Description
For a first time visit to Australia, Sydney is a must. The city on the sea offers sunshine, beaches, great restaurants and a happy-go-lucky vibe.
For families there is plenty to do – take a private yacht on the harbour for a delicious seafood lunch, go behind the scenes at the Opera House or at Sydney Wildlife World, or visit the museums highlighting the fascinating convict history.
Australia is a vast country, but you don’t need to travel to all four corners to get a taste of what its all about. On your doorstep are coral fringed islands, amazing wilderness adventures and the real outback.
Take a short flight from Sydney over to Lord Howe Island and stay at the beautiful boutique Capella Lodge. Very family friendly and with many land and water based activities to enjoy, this is the perfect island escape for the family. The island is a natural wonderland, with mountains, reefs and clear turquoise seas. Snorkel, cycle and explore in warm temperatures and then retreat to the lodge for excellent food and wonderful service.
A 3 hour transfer north west from Sydney is Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. This fabulous property is set in the beautiful west end of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The heritage suites are the ultimate in luxury and each have their own private pool. The resort is located in an area full of wildlife where you will see an abundance of kangaroos. The main lodge is home to the dining room where food and wine of an extremely high quality are served with local seasonal produce.
Itinerary
When to travel
In the southern half of Australia the seasons are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere: spring comes in September, summer is from December to February, autumn runs from March to May, and winter begins in June. Sydney is great to visit year round but if you want warm sun and dry weather it is best to try between November and April. Their winter months of May - October usually have mild weather so you can still enjoy all the sights.
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Average time to visit
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Location and directions
Sydney, Lord Howe Island, Blue Mountains & Wolgan Valley
The Observatory in Sydney is situated near The Rocks and the city’s business centre, overlooking Walsh Bay, between Darling Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. From Sydney you will head just 700km northeast into the Tasman Sea. Capella Lodge is situated on Lord Howe Island which is just 11km long and 2.8km at widest. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is a 3-hour drive from Sydney. The Wolgan Valley is approximately 26 kilometres long, the Resort & Spa is located at the southern end of the Valley, at the foot of Mount Wolgan and Donkey Mountain.
How to get there
From the UK, direct flights to Sydney usually take about 22 to 24-hours, with 1 stop. The Observatory is a 30-minute drive from the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
