Activities in New South Wales
-
National Rugby League Grand Final
The culmination of the NRL season is this hyperbolic clash on the Sunday of the Labour Day long weekend. There are cheerleaders aplenty, big-name entertainment and a pumped-up crowd ready to see the big men collide. If you can’t get a ticket (they sell like hot cakes), repair to a pub, yell a lot and slosh some beer around.
reviewed
-
A
Bikescape
Harley Davidson city tours, road trips and motorbike hire (from $80 per day for a scooter to $345 for a Harley).
reviewed
-
B
Sydney Bike Tours
Daily Sydney Explorer (per person $59) and Rocks, Bridge & Bay ($49) rides – the former wheeling past the big central sights (the Opera House, The Rocks, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park and Darling Harbour); the latter exploring The Rocks, crossing the Harbour Bridge and checking out Luna Park and Kirribilli.
reviewed
-
C
Clovelly Bowling Club
A sunbaked square of clifftop grass, this lawn-bowls club offers sensational ocean views and something of a hipster scene on weekends. Drop in for a thirst-quenching lager as you traverse the Bondi to Coogee walk. If you want to bowl, it’ll cost you $12 (be sure to book). Free coaching for beginners.
reviewed
-
Skiing Thredbo
Skiing or snowboarding in Australia is oft derided for its short season and unpredictable snowfalls. But don't be put off. Thredbo has recently forked out a fortune to automate its snowmaking machines (ensuring 25% of rideable terrain is covered). If the outcome is not exactly 100% guaranteed snow, it's a pretty good start.
reviewed
-
D
Harbour Jet
One of several jet-boat operators (Sydney Jet, Oz Jet Boating, Thunder Jet, Jetcruiser – take your pick), these guys run a 35-minute white-knuckle ride with 270-degree spins, fishtails and 75km/h power stops that’ll test how long it’s been since you had breakfast.
reviewed
-
Guided Walks
Two-hour Guided Walks of Broken Hill commence from the tourist centre on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Plenty of companies offer tours of the town and nearby attractions, some going further out to White Cliffs, Mutawintji National Park and other outback destinations. The visitors centre has information and takes bookings.
reviewed
-
Bushwalking
From Charlotte Pass you can walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko (18km return), or take the easier walk to the summit from Thredbo (13km return). Other walking trails from Charlotte Pass include the 21km glacial lakes walk. Contact the NPWS visitor centre in Jindabyne for information on the many walks in the park.
reviewed
-
The Rocks Ghost Tours
If you like your spine chilled and your pulse slightly quickened (they're more creepy than properly scary), join one of these two-hour tours, departing Cadman’s Cottage nightly. Tours run rain or shine (ponchos provided); bookings essential.
reviewed
-
E
Magistic Cruises
The fancy Magistic floaters take you on a range of cruises, ranging from the one-hour sightseeing cruise ($25 to $33) offering all the harbour icons to two-hour lunch (per person $60 to $96) and dinner ($65 to $158) cruises with a seafood buffet. Cruises also depart from Wharf 6 at Circular Quay.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Royal Randwick Racecourse
Royal Randwick attracts some glam fillies, plus the usual parade of ‘colourful’ racing identities and connections. Gates open at 11am on race days, and the last race is around 5pm. The big event on the calendar is the Sydney Carnival; check the online calendar for regular racing days. Dance-kids head here for the Future Music Festival in late February.
reviewed
-
G
Skywalk
Luke Skywalker aspirations? The latest addition to Sydney's big-ticket tourist checklist is Skywalk: don a spiffy 'skysuit', shackle yourself to the safety rail and step onto two glass-floored viewing platforms outside Sydney Tower's observation deck, 250m high above the street. No place for the weak-bowelled.
reviewed
-
H
Sydney Ferries Heritage Cruises
Excellent 90-minute cruises taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the harbour (Cockatoo Island to Shark Island and everything in between) at a reasonable price. Ferries depart at 1.30pm Monday to Saturday; you’ll need to arrive early as tickets are allocated on a first-in, first-seated basis.
reviewed
-
Pieter Van Gent
Heavenly Muscat, picnic-lunch wine tours by bike, tastings in the barrel room (11.30am Saturday) and accommodation.
reviewed
-
I
Bonza Bike Tours
These bonza bike boffins run daily four-hour Sydney Classic bike tours – a great introduction to the harbour city, trundling past the Opera House, Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Sydney Tower and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Other tours tackle the Harbour Bridge, Manly and the city highlights. They also hire bikes (per hour/day $15/40).
reviewed
-
J
Body Inc Bathhouse & Spa
Eliminate your free radicals and get your circulation firing at this fab bathhouse. Facilities include separate men’s and women’s bathing and sauna rooms, couples’ rooms, a yoga room, a hair studio and 18 private treatment rooms for a barrage of massages, facials and scrubs.
reviewed
-
K
Sydney Yoga Space
Plenty of yoga classes (covering three skill levels) are offered at this large studio. The teachings of Indian guru BKS Iyengar (which emphasise standing asanas and precision alignment) are used, and introductory workshops, intensives and retreats can be had for the more dedicated body-benders.
reviewed
-
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
-
L
Tribal Warrior
Cruise, learn and experience Aboriginal culture and history on this two-hour boat trip, stopping at Clark Island for a traditional indigenous welcome. You’ll also be contributing to a worthwhile community self-sufficiency project. Bookings essential; no cruises Monday.
reviewed
-
M
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool
Sydney’s best saltwater pool – smack bang next to the harbour – is a magnet for water-loving gays, straights, mums and fashionistas. Serious lap swimmers rule the pool, so maintain your lane if you’re not so serious. Wheelchair accessible; five-star change rooms.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
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
-
N
Matilda Cruises
Not waltzing but sailing, Matilda offers nine different cruise options on plush catamarans, including daily whale-watching trips between mid-May and October (from $79). Also available are breakfast (from $55), coffee ($49), lunch (from $75), cocktail (from $39) and dinner (from $85) cruises, and a hop-on/hop-off harbour circuit (from $39).
reviewed
-
O
Night Cat Tours
Experience the good, the bad and the ugly of nocturnal Sydney with a small-group tour through the city, Balmain, McMahons Point, Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross. The tour includes two drinks and dinner - a salubrious 'Tiger' pie at Harry's Café de Wheels that's a showstopper.
reviewed
-
P
Wentworth Park
Wentworth Park is Australia’s premier greyhound-racing complex, where the fast, skinny mutts salivate after tin hares twice weekly. Dog races have been happening here since 1932, and there’s a lovely old-fashioned vibe about the place. Bars and bistro on site.
reviewed
-
Q
Merimbula Marina
The small kiosk here runs five-hour reef cruises (adult/child $100/60), two-hour dolphin cruises ($30/25) and whale-watching cruises (from $40/25) from September to November. There's also boat hire ($35/90 per hour/per day).
reviewed