Things to do in

New South Wales

Overlooking magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and offers amazing wildlife experiences with stunning harbor views. Nestled on the shores of the world's most beautiful harbor, Taronga Zoo is surrounded by lush bushland of Bradley's Head National Park, popular for early morning walks. Ferries depart from Circular Quay every 30 minutes. The Zoo has many popular trails to explore including the Australian Walkabout, Kids' Trail, Reptile World, African Safari, Big Cats' Trail, Rainforest Trail, Seal Walk, Seals for the Wild, and the iconic must-see Free Flight Birds presentations. Zoo entry includes limited keeper talks, presentations, and access to the Sky Safari cable car. The many exhibits in Taronga Zoo can be reached by footpaths, ramps, lifts and escalators. 90% of Taronga Zoo is fully accessible. Strollers can be hired from the Visitor Information Desk in the main entrance at a small fee and manual wheelchairs can be rented for free and should be booked in advance.

You have to experience sandboarding in Port Stephens. The thrill of sliding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes is so much fun. From the meeting point at Birubi beach, you will board the custom-built off-road vehicle to start your adventure on the short, bouncy ride into the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere. The dunes stretch 32 kilometers, the entire length of Stockton Beach, and can reach over 40 meters high, the same as a 10 storey building. The views alone are spectacular. Once you are in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown on sandboarding and how to use the handmade custom-designed boards for maximum safety and speed. Then you are off. Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your board, then slide on down and repeat. Your ticket includes unlimited sandboarding so you can stay and play as long as you like. For most people that’s about 1 – 1.5 hours. When you're done just jump back aboard one of the 4WD buses, that leave every half an hour, and be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point. It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age. The instructors are always on hand to help, answer any questions about sandboarding, Port Stephens or the dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along as you’ll have the chance to capture some amazing Port Stephens holiday snaps.

Jervis Bay has been a Marine park for 18 years and is now one of the most unique and healthy ecosystems in Australia. That’s why the crystal clear waters of Jervis Bay and stunning unspoiled white sand beaches are home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins. Listen to the commentary about the history of Jervis Bay as you travel.  On this tour, you will have the privilege of watching these beautiful mammals. Discover pods of dolphins feeding around the reef systems, particularly Plantation Point and Callala. Sometimes they swim and race hundreds of meters to play on the bow. The Bottlenose dolphin is highly recognizable and known for its long snout and distinctive smile. Friendly and active, you will fall in love with them the moment that you lay eyes on them. 

Take in the beautiful scenery of Jervis Bay from a unique perspective on the water. Cruise across the bay, look out for local bottlenose dolphins and enjoy the views of the long sandy beaches that are fringed by spectacular national parks. Cruise above the crystal clear water and admire the contrast with the rocky headlands and towering sea cliffs of Point Perpendicular. See the variety of local bird species and abundant marine life from the comfort of the boat.

Head out to sea on a fun snorkel tour around the unique Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, as it combines the marine life found in the deep Southern Ocean as well as that found in the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Arrive at the Byron Bay Dive Centre either at your scheduled departure time or, if you’d like a free snorkel lesson, arrive 30 minutes before departure to practice in the heated pool. All tour participants must be able to swim to participate in this tour. Receive a short safety briefing before heading out to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve. Journey to The Pass, about a 10-minute ride, and learn about this snorkeling spot. Get in the water for a 1-hour swim. Spot underwater creatures such as small wobbegong sharks, hard and soft corals, an assortment of rays, and three different kinds of sea turtles. Look for more than 400 different species of fish that make this area their home, and ask any questions you may have to the qualified dive staff. Head back to shore for a hot shower and some time spent with the crew identifying the creatures you saw.

Experience the most fun way to travel to Taronga Zoo and save money with a return ticket on the rocket ferry Circular Quay. Once inside the zoo, take in as many of the exhibits as you like at your own pace. Explore 10 themed areas, including Wild Australia, Wild Asia and the Great Southern Oceans. Hear talks by the zookeepers and go to interactive shows, such as the free bird show and free seal show. See native Australian animals, including koala and platypus, along with creatures from around the world such as Asian elephants, lions and giraffe. Grab some lunch at one of the many cafés, or take your own picnic and find a nice spot in the shade. Once you've had your animal fix for the day, head back to the dock and get some amazing views of Sydney on the cruise back to Circular Quay.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a choice of over 30 freshly-prepared dishes from a range of cuisines at Sydney Tower's famous rotating restaurant. Enjoy the spectacular 360-degree views of the city that make Sydney Tower Buffet a unique dining experience for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant slowly rotates, allowing you to see the city from all sides while you eat.  Choose from a huge range of menu items, including the following: • A variety of dips, cheeses and condiments • A selection of hot and cold seafood • A large selection of salads, e.g. Greek salad, seafood salad, Asian salad, watermelon salad, and many more Sample menu: Seafood  Sydney rock oysters, fresh lemon (gf, df) Tiger prawns, cocktail sauce (gf, df) Black mussels, harissa & capsicum (gf, df) Antipasto Shaved plain mortadella (gf, df) Grilled zucchini, lemon olive oil (v, gf, df) Eggplant caponata (v, gf, df) Hommus (v, gf, df) Rosemary focaccia (v, df) Salads Dutch cream potato (v, gf, df) Chickpea & tomato (v, gf, df) Watermelon, feta, mint dressing (v, gf) Mains Baked barramundi, fennel, pink pepper slaw (gf, df) Tempura fish bites, tartare sauce Steak cut chips Lemon & thyme roast potatoes (v, gf) Stir-fried seafood Hokkien noodles (df) Truffled cauliflower, tarragon pangrattato (v) Grilled kangaroo, native thyme & red bean salsa (gf, df) Greek-style grilled chicken thigh, lemon & oregano (gf, df) Casarecce pasta, Italian sausage & rocket (df) Tofu & eggplant basil stir fry (v, df) Marrakesh-style lamb korma osso buco, raisin (gf) Cumin steamed rice (v, gf, df) Desserts Salted caramel & chocolate tart Khanom chan, thai steamed coconut & pandan slice (v, gf, df) Persian love cake, lemon icing, pistachio Black forest gateau Red velvet cake, raspberry glaze Mango panna cotta (v, gf, df) Cheese selection (v, gf) Lavosh (v) Apple & raisin chutney (v, gf, df) Dry fruit (v, gf, df) v = vegetarian, gf = gluten-free, df = dairy-free. Menu subject to change. This is a sample menu only and may be subject to change due to food seasonality and availability.

Tackle one of the best experiences on Sydney Harbour. Experience an exhilarating jet boat ride, reaching speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour. Take in the iconic sights of Sydney Harbour during the Thunder Trill Ride. Choose a 30 or a 45-minute ride, then buckle up and get ready to get wet. Your skipper will ease you into this thrilling experience by gradually reaching high speeds and performing gentle maneuvers around the harbor. Watch out for the skipper’s signals as the ride is cranked up a gear with high-speed spins and breaks. Select a bundle to enjoy entrance to some of Sydney's top attractions along with your adrenalin-pumping ride.

Choose from a combination of Sydney's best attractions and see only what you want to see! Pick between the Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney, the Sydney Tower Eye, and Madame Tussauds. 2, 3, and 4-combination tickets are available depending on your wants and wishes. There's no waiting in line for tickets, and you'll save up to 45% compared to purchasing tickets individually.  Start at the Sydney Aquarium and take in the world’s largest collection of all-Australian aquatic life featuring a number of habitats, set in the heart of Sydney on Darling Harbor. Head to Wild Life Sydney and get up close to Aussie animals in the heart of the city. Koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and one of the world's largest crocs, are all present for your enjoyment! Climb the Sydney Tower Eye and take in the breathtaking views for an unforgettable experience! Included in the admission is a new 4D-Experience featuring a groundbreaking 3D-film with spectacular in-theater effects and an incredible fourth dimension that offers an amazing view of the city. Lastly, stop by Madame Tussauds and experience the glittering world of fame for a day at Madame Tussauds. Start your journey on the red carpet and strike a pose for the paparazzi. Move on to challenge your favorite sports heroes and sing along with your favorite music stars.

Embark on the experience of a lifetime, departing twice daily from the picturesque seaside village of Huskisson, on board a fleet of custom built dolphin cruise vessels. Travel past incredible natural scenery, taking in white sandy beaches, untouched bushland, and the clear sparkling waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park. Enjoy free tea and coffee, or kick back with a beer or wine from a fully licensed bar when cruising on the flagship, The Spirit of Jervis Bay. With 80% of the space on the boat under cover, you can enjoy this cruise rain or shine. The ever-curious resident dolphins love interacting with the boats and their human passengers, with incredible photo and video opportunities from any of the 5 viewing platforms. The dolphins live wild and free, so the exact route of the trip changes day by day, but Jervis Bay is gorgeous in every direction! Returning to Huskission in 1.5 hours, this is an experience not to be missed.