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| Self Drive Australia Sydney
-Blue Mountains - Sydney |
| 4 days includes Hunter Valley |
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VIEWS & VINEYARDS
Sydney ~ Blue Mountains ~ Hunter Valley ~ Port Stephens ~ Sydney
DAY 1 SYDNEY - BLUE MOUNTAINS (125 kms) Pick up your INTERMEDIATE SEDAN rental
car at Sydney city depot (or Sydney Airport at additional cost). Commence your
drive along either the Western Motorway or the Great Western Highway to the
Blue Mountains. THE BLUE MOUNTAINS derive their name from the ever-present blue
haze caused by the sun's rays striking the minuscule droplets of eucalyptus
oil, which evaporate from the leaves of the dense forest. The city of the Blue
Mountains comprises 26 towns and villages, stretching from Penrith (53 km from
Sydney) to Mount Victoria (122 km from Sydney). LEURA is Aboriginal for lava,
and while the Blue Mountains are predominantly sandstone, many volcanic rocks
have been found in the area. Of all the mountain resort villages, Leura is
probably the most prestigious, as some of the grand houses in the district
proclaim. Leura Mall is charming and olde worlde, with coffee shops,
restaurants and art galleries all in Heritage colours. Cliff Drive offers
access to many beautiful waterfalls, like Leura, Linda, Lila and Bridal Veil
Falls. But it is the gardens and mansions most visitors come to see. Everglades
Gardens, owned by the National Trust, was designed by the famous Danish
landscaper, Paul Sorensen. Nearby Leuralla, which is another magnificent home,
also houses the largest collection of toys, dolls, teddy bears and model
railways in Australia. KATOOMBA is the gateway to some spectacular scenery.
There are the sandstone formations of The Three Sisters, the Scenic Railway,
originally designed to take coalminers 250 metres down the cliff face and
reputedly the steepest in the world, or the Skyway cable car, offering superb
views over the Katoomba Falls and the valley floor.
DAY 2 BLUE MOUNTAINS - HUNTER VALLEY
(250 kms) Travel north on the Western Highway through the towns of Katoomba,
Medlow Bath & Blackheath to Mount Victoria. At Mount Victoria turn right
onto the Bells Line of Road and travel through the townships of Bell, Bilpin
and Kurrajong Heights before arriving into Richmond. At the Richmond Bridge,
the road changes name to the Kurrajong road. Travel along this road to the
corner of Market street, where you turn left and then first on the right onto
Windsor Road (follow the Sydney signs at this stage). Travel past the Richmond
RAAF Airbase, Rouse Hill & Kellyville. Just after the shops at Kellyville,
Windsor Road veers to the left. Continue along this road until you reach
Showground Road where you turn left. Travel through Castle Hill until you reach
a T intersection where you turn left onto the Old Northern Road and right onto
Castle Hill Road. Turn left onto Pennant Hills Road (the Cumberland Highway)
and follow the signs to the National 1 Freeway. The turn onto the National 1
freeway is at the Suburb of Normanhurst. Follow the Freeway for approximately
one hour, and then take the “Cessnock” exit (Road 82). Continue to
follow the signs to Cessnock and on to the Hunter Valley.
HUNTER VALLEY - The Hunter Valley is the oldest wine producing area in New
South Wales, with the first vines being brought here in the 1820's. It is one
of Australia's more scenic wine growing areas, with the Hunter River winding
its way lazily through the grapevine clad hills. Renowned for the production of
top quality table wines, the Valley has wineries ranging from very large, more
commercial estates to the smaller boutique style wineries. There are
approximately 150 wineries in this area and some of the wellknown ones are
Tyrells, Mcwilliams, Lindemans, McGuigans and Draytons.
DAY 3 HUNTER VALLEY - PORT STEPHENS (95 kms) This morning perhaps you would
like to spend some time exploring some of the local wineries. Then depart the
Hunter Valley and travel to Maitland where you join the New England Highway.
Follow the signs to Raymond Terrace and then Nelson Bay. PORT STEPHENS is a
series of idyllic seaside villages scattered along a crystal clear waterway and
the Pacific Ocean. Famous for its natural unspoilt beauty, the area is known as
the “Blue Water Paradise”. White sandy beaches and attractive bays
and inlets ring the shores of this estuary, which is two and a half times the
size of Sydney Harbour. Commonly referred to as the “Dolphin Capital of
Australia”, Port Stephens is best known for its resident population of
over 140 bottlenose dolphins. The best way to see the pods of these playful
creatures is on one of the many cruises that depart Nelson Bay daily, all year
round. Optional Cruise: Moonshadow Cruises Nelson Bay has a 99% success rate in
dolphin sightings. The cruise includes morning or afternoon tea, boom net rides
in the biggest boom net in the Bay, entertaining and informative commentary and
scenic harbour cruise including spectacular Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands.
Cruise departs twice daily excluding Christmas Day.
DAY 4 PORT STEPHENS - SYDNEY (205 kms) Commence your return journey to Sydney,
rejoining the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace and travelling south on the
Pacific Highway and National 1 Freeway to Sydney. As you approach the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, follow the signs to Sydney City or Sydney Airport dependent on
the vehicle drop-off location. Return your vehicle to the Sydney Airport depot
or Sydney city Depot.
Standard accommodation included.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION: (at added cost)
BLUE MOUNTAINS: LILIANFELS BLUE MOUNTAINS
HUNTER VALLEY: PEPPERS GUEST HOUSE
PORT STEPHENS: PEPPERS ANCHORAGE Order a
brochure/request a price quote
Self Drive Australia
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Tours - 205 Mineola Blvd, Suite 1BMineola New York 11501
USA Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM 
