Sydney Opera House, Australia

Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Home to the iconic silhouette of the Sydney Opera House, fabulous wine regions, mountains, beaches and wildlife.

This area of Australia is fertile and well-populated (by Australian standards). Beautiful beaches, temperate rainforest, the world heritage listed Blue Mountains and of course the fabulous city of Sydney all make up the area where Captain Cook first landed.

Beyond the maze of escarpments and gorges making up the Blue Mountains lie miles of undulating bushland, which are today known as the central tablelands. These rich pastoral lands are home to a multitude of wildlife from kangaroos and wombats to possums and platypus while the spectacular coastline harbours whales, dolphin, seal and penguin colonies.

Panoramic view across the length of Lord Howe Island with greenery in foreground to Mount Gower in distance.
Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island

Located 600 kilometres northeast of Sydney lies Lord Howe Island. With rugged volcanic peaks, lush forests, serene lagoons and the southern-most coral reef in the world, the island was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982. Shaped from the remnants of a large shield volcano that erupted from the seafloor about seven million years ago visitor numbers are limited to only 400 at one time. The scenery is stunning and a stay here is like entering a magical, prehistoric world that you are one of only a handful of people privileged to experience.

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Browse our Australia holiday ideas.

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Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Park Hyatt Sydney £££££

  • Australia
  • City

The Park Hyatt flows in a graceful curve around Sydney Harbour and looks out onto magnificent views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. The 155 guestrooms and suites are spacious and elegantly decorated using calming natural colours. Many of the rooms have floor to ceiling glass doors that open onto private balconies with wonderful harbour and Opera House views and the three rooftop suites have huge private terraces. The rooftop pool makes the most of the views and the spa offers a selection of personalised treatments.

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Capella Lodge £££££

  • Australia
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Offering a relaxed boutique feel, Capella Lodge sits above the white sands of the romantically named Lover’s Bay, on the beautiful island of Lord Howe. Nine spacious suites make the most of the lagoon, ocean and mountains views, with floor to ceiling windows and nautical style interiors reflecting the vistas. Each room has a private decked area with some categories set over two floors with their own private plunge pool. The mesmerising views continue throughout the hotel from the lodges indoor and outdoor terrace areas, the restaurant and the infinity-edged swimming pool.

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Paperbark Camp £££££

  • Australia
  • Tented Camps

Paperbark Camp offers guest accommodation in African inspired safari tents – think designer treehouse. The 12 guest tents are built off the ground on timber platforms amidst paperbark and eucalyptus trees. Constructed using timber and corrugated iron, each tent has an en suite with indoor/outdoor shower and a wraparound decking area. Deluxe tents have a free-standing bath. Family operated, the owners strive to offer an eco-friendly bush experience on the doorstep of some beautiful beaches and national parks.

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Shangri La Hotel £££££

  • Australia
  • City

The Shangri La Sydney occupies a prime location on Sydney’s skyline with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The 565 rooms are some of the most spacious in the city and all have views of the harbour.

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Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Opera House and Bridge, Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Sydney Opera House

Take in an opera or ballet at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Suggested Holiday Idea

View of Hunter Valley vineyards, NSW, Australia
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley Vineyards

Explore the vineyards of the Hunter Valley by bicycle, followed by a well-earned rest, sampling the local produce.

View across the lagoon to Mounts Gower and Lidgbird on Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia. Kayak in foreground
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Kayaking on Lord Howe Island

Kayak around Lord Howe Island to admire the island’s volcanic peaks from the water.

Suggested lodge

Island Ariel View, Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Lord Howe Island

Be one of only 400 visitors on Lord Howe Island – a magical and prehistoric world.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Surfer walking on the shore along the beach looking at the stunning sunset in Byron Bay
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Surfing in Byron Bay

Learn to surf in Byron Bay, one of the most iconic surf destinations in the world.

The Three Sisters From Echo Point, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Sydney, Blue Mountains and The Hunter Valley

Bushwalking Adventure

Go bushwalking in the Blue Mountains.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

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