Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef

Destination 01

Sydney

10 places

Harbour city of beaches, ferries and landmark architecture. Stay 4 days.

• Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0

  Sydney Opera House

  Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed performing arts center, with daily tours and a full program of shows.

  Tip Take the one-hour tour or catch any performance to see inside.

  SeeCircular Quay$$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Servite et contribuere · CC0

  BridgeClimb Sydney

  Guided climb over the arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 134 m above the water.

  Tip Dawn and twilight climbs cost more but give the best light.

  DoThe Rocks$$$$3.5 hrTwilight
• Photo: Frank · Google

  Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

  6 km clifftop path past ocean pools, Tamarama and Bronte beaches and Waverley Cemetery.

  Tip Start at Bondi Icebergs and finish with a swim at Coogee.

  OutdoorsBondiFree2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: J Bar · CC BY 3.0

  The Rocks

  Sydney's oldest quarter of sandstone lanes, pubs and a weekend market.

  SeeThe RocksFree2 hrWeekend
• Photo: Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0 au

  Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

  Harbourside gardens leading to Mrs Macquarie's Chair and its Opera House view.

  OutdoorsSydney CBDFree1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: File:Entrance to Manly Ferry Wharf July 2022.jpg: Nick-D derivative work: Georgf · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Manly Ferry

  30-minute public ferry across the harbour from Circular Quay to Manly's surf beach.

  Tip Sit on the right outbound for Opera House and Heads views.

  DoCircular Quay$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Art Gallery of New South Wales

  Free gallery with Australian and First Nations art, plus the Sydney Modern building.

  SeeThe DomainFree2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Bkamprath · Public domain

  Bennelong

  Restaurant inside the Sydney Opera House's smallest sail, serving Australian produce under the vaulted concrete ribs.

  Tip The Cured & Cultured bar menu is a cheaper way in before a show.

  EatCircular Quay$$$$2.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Sir Mlady · Google

  bills Surry Hills

  Bill Granger's cafe known for ricotta hotcakes and scrambled eggs.

  EatSurry Hills$$60 minBreakfast
• Photo: Noah Yao · Google

  Opera Bar

  Outdoor bar under the Opera House with views of the bridge and harbour.

  Tip Arrive before sunset on weekends to get a table.

  DrinkCircular Quay$$1.5 hrSunset

Destination 02

Blue Mountains

10 places

Sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus valleys around Katoomba, two hours from Sydney. Stay 2 days.

• Photo: SidyBee · Google

  Three Sisters

  Three sandstone pillars above the Jamison Valley, seen from Echo Point Lookout.

  Tip Come at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid coach tours.

  SeeKatoombaFree45 minSunrise
• Photo: MrActiniuM · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Scenic World

  Steep railway, cable car and skyway over the Jamison Valley, with rainforest boardwalks.

  Tip Buy tickets online and ride the railway first.

  DoKatoomba$$$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Wentworth Falls

  Tiered waterfall with lookouts and a cliff-edge track along the National Pass.

  OutdoorsWentworth FallsFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Daithí Mac · Google

  Grand Canyon Track

  6 km loop near Blackheath descending into a fern-lined slot canyon.

  Tip Steep steps; allow 3 to 4 hours.

  OutdoorsBlackheathFree3.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Govetts Leap lookout · Google

  Govetts Leap Lookout

  Lookout over the Grose Valley and Bridal Veil Falls near Blackheath.

  SeeBlackheathFree30 minAfternoon
• Photo: Richard Taylor · CC BY 2.0

  Zig Zag Railway

  Heritage steam and diesel trains running down the 1860s zig-zag line from Clarence near Lithgow, with sandstone cuttings and viaducts.

  Tip Book the 90-minute run to Bottom Points; drive via Bells Line of Road.

  DoClarence$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Tan.W · Google

  Leura Mall

  Tree-lined main street of Leura with cafes, homeware stores and garden shops.

  ShopLeura$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Leura Gourmet · Google

  Leura Gourmet

  Cafe and deli on Leura Mall with a back dining room that looks out over the Jamison Valley.

  Tip Ask for a table in the back room for the valley view.

  EatLeura$$60 minLunch
• Photo: Grahamec · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Hydro Majestic Hotel

  Restored 1904 cliff-top hotel in Medlow Bath known for high tea above the Megalong Valley.

  Tip Book high tea ahead and ask for a valley-view table.

  EatMedlow Bath$$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: BriMiDra · CC BY-SA 4.0

  The Carrington Hotel

  Grand 1880s hotel in Katoomba with a historic bar and a wood fire.

  DrinkKatoomba$$60 minEvening

Destination 03

Cairns

9 places

Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Stay 3 days.

• Photo: www.cape-york-australia.com · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Green Island

  Coral cay 45 minutes from Cairns with rainforest, snorkeling and glass-bottom boats.

  Tip Take the first ferry for calmer water and fewer people.

  OutdoorsReef Fleet Terminal$$$7 hrFull day
• Photo: Reef Magic Cruises · Google

  Reef Magic Cruises

  Fast catamaran to a pontoon on Moore Reef for snorkeling, diving and a semi-submarine.

  DoReef Fleet Terminal$$$$8 hrFull day
• Photo: Ladymaggic · Google

  Kuranda Scenic Railway

  Heritage train climbing the Barron Gorge to the rainforest village of Kuranda.

  Tip Ride the train up and the Skyrail cableway down.

  DoCairns City$$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway · Google

  Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

  7.5 km gondola over the Wet Tropics rainforest with boardwalk stops along the way.

  DoSmithfield$$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Brigitte Musch · Google

  Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

  Free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront, with lifeguards and lawns.

  OutdoorsCairns CityFree1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Steve Fitzgerald · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Crystal Cascades

  Rainforest creek with clear swimming holes 20 minutes from the city.

  Tip Swim only in the marked pools; flash floods can occur after rain.

  OutdoorsRedlynchFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Sara Migliori · Google

  Rusty's Markets

  Weekend produce market with tropical fruit, local coffee and food stalls.

  Tip Open Friday to Sunday; try fresh mango or dragon fruit.

  ShopCairns City$60 minSaturday morning
• Photo: Ochre Restaurant and Catering · Google

  Ochre Restaurant

  Marina restaurant whose menu uses more than 30 Australian native ingredients.

  Tip Closed Sundays; try the native-spiced tasting plates.

  EatMarlin Marina$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Salt House · Google

  Salt House

  Marina-side bar and restaurant with DJs and open-air decks.

  DrinkMarlin Marina$$$1.5 hrSunset

Destination 04

Port Douglas & Daintree

10 places

Resort town near the outer reef and the Daintree rainforest. Stay 2 to 3 days.

• Photo: Gina Sakaesaeng · Google

  Agincourt Reef

  Ribbon reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, reached by Quicksilver catamaran.

  Tip Choose a calm-weather day; the trip is about 90 minutes each way.

  OutdoorsReef Marina$$$$8 hrFull day
• Photo: Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Mossman Gorge

  Rainforest gorge in Daintree National Park with clear river pools and Kuku Yalanji guided walks.

  Tip Take the shuttle from the Mossman Gorge Centre; private cars cannot drive in.

  OutdoorsMossman$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Zac3200 · Google

  Four Mile Beach

  Long palm-lined beach beside Port Douglas, with a netted swim area in stinger season.

  OutdoorsPort DouglasFree2 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Luxure · CC BY 3.0 au

  Cape Tribulation

  Where the Daintree rainforest meets the reef, with boardwalks and quiet beaches.

  Tip Cross the Daintree River ferry and allow a full day.

  OutdoorsDaintreeFree8 hrFull day
• Photo: Daintree River Cruise Centre · Google

  Daintree River Cruise

  Small-boat cruise looking for saltwater crocodiles, birds and tree snakes on the river.

  Tip Morning cruises at low tide give the best croc sightings.

  DoDaintree$$60 minMorning
• Photo: Wildlife Habitat · Google

  Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

  Wildlife park with tropical habitats, cassowaries, koalas and breakfast with the birds.

  SeePort Douglas$$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Gonzalo Neme · Google

  Port Douglas Sunday Market

  Weekly market in Anzac Park with crafts, tropical fruit and fresh juices.

  ShopPort Douglas$60 minSunday morning
• Photo: Amy McConnell · Google

  Salsa Bar & Grill

  Long-running Port Douglas restaurant with tropical Australian dishes and seafood.

  Tip Book on weekends.

  EatPort Douglas$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Daintree Ice Cream Company · Google

  Daintree Ice Cream Company

  Orchard farm making ice cream from its own tropical fruit, in a set tasting cup.

  EatDaintree$30 minAfternoon
• Photo: Hemingway's Brewery FNQ · Google

  Hemingway's Brewery

  Waterfront brewery at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina with craft beers and marina views.

  DrinkReef Marina$$1.5 hrSunset