, strolling
emus, bounding wombats, crystal clear waters against a back drop of snow
capped peaks. As you head north the scenery becomes more rural, hilly
and green with a dash of colourful wildflowers in spring.
Now I can't guarantee you will
see anything but you will improve your chances if you travel spring /
autumn and avoid school holidays and weekends. The less people around
the better.
Talk to the Park Rangers, check
conditions at Jindabyne as they will close the road if the weather is
bad and bring your camera.
Thredbo is worth a coffee stop
if you can find somewhere to park.
Be prepared to pay a few dollars
to get into the National Park
Stop at the Thredbo Diggings
picnic area for a while as this is a gorgeous, peaceful area.
Go to Tom Groggin picnic area
and drive down to the 4WD road only sign. You maybe greeted by a friendly
mob of kangaroos. Although remember, these are still wild animals.
Geehi picnic area has a pleasant
wheelchair / pram friendly path along side the Swampy Plains River.
From here you are less than
half way to Tumut with much more to see and little in the way of services
along the way. Make sure you have plenty of petrol and a decent map (not
that there are many other sealed roads you can drive down). The Kosciuszko
Recreation Guide is freely available from visitor centres and may even
get one on your way into the park.
Every bodies experience will
be different on a trip like this and as I've said you can't guarantee
anything, particularly the weather. But if you take your time, go with
the idea of enjoying whatever comes your way you are bound to be rewarded.
Plan ahead, avoid the crowds or you could - just go for it. Good luck.
Things to do West of Sydney
(Blue Mountains)
The Three Sisters in Sydney's
Blue Mountains
Drive for an hour and half
- go up a hill, turn left into Katoomba, follow the signs to Echo Point
/ Three Sisters, look around for a park then gape at the view. It's just
incredible that a place like the Three Sisters can exist so close to a
city the size of Sydney.
So go West. Head for The Blue
Mountains. For families, a small tip if I may, visit the Toy Museum at
Hazelbrook and the nearby Wentworth Lake for a great playground and kiddies
'Pirate Ship' with some pleasant water views for the grown ups. There
is also Thomas and Friends at the foot of mountains near Penrith.
|
Top
100 Things To Do In Sydney, Australia 
