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City Guide - Sydney - Excursions | ||
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Excursions For a Half Day Manly: New South Wales has Manly Beach to thank for its sea and surf culture for it was here, in 1902, that newspaper editor William Gocher first defied the state law against public bathing. The esplanade is now populated with roller-bladers, joggers and cyclists while the white sand of the south beaches and the golden sands of the north beaches are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers. A short ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly can also be reached on foot via the Manly Scenic Walkway from Spit Bridge in the city. The walk can take up to four hours, but offers some of Sydney's most breathtaking views, as well as skirting some of its most exclusive homes. For a Whole Day Blue Mountains: The dramatic, forest scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park is a major attraction for nature lovers. The cool eucalyptus forests harbour numerous bushwalks - and give off the blue haze that gives the area its name - and more active visitors may like to go abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking or horseriding. The area's most famous attraction is the Three Sisters - named after an aboriginal dream-time legend. The easiest way to see the Blue Mountains is by car, but there are hourly trains to Katoomba from Central station. For details contact Blue Mountains Visitor Information (tel: (1300) 653 408; web site: www.lisp.com.au/~bmta/). Hunter Valley: One of Australia's premier wine-producing districts, Hunter Valley has more than 70 vineyards. Although busiest during the harvest months in February and March, most vineyards remain open to the public daily and offer a range of restaurants and accommodation. Two of the more popular vineyards are Lindemans, one of the largest Australian wine companies and Rothbury Estate, almost as famous for its concerts as for its wines. At Rothbury, the day's tour begins with an early morning champagne breakfast followed by a hot-air balloon flight over the valley. A two-hour drive from Sydney, Cessnock is the gateway to Hunter Valley, and home to its main visitor centre. Alternatively, trains from Sydney arrive at Newcastle, and take about three hours. Wine Country Tourism (tel: (02) 49 90 44 77; fax: (02) 49 91 45 18; web site: www.winecountry.com.au ) provides full details of tours. |