Independent Touring New South Wales

MOUNTAINS, WINE & BEACH

6 day Self Drive from Sydney

Hanging Rock, Blackheath, Blue Mountains Credit: Tourism Australia

INCLUDES: 5 nights accommodation as shown | Mid-size rental car on all-inclusive basis & unlimited kms | Breakfasts daily

DAY 1: Sydney, Blue Mountains (100km) (B) - This morning collect your hire car before heading out of the city to the world heritage listed Blue Mountains. On the way why not stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park to see koalas and hand feed kangaroos.. Stay: Old Leura Dairy (2 nights) -

DAY2: At leisure (B) - There is time to visit Scenic World where you can ride the world’s steepest incline railway and enjoy spectacular rainforest views from a cable car. At Waradah Aboriginal Centre you can experience traditional dance, music and examine authentic artworks. There is plenty of walking tracks available where you can view the majestic Three Sisters whilst the townships of Katoomba and Leura are well known for their specialty shops and excellent dining.

DAY 3: Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley (240km) (B) - Today you head north to the Hunter Valley wine country. The area offers over 120 wineries and many will offer tastings at the cellar door. In addition to the many wineries there are plenty of great restaurants, galleries, and producers selling locally produced handmade cheese and olive oil. Stay: Crowne Plaza (2 nights)

DAY 4: Explore the Hunter Valley (B) - Today is free to explore all the Hunter valley has to offer. You may like to join a wine tour and visit one of the regions famous wineries. For the more active you can explore the area by hired bicycle or even take a trip in a horse and carriage. There is always the option of enjoying a treatment in the hotel spa and enjoy fine dining at the Chez Pok restaurant.

DAY 5: Hunter Valley, Port Stephens (90km) (B) - Head back to the coast and make your way to Port Stephens. This beautiful resort offers something for everyone but is best known for its crystal clear water, beautiful beaches, gourmet restaurants and whale and dolphin watching. Stay: The Anchorage

DAY 6: Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney (210km) (B) - Travel south along the Pacific Highway. We recommend spending time in Newcastle and the Central Coast before returning your car on arrival back in Sydney.

Per person twin share from £572

SOUTHERN DELIGHTS

6 day Self Drive Sydney to Melbourne (or vice versa)

Kayaking, Jervis Bay. Credit: Dee Kramer

INCLUDES: 5 nights accommodation as shown | Mid-size rental car on all-inclusive basis & unlimited kms | Breakfasts daily

DAY 1: Sydney, Jervis Bay (210km) (B,D) - This morning collect your hire car before heading south along the Princes Highway to Jervis Bay, the gem of the southern NSW coastline. Your accommodation is in African safari inspired tents set amongst rugged wilderness allowing you to get close to nature without sacrificing on comfort. Stay: Paperbark Camp (2 nights)

DAY 2: At Leisure (B,D) - Jervis Bay’s famous white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters are amongst the safest and most beautiful in the world. The area is teeming with native Australian marine and wildlife and you can see dolphins, whales, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, wombats, and many rare bird and animal species in the wild. The many bay and ocean beaches, lagoons, secret coves and hidden creeks are perfect for swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding and surfing. The area boasts world-class cafes, restaurants, pubs, wine bars and a burgeoning music scene.

DAY 3: Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Eden (310km) (B) - Drive past pristine lakes, gorgeous estuaries, sparkling rivers and beautiful beaches stretching out along kilometres of brilliant Pacific Ocean shoreline. Underneath the blue surface lies the spectacular Batemans Marine Park, home to dolphins, seals, humpback whales and hundreds of species of fish. Further south you are greeted by the dazzling turquoise waters of Narooma, which has become a mecca for fishing, sailing, whale watching and eco-tourism. On the way to the fishing town of Merimbula, you’ll drive through the rich dairy farming land of the pretty Bega Valley, home of some of the best cheeses in Australia. Close to the NSW-Victoria border is Eden, an old whaling town set in beautiful Twofold Bay. Stay: The Crown & Anchor B&B.

DAY 4: Eden, Lakes Entrance (235km) (B) - Lakes Entrance is situated on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean. Cross the footbridge to the popular Ninety Mile Beach surf beach, patrolled by lifesavers during the summer months, or take a hike to ‘the entrance’ of the Gippsland Lakes. Stay: Waverley House Cottages.

DAY 5: Bairnsdale, Phillip Island (310km) (B) - Travel through Bairnsdale as you make your way to the popular seaside town of Inverloch. Drive through the fishing and pelican haven of San Remo and over the bridge to Phillip Island. See koalas and waterbirds in the wild at Rhyll and watch fairy penguins waddle home at dusk on Summerland Beach. Cruise past Australia’s largest seal colony of fur seals at Seal Rocks and see thousands of short-tailed shearwaters on the rugged bluffs of Cape Woolami. Stay: Glen Isla House.

DAY 6: On to Melbourne (140km) (B) - Time for some last minute sightseeing before making your way into Melbourne city where you drop off your rental car on arrival.

Per person twin share from £786