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Australia & South Pacific

Sydney Tours, Vacation Packages & Travel Experiences

  • The Sydney Opera house with the harbour bridge at night are life long memories of any Australia vacation.
  • Street view with monorail and the Sydney Tower
  • The world famous Bondi Beach - a most certain inclusion on all Australia tours
  • A view across the harbour at sunset is always a popular inclusion on all Sydney tours.
  • A beautiful Sydney sunrise
  • Walking through Hyde Park
  • Manly Cove

Sydney is located on the east coast of the country in the state of New South Wales. It is Australia’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and an essential stop on any traveller’s itinerary on an Australia vacation. Surrounding the city is a wonderland of national parks, forests, mountains, river valleys and historic riverside towns. Some interesting facts about Sydney are that the first settlers in 1788 came here to found a penal colony; it has the world’s largest natural harbour and there are 70 beaches along the coast in reasonable striking distance from the city.  Sydney also hosted the 2000 Olympic Games.

What are the main must see attractions here on Sydney tours? The answer is many. Let’s start with Sydney Harbour. It is surrounded not only by the downtown core of the city but also by miles of shoreline which includes a number of Sydney’s suburbs. One way to explore the harbour is to enjoy a short cruise or to take one of the many ferries heading to multiple destinations from Circular Quay in the downtown area. 

There are two iconic landmarks located in Sydney Harbour. There is the Sydney Harbour Bridge known also as “The Coat Hanger” which dominates the city skyline and connects the central part of the city with the northern suburbs. It is, in fact, the world’s largest steel arch bridge. One activity which includes this landmark is the Bridge Climb (crossing over the top of the bridge with a guide) which is a unique way to enjoy panoramic views of Sydney. The other landmark is the Sydney Opera House opened in 1973 which is not only unique and unforgettable in design but is also a thriving venue for the arts, music, opera and culture generally.

Close to downtown Sydney is The Domain, a beautiful green parkland in which you will find the resplendent Government House, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. At the bottom of The Domain, on the waterfront, is Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench hand carved by convicts from sandstone in 1810 for Governor Macquarie's wife Elizabeth.

Another landmark is the Sydney Tower, the city’s tallest free-standing structure and the tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It is twice the height of the Harbour Bridge. 

Also located downtown is The Rocks District. It is Sydney’s most historic precinct with its many sandstone buildings, cobblestone streets and monuments marking moments in history which allow you to gain an appreciation of Sydney's foundation as a convict built settlement. It was the first part of Sydney to be settled. The Rocks offers some of Sydney's finest dining and entertainment. 

Darling Harbour, within easy walking distance from the heart of the city has good shopping and dining facilities and is home to the Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World and the National Maritime Museum.  

There are a number of Sydney neighbourhoods which are well worth a visit on an Australian vacation. Darlinghurst is a lively district offering a wide range of nightlife, dining opportunities, bars and pubs plus boutique shopping, bookshops, art galleries and cafes. Paddington is a trendy neighbourhood with rows of attractive Victorian terrace houses. There is excellent shopping in its designer stores and small boutiques. Kings Cross, once a somewhat seedy area has been revitalized and is now a lively entertainment district. 

Just across the bridge is Taronga Zoo, the city zoo featuring the largest group of native and exotic animals in New South Wales with its over 2600 animals including Sumatran tigers, Kodiak bears and many other unusual species of animals. 

Also just over the bridge is Luna Park, Sydney's premier amusement park offering fun and games for the entire family. It is Australia’s Coney Island.

On the subject of beaches, Australia’s most famous beach is Bondi Beach located just 7 kilometres/4 miles from the centre. Not only is it a beach for swimming and surfing, it is also a pleasant place to linger with its numerous cafes, seafood restaurants, bars & clubs. 

Another similar beach location is Manly Beach reached by ferry from Circular Quay sitting on a beautiful peninsula surrounded on three sides by the sparkling Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour. Again a good place to swim and surf but one can also enjoy scenic walks along the coastal paths. Plus it is a locale with good shopping and dining opportunities. 

Not far from Sydney is the Royal National Park, a very large coastal parkland which includes rainforest and open woodlands. It is a good place again to swim and surf but also to go bushwalking. 

For the culturally inclined, Sydney offers a host of museums and galleries. The best known include the Australian Museum, the oldest museum in Australia, featuring natural science and cultural artifacts, the Museum of Sydney with its history of the city from aboriginal times to present day, the Art Gallery of New South Wales with its extensive collection of Australian and International art and the Museum of Contemporary Art which houses works by new artists.

Worth a visit from Sydney are the Blue Mountains 2 hours from the city. They offer remarkable scenery and are a UNESCO world heritage site. The unique formations of dramatic scenery encompass steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and small villages. The mountains include the Three Sisters, awe-inspiring pinnacled peaks.  There are 140 kilometres/75 miles of walking trails as well as a cable railway which is purported to be the steepest anywhere. Should one wish to spend time here, the best place would be Katoomba, a small town offering arty boutique shops.

 Also worthwhile visiting on trips to Australia is the acclaimed wine country of Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine producing area, 120 kilomteres/75 miles north of Sydney. You can sample fines wines while enjoying the locally grown food in the many restaurants here and enjoy the quaint ambiance of the area. Activities other than tasting or buying wine are taking a cruise on the Hunter River or Lake Macquarie or a ride on a steam train at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum.

It's almost impossible to not include at least one of our Sydney tours and why wouldn't you...it is one of the most desirable cities in the world to live and typically used as the starting point for any trip to Australia. C’mon say G’day Downunder. Book one of our Australia vacations today and start exploring!

 

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

Australia's Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House - Australia's Architectural Wonder

Plan Your Perfect Australia Escape

So Much to See in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

Top 10 Things to Do in Sydney, Australia

 

 

Australia Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Australia vacations. 

Learn about the history and culture of Australia, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Australia's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Australia for yourself. Start exploring...book one of our Australia vacations today!

 

Extend Your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Australia vacation at one of Goway's South Pacific destinations. You can choose from  our selection of New Zealand vacation packages, Tahiti vacation packages or stay at one of our Fiji resorts or perhaps take a Cook Island vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Australia.

 

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  • Melbourne & Sydney with Virgin Australia

    An ideal short Australia vacation for independent Globetrotters and urban explorers, this air-inclusive Australia trip focuses on Melbourne and Sydney, showcasing Australia at its most cosmopolitan.
    Duration:
    11 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,169
    Trip Type:
    Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney with Virgin Australia

    Explore the iconic cities and landscapes of eastern Australia with Virgin Australia. Get a feel for the “World’s Most Livable City” in Melbourne before jetting up to the Great Barrier Reef in northern Cairns and closing out your tour with a yacht cruise on the harbour in Sydney.
    Duration:
    15 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,929
    Trip Type:
    Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Sydney & Great Barrier Reef with Virgin Australia

    Explore Australia’s largest city and the world’s largest coral reef with Virgin Australia. Cruise Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht before heading north to Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the surrounding rainforest.
    Duration:
    11 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,469
    Trip Type:
    Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic Australia 12 Day

    Experience the best that Australia has to offer from Sydney’s Opera House to spectacular Ayers Rock. Swim in the Great Barrier Reef and learn about the traditional Aboriginal “Dreamtime”.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,328
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic Australia 15 Day

    Enjoy Australia’s most famous sites from Sydney’s Opera House to an Aboriginal “Dreamtime” walk in Kuranda with stops at the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock and Darwin in between.
    Duration:
    15 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,017
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Waltzing Matilda: Holiday of a Lifetime

    Our fully escorted Waltzing Matilda tour is very different to the other programmes we offer to Australia and the South Pacific. It is one of Goway's specifically designated escorted HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME that carry a promise of something special! Our professional Tour Director will take care of all the day to day details allowing you to enjoy the history, culture and natural beauty of each of the countries visited on this trip.
    Duration:
    20 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 8,759
    Trip Type:
    Fully Escorted Touring, Holidays of a Lifetime, Single Friendly
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Best of Australia: Holiday of a Lifetime

    Experience the highlights of Australia under two weeks on our fully escorted Holidays of a Lifetime. Visit major urban centres such as Sydney with its harbour and opera house, Melbourne and Adelaide. Get into the Outback with visits to Ayers Rock and Alice springs. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Duration:
    13 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 5,899
    Trip Type:
    Fully Escorted Touring, Holidays of a Lifetime, Single Friendly
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic Downunder from Melbourne to Auckland

    Get to know the true Downunder by experiencing the best of both Australia and New Zealand. Visit Australia's iconic sites and cities before commencing a journey through New Zealand’s incredible islands.
    Duration:
    19 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,658
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic Downunder: Auckland to Melbourne

    Get to know the true Downunder by experiencing the best of both Australia and New Zealand. Journey through New Zealand’s incredible islands before embarking on a tour of Australia.
    Duration:
    19 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,615
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    New Zealand See Trip Details

  • Classic Golden Triangle

    Visit the Classic Golden Triangle of Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney. See the penguins of Phillip Island, swim in the Great Barrier Reef then get to know the historic side of Sydney.
    Duration:
    9 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,470
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic South Pacific

    Enjoy the Classic South Pacific by encountering Fijian, Maori and Aboriginal cultures. Travel from Fiji to New Zealand to Australia taking in fantastic sights and experiences on route.
    Duration:
    14 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,608
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Classic Sydney, Rock & Reef

    Venture to three of Australia’s most famous spots. Get to know Sydney before catching the sun set over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then explore Cairns and the incredible Great Barrier Reef.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,346
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Highlights & Wildlife

    Experience the historic side of Sydney before exploring the wildlife of Kangaroo Island. Visit Australia’s world renowned wineries followed by stops at Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,564
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Southern Explorer (Australia)

    Take in Sydney’s sights before venturing to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Drive from Hobart to the Cradle Mountains, and then get to know the Phillip Island penguins and Melbourne.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,198
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Three Capitals Classic

    Take the opportunity to experience three of Australia’s capital cities. See the sights of Sydney before heading to Canberra, the national capital, then visit the highlights of Melbourne.
    Duration:
    7 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 978
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Trans Continental Classic

    Travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean (or vice versa). Visit Sydney and Canberra, spend time aboard the ‘Indian Pacific’ train, and explore Adelaide and Kangaroo Island.
    Duration:
    12 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,688
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries, Rail Travel Ideas
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 13 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Auckland

    Cruise around the highlights of southeast Australia and northern New Zealand. Ride across Sydney’s iconic harbor, see penguins swim ashore outside Burnie, Tasmania and climb the Sky Tower to see the twin harbours of Auckland, New Zealand.
    Duration:
    13 Days
    Prices From:
    AU$ 2,545
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 13 Day Australia & Tasmania Cruise: Sydney to Sydney

    Embark on an Australian cruise to explore fascinating cityscapes and wildlife Downunder. Start in Sydney to tour the unforgettable harbour, spend an overnight in Melbourne to take in its cultural revival, spot all manner of seals, dolphins and kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, and venture to Burnie in Tasmania to spot penguins and marvel at one-of-a-kind handicrafts at the Makers’ Workshop.
    Duration:
    13 Days
    Prices From:
    AU$ 2,459
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 16 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney

    Embark on an epic cruise exploring Australia’s two largest cities and the breathtaking ports of New Zealand’s North Island. Take in the sights of the cosmopolitan centres of Sydney and Melbourne before crossing the ocean to Tasmania and New Zealand to visit the filming locations of The Lord of the Rings, learn about Maori culture, and explore the varied landscapes of this enchanting island nation.
    Duration:
    16 Days
    Prices From:
    AU$ 2,884
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 17 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney

    Explore Australia and New Zealand on this two-week voyage of discovery and delight. Your first port of call is Melbourne, exploring the hidden lanes and arcades or head out of the city and visit some wildlife. Cruise the spectacular Milford Sound in New Zealand and visit the “Edinburgh of the South” – Dunedin, also home to a colony of Albatross. Save some time in Wellington to visit film locations for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Be sure not to miss the boiling pools and shooting geysers at Rotorua, and see firsthand why Auckland is nirvana for nature lovers, with its serene beaches, verdant landscapes, and stunning coastal trails.
    Duration:
    17 Days
    Prices From:
    AU$ 2,884
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 19 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney

    Embark on an Australian cruise to visit two major Australian cities and the highlights of New Zealand’s east coast. Begin in the cosmopolitan cities of Sydney and Melbourne before heading across the ocean to cruise Milford Sound, tour the wine regions of Marlborough and Napier, and explore the diverse capitals of Wellington and Auckland.
    Duration:
    19 Days
    Prices From:
    AU$ 3,231
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • 8 Day Tasmania Cruise: Sydney to Sydney

    Embark on a cruise from Australia’s largest city to the southern island of Tasmania. Visit the icons of Sydney, like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, before heading south aboard the Norwegian Jewel to take in Burnie, the "City of Makers," and the ascending café culture of Hobart.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,340
    Trip Type:
    Cruises & Sailing
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Aussie Adventure

    Explore the best of Australia combining the excitement of snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef with visits to the Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo and the amazing Blue Mountains. An ideal family vacation.
    Duration:
    11 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,950
    Trip Type:
    Family Vacations
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Aussie High Country

    If your idea of Australia includes outback mining towns and a chance to meet Australian native animals, this could be the perfect addition to your trip downunder.
    Duration:
    2 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 314
    Trip Type:
    Locally Escorted Tours, Single Friendly, Small Group Tours
    Australia See Trip Details

  • Aussie Kiwi Explorer

    An adventure to keep the kids amused while the grown-ups enjoy the ultimate Downunder holiday.
    Duration:
    11 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,347
    Trip Type:
    Classic Itineraries, Family Vacations
    New Zealand See Trip Details
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