This October, I was lucky enough to have been selected out of thousands of applicants to become an Australia Specialist Travel Agent after completing the extensive training course and attending the Corroboree West trade event in Perth.
Of course, to really become an Aussie Specialist, I had to experience life down-under and experience some of the highlights this bucket-list destination has to offer for myself. What followed was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure exploring Sydney and New South Wales.
My trip to one of my biggest dream destinations, started with a flight from Heathrow to Perth with Singapore Airlines. Singapore airport is a treat in itself; like being in a 5 star resort. It’s well worth considering a stopover to enjoy a Singapore sling at the famous Raffles Hotel!
Perth
My Australian Adventure started in Perth. Perth is an incredible city, very clean & easy to get around.
From Hillary’s Boat Harbour, many whale-watching tours are on offer. We were lucky enough to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Hillary’s Boat Harbour is also the departure point of the Rottnest Island Ferry, to visit the amazing & endearing critters known as Quokkas, said to be the world’s happiest animal!
You may also want to visit the Aquarium of Western Australia, at Hillary’s to see the incredible marine life.
Elizabeth Quay is at the heart of the city, offering beautiful views over the water. Here, you can enjoy a spot of lunch or a coffee to take in the views. We also visited City Beach, where you can stroll along the white sands & watch the Australians enjoying some surfing.
Kings Park & Botanical Gardens is the most beautiful park which is central to this incredible city. Here you can enjoy the abundance of flora & fauna & more incredible views of the city.
Our next stop was the Sandalford Winery. Highly recommended for you wine connoisseurs, where you can enjoy the spectacular grounds of this property & some wine tasting.
It was then time to check into Perth airport, & with just a 4.5 hour flight, separating me from Sydney…
Perth to Sydney
I cannot put into words how incredible it is to see the Sydney Opera House & Sydney Bridge after seeing these iconic structures on so many brochures, postcards, & on the TV. They surpassed every expectation.
A private hour tour of the Opera House is highly recommended as you get to walk around this magnificent building & learn about the design & construction & became one of the most instantly-recognisable buildings of our time. If you’re lucky enough, you may find time to book to see an opera or one of the many other world-class productions that the Opera House hosts.
We then took an Aboriginal, 90-minute walking tour around Sydney. This tour is 100% owned & managed by Aboriginal Elders. We saw how ancient Aboriginal influences & culture are still alive, within this stunning metropolis.
We enjoyed lunch at the famous Glenmore Hotel. It is one of the last surviving pre-Harbour Bridge buildings on Cumberland Street, north of the Cahill Expressway. The site is known to have been occupied from the early years of 1800, although it is likely that, like the other ridges of The Rocks, it was occupied by the encampment of settlers in the first weeks of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. This building has been an Aussie icon ever since!
It was then time for me to gain my certificate (if not wings!) for climbing the Sydney Bridge. BridgeClimb is the ultimate Sydney experience, reaching 440ft/ 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. You will climb through the inner arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge crossing over catwalks & stairs, & make your way to the thrilling views that await at the summit of the Bridge
This is suitable for all fitness levels, so it’s definitely worth doing as you will get to see the most amazing views of the Sydney Harbour from a completely different perspective. It is certainly something special to remember your time in this amazing city. Remember, there’s a breathalyser before entry, so no tipples prior!
Finally, it doesn’t get any better than Captain Cook Cruises aboard Sydney’s most prestigious cruise ships, MV Sydney 2000. Enjoy a fabulous a-la-carte dinner with wine, whilst cruising around the Sydney Harbour at sunset & listening to the onboard band. The emotion of seeing the bridge & the opera house all lit up under a clear Australian sky will be an experience I will never forget.
It was then time to leave Sydney onto our next stop.
Tertini Wines in beautiful historic Berrima
Tertini Wines “Yarraandoo” vineyard is located near the historic village of Berrima, & is dedicated to producing premium, cool-climate wines. Although the vineyard is young, since their first harvest, this wine maker has won award, after award. Each wine & vintage since the first in 2005 have brought more medals from Australia’s leading wine writers. Awarded the Gourmet Traveller Wine 2017 & 2018 Cellar Door “Best Tasting Best Tasting Experience”, the wine tasting experience showcases their diverse range & also includes a variety of different cheeses.
After our wine & cheese, it was time to head to Fitzroy Falls to see a beautiful hidden waterfall. Walking through the forest with our ranger, to then see this stunning waterfall appear before our eyes was a real Instagram ‘picture perfect’ moment.
After walking the falls it was time to enjoy lunch with a cup of afternoon tea & excellent Australian hospitality. A real country local experience, Burrawang General Store prepares & serves a high quality & innovative menu with an emphasis on local produce. It feels like you have stumbled across a little town, frozen in time.
Then it was onto our next waterfall; beautiful Belmore Falls…
The spectacular Belmore Falls consists of an 80m drop, followed by a 60m drop as Barrengarry Creek leaves the sandstone plateau, for the lush valley below. There are 2 main lookouts with views of Belmore Falls, & the bold can also visit the top of the actual waterfall.
We then headed for our overnight stay. Peppers Craigieburn is known for its stunning setting amongst the vines in a state-of-the-art, 200+ tonne winery. With up to 35 wines on offer in the cellar door, the winery processes many different ‘varietals’ & is one of the largest producers in the region. 100 years since it was first built, this Bowral accommodation is on a country estate nestled in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. It is one of the region’s premier venues for leisurely escapes, conferences & events close to a Southern Highlands village & within easy reach of Sydney, Canberra & the South Coast.
Kangaroo Valley
After a scenic drive into Kangaroo Valley, our day begins with Wild Food Adventures & their signature Canoes, Champagne & Canapés adventure, which is the perfect combination of food, wine & wilderness.
We had the benefit of joining two canoes together, to create a floating raft that is easy to manoeuvre & is unsinkable for every level of paddler. You will glide downstream on the Kangaroo River from Beehive Point to the mouth of Yarrunga Creek, with the backdrop of the Morton National Park, in Kangaroo Valley.
We floated above ancient sunken forests, where you can indulge your taste buds with wild native canapés & a local award-winning cold-climate wine. For those not accustomed to canoeing, the rigs are stable & virtually unsinkable. It’s like gliding on a catamaran, as you wine & dine your way around this fresh water lake. The waters are very calm making paddling effortless, which is ideal for both the romantic & adventurous spirit in you.
Our next destination was Berry.
Berry
We arrived at Berry for lunch. With heritage buildings & pretty surroundings, Berry is a beautiful village in the Shoalhaven region & a perfect destination to relax. Amble along Queen & Albert streets & Old Creamery Lane & browse locally made gourmet products, sweet treats, homewares & other delights. Definitely take a visit to the famous Berry Donut Van on Queen Street, they were so good! ????
It was then time for some Glamping. At the Paperbark Camp, combining unique, luxury tented accommodation with wonderful food & warm hospitality, Paperbark Camp is set in a peaceful bush retreat in beautiful Jervis Bay – think camping for grownups!
I was lucky enough to stay in one of the canvas safari-style tents, & I even got to see an inquisitive possum visit my tent at night – an experience that made me feel that I really was in the ‘bush’!
Paperbark Camp is located 2 hrs drive (190km) south of Sydney, in Jervis Bay, which is part of the Shoalhaven region. The Shoalhaven has plenty of natural treasures but the bay area is the jewel in its crown with its calm, clear waters, amazing white sand beaches & pristine coastal landscapes. The area has three national parks, The Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay National Park & Jervis Bay Marine Park, which together have many kilometres of walking trails, as well as providing sanctuary to a wide variety of wildlife & underwater creatures.
Dinner was served in their treetop restaurant with the roaring log fire warming up the communal lounge, a surreal homely feel, in such exotic surroundings!
Jervis Bay National Park
The next day was time for another opportunity to go whale & dolphin watching, & to look out for the wild sealions at Jervis Bay National Park.
Here we took a South Coast Passage cruise experience. Cruising along completely unspoilt coastline & taking in the towering remote sea cliffs of the Beecroft Peninsula. We got the chance to see ancient sea caves. Prepare to be amazed when the rigid inflatable boat sneaks you inside for an experience like no other! The crystal clear waters of Jervis Bay are simply magical.
The seal colony was a huge highlight for me. I also had a chance, once again, to see Humpback whales in their natural habitat; something that will live with me forever, seeing these majestic mammals around our boat. The South Coast Passage is a must do when visiting Jervis Bay.
After lunch it was time to set off to our next winery with a difference, Coolangatta Estate (Coolangatta = Splendid View, in local Aboriginal) . Here you can take a thrilling & scenic ride to the summit of Mt Coolangatta after your wine-tasting experience. A huge 4WD open sided tractor-bus carries you on a one-hour tour up to 1000ft elevation. Alive with history, the original convict-built village is now surrounded by sprawling vineyards & landscaped gardens.
Then, on to our next accommodation, Bangalay Luxury Villas.
This accommodation offers style & quality, & you will love the genuine, natural & peaceful style of boutique style villas on a seven mile beach. Each of the 16 private luxury villas features golf course or garden views, as well as a fireplace & a sun filled north facing deck, encouraging rest, relaxation & getting back to nature. Bangalay is the perfect blend of nature & the finer things in life.
Grand Pacific Drive
On our last day before heading home, & we had the chance to drive along the famous Grand Pacific Drive. This is one of Australia’s most spectacular driving routes over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Starting with your location in the Shoalhaven, you will pass seaside villages as you follow the exquisite coastline on to Kiama, Shellharbour & Wollongong.
We started our drive with a visit to Kiama’s famous Blowhole.
Said to be the largest of its kind in the world! This landmark has attracted people to the region for over 100 years. It was first sighted by George Bass when he anchored his whaleboat in the sheltered bay, now known as Kiama harbour, in December 1797. It is estimated that 900,000 people visit the Blowhole every year, to view the spectacular plumes of water that can be seen when the seas are running from the south east. Highly recommended! ????
Symbio Wildlife Park
I was then very excited to head for my backstage tour at Symbio Wildlife Park, which included the dream opportunity to take an iconic Aussie selfie with a Koala!
This is a family-owned & operated zoo, located on the Southern outskirts of Sydney in the suburb of Helensburgh. Set amongst 16 picturesque acres of manicured gardens where visitors can get up close & personal to all their favourite Australian & exotic animals.
Australia truly has something for everyone. From cosmopolitan cities, wildlife, countryside, beaches, relaxation & something for the adrenaline junkie. With its astonishing landscapes & incredible, often unique flora & fauna, Australia should be on everyone’s must-visit list!
I can’t wait to share my enthusiasm with you & to help organise your own Australian adventure! To start planning your dream itinerary, please call (free) on 0800 707 6229 or email: [email protected]
