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Published: December 5th 2013
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Sydney, NSW
Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour at night Tuesday 26th. November 2013: Day 1: We were collected at our homes and driven to the airport where we met our tour guide Jan. Flight from Perth to Sydney we were met by our coach driver Warren and transferred to the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour over looking Cockle Bay.
Day 2: Tour of the Sydney Opera House, a walk into the Botanic Gardens, onto the scenic train to explore 30 acres of gardens with stunning views. Tour of Watson's Bay, the Gap and to Bondi for lunch.
Day3: Visit to Elizabeth Farm - home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur. John was an architect and designed their homes and was also known as the pioneer of the wool industry that was to bloom in Australia. A drive then to the Nepean River to board the Nepean Belle - paddle wheeler for a festive Christmas lunch while we cruised down the river. After dinner we went into Sydney and viewed the laser light show on the Town Hall - stunning. A wander through Hyde Park and past St Mary's Cathedral to our waiting coach.
Day 4: Today we had a tour through beautiful suburbs with magnificent views over the
Sydney, NSW
Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour at night water on our way to the seaside suburb of Manly. After lunch we completed the circuit with a ferry ride back to Circular Quay. We chose to continue on with ferry travel to Watson's Bay and then a return trip up the Paramatta River to the Sydney Olympic Stadium.
Day 5: Up and away on a drive along the Grand Pacific Drive and through the Royal National Park with a morning tea stop near Coalcliff to watch the hang-gliders take off and skim through the sky. Great windy weather was ideal for them. We crossed the Sea Cliff Bridge and made our way to Kiama for lunch with a visit to the blowhole and a casual drive back to Sydney.
Day 6: Today we journryed north into Dobell House, a National Heritage building of one of Australia's most famous, if not controversial artists. An amazing lunch was served to us by the CWA - they are a credit to their name. Off to Cessnock where we booked into the Wine Country Motor Inn - comfortable with free Internet and staff who were the best - and offered any assistance if needed whether it be airconditioning setting, TV help
Sydney, NSW
The Sydney Harbour Bridge or whatever. We headed off then to the Hunter Valley Gardens for our meal after which we wandered through the acres of gardens all decorated with 1,250,000 christmas lights. There was even a Ferris wheel but time did not allow for us to have the pleasure and thrill of that to view the gardens from a height. The place is wonderful for children, teenagers, adults and oldies.
Day 7: We ventured out of the Hunter Valley with a tour onto the coast and through Newcastle - admittedly it is a coal town but the beaches, homes, gardens are really very good and worth a visit. Past Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lake returning to Sydney and the traffic and back to the Notovotel on Darling Harbour for our last dinner.
Day 8: Up early for breakfast and departure to the airport for a return to Perth. How quickly that week passed by and how many places did we visit and see. We had a fabulous group of 14 people, a lovely guide in Jan and great driver in Warren.
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