The Hunter Valley offers you a choice of coast and country, wilderness and wineries and a glimpse of genuine country life in its historic towns. Less than two hours' drive from Sydney, The Hunter Valley is one of Australia's oldest and most well-known wine regions. Over 100 wineries are spread across sweeping vine-lined hills where generations of family winemakers are still onsite and inviting you to try their white and red varieties while telling their tales.
Day 1- ARRIVE SYDNEY
Upon arrival at the Sydney Airport a local Silversea representative greets and transfers you to the Hotel, where you will be staying for three nights.
The rest of the day and evening is at leisure for you to explore Sydney or relax after your long flight. Dinner is also on your own this evening.
Overnight at the Langham Sydney
The standard check-in time at the hotel is 3:00 PM. If your flight arrives very early in the morning, please inquire about rates to guarantee your room for immediate occupancy upon arrival.
Day 2- SYDNEY
After breakfast at the hotel meet your guide and begin your tour with a first stop to the historic Rocks precinct to discover the birthplace of Sydney and explore the cottages, pubs, and the first church in Australia.
This morning, your tour continues to the iconic Sydney Opera House. Uncover the stories, history and magic of the Sydney Opera House with an incredible guided tour, taking you underneath the world-famous sails. Visit areas off limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas and ballets take place each year.
Afterwards, head east, visit the stunning Botanical Gardens situated right in the heart of Sydney. Enroute pass through Macquarie Street named after the fifth Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. Here see Australia's first Parliament House, Mint, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary's Cathedral. The tour continues onto Mrs. Macquarie's Chair situated on the two water's edge, enjoy a walking tour of the harbour's edge with magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Continue on through Darling Point, one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs and see some of Sydney's most sought after addresses. Stroll down at the Darling Point with the locals before re-boarding the vehicle. Travel back to Sydney via the vibrant Oxford Street and the suburb of Paddington; admire this boutique shopping precinct and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the homes.
Then we will make a stop for lunch at Nick's Seafood at Darling Harbour. Nick's Seafood Restaurant has become somewhat of a Sydney institution over the last decade since opening its doors in 1998. Enjoy lunch with magnificent views over the Darling Harbour. Arrive at your hotel, having enjoyed a great tour experiencing some of Sydney's best kept secrets and having taken some fantastic photos.
Your evening is at leisure. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the Langham Sydney
Day 3- SYDNEY/ HUNTER VALLEY
After breakfast at the hotel, travel out of Sydney to the famous Hunter Valley wine region. By 1823 some 20 acres of vineyards had already been planted on the northern banks of the river. Compare the aromas of top-rated wines and taste award-winning vintage wines. Relax, get away from the city, and enjoy some fabulous food and wine in Australia's oldest wine-growing region.
The Hunter valley is famous for white wines. Visit 4 wineries, taste and sample different wines. Enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch at a famous winery followed by a vineyard inspection. After a fabulous day touring the Hunter arrive at your hotel where dinner is included this evening.
Overnight at the Mercure Resort - Hunter Valley
Day 4- HUNTER VALLEY/ SYDNEY
After Breakfast, the morning is at your leisure in the Hunter Valley, perhaps visit the nearby Hunter Valley Gardens (entrance own expense).
Lunch will be a picnic lunch amongst the vines at Audrey Wilkinson, the oldest vineyard in the Hunter Valley. After lunch enjoy a behind the scenes wine making tour at Audrey Wilkinson, where you will meet the winemaking team. You may be lucky enough to taste wine straight from the barrel and at different stages of the winemaking process as you learn about a grape's journey from the vine to the bottle.
Following the winery tour, make your way along the winding road to the cellar door where you will be treated to a VIP tasting of premium wines and finish the day with a cheese platter to share overlooking the magnificent view. Afterwards travel back to Sydney. The tour concludes this evening at your hotel. Dinner is at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight at the Langham Sydney
Day 5- SYDNEY
After breakfast, check-out of the hotel. Your guide will arrange your transfer to the pier, where the Silversea staff and crew are waiting to welcome you onboard. Bon Voyage!
Program Inclusions:
- Two-night stay at the Langham Sydney - Deluxe Harbour View Room
- Two-night stay at the Mercure Resort- Superior Room
- All tours as per itinerary
- Included Meals: Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Transfers between airports, hotel and pier
- Please note that order of visits may differ
Visa Information:
Please check with your travel professional for details about a visa for Australia. It is the responsibility of the guest to obtain appropriate visa documents before your cruise.
Accessibility:
This tour requires a moderate amount of walking over some uneven surfaces, and therefore is not recommended for guests with mobility issues or for those who utilize a wheelchair.
Please note:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do everything possible to insure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the tour sequence and specific sites mentioned is subject to change. Closure of some sites due to local or national holiday observances, flight schedules or other factors may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary.
Gratuities to guides/drivers, meals and alcoholic drinks other than those noted in itinerary, and other personal expenses are not included in the price of this tour.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason, within 90 days of sailing and are recommended to guests 18 years or age and older. This description is a general overview of this programme. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays and weather, require. The programme described here is provided by independent contractors. Silversea acts solely as ticketing agent. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.