Hunter Valley Wine Region

If wine tasting is on your list of things to do while visiting Australia, you won’t want to leave the country without a trip to the Hunter Valley. Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley is located just a few hours north of Sydney making it a convenient destination for wine connoisseurs.

Wine drinkers will recognize famous Hunter Valley names, including Brokenwood, Tempus Two, and Wyndham Estate. Vineyards in the area produce mainly Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay, although many of the wineries also import grapes from other regions to produce a wide array of wines. Tours of the vineyards and wine making facilities are available at most of the wineries. Architecture in the area reflects a broad range of styles including heritage, Tuscan, and modern Australian. Many of the wineries have excellent restaurants attached, so be prepared to spend some time enjoying the food as well as the wine.

The area also features much in the way of top notch entertainment. Many artists perform in the area throughout the year, including such acts as Rod Stewart and Matchbox Twenty. The region also hosts the Music in the Valley festival and the Jazz in the Vines event in October. The Starlight Cinema event occurs in March, and features outdoor movies, shown under the stars. If you enjoy a good game of golf, there are several courses to challenge your skills.

Sightseers can easily explore the valley by car, although if you plan on visiting the wineries a designated driver is a must. If a guided tour is more your speed, you’ll find many options advertised online or your hotel in Sydney can likely recommend a few companies. For those of a more adventurous sort, the region can be seen by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, helicopter and even hot air balloon.


Bondi Beach

No trip to Australia would be complete without a day spent at one of the world’s most famous beaches. Bondi Beach is a must for all Australian sightseers, and while the sun-worshippers will simply enjoy the white sand and excellent surfing conditions, others will enjoy the laid back atmosphere, funky shops, and fantastic dining.

Although only one kilometer long, Bondi is Sydney’s widest beach. The name “Bondi” is believed to come from an Aboriginal word meaning “breaking waves.” In fact, Aboriginal rock carvings can still be seen at both ends of the beach. Visitors to the beach can also enjoy the Bondi Community Cultural Centre which houses an art gallery, theatre, café, and souvenir shop. For those interested in seeing more of the coast line, a scenic 3.4 kilometer walk makes its way to Bronte Beach and offers spectacular views.

Bondi is home to many popular and fun events, including the annual City to Surf run from downtown Sydney to the beach. Many participants dress up in outlandish costumes for the race, which is held every August. Kites abound at the Festival of the Winds on the second Sunday in September. Sculpture by the Sea occurs in November and brings large installation artwork to the beach. And of course Bondi remains as a popular destination on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

 

No trip to Australia would be complete without a day spent at one of the world’s most famous beaches.  Bondi Beach is a must for all Australian sightseers, and while the sun-worshippers will simply enjoy the white sand and excellent surfing conditions, others will enjoy the laid back atmosphere, funky shops, and fantastic dining.

Although only one kilometer long, Bondi is Sydney’s widest beach.  The name “Bondi” is believed to come from an Aboriginal word meaning “breaking waves.”  In fact, Aboriginal rock carvings can still be seen at both ends of the beach.  Visitors to the beach can also enjoy the Bondi Community Cultural Centre which houses an art gallery, theatre, café, and souvenir shop.  For those interested in seeing more of the coast line, a scenic 3.4 kilometer walk makes its way to Bronte Beach and offers spectacular views.

Bondi is home to many popular and fun events, including the annual City to Surf run from downtown Sydney to the beach.  Many participants dress up in outlandish costumes for the race, which is held every August.  Kites abound at the Festival of the Winds on the second Sunday in September.  Sculpture by the Sea occurs in November and brings large installation artwork to the beach.  And of course Bondi remains as a popular destination on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

As with all trips to the beach, water safety is very important.  Lifeguards do patrol the beach, but it is recommended that swimmers stay within the red and yellow flags, as these are the safest areas in the water and are patrolled by lifeguards.  Because of a shark net about 150 meters off shore, there have been no shark fatalities at the beach since 1937.

Due to the popularity of the beach and the lack of accessible parking available, taking public transit or a taxi from Sydney to Bondi is recommended, particularly during busy summer months.


The Sydney Opera House

One of the true architectural wonders of Australia has to be the Sydney Opera House. With construction of the Opera House beginning in 1959 and finishing in 1973, the Opera House has been a rich part of Australian culture for over 30 years!

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The Opera House is located in major Australian tourist hub Sydney in Southern Australia. It uses enough power to supply a town of 250,000 people. The Main Concert Hall in the Opera House has nearly 3,000 seats and is home to the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ, which is one of the largest Organs in the world, and a true marvel in itself.

Since its opening in 1973, the Sydney Opera House has been home to literally thousands of different performances by various artists from around the world. You can check out their official website to see upcoming performances.

One thing is for sure, if you’re planning a trip to Australia, you don’t want to miss the Sydney Opera house. Between the one of a kind architecture and the cultural experience, this is truly a unique Australian vacation stop on your next trip!


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