Other activities in New South Wales
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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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Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding
Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding is in the hinterland, 30 minutes’ drive from Port Macquarie.
reviewed
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A
Charlotte Pass
There are just over 600 beds in the village, which doesn't represent many skiers on the slopes. At the base of Mt Kosciuszko, this is one of the highest, oldest and most isolated resorts in Australia and in winter you have to 'snowcat' (use oversnow transport) the last 8km from Perisher Valley (book ahead).
Five lifts service rather short, but uncrowded, runs and this is good ski-touring country. In summer, it's the start of a number of walks including to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko (18km return), the Main Range (25km return) and the Blue Lake Lookout (10km return).
reviewed
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B
PV Jandra
There are many reminders of the time when the big paddle-wheelers were Bourke's lifeline. The impressive three-tiered wharf at the northern end of Sturt St is a faithful reconstruction of the original built in 1897 and, on the river, the PV Jandra is a replica of an 1895 paddle-wheeler. The one-hour cruise on the Jandra lets you experience the legendary Darling, hear about the local history and see the great range of river birds, like the blue-eyed corellas and pelicans, and their babies.
reviewed
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Pieter Van Gent
Heavenly Muscat, picnic-lunch wine tours by bike, tastings in the barrel room (11.30am Saturday) and accommodation.
reviewed
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Thredbo Snow Sports Outdoor Adventures
Has a diverse range of high-energy activities including snowshoeing, snow climbing, telemark and back-country alpine touring. It also hosts a cool five-star snow camping expedition where you snowshoe to a secret camp site, feast on gourmet cuisine and test your snow survival skills overnight.
reviewed
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Megalong Australian Heritage Centre
The Megalong Australian Heritage Centre is a display farm heaven for little tackers – visitors can feed and pat sheep, ducks, ponies and alpacas. There’s guided horse riding ($45/85 per person for one/two hours), plus farm shows and activities during school holidays.
reviewed
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Historic Coolangatta Estate Winery
On the north side of the estuary, just before Shoalhaven Heads, is Historic Coolangatta Estate Winery, a slick winery with a golf course, a good restaurant open for lunch and accommodation (singles/doubles from $110/130) in convict-built buildings.
reviewed
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Logan
An impressive cellar door. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an extravagant deck, cheese platters and coffee, too.
reviewed
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Riverina Community College
Batlow, on one side of a bowl-shaped valley, is an apple-orchard town, where picking and pruning work is usually available year-round. Contact Riverina Community College.
reviewed
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Petersons Glenesk Estate
Petersons Glenesk Estate is a small establishment, conducive to smaller groups and personalised tastings. To recuperate, there’s a lovely deck overlooking the vineyards.
reviewed
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Cupitt’s Winery & Restaurant
For a little piece of Provence, make a pit stop at this glorious spot and enjoy some of the most respected cuisine this side of Sydney and wine tasting in the restored 1851 creamery.
reviewed
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Thredbo Leisure Centre
The Thredbo Leisure Centre organises all sorts of activities, summer and winter, including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, white-water rafting, abseiling and horse riding.
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Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre
This centre specialises in downhill mountain-biking adventures and white water kayaking. Or hire canoes and kayaks (one-day hire canoe/kayak $50/$80) and go it alone.
reviewed
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D
Mateship Country Tours
An excellent way to explore the town and surrounding areas is in a coaster bus. Go with Mateship Country Tours for 3.5 hours of fun, leaving from the tourist centre.
reviewed
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E
Backpacker Boat Tours
Six-hour cruises stopping off for lunch at the Fish Market, dips in the ocean and a beer in Watson’s Bay. Price includes lunch and pick up from most hostels.
reviewed
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Centennial Vineyards
Centennial Vineyards has cellar-door sales and tasting. It also has a flash restaurant open 11am to 5pm (closed Tuesday) which offers lunch.
reviewed
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Kalkari Discovery Centre
The Kalkari discovery centre runs guided tours. It’s about 2.5km into the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from the Mt Colah entrance.
reviewed
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Sydney Hang Gliding Centre
A bird's eye view of the coastline is perhaps the best. Sydney Hang Gliding Centre has tandem flights from breathtaking Bald Hill at Stanwell Park.
reviewed
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F
River Deep Mountain High
River Deep Mountain High rents out all-terrain mountain bikes and runs mountain-biking tours (half/full day from $110/180).
reviewed
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Cassegrain
Several wineries are scattered around. A reputation as the region’s pioneering vineyard has made Cassegrain a favourite.
reviewed
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Candle Factory
The Candle Factory drips with colourful characters – and the wax that forms candles sold across the country.
reviewed
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Red Earth Estate Vineyard
Red Earth Estate Vineyard, just past the zoo, is a vineyard with lunchtime platters and free tastings.
reviewed
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LHI Environmental Tours
Treks up Mt Gower ($50 per person), plus glass-bottom boat trips with snorkelling ($35). Kayaking trips also available.
reviewed
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ABC Cheese Factory
On the main street at Central Tilba is the ABC Cheese Factory, where you can chow down on cheddar.
reviewed