Sydney, Katoomba & The Blue Mountains

Day 1 - Thursday 18 March 2021

Melbourne - Sydney (L,D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!  Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to Sydney.  Upon our arrival into Sydney we are met by our local coach captain and make our way through Sydney, across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and into Manly for lunch at the Manly Pavilion for an amazing experience on the outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the harbour. This afternoon we visit the Taronga Zoo, home to over 4,000 animals from over 350 species. During our visit, join one of the keeper talks or settle down for the free-flight Bird Show. Late afternoon we check into our hotel before dinner.

Overnight - View North Sydney (or similar)

Day 2 - Friday 19 March 2021

Sydney Sightseeing - Darling Harbour (B,L,D)

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a highlights tour of Sydney including sights such as Bondi Beach, Watson’s Bay, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We make our way to Darling Harbour to board our delightful cruise and delicious seafood buffet lunch aboard the MV Sydney 2000. Set on the world’s most beautiful harbour, in a casual and relaxed atmosphere aboard Sydney’s most impressive cruise ship.  This afternoon we have time at leisure to explore Darling Harbour and surrounds. Dinner tonight will be back at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight - View North Sydney (or similar)

Day 3 - Saturday 20 March 2021

Penrith - Katoomba (B,L,D)

This morning we make our way to Penrith to visit the Museum of Fire where we take a step back in time and immerse ourselves into the fascinating world of fire and firefighting. Home to Australia's largest collection of Fire Brigade vehicles and a vast display of objects, equipment, memorabilia and educational displays. We then venture into the Blue Mountain National Park and visit the Gallery of famous artist and craftsman, writer Norman Lindsay (1879 - 1969) who lived in this stone cottage for most of his long life. The cottage is presented as the showplace of a major collection of Lindsay’s work including watercolours, sculptures, ship models, novels and an exhibition of models from his classic children’s book The Magic Pudding. After a light lunch we continue into Katoomba and travel along Cliff Drive around to Echo Point and the Three Sisters Lookout which overlooks the beautiful Jamison Valley. We check-in to our accommodation for a rest before dinner.

Overnight - Sky Ride Motor Inn (or similar)

Day 4 - Sunday 21 March 2021

Leura - High Tea at the famous Hydro Majestic - Blue Mountains (B,HT,D)

Today we enjoy free time in the pretty village of Leura. The township is littered with many fine coffee shops, galleries, antique, craft and curiosity shops. Bygone Beauty Antiques Emporium and Teapot Collection, The Candy Store and the Toy and Railway Museum are well worth a visit. Then we'll transfer to the The Hydro Majestic to enjoy a High Tea.  The Hotel was Australia's first health retreat that officially opened in 1904 during a snowstorm.  The unique Hotel has attracted guests from all over the world, including famous Opera Singers, Prime Ministers, authors and Sportsmen. 

This afternoon we continue to explore the gardens of the Blue Mountain Botanical Gardens. The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is the spectacular cool climate garden featuring thousands of plants from the southern hemisphere and around the world.  At 1,000 metres above sea level, the Garden at Mount Tomah overlooks the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and boasts stunning panoramic views. A walk around this 28 hectare estate is a botanic journey. ** A Guided walking tour might be possible once COVID restrictions have been updated.

Later this evening we return to our accommodation for free time before dinner at the hotel.

Overnight - Sky Ride Motor Inn (or similar)

Day 5 - Monday 22 March 2021

Blue Mountains Sightseeing (B,D)

This morning we visit the Blue Mountains premier attraction Scenic World where our Scenic Pass enables us to ride the Scenic Skyway, which travels horizontally 300 metres above the Jamison Valley floor above Cooks Crossing and offers magnificent views of Katoomba Falls and Orphan Rock. We can also enjoy the Scenic Rail, which was built in 1878 and takes us on a drop of 207 metres into the valley and has the reputation of being the world steepest inclined railway. Once on the Valley Floor we can enjoy some short walks along the board walk to the Ruined Castle and Federal Pass before enjoying the Cableway back out of the Valley to the Visitors Centre. This afternoon we visit Everglades Gardens, where The National Trust brings Australia’s heritage alive drawing from the great traditions of European landscape design as well as the unique Blue Mountains bushland. Constructed in the 1930s by Danish-born landscape gardener Paul Sorensen in conjunction with owner Henri van de Velde. Everglades Gardens is Australia’s most spectacular inter-war period gardens and has received acclaim from garden lovers worldwide.

Later this evening we return to our accommodation for a rest before dinner.

Overnight - Sky Ride Motor Inn (or similar)

Day 6 - Tuesday 23 March 2021

Penrith - Rouse Hill (B,L,D)

After breakfast we make our way down the mountain and to the Penrith Jetty to check-in and board our Morning in the Gorge cruise aboard the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler. We are treated to the unique view of the Nepean Gorge and base of the Blue Mountains National Park, a largely unexplored wonderland of natural flora and native wildlife. On board we see native Australian wildlife such as wombats, wallabies, lizards, eagles, cormorants and even mountain goats and white breasted sea eagles! We enjoy fresh locally made fluffy scones, served alongside a pot of strawberry jam and fresh vanilla bean cream, hot brewed coffee and loose leaf tea as we immerse ourselves in the spectacular natural surrounds of the Nepean Gorge. After our cruise we travel across to Rouse Hill and call into The Fiddler for a 2 course lunch. The Fiddler remains the most awarded hotel complex in Australia with its heritage dating back to 1826 when a half-way house was designed by Sir Francis Greenway for Cobb & Co. After lunch we visit the Old Government House in Parramatta.  Situated on the traditional lands of the Burramatta Darug, World Heritage listed Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia. Built by convicts, it became the decision-making centre of the colony and served as the ‘country residence’ for the first ten Governors of Australia.Today, this elegant Georgian house stands in 200 acres of parkland, overlooking the Parramatta River. It is home to the National Trust’s premier colonial furniture collection, early textiles and significant homewares from the time of the Governors.

This afternoon we check into our accommodation for a rest before dinner.

Overnight - Mercure Hotel Rouse Hill (or similar)

Day 7 - Wednesday 24 March 2021

Rouse Hill - Sydney - Home (B,L)

This morning after a hearty breakfast we travel back to Sydney and stop at the World-Heritage listed Sydney Opera House for a guided tour of this iconic landmark. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. On our tour we visit off-limit areas and capture photographs from rare vantage points. After our tour we enjoy lunch at the Opera Bar before travelling back to Sydney Airport for check in and our flight home after a wonderful week exploring Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look foward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.