New South Wales

A favorite getaway spot for Australian’s is the world heritage listed Blue Mountains. Named after the bluey-green hue of the Eucalyptus trees that flourish in its valleys, a wonderland of waterfalls and winding rivers, cheerful cottages and cavernous canyons is a comfortable hours drive away from the city center. Experience Aboriginal mythology firsthand by visiting the Three Sisters rock formation. Play hide-and-seek with the elusive echidna while hiking untamed bush land. Enjoy an afternoon in the sleepy village of Leura browsing its quaint art galleries and antique stores. In the Blue Mountains, travelers are free to do as little or as much as they please. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is Australia's most accessible wilderness. Stretching over one million hectares, the region is an inspiring and diverse mix of rainforest, blue-hazed valleys, golden stone escarpments, canyons, tall forests and windswept heathlands.

The fresh mountain air and the rocky beauty of the mountains create a sense of peace and space, but you challenge yourself too, climbing, caving, canoeing and hiking through the soaring terrain. Luxury abounds in the region. The tranquility and natural beauty invites you to relax and enjoy the many health, beauty and rejuvenation treatments on offer. Come to the Blue Mountains Region and you will find dozens of accommodation options from luxury resorts to motels, Bed and Breakfasts to historic hotels and Eco Certified cottages. Many villages in the region offer award winning restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, antique emporiums and galleries. The vibrant arts community of the mountains is home to some of Australia's best artists. The Blue Mountains Region also links Australia’s centuries-old Aboriginal culture and is the perfect place to explore history old and new – visiting aboriginal cave paintings, the Three Sisters rock formation and sharing stories of the dreamtime with local Aboriginal guides. The Blue Mountains Region is less than two hours from Sydney by car, coach or train.

Broken Hill’s title of the “Silver City” is well earned. Not only is it home to the world’s richest silver deposit but it has also enjoyed success on the silver screen. Its martian landscape has provided the backdrop for several prominent Australian films including Mad Max II and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Broken Hill is much more than Hollywood hype; it is authentic Australia. It has the roughness of the outback with its rusty plains, precious pubs and vast cattle stations, yet it supports a flourishing arts community that rivals that of Sydney. Famous Australian artists like Pro Hart and Jack Absolom have galleries here and their work adorns many a museum and pub wall. With its red earth and red hot artists, Broken Hill is Australia at its enigmatic best.

Treat your taste buds to a gastronomic getaway by visiting the Hunter Valley. Australian specialty shops selling cheeses and chocolates are sandwiched between world-class wineries in a locale that seems worlds away but is conveniently only 90 minutes from Sydney’s doorstep. Stressed out Sydneysiders escape to this pastoral paradise where they can enjoy fine food and wine without the pressure of finding a parking space. Hire a bicycle and discover charming wineries along tree-lined lanes. Pick up a piece of distinct jewelry or fine glassware from one of the local artisans. Soar above the quilted landscape on a sunrise balloon ride before returning to earth for a celebratory champagne breakfast. A vacation in Australia’s Hunter Valley is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite for peace and plenty.

It’s no surprise that when the British first traveled to Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one still witnesses bush land in the bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, while pockets of palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach. It is Sydney’s manmade wonders, however, that draw most visitors. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are two of the most photographed icons in Australia. Your Australian vacation wouldn’t be complete without hiring a seaplane and enjoying a bird’s eye view of the Opera House’s signature “sails” before landing at Cottage Point for a picnic lunch. See the Harbour Bridge up close and personal by climbing the metal monolith and enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the glittering bay below. For fun with your feet firmly planted on the ground, explore the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour, dance the night away at one of Sydney’s trendy nightclubs, or people watch at Bondi Beach. In this vibrant metropolis you will find no lack of energetic escapes and dynamic distractions.