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Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley
acre World Heritage Site is riddled with deep canyons and gorges, spread with rainforests, dotted with waterfalls and Aboriginal sites and alive with the sounds of wonderful birds, with cockatoos and parrots taking centre stage for sheer decibel performance. The Blue Mountains are also famous for their eucalyptus trees, some 91 different species whose resin, vaporized through the leaves and mixed with fine particles of dust, accounts for the area's distinctive blue haze. Your base will be the elegant Lilianfels, English country-house in style and owned by Orient Express. Perched right on the edge of an escarpment, with priceless views from many of the rooms, Sydney's
Hunter Valley vineyard
famous bolthole in the Blues also has a choice of two restaurants, a Li'Tya spa where several therapies are based on ancient Aboriginal healing traditions, a heated pool, tennis, billiards and mountain bikes.
Such are the pleasures of this trio of destinations, a blend of striking landscapes and beaches, famous vineyards and arguably the world's most alluring city, that they could justify an entire holiday Down Under.
Days 1, 2 and 3
Days 6 and 7
Hunter Valley
Australia's oldest wine growing district is an easy cross country drive from the Blue
Sydney
Mountains. Most of the 70 wineries put out a welcome mat for visitors. But the area, as much woodland as vineland, also offers a broad spectrum of activities, including hot air ballooning, golf, horse riding and cycling. You'll be staying in one of the dozen guest rooms at Tower Lodge, part of a 70 acre working estate of vineyards. It has an 18 hole, 52 par putting course, a heated pool and two restaurants, Robert's and Blaxland's, both highly acclaimed by food critics.
You'll stay at Quay Grand Suites, a hop from the Opera House, with several of the 70 suites facing the Harbour Bridge. The hotel offers the best of Sydney with remarkable ease. You are just a two minute walk from the ferries that shuttle across to the beach at Manly or Darling Harbour, five minutes from the historic Rocks and a short stroll from the Botanic Gardens. Days 4 and 5
The Blue Mountains
Price from £809 including 5 days' car hire, 7 nights' accommodation and private transfers on arrival at Sydney. When to go October to May.
Although more plateau than peaky, mountains that you look down to
Sydney Opera House
appreciate rather than up, the two million
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