Activities in New South Wales
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This Is Not Art Festival
Young writers, artists and music-makers celebrate.
reviewed
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Bondi Beach
Definitively Sydney, Bondi is one of the world’s great beaches: ocean and land collide, the Pacific arrives in great foaming swells and all people are equal, as democratic as sand. It’s the closest ocean beach to the city centre (8km away), has consistently good (though crowded) waves, and is great for a rough-and-tumble swim (the average water temperature is a considerate 21°C). If the sea’s angry, try the salt-water sea baths at either end of the beach; these are perfect for kids.
The two surf clubs – Bondi and North Bondi – patrol the beach between sets of red and yellow flags, positioned to avoid the worst rips and holes. Thousands of unfortunates have to be…
reviewed
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Opera House Guided Tours
One-hour guided tours depart half-hourly (you’ll save $5 if you book online). Tours employ archival video footage to help tell the story of the iconic building’s construction. A highlight is the Utzon Room, the only part of the house to have an interior designed by the great man himself. For a more in-depth nosy around, the two-hour early-morning backstage tour includes the Green Room and stars’ dressing rooms.
reviewed
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Sydney Eco Whale Watching Small Group Cruise
4 hours (Departs Sydney, Australia)
by Viator
Want to see whales in Sydney? Experience the majestic whales close up when a large number of Humpback and Southern Right Whales start their migration north…Not LP reviewed
from USD$119.93 -
Night Vision Walks
See nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
reviewed
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Manly Scenic Walkway
This epic 10km, four-hour walk tracks west from Manly through rugged Sydney Harbour National Park – wear sturdy shoes. It’s easy to forget you’re right in the middle of Sydney! Check the surf at Manly Beach then cruise down The Corso to Oceanworld on West Esplanade. Scan the view through The Heads from Fairlight Beach, and the yachts tugging on their moorings near Forty Baskets Beach. Kookaburras cackle as you enter the National Park and approach Reef Beach. The track becomes steep, sandy and rocky further into the park – keep an eye out for wildflowers, spiders in bottlebrush trees and fat goannas sunning themselves. The views from Dobroyd Head are unforgettable.…
reviewed
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Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Day Tour from Sydney
9 hours (Departs Sydney, Australia)
by Viator
Explore the beautiful bushland on Sydney's doorstep by taking a full-day nature and wildlife day trip to the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Leaving the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$118.89 -
Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour
24 or 48 hours (Departs Sydney, Australia)
by Viator
Explore Sydney and Bondi with this 24 or 48 hour ticket aboard an open-top double-decker bus. See all the main sights as you hop on and hop off 34 conveniently…Not LP reviewed
from USD$41.71 -
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BridgeClimb
Once only painters and daredevils (including your author!) scaled the Harbour Bridge –now anyone can do it (Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Will Smith…). Make your way through the departure lounge and the extensive training session, don your headset, an umbilical safety cord and a dandy grey jumpsuit (Elvis would be so proud) and up you go. Even if you’re afraid of heights, the scariest part is crossing over the grates while under the bridge; on the curved span itself the track is wide enough that you never see straight down. Tours last 3½ hours – go to the toilet before you start the climb.
reviewed
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Let’s Go Surfing
reviewed
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Sydney Architecture Walks
These bright young archi-buffs run a five-hour cycling tour and four themed two-hour walking tours (art, place and landscape; the city; Utzon and the Sydney Opera House; and harbour-edge architecture). The tours depart from the Museum of Sydney, rain or shine; call for bookings and departure times.
reviewed
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Riverboat Postman
Departing Brooklyn, the Riverboat Postman is Australia’s last operating mail boat and a decidedly old-school way to get a feel for the river. It chugs 40km up the Hawkesbury from Brooklyn to as far as Marlow, near Spencer, with additional ‘coffee cruises’ in summer.
reviewed
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Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club
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Whale Watching Sydney
Humpback and southern right whales habitually shunt up and down the Sydney coastline, sometimes venturing into the harbour. Between May and December, WWS runs three-hour tours (adult/child $85/50) beyond the Heads.
reviewed
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Manly Kayak Centre
As long as you can swim, you can hire a kayak or paddle board from this stand near Oceanworld (with a second stand near Manly Wharf Hotel). You’ll be provided with a life jacket, paddling instruction and tips on secluded beaches to visit. Three-hour kayak tours cost $89.
reviewed
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Natural Wanders
Offers exhilarating morning tours around the Harbour Bridge, Lavender Bay, Balmain and Birchgrove.
reviewed
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Circus Arts
About 2km west of town; Type A characters may find the juggling classes useful.
reviewed
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Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding
Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding is in the hinterland, 30 minutes’ drive from Port Macquarie.
reviewed
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Relax Haven
Flotation tanks (one hour $35) and massage (one hour $45). Female therapists.
reviewed
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Rainbow Festival
An October festival celebrating Hunter gays and lesbians.
reviewed
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Manly Bike Tours
Hires bikes and runs daily two-hour bike tours around Manly (10.30am, $89, bookings essential).
reviewed
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Mountain Bike Tours
Environmentally friendly bike tours.
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Gosea Kayaks
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Alpine Way
This spectacular route runs through dense forest, around the southern end of Kosciuszko National Park to Thredbo and on to Jindabyne. All vehicles have to carry chains. The fine for not carrying them is steep (about A$300). Motorbikes are not permitted along the Alpine Way from June to October. In winter, check conditions at Khancoban or Jindabyne. There's no fuel available between Khancoban and Thredbo (71km).
If you're driving between Khancoban and Jindabyne, you can get a free transit pass, but if you stop en route you must have a day pass.
South of Khancoban, Murray 1 Power Station has an informative visitors centre explaining the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme…
reviewed
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Sydney Tower Restaurant Buffet
90 minutes (Departs Sydney, Australia)
by Viator
If you'd like bird's-eye views with your meal out in Sydney, dine at the Sydney Tower Restaurant. Boasting panoramic views from Sydney Harbour Bridge all the…Not LP reviewed