Local and Regional Attractions

Local Attractions

With breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, the NSW South Coast is home to many memorable experiences. Explore spectacular national parks, watch whales and swim with seals, enjoy fun water sports as well as cycling and bushwalking, and savour Australia’s Oyster Coast.

From beautiful beaches and spectacular wilderness to fun adventure and delectable food and wine, the NSW South Coast is brimming with unforgettable experiences. You’ll be amazed with the many wonderful things to do and see, including tours to see dolphins, whales, fur seals and little penguins.

Relax on some of the whitest sands in the world, see kangaroos in the wild, savour freshly shucked oysters on Australia’s Oyster Coast, and enjoy a range of water sports, cycling and bushwalking. Slide on giant waterslides, soar on Australia’s highest zip-line and try tandem skydiving and hang-gliding.

The following are just some of the touring options available in and around Stanwell Tops, providing delegates and their families with a unique experience that will create fond, lasting memories.

For detailed information about events and tourism in the Sydney area see http://www.sydney.com and www.visitnsw.com

Bald Hill Lookout

Travel from Sydney through the Royal National Park, the world’s second oldest national park, to one of the most spectacular lookouts on the Grand Pacific Drive. The Bald Hill Lookout provides your first glimpse of the amazing and scenic drive ahead of you to Wollongong. Soak up the atmosphere, keep an eye out for hang gliders and visit the memorial cairn dedicated to Lawrence Hargrave, an Australian pioneer of flight in the early part of the 20th century.

Beer tasting at the Illawarra Brewery

Illawarra Brewery is the first brewery in the history of the Illawarra and it is most picturesque, with spectacular ocean views from its city foreshore location in Wollongong. Enjoy a tour of the micro-brewery before sampling some of their 10 local beers – ranging from bitter brews to sweet, fruity concoctions.

A unique walk amongst the trees

Take in the fantastic views over the rainforest and out to the ocean on the tree top walk at Illawarra Fly. This 1,500-metre walk through beautiful temperate rainforest includes a 500-metre long section nestled in the treetop canopy up to 30 metres above the ground. The walkway also features two cantilevered arms – designed to hold the weight of 800 wombats! – that sway and take you to the edge of the forest. With only four steel canopy walks in the world – all located in Australia – this is truly a unique Australian experience.

Nan Tien Temple

Meet the Reverends during your personalised tour of the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. Nan Tien Temple hosts a popular program of retreats, meditation classes and displays for visitors, is home to a modern hotel and museum, and acts as an important centre for bridging different cultures.

Kiama Terraces and Blowhole

South of Wollongong, the charming seaside resort of Kiama boasts the only weatherboard terraces in NSW. Built in 1886 for the quarry workers’ families, they have been lovingly restored and converted into shops selling antiques, books, souvenirs and crafts. A short walk away you’ll find Kiama’s most famous feature – the ‘Blowhole’, which shoots water skyward like a popped champagne cork and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Discover The Wollongong Region

For wonderful experiences, memorable adventures and beautiful beaches, the Wollongong region just south of Sydney is inspiring. Begin your sojourn on the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive touring route over the serpentine Sea Cliff Bridge or on a scenic train trip and enjoy splendid coastal vistas.

You’ll find plenty of delightful and exciting things to do and see, from hang-gliding above the azure sea and relaxing on sandy beaches to fun water sports, exploring stars at the Science Centre and Planetarium and visiting Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. More information can be found here.

Regional Attractions

Whether beaches, cities, mountains or wine country take their fancy, delegates can find delightful and memorable experiences – all within three hours or less from Sydney.

In Sydney

Merlin Entertainments are offering delegates special discounts on a range of activities in and near Sydney.

Please click the links above to book individual admissions tickets to the attraction of choice and get 40% off a full priced ticket.

Please note this promotion is only applicable when using the above links, if you browse the website to find more info about our attractions, you won’t be able to see the discounted price by selecting the “tickets &  experiences” option. In this instance, please click again on the above link to re-access the discounted price.

The Blue Mountains

Escape the city and absorb the spectacular scenery of this majestic World Heritage-listed area. Discover the Aboriginal legend of the Three Sisters – giant sandstone rock formations in the Jamison Valley. Take a cable car ride out over the valley, enjoy high tea in a quaint village café, shop for local arts and crafts or hike through the Australian bushland.

The Hawkesbury River

Fly in by sea plane from Sydney Harbour or take a drive north to the Hawkesbury River. The Hawkesbury is dotted with houseboats for day, weekend or longer rental to small groups and is a peaceful site to go swimming,camping or pottering around the river’s surrounding jettys.

Hunter Valley Wine Country

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region. Take a tour of a large established winery or a smaller boutique vineyard with experts who will explain the winemaking process from vine to bottle. Savour awardwinning Hunter classics including Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz. Enjoy a delicious lunch, stroll through sun-kissed vineyards and learn why Hunter Valley wines receive worldwide acclaim.

NSW Central Coast

Just a step away from Sydney, the Central Coast offers outstanding natural beauty, award-winning attractions and an array of activities and accommodation options. Go swimming, surfing, fishing or sailing or simply relax at one of the waterfront cafés or restaurants.

Other States of Australia

The official tourism web site for Australia is can be accessed through this link. Additionally each state has its own tourism web site. Below are some more specific and details brochures of special areas in Australia:-

 Western Australia

The links below take you to informative brochures about very special areas in Western Australia. There are potentially weeks of wonderful adventures to be had in Western Australia alone. Western Australia constitutes about a third of the land area of Australia and has a wonderful variety of climates from tropical in the north (along with amazing coral reefs) to temperate forests, beaches and vineyards in the south.

Tourism in the North – Pilbara and Kimberly 

More about the great North West of Australia

Victoria

Dive in to discover the distinct fortes and flavours of Melbourne destinations.

Spend some time in the city centre and you’ll discover it’s neatly divided into little pockets for you to explore. Find art, bars and restaurants up and down in the laneways, retail therapy for any budget in Bourke and Collins streets, and creative outlets on show in Flinders Quarter. St Kilda Road means galleries and gardens, while neighbouring Yarra Precinct and Docklands deliver waterside views by the boatload.

Just a tram ride away, the eclectic neighbourhoods on the city fringe offer endless possibilities. Take your fixie for a spin in the tooth-achingly cool northern suburbs Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick and Northcote. Flex your plastic in retail meccas South Yarra, Prahran and Toorak. Take your beach towel (or yacht) to bayside St Kilda, Port Melbourne and South Melbourne, and go west for more fabulous food and beaches.

Visit Victoria