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As
a huge country with a small population, Australia is famous for its many
natural attractions spread out across the entire continent. You can enjoy
some excellent outdoor attractions within the Sydney area itself.
Excursions in the Hunter Valley
The Australian
wine industry has come of age in recent years, and Australian production
now accounts for 7 percent of the world market, and Australia ranks as the
fourth largest exporter.
It all began
at Hunter Valley in the 1820’s. Located about 75 miles north of Sydney,
the area is divided between the Lower Hunter and the Upper Hunter, which
was developed more recently. Apart from the wines produced here, the
region is also noted for the beautiful scenery provided by the Brokenback
Mountain Range. The distinct climate differences between the two Hunter
Valleys tropical and humid in the Lower Hunter, dry in the Upper Hunter
lead to contrasting wine flavours between the two.
Katoomba and other attractions in the Blue Mountains
Canyoning consists of gliding down ropes into deep
canyons and jumping into waterfall pools. If you are game for it, guides
will bring you through bush-covered paths to well-hidden starting points,
and from there on, it is downhill all the way. You dress in a wetsuit to
protect yourself from the wet cold. There is a variety of experiences when
you go on a hike. You may have to abseil into deep, dark tunnels, slide
down smooth waterways cut into stone by streams over centuries and make
a jump into freezing water pools.
Sydney’s outdoors are not necessarily inland. The ocean just
outside Sydney also offers unique experiences. You can try the “Shark
Dive” at Magic Point, where you will get an opportunity to see Grey
Nurse Sharks in a cave. You do not need to be a certified diver but
you must know how to swim I order to participate. The Nurse Shark is a native
species that has been wiped out from most of the area due to fishing, and
this is one of the last locations where they are known to live in the Sydney
area. The sharks are harmless as long as they are not harassed and divers
will be safe provided they follow instructions. All equipment will be provided
and basic scuba instruction will be available for non-certified divers.
If you want a more laid back way to take in everything, perhaps
you can try a helicopter tour that will take you to all of the landmarks
in a day. Starting from as low as AUS$ 200, the trips range from quick tours
of major Sydney city landmarks to trips further afield to the Blue Mountains
and the Hunter Valley.
Book Sydney Hotels
here
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