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[ SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY ] The Hunter Surrounding the Hunter Valley on three sides, Lake Macquarie, the city of Newcastle and the sublime wilderness of the Barrington Tops offer visitors endless diversity. Hunter region FAST FACTS Lake Macquarie is the largest saltwater lake in Australia. It’s four times the size of Sydney Harbour, with more than 170 km of foreshore. Cosmopolitan Newcastle, the State’s second largest city, is bordered by beautiful beaches and has produced a number of world class surfers. Barrington Tops is a high, undulating World Heritage wilderness with racing rivers, lush rainforests, subalpine woodlands and ancient beech forests. Photographs above left to right: Blacksmiths Beach, Lake Macquarie (Paul Foley’s Lightmoods P/L); Thunderbolts Lookout, Barrington Tops National Park (Hamilton Lund) Why go there This is a multi-faceted region offering rich rewards for all – adventurers, historians and beachcombers alike. A 90-minute drive from Sydney, Lake Macquarie is an aquatic playground, ideal for anyone who enjoys fishing, sailing or other water sports. Perched between a working harbour and beautiful beaches, Newcastle is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, bursting with energy and creative activity. A short distance further north, Barrington Tops is a world of gushing streams, waterfalls, frosted forests and soaring cliffs, well known for its rugged bushwalking and camping as well as its unique plant and animal life. Things to do Each season brings its own rewards in The Hunter. In the warmer months, the beaches in this part of the world are hard to resist. Visitors can choose from gentle lakeside coves to Newcastle’s legendary surf beaches. This is also a great time to experience some of the cruises and other water sports available on Lake Macquarie. Spring and autumn are perfect for exploring the cool-climate wonderland of Barrington Tops, while winter is the time to check out Newcastle’s lively arts scene. Lake Macquarie – Enjoy a lake cruise or hire your own boat and spend the day out on the lake. – Spend the day at Blacksmiths, a popular family beach, which is patrolled during the warmer months. – Experience Caves Beach, which has a network of sea caves at its southern end, and great picnic and barbecue facilities. Newcastle – Head for Queen’s Wharf when the sun goes down and get set for a great night out by the waterside. – Take a dive into Merewether Baths, the largest ocean baths in the southern hemisphere. – Walk the Bathers Way, a scenic 5-km (3 miles) coastal walk from Merewether Beach. Barrington Tops – Explore the diverse beauty of forests in four distinct regions. – Watch for grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and wombats in the national park. – Try horse-riding with a true bushman in the foothills of the Barrington Tops. – Go whitewater canoeing on the rapids. There are four pristine rivers in the area. Accommodation The area has hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, cabins, lodges, quality motels and backpacker hostels. For details, see page 55. 34 SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY sydney.com ■ INDICATES WHOLESALE PRODUCT
[ SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY ] Port Stephens Whether it’s close encounters with dolphins, whales or koalas or a thrilling ride down the sand dunes, Port Stephens offers year-round action. Port Stephens FAST FACTS Located 215 km (135 miles) north of Sydney, Port Stephens has 26 golden beaches and a bay more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour. Dolphin-watch cruises offer close encounters with the bottlenose dolphins that live in the bay. From late May to early November, the waters off Port Stephens are host to the magnificent acrobatic displays of migrating humpback whales. The natural beauty of the waterways around Port Stephens fall under the protection of a Marine National Park. Visitors are encouraged to plant a tree to improve koala habitats. Photographs above left to right: Parasailing over Shoal Bay; Relaxing at Fingal Bay (Hamilton Lund) ” Why go there The famous sand dune system here is perfect for 4WD tours, quad bikes, horse riding or tobogganing. Add wine-tasting, seeing koalas in the wild at Tilligerry Peninsula and endless water sports for an idyllic beach holiday. Tours ■ Imagine, Nelsons Bay Dolphin- and whale-watching on a catamaran. www.imaginecruises.com.au ■ Moonshadow Cruises, Nelsons Bay Dolphin- and whale-watch cruises. www.moonshadow.com.au ■ Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelsons Bay Discover the area’s coastal desert wilderness in a 4WD. www.portstephens4wd.com.au ■ Port Stephens Bay Explorer Passes Daily coach services from Sydney using ‘Bay Explorer Pass’ for touring and experiencing many attractions. Package includes accommodation at Marina Resort. www.pscoaches.com.au www.exploreportstephens.com ■ Quad Bike King, Anna Bay 4WD and quad bike tours of Stockton Beach sand-dunes. www.quadbikeking.com.au ■ Port Stephens Parasailing, Nelsons Bay Parasail over Port Stephens waters. www.portstephensparasailing.com.au ■ Sahara Horse Trails, Anna Bay Ride through beach and forest settings. www.saharatrails.com Attractions ■ Australian Shark and Ray Centre, Bobs Farm Feed or play with sharks and rays in a safe environment. www.ozsharkandray.com.au ■ Port Stephens Winery, Bob’s Farm The original multi-award-winning winery. www.portstephenswinery.com ■ Oakvale Farm and Fauna World, Salt Ash Pat and feed native and farm animals. www.oakvalefarm.com.au Dining ■ Rock Lobster www.rocklobsterrestaurant.com.au Catches Restaurant www.shoalbayresort.com Sunsets at the Bay www.sunsetsatthebay.com.au Accommodation Visitors can stay in hotels, motels and apartments by the beach. For details, see page 56. sydney.com PORT STEPHENS 35
Page 1: Sydney and New South Wales AUSTRALI
Page 4 and 5: Sydney and NSW An inspiring city…
Page 6 and 7: Sydney at a glance Australia’s bi
Page 8 and 9: DID YOU KNOW Manly was named by Gov
Page 10 and 11: Sydney attractions Sydney’s Opera
Page 12 and 13: Sydney tours From the conventional
Page 14 and 15: ■ Ultimately Sydney Specialists i
Page 16 and 17: Beach culture The sound of waves cr
Page 18 and 19: Nature city It’s rare for a world
Page 20 and 21: Art and culture Vibrant, vivid, aud
Page 22 and 23: Aboriginal heritage and art Austral
Page 24 and 25: Shopping With boutiques, department
Page 26 and 27: Dining and nightlife Sydney’s caf
Page 28 and 29: Sydney and NSW events 2008/09 For f
Page 30 and 31: [ SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY ] Blue Mo
Page 32 and 33: [ SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY ] Hunter
Page 36 and 37: [ SHORT TRIPS FROM SYDNEY ] Central
Page 38 and 39: [ REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES ] Drive
Page 40 and 41: [ REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES ] Drive
Page 42 and 43: [ REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES ] Outbac
Page 44 and 45: [ REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES ] Countr
Page 46 and 47: [ REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES ] Snowy
Page 48 and 49: Spa experiences Enjoy the spa treat
Page 50 and 51: [ TRAVELLER INFORMATION ] Getting a
Page 52 and 53: [ TRAVELLER INFORMATION ] Travellin
Page 54 and 55: 3 STAR ★★★ Aarons Hotel www.a
Page 56 and 57: 3 STAR ★★★ Segenhoe View B&B
Page 58: Outback NSW accommodation 4.5 STAR

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