Best of Sydney & Blue Mountains
Experience Overview
Short on time? This bite-sized trip dives into the best bits of Sydney. Kick off along the buzzing Darling Harbour, then wander the historic laneways of The Rocks, see famous sites like the Sydney Opera House and experience the Sydney Harbour area through a First Nations lens on the Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains to walk through eucalyptus-scented forests, take in views of the iconic Three Sisters rock formations and visit Jenolan Caves – the world’s oldest open cave system. Wrap up with a gourmet tasting experience at a truffle farm in Oberon before heading back to Sydney.
Highlights
- Deepen your understanding of Sydney Harbour on the Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise. Join First Nations hosts to listen to cultural stories, learn about ancient food gathering techniques and watch a traditional dance performance.
- Enjoy a short getaway over a couple of days, making the most of your four days in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or choose to add this trip onto another one to discover more of Australia’s highlights.
- Explore the Blue Mountains and walk through the gorgeous scenery of Katoomba Falls, Echo Point Lookout and the Three Sisters.
- Taste gourmet truffle treats, learn about aroma profiles and discover how grading works at a truffle farm in the alpine region of Oberon.
- Visit the ancient Jenolan Caves – an impressive network of karst chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites. You’ll also learn about the caves’ cultural significance to the Gundungurra people.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2376
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle,Boat
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: PZKS
Starts: Sydney, Australia
Finishes: Jenolan Caves / Blue Mountains / Sydney, Australia
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (3), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,125 ($281 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Sydney, Australia – or Warrane, in the language of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Sydney is located. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm. After, join your local leader and fellow travellers for an included welcome dinner along Darling Harbour. Maybe take a post-dinner stroll to take in the views of the waterfront, then head back to your hotel to settle in for the night.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, join your leader for an orientation walk of The Rocks and Circular Quay. Walk through Hickson’s Reserve, Campbells Cove and Cumberland Walk, and see Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Botanical Gardens. Then, it’s time to board the Mari Nawi, meaning ‘big canoe’, for the Tribal Warrior Cruise. You’ll develop a richer appreciation of the area and the deep and continuing connection the Traditional Custodians have to the land and waters surrounding Sydney. Listen to stories and learn about ancient First Nations wisdom – including fishing and foraging techniques that have supported First Nations peoples for tens of thousands of years. End the cruise with a traditional dance and music performance. In the afternoon, drive to Katoomba in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains – a land of rugged peaks, dense forests and waterfalls – where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Included Activities:
- Sydney - Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise with Aboriginal Guide
- Sydney - Leader-led Orientation Walk of the Rocks & Circular Quay
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start your day with a walk to Wentworth Falls and Fletchers Lookout for dramatic views over the valley. You then have the option to visit Scenic World – a family-owned attraction backdropped by the mountains. Here, you could board the world’s steepest railway and ride into Jamison Valley, look out for lyrebirds as you explore rainforest boardwalks, ride the cableway past sandstone escarpments and Orphan Rock, or see Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters on the Scenic Skyway. Alternatively, tackle the Prince Henry Cliff Walk – a 7 km hike that takes you past hanging swamps and waterfalls. Then, head to Echo Point Lookout – the main viewpoint for the legendary Three Sisters rock formations – and do the Three Sisters Walk for more views of the national park below. You might like to stop at Lookout Restaurant for lunch overlooking Echo Point before returning to Katoomba to relax.
Included Activities:
- Blue Mountains - Echo Point Lookout
- Blue Mountains - Wentworth Falls Lookout
- Blue Mountains - Three Sisters Walk
Optional Activities:
- Blue Mountains - Prince Henry Cliff Walk - Free
- Blue Mountains - Scenic World Visit (54 AUD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you'll visit Jenolan Caves. Estimated to be over 340 million years old, many scientists consider this the oldest open cave system in the world. It's an incredible sight, with huge stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling and large crystal speleothems decorating the chambers. Jenolan Caves – or Binoomeal, meaning ‘Dark places’ in the Gundungurra language – is also a sacred place for the Traditional Owners. While you’re here, learn about the Gundungurra people’s history, culture and continuing connection to the caves and their ecosystems. After, visit a truffle farm in Oberon for an immersive tasting experience with expert truffle growers, then drive back to Sydney where your trip comes to an end.
Included Activities:
- Blue Mountains - Private Truffle Tasting Experience
- Blue Mountains - Jenolan Caves
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Ben - Traveled, April 2024
Took the tour hosted by Robert & Frederico. Robert was always full of energy when he spoke and he had lots of stories. Whenever we saw animals on the outback roads he stopped and allowed us to have a look and photograph them. He did this with camels. He found a dead snake on the side of the road and then pulled it into our van for us all to have a look at it. He found a thorny devil on the side of the road and pulled it into the van for all of us to look at it. He was very knowledgeable with explaining the story of the Southern Cross star constellation. I liked that the tour guides allowed us to swap seats in the van and sit up the front with Robert. I liked the number of stops we had including Erldunda at the geographic centre of Australia and the many photo opportunities on the side of the road. It was fabulous to see Uluru and I was amazed at the height and size of it. We saw the sunset over Uluru which changed the colour of the rock which was sensational. We also saw the sunrise over Uluru and I enjoyed visiting the Aboriginal cultural centre. Aboriginal art is stunning and the people are friendly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2024
Tatyana - Traveled, April 2024
Hi, The trip was very relaxing and recharging for me. I enjoyed it very much. It was great opportunity to meet people from different parts of Australia and from overseas in the group on the tour. I had such a great time exploring Western Australia and trying out new things. The weather was perfect in April, and we did some bushwalking and swimming as well. The travel was comfortable and entertaining. The accommodation was good, aging at some locations but clean. Very interesting tours to vineries for tasting local wines, chocolates. If we had more time on the last two days, I would prefer spending it exploring Freemantle with the Guide. And I think more than one day needed to spend on Rottnest Island. And I wish we had more time allocated to spend in Basselton. Our guide Sean provided great care managing our all-ladies group and we always were on time at different points of our destination. The chosen location for having meals were good and the food was excellent. My diet restriction options (gluten free, vegetarian) were always met. I'm grateful to Sean for sharing his knowledge about Australian history of this region and Aboriginal culture. I'm impressed that he was able answering all our questions. It was very interesting journey into Ngilgi Cave and meeting with Aboriginal guide, who happily presented stories about life of his people. I highly recommend this tour for people, who are interested in active, relaxing and informative vocation. Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2024
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