Jerusalem Places Of Attractions
In a country with a history that stretches back thousands of years, it can be tough knowing where to begin your visit: a glimpse of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum is an enlightening experience, but whiling away a morning at cafe in old (as in, very old) Jaffa might be more nourishing to some. A roundup of Israel's top tourist sights includes some of the major historical ones as well as city highlights.
1. Tel Aviv-Yafo
Tel Aviv is to Israel what New York City is to the United States: its commercial heart and cultural center. The fact that it was founded in 1909 makes it ridiculously young in a part of the world where many cities began not just centuries, but millennia ago. In contrast to Tel Aviv's teeming
2. Jerusalem (Old City)
PhoJerusalem is Israel's official capital city and is sacred to three major religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The ancient Old City is encircled by imposing stone walls that date to the Ottoman period and contain within it such holy sites as the Western Wall - the most visited site in Israel and one holy to Jews - Dome of the Rock and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
3. Masada
The desert fortress of Masada was the scene of the tragic last resistance of the Zealots, an ancient Jewish sect, to the Romans in 73 A.D. You can still see the ramparts that the Romans built as part of their siege of Masada, and many other evocative ruins as well. Reach the 1,300-foot peak by hiking up the Snake Path or by cable car.
4. The Dead Sea
At 1,360 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Its water is about ten times saltier than the ocean's, giving it a buoyancy that makes it possible to float (and with water that salty, you wouldn't want to swim in it!). The mineral-rich waters can be very beneficial for those with skin problems.
5. Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is the largest Holocaust museum and memorial in the world. It was established in 1953, but the more recent Holocaust History Museum (part of the same complex), designed by architect Moshe Safdie, opened in 2005. There are numerous exhibition halls within its dramatic central triangular structure.
6. Israel Museum
Located in Jerusalem, this is the largest cultural complex in Israel and counts the Dead Sea Scrolls, the world's oldest known biblical manuscripts, among its many treasures. The Billy Rose sculpture garden contains works by the likes of Picasso and Rodin. The Rockefeller Archaeological Museum in East Jerusalem is also a part of the Israel Museum.
7. Caesarea National Park
Halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, Caesarea is among Israel's brightest archaeological gems. It was built some 2,000 years ago by Herod the Great, who dedicated the port to Caesar Augustus. Ruins from the Roman and Crusader periods are framed by stunning sea views, and the restored ancient amphitheater is now used for concerts in the summertime.
8. The Galilee
The Galilee is inextricably linked with the life of Jesus Christ, in particular the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), and two of Judaism's four holy cities, Tiberias and Safed, are located in this lush northern region. The expression "a land flowing with milk and honey" is very apt for the region, which abounds not only in historic sites but agricultural plenty and lots of great lodging options, too.
9. Eilat
Eilat, on the Red Sea, is Israel's seaside resort par excellence. If visits to the holy sites in Jerusalem and elsewhere leave you with a weighty sense of history, blow it all off here, where suntanning, watersports and swimming with dolphins is de rigueur.
10. Baha'i Gardens, Haifa
Reproduced with permission of the Bahá’í International Community
The "hanging gardens of Haifa" fan along a broad staircase of 19 terraces that extend up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. The central terrace houses the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, a central figure of the Baha'i faith. These magnificent gardens are on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Jerusalem Introduction
Jerusalem: Introduction
Jerusalem : This is the heart and soul of the Land of Israel, and one of the most emotionally and spiritually charged places on earth.
The biblical references to "going up" to Jerusalem are literally true. Jerusalem sits atop the Judean Hills, a significant rise above both the coastal plan and the Jordan Valley also part of Israel. As one approaches the city on Highway 1 from Tel Aviv, the vegetation changes and the air grows cooler at the higher elevations, and the semi-arid climate gives way to a more temperate, varied climate. In the winter, Jerusalem occasionally sees snow, and in the summer, evenings are often cool enough to require long pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
Before the Six-Day War (1967), the city was divided, with the eastern portion, including the Old City and the Mount of Olives under Jordanian occupation. While formally united under Israeli rule, the city has always maintained two characters, and after the violence of the intifada, that division has sadly reemerged. The New City, the western section, is the portion that always remained under Israeli control, and it is almost exclusively Jewish, more cosmopolitan, and in some ways much like other Israeli cities. Other areas of the city remain mostly Arab as they have for the past 150 years. Here are located the Knesset and the government offices, the commercial and shopping districts, and most of the Jewish residential neighborhoods. The Old City, surrounded by the 500-year-old wall erected by Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, was the portion under Jordanian occupation from 1948-1967, and it is this portion which contains most of the significant historical sites and all of the holy places of interest to the three faiths.
The Old City itself contains four quarters, though these are not physical divisions and are, in fact, only loose descriptions. The Armenian Quarter was settled in the 4th and 5th Centuries by pilgrims from this first nation to adopt Christianity. With the end of Armenian nationhood in 1921 – and in the wake of the brutal Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks – the Armenian Quarter became the spiritual heart of the Armenian people in exile. Now, with Armenia once again an independent nation, it plays a less crucial role (and has fewer residents), but it is still one of the major centers of the Armenian Orthodox Church. The Christian Quarter contains the end of the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Various churches – Armenian, Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Roman Catholic, Maronite, and Ethiopian – compete for space and control in this holiest place of Christendom.
The Jewish Quarter was the refuge of the Old Yishuv for centuries, Orthodox Jews who came to Eretz Yisrael to study or simply to die. After the Jewish Quarter fell to the Arab Legion after the long and bitter siege in the 1948 War for Independence, the Jordanians expelled the remaining Jews and dynamited most of the buildings, including centuries-old synagogues and yeshivot. Following the reunification of the city in 1967, Israelis rebuilt the Jewish Quarter, and in the process, came upon many important archeological sites from the Second Temple period and the Temple's destruction in 70 C.E.
Finally, the Muslim Quarter contains the shrines that make Jerusalem the third holiest city in Islam, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the Western Wall of Herod's platform which held the Temple -- the holiest place of prayer in Judaism. The Muslim shrines are built upon the site of the ancient Temple, a raised platform known as the Temple Mount ("Har ha-Bayit" in Hebrew) and "Haram al-Sharif" ("the Noble Sanctuary" in Arabic). The Western Wall is one of the outer walls of Herod's Temple Mount. The Temple was built here on Mt. Moriah, the place where Abraham bound his son Isaac for sacrifice, as well as the site where Muhammad allivated to heaven on his mythical beast al-Baraq. No place in Israel is more sensitive and more contentious.
The Dome of the Rock, which is famously known due to its distinctive gold dome, and blue moasic design is a not a Mosque but a shrine protecting the foundation stone/place of Muhamads ascension to heaven. It is a secondary Muslim pilgrimage site for those unable to make the Haj to Mecca. Historically the Temple Mount is the site of Solomons temple. Today the Temple Mount has limited access to non-Moslems and is accessible via the Mughrabi bridge Sunday through Thursday from 7:30-10:30 and 12:30-13:30 (an hour later for summer time).
Jerusalem: Architecture
As a city with a history of about 4000 years, Jerusalem contains some fascinating architecture dating back to different periods.Without going into the many archaeological digs, one may note the following standing structures of importance:
2000 years old- the Western Wall of the Jewish Temple, today the most important Holy Site of the Jewish religion.1300 years old- the Dome of the Rock and el-Aqsa Mosque: two of the most important Holy Sites of the Islamic religion.
1000 years old- the Holy Sepulchre and the Monastery of the Cross- two of the most important Holy Sites of the Christian religion.Almost every denomination of Christianity has built a church in Jerusalem, each one in accordance with its own style, so that one can find a really amazing collection of different types of church architecture.
When turning to secular buildings one finds a variety ranging from traditional Arab dwellings to Ottoman tiled roofs to Bauhaus European and the latest in modern glass and concrete design. Much of Jerusalem is built using the local limestone blocks, which give the city a special character as the stone weathers over the years, turning gold and sometimes pink. This is why the city is often called Jerusalem the Golden.
Jerusalem: Culture
Jerusalem is a treasure house for anyone with a sense of history.It is the capital city of the Jewish people and the focus of Jewish culture for the last 4000 years. Jews around the world pray towards Jerusalem three times a day.It is a good idea to visit the city during festivals, according to your religious preference, but remember that there are often many pilgrims like yourself and it is wise to book hotels in advance.There are excellent museums, the largest being the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum (located not far from the Knesset- Israel’s Parliament). There are, of course, many antiquities and holy places to tour, part of the heritages of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
There is a rich fare of classical music: symphonic and chamber, played by first rate orchestras (If you want to go to the opera you will have to travel to Tel Aviv). Theatre is mostly in Hebrew. There are also ballet and folk-dance performances. Jazz as well!
Jerusalem has many art galleries too, and book shops. There are many well-stocked libraries for scholars. Jerusalem is home to the Hebrew University. There are intellectual debating societies, mostly in Hebrew but sometimes one can find lectures in English or other languages.
Jerusalem : This is the heart and soul of the Land of Israel, and one of the most emotionally and spiritually charged places on earth.
The biblical references to "going up" to Jerusalem are literally true. Jerusalem sits atop the Judean Hills, a significant rise above both the coastal plan and the Jordan Valley also part of Israel. As one approaches the city on Highway 1 from Tel Aviv, the vegetation changes and the air grows cooler at the higher elevations, and the semi-arid climate gives way to a more temperate, varied climate. In the winter, Jerusalem occasionally sees snow, and in the summer, evenings are often cool enough to require long pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
Before the Six-Day War (1967), the city was divided, with the eastern portion, including the Old City and the Mount of Olives under Jordanian occupation. While formally united under Israeli rule, the city has always maintained two characters, and after the violence of the intifada, that division has sadly reemerged. The New City, the western section, is the portion that always remained under Israeli control, and it is almost exclusively Jewish, more cosmopolitan, and in some ways much like other Israeli cities. Other areas of the city remain mostly Arab as they have for the past 150 years. Here are located the Knesset and the government offices, the commercial and shopping districts, and most of the Jewish residential neighborhoods. The Old City, surrounded by the 500-year-old wall erected by Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, was the portion under Jordanian occupation from 1948-1967, and it is this portion which contains most of the significant historical sites and all of the holy places of interest to the three faiths.
The Old City itself contains four quarters, though these are not physical divisions and are, in fact, only loose descriptions. The Armenian Quarter was settled in the 4th and 5th Centuries by pilgrims from this first nation to adopt Christianity. With the end of Armenian nationhood in 1921 – and in the wake of the brutal Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks – the Armenian Quarter became the spiritual heart of the Armenian people in exile. Now, with Armenia once again an independent nation, it plays a less crucial role (and has fewer residents), but it is still one of the major centers of the Armenian Orthodox Church. The Christian Quarter contains the end of the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Various churches – Armenian, Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Roman Catholic, Maronite, and Ethiopian – compete for space and control in this holiest place of Christendom.
The Jewish Quarter was the refuge of the Old Yishuv for centuries, Orthodox Jews who came to Eretz Yisrael to study or simply to die. After the Jewish Quarter fell to the Arab Legion after the long and bitter siege in the 1948 War for Independence, the Jordanians expelled the remaining Jews and dynamited most of the buildings, including centuries-old synagogues and yeshivot. Following the reunification of the city in 1967, Israelis rebuilt the Jewish Quarter, and in the process, came upon many important archeological sites from the Second Temple period and the Temple's destruction in 70 C.E.
Finally, the Muslim Quarter contains the shrines that make Jerusalem the third holiest city in Islam, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the Western Wall of Herod's platform which held the Temple -- the holiest place of prayer in Judaism. The Muslim shrines are built upon the site of the ancient Temple, a raised platform known as the Temple Mount ("Har ha-Bayit" in Hebrew) and "Haram al-Sharif" ("the Noble Sanctuary" in Arabic). The Western Wall is one of the outer walls of Herod's Temple Mount. The Temple was built here on Mt. Moriah, the place where Abraham bound his son Isaac for sacrifice, as well as the site where Muhammad allivated to heaven on his mythical beast al-Baraq. No place in Israel is more sensitive and more contentious.
The Dome of the Rock, which is famously known due to its distinctive gold dome, and blue moasic design is a not a Mosque but a shrine protecting the foundation stone/place of Muhamads ascension to heaven. It is a secondary Muslim pilgrimage site for those unable to make the Haj to Mecca. Historically the Temple Mount is the site of Solomons temple. Today the Temple Mount has limited access to non-Moslems and is accessible via the Mughrabi bridge Sunday through Thursday from 7:30-10:30 and 12:30-13:30 (an hour later for summer time).
Jerusalem: Architecture
As a city with a history of about 4000 years, Jerusalem contains some fascinating architecture dating back to different periods.Without going into the many archaeological digs, one may note the following standing structures of importance:
2000 years old- the Western Wall of the Jewish Temple, today the most important Holy Site of the Jewish religion.1300 years old- the Dome of the Rock and el-Aqsa Mosque: two of the most important Holy Sites of the Islamic religion.
1000 years old- the Holy Sepulchre and the Monastery of the Cross- two of the most important Holy Sites of the Christian religion.Almost every denomination of Christianity has built a church in Jerusalem, each one in accordance with its own style, so that one can find a really amazing collection of different types of church architecture.
When turning to secular buildings one finds a variety ranging from traditional Arab dwellings to Ottoman tiled roofs to Bauhaus European and the latest in modern glass and concrete design. Much of Jerusalem is built using the local limestone blocks, which give the city a special character as the stone weathers over the years, turning gold and sometimes pink. This is why the city is often called Jerusalem the Golden.
Jerusalem: Culture
Jerusalem is a treasure house for anyone with a sense of history.It is the capital city of the Jewish people and the focus of Jewish culture for the last 4000 years. Jews around the world pray towards Jerusalem three times a day.It is a good idea to visit the city during festivals, according to your religious preference, but remember that there are often many pilgrims like yourself and it is wise to book hotels in advance.There are excellent museums, the largest being the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum (located not far from the Knesset- Israel’s Parliament). There are, of course, many antiquities and holy places to tour, part of the heritages of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
There is a rich fare of classical music: symphonic and chamber, played by first rate orchestras (If you want to go to the opera you will have to travel to Tel Aviv). Theatre is mostly in Hebrew. There are also ballet and folk-dance performances. Jazz as well!
Jerusalem has many art galleries too, and book shops. There are many well-stocked libraries for scholars. Jerusalem is home to the Hebrew University. There are intellectual debating societies, mostly in Hebrew but sometimes one can find lectures in English or other languages.
Sydney The Rocks
Sydney The Rocks
This restored historical district of offers everything from boutique shops to fine art galleries.
There are also a great collection of restaurants, street entertainment, historical buildings and artefacts from a much earlier Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is but a short walk to the other side of Circular Quay at Bennelong Point. Over 3000 performances a year take place there and not just Opera, but Jazz, plays, dance, orchestras, movies and a lot more.
Rocks History
As the landing place of 1400 men, women and children in 1788 (over half being convicts) the restored district provides the visitor a fascinating insight into Australian history. The area is located a short walk west from the Sydney Opera House.
Just over 200 years ago, Captain Arthur Phillip brought his fleet of 10 square-rigged sailing ships to anchor in the peaceful little bay that was to become known as Sydney Cove. More on Sydney History.
With his ships, his crews, farm stock, a handful of settlers, an array of marines and the prisoners in their charge, Phillip established the farthest flung outpost of the British Empire.
One of Phillip’s first acts on arrival was to send ashore working parties of convicts to clear the land for the tents and bark shelters which would house the settlers.
The Name
Much of the settlement was established on the Western shore of Sydney Cove, a hillside with prominent outcrops of sandstone.Named after the sandstone found in the area, the stone also was used in many of the original buildings. These have been restored and along with the cobbled lanes and stairs, the whole district of The Rocks has an old world ambience.The district is the foundation place of Sydney (Australian history) and colonial Australia’s most significant historical site.
Attractions
Above all, it is one of Sydney’s foremost attractions - a centre of history and entertainment. Many of the buildings are near original - from the oldest building, Cadman’s Cottage, to Susannah Place, Campbells Storehouse and the Merchants House. See The Rocks Attractions.
Dining
The area has been witness to much of Australia’s turbulent history since Phillip’s arrival. Now, it offers much more than haunting reminders of the past, including some the best of Sydney’s restaurants, hopping and hotels.It sits on the shoreline of the world’s Sydney Harbour. A sensitive conservation program has preserved the area’s character and heritage.
There are also a great collection of restaurants, street entertainment, historical buildings and artefacts from a much earlier Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is but a short walk to the other side of Circular Quay at Bennelong Point. Over 3000 performances a year take place there and not just Opera, but Jazz, plays, dance, orchestras, movies and a lot more.
Rocks History
As the landing place of 1400 men, women and children in 1788 (over half being convicts) the restored district provides the visitor a fascinating insight into Australian history. The area is located a short walk west from the Sydney Opera House.
Just over 200 years ago, Captain Arthur Phillip brought his fleet of 10 square-rigged sailing ships to anchor in the peaceful little bay that was to become known as Sydney Cove. More on Sydney History.
With his ships, his crews, farm stock, a handful of settlers, an array of marines and the prisoners in their charge, Phillip established the farthest flung outpost of the British Empire.
One of Phillip’s first acts on arrival was to send ashore working parties of convicts to clear the land for the tents and bark shelters which would house the settlers.
The Name
Much of the settlement was established on the Western shore of Sydney Cove, a hillside with prominent outcrops of sandstone.Named after the sandstone found in the area, the stone also was used in many of the original buildings. These have been restored and along with the cobbled lanes and stairs, the whole district of The Rocks has an old world ambience.The district is the foundation place of Sydney (Australian history) and colonial Australia’s most significant historical site.
Attractions
Above all, it is one of Sydney’s foremost attractions - a centre of history and entertainment. Many of the buildings are near original - from the oldest building, Cadman’s Cottage, to Susannah Place, Campbells Storehouse and the Merchants House. See The Rocks Attractions.
Dining
The area has been witness to much of Australia’s turbulent history since Phillip’s arrival. Now, it offers much more than haunting reminders of the past, including some the best of Sydney’s restaurants, hopping and hotels.It sits on the shoreline of the world’s Sydney Harbour. A sensitive conservation program has preserved the area’s character and heritage.
Sydney Tower, Skywalk
Sydney Tower (also known as the Sydney Tower Eye, AMP Tower, Westfield Centrepoint Tower, Centrepoint Tower or just Centrepoint) is Sydney's tallest free-standing structure, and the second tallest in Australia (with the Q1 building on the Gold Coast being the tallest). It is also the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere (after Auckland's Sky Tower, though Sydney Tower Eye's main observation deck is almost 50 m (164 ft) higher than that of Auckland's Sky Tower). The Sydney Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.
The tower stands 309 m (1,014 ft) above the Sydney CBD, located on Market Street, between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets.[1] It is accessible from the Pitt Street Mall, and sits upon the newly refurbished Westfield Sydney (formerly centrepoint arcade). The tower is open to the public, and is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city, being visible from a number of vantage points throughout town and from adjoining suburbs.
Whilst the Shopping centre at the base of the tower is run by the Westfield Group the tower itself is occupied by Trippas White Group (who own and operate Sydney Tower Dining) and Merlin Entertainments (who own and operate the Sydney Tower Eye and Oztrek).[2]
Sydney Centra Bussiness District (CBD)
Sydney CBD
Sydney Events and Festivals
From Chinatown to Circular Quay, Sydney City Central Business District (CBD) is filled with things to do, places to visit and see.
The city’s underground railway makes it easy to get around, with shopping, restaurants, cafe’s, lots of attractions and sightseeing. You may also wish to check the weather for today and forecasts for the city Sydney CBD Weather.
Sydney Shopping
Sydney is noted for its great shopping, particularly in the Central Business District - More about Sydney Shopping.
Amongst the many major attractions worth visiting in Sydney city is the AMP Tower Centrepoint, with excellent 360 degree views of the City. Below, you will find major fun shopping opportunities at Pitt Street.Find hotels near these shopping places Sydney Hotels.
Sydney City Centre Museums and Attractions
Places to go in the City: Museums include Hyde Park Barracks, The Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Sydney, the Justice and Police Museum, Customs and the Australian Museum, documenting our history, culture, and the natural development of this continent.
Use our Sydney CBD Attractions page to find more about our many attractions, museums and art galleries, or find them by map Sydney CBD Map.
Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens
Visit The Royal Botanical Gardens for a serene and enjoyable walk with great harbour views - found alongside the Sydney Opera House at Circular Quay. See Map to Sydney Opera House.
The Rocks
Sydney The Rocks The Rocks, by Circular Quay at the foot of the city, is Australia’s finest restored historical district. Visit the Sydney Information Centre there for a good look at our history and walk the cobbled streets. You will also find excellent restaurants and eateries of all kinds, pubs dating back to the early days, a lively market on weekends and plenty of entertainment.
Sydney City Map
Sydney city map with attractions, touristic places to see and visit, museums and art galleries Sydney CBD Map
South Sydney Center Map.
Map showing the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Sydney Cove Map of Sydney CBD.
There are events and festivals in Sydney City the year round see more about Sydney Events and Festivals.
Every January, the city celebrates with the Sydney Festival. At indoor and outdoor venues all over the city, there are artwork, music and dance exhibitions. Australian and International theatre during the month is also featured, from Aboriginal to Opera and Contemporary. Many of these events are free.
Hunter Valley, Winery Tours
Hunter Valley tourist information NSW Australia
The Hunter is known for its great wines, but is quickly developing its name as a gourmet paradise.
Al Fresco Cafe’s and fine dining restaurants dot the valley. A number of the wineries themselves have award winning restaurants offering delicious fare and fine dining.
Hunter Winery Tours
There are cellar doors at all the notable wineries for sampling some great wines, including in particular, the Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay varietals. Visit one or a number of the wineries to discuss, learn more and see how these wines are made.
You can tour a number of these working wineries, including Rothbury Estate, McWilliams Mt Pleasant Estate and Tyrrels. Phone the Wine Country Visitors Information Centre for more info about these tours, places to visit, things to do and see in the Valley: Phone +061 2 4990 0900.
Things to Do in the Hunter
Other than food and wine? Yes, there are plenty of things to do in the Hunter. Try a champagne breakfast with a sunrise balloon flight or take a romantic horse and carriage ride through the vineyards.
There are bicycles for hire for exploring at your own pace, or visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, 25 hectares of living colour. There is horse riding - view the sunset, enjoy wonderful scenery and see Australian wildlife in their habitat.
Take a joy flight or a helicopter flight, learn about wines at the Hunter Resort, go for a trike ride, sample cheeses and chocolates. Want more?
Go canoeing down the Hunter River, play golf or take the historic Maitland Gaol tour and even stay for a sleepover. Will they let you out?
You can visit beautiful Tomago House, a National Trust Home. At Richmond Vale, you can take a steam train ride.
There are lots of things to see and do in the Hunter Region, with something for everyone.
Places to Visit
Newcastle is a good place to base yourself for exploring the Hunter Region as well as the Coast. See more about Newcastle Tourist Information.
Maitland has a wonderful collection of buidings built in Australia’s early Colonial Period, but also from the Georgian, Victorian and Federation days.
Cessnock is also a great place to begin exploring the Hunter Region. The Cessnock Information Centre has plenty of information on what to do, where to go, best wineries to visit, great restaurants, Hunter Valley tours and plenty of choices for activities.
Singleton NSW
Singleton, in the center of the Hunter region and on the river, is home to Wyndham Estate Winery, Australia’s oldest surviving winery. Other notable nearby wineries include Mount Pleasant Wine and Food Estate, run by McWilliams, Fairview Wines, Bellona Estate, McGuigan Cellars and Hungeford Hill.Singleton also has a Historical Museum as well as an Infantry Museum worth visiting, and the different wine tours are available take you to some very select wineries in the area.
Wine Tasting Tours
See the winery tour page Sydney Wine Tasting Tours Hunter Valley.
Accommodation in the Hunter
For Hunter Valley Hotels and NSW Travel Deals see NSW Tourist Guide - Hunter Valley Hotel Accommodation.
How To get to the Hunter Valley
North over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take the F3 Freeway to the Sydney - Newcastle Highway. At the end, take the the New England Freeway. Trains are available from Sydney Central, Strathfield and Hornsby via Countrylink (Phone 13 22 32) - in NSW.
The Hunter is known for its great wines, but is quickly developing its name as a gourmet paradise.
Al Fresco Cafe’s and fine dining restaurants dot the valley. A number of the wineries themselves have award winning restaurants offering delicious fare and fine dining.
Hunter Winery Tours
There are cellar doors at all the notable wineries for sampling some great wines, including in particular, the Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay varietals. Visit one or a number of the wineries to discuss, learn more and see how these wines are made.
You can tour a number of these working wineries, including Rothbury Estate, McWilliams Mt Pleasant Estate and Tyrrels. Phone the Wine Country Visitors Information Centre for more info about these tours, places to visit, things to do and see in the Valley: Phone +061 2 4990 0900.
Things to Do in the Hunter
Other than food and wine? Yes, there are plenty of things to do in the Hunter. Try a champagne breakfast with a sunrise balloon flight or take a romantic horse and carriage ride through the vineyards.
There are bicycles for hire for exploring at your own pace, or visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, 25 hectares of living colour. There is horse riding - view the sunset, enjoy wonderful scenery and see Australian wildlife in their habitat.
Take a joy flight or a helicopter flight, learn about wines at the Hunter Resort, go for a trike ride, sample cheeses and chocolates. Want more?
Go canoeing down the Hunter River, play golf or take the historic Maitland Gaol tour and even stay for a sleepover. Will they let you out?
You can visit beautiful Tomago House, a National Trust Home. At Richmond Vale, you can take a steam train ride.
There are lots of things to see and do in the Hunter Region, with something for everyone.
Places to Visit
Newcastle is a good place to base yourself for exploring the Hunter Region as well as the Coast. See more about Newcastle Tourist Information.
Maitland has a wonderful collection of buidings built in Australia’s early Colonial Period, but also from the Georgian, Victorian and Federation days.
Cessnock is also a great place to begin exploring the Hunter Region. The Cessnock Information Centre has plenty of information on what to do, where to go, best wineries to visit, great restaurants, Hunter Valley tours and plenty of choices for activities.
Singleton NSW
Singleton, in the center of the Hunter region and on the river, is home to Wyndham Estate Winery, Australia’s oldest surviving winery. Other notable nearby wineries include Mount Pleasant Wine and Food Estate, run by McWilliams, Fairview Wines, Bellona Estate, McGuigan Cellars and Hungeford Hill.Singleton also has a Historical Museum as well as an Infantry Museum worth visiting, and the different wine tours are available take you to some very select wineries in the area.
Wine Tasting Tours
See the winery tour page Sydney Wine Tasting Tours Hunter Valley.
Accommodation in the Hunter
For Hunter Valley Hotels and NSW Travel Deals see NSW Tourist Guide - Hunter Valley Hotel Accommodation.
How To get to the Hunter Valley
North over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take the F3 Freeway to the Sydney - Newcastle Highway. At the end, take the the New England Freeway. Trains are available from Sydney Central, Strathfield and Hornsby via Countrylink (Phone 13 22 32) - in NSW.
Sydney Blue Mountains
Sydney Blue Mountains, NSW
An hour’s drive or train ride from Sydney Central, offer spectacular views and great walks in the bush. As well as a lot more, with cosmopolitan restaurants, accommodation to suit any budget, Australian history and outdoor adventure.
The name derives from the ever present bluish haze evaporating from the millions of eucalyptus trees dominating the Sydney Blue Mountains. Wildlife and especially birdlife is abundant here, yet only a short trip from Sydney.
The region has dramatic scenery of mountains, spectacular cliffs and escarpments of sandstone, limestone and lava rock. Covered by millions of gumtrees, these mountains harbour abundant native wildlife including colourful birdlife.
The region is now classed as a World Heritage Area.
Blue Mountains History
When the colony was first founded, it took some 25 years before a route across the Blue Mountains was discovered by the Europeans in 1813.
Needless to say, the local Aboriginals, the Gundungarra, Wiradjuri and Dharug tribes, had been traversing the mountains for thousands of years.
Three explorers, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson got advice from the Aboriginals to stick to the ridges. They found their way to the rich fertile hinterlands and into a permanent place in Australian history.
William Cox built the first road across in 1814 and since then, the mountains have been a popular Sydney destination. There are three towns named after the early explorers, named appropriately, uh, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson.
You can find among the many villages and towns dotting the Blue Mountains art galleries filled with works from local artists, historic houses and hotels, marvellous gardens with comfy coffee houses and eateries offering winter warmth in winter. The Mountains offer a cool Sydney escape in the warm summer months. Try the Devonshire Teas with the homemade scones with cream and homemade jams - Yumm.
Activities, Tours and Things to Do
Blue Mountains Walkabout tours offer a chance for you to experience the local aboriginal culture, education and adventure for yourself. There are numerous bus tours available in the city, particularly at Circular Quay, between the Opera House and The Rocks.
Blue Mountains Accommodation
Since the opening of the pioneer trail by William Cox in 1815, exploring has been a lot easier. There are many historic inns and pubs, grand hotels and resorts dating from the 1800’s.
There are also caravan parks to modern luxury resort accommodation available at Leura and Katoomba. They offer a variety of experiences and budgets for those wishing to stay longer than a day visit. Bed and Breakfasts, B&B’s are another popular way to enjoy a stay in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Accommodation and Hotels Blue Mountains Hotels.
Restaurants in the Blue Mountains
The fresh mountain air and views can make food taste better! There are plenty of eateries and restaurants dotting the mountains to accomodate even the most discerning palate, with sumpteous traditional fare, as well as almost every cuisine from Australian, Italian and French, to Thai.
An hour’s drive or train ride from Sydney Central, offer spectacular views and great walks in the bush. As well as a lot more, with cosmopolitan restaurants, accommodation to suit any budget, Australian history and outdoor adventure.
The name derives from the ever present bluish haze evaporating from the millions of eucalyptus trees dominating the Sydney Blue Mountains. Wildlife and especially birdlife is abundant here, yet only a short trip from Sydney.
The region has dramatic scenery of mountains, spectacular cliffs and escarpments of sandstone, limestone and lava rock. Covered by millions of gumtrees, these mountains harbour abundant native wildlife including colourful birdlife.
The region is now classed as a World Heritage Area.
Blue Mountains History
When the colony was first founded, it took some 25 years before a route across the Blue Mountains was discovered by the Europeans in 1813.
Needless to say, the local Aboriginals, the Gundungarra, Wiradjuri and Dharug tribes, had been traversing the mountains for thousands of years.
Three explorers, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson got advice from the Aboriginals to stick to the ridges. They found their way to the rich fertile hinterlands and into a permanent place in Australian history.
William Cox built the first road across in 1814 and since then, the mountains have been a popular Sydney destination. There are three towns named after the early explorers, named appropriately, uh, Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson.
You can find among the many villages and towns dotting the Blue Mountains art galleries filled with works from local artists, historic houses and hotels, marvellous gardens with comfy coffee houses and eateries offering winter warmth in winter. The Mountains offer a cool Sydney escape in the warm summer months. Try the Devonshire Teas with the homemade scones with cream and homemade jams - Yumm.
Activities, Tours and Things to Do
Blue Mountains Walkabout tours offer a chance for you to experience the local aboriginal culture, education and adventure for yourself. There are numerous bus tours available in the city, particularly at Circular Quay, between the Opera House and The Rocks.
Blue Mountains Accommodation
Since the opening of the pioneer trail by William Cox in 1815, exploring has been a lot easier. There are many historic inns and pubs, grand hotels and resorts dating from the 1800’s.
There are also caravan parks to modern luxury resort accommodation available at Leura and Katoomba. They offer a variety of experiences and budgets for those wishing to stay longer than a day visit. Bed and Breakfasts, B&B’s are another popular way to enjoy a stay in the Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Accommodation and Hotels Blue Mountains Hotels.
Restaurants in the Blue Mountains
The fresh mountain air and views can make food taste better! There are plenty of eateries and restaurants dotting the mountains to accomodate even the most discerning palate, with sumpteous traditional fare, as well as almost every cuisine from Australian, Italian and French, to Thai.
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