Christmas & New Year's Eve in Sydney & New South Wales

Escape the cold of the UK and spend a magical Christmas staying a stones throw from one of Sydney's best beaches. Great for families, Coogee Beach has calm surf, soft white sand and a beautifully restored promenade bustling with shops, cafes and restaurants.

From Coogee you can take the iconic coastal walk all the way to Bondi Beach, following a clearly marked path, the walk offers spectcular ocean scenery as well as beaches, bays and ocean pools along the way.

Stay in an stylish, apartment style hotel, just 200 metres from the beach. You have the freedom to cook for yourself or take advantage of the many amazing restaurants, bars and cafes on your doorstep.

Pick up your hire car and head west out of Sydney, leaving the beach for the wilderness of the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains is a vast national park perfect for hiking, abseiling, canyoning and mountain biking. There are picturesque towns and villages to explore, Aboriginal history to learn, and lots of wildlife, including wallabies, kangaroos and wombats, to discover.

Don't miss a stop at Echo Point Lookout for your first glimpse of the spectacular Three Sisters, a sacred rock formation resembling three female figures. For an even closer glimpse, visit Scenic World and explore the national park even further on two kilometres of elevated rainforest boardwalks. For the best views take a ride on the aerial cable car.

Your next stop is the incredible Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region. With over 150 cellar doors, this place allows you to really indulge in sumptuous wines and locally grown produce. The drive from the Blue Mountains to your hotel takes around three hours, so we'd suggest hitting the road early to make your most of your time in the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is famous for Shiraz and Semillon wine varietals, so make sure you book a vineyard tour and tasting session. Or why not try a pairing of wine and chocolate, or wine and cheese? 

But the Hunter Valley isn’t just about wining and dining. There are lots of activities to enjoy, from hot air balloon rides and Segway tours, to golf and and wildlife-watching. Whether you choose to make the most of the cellar door experiences or throw yourself into the activities, the Hunter Valley will not disappoint.

Where better to spend New Year's Eve than Sydney? You will be staying in the heart of Circular Quay, only a stone's throw from the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. You'll have three days to explore this incredible city. Don't miss a trip to the Royal Botanical Garden and be sure to dip your toes in the ocean at Bondi Beach. Why not embark on a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House to learn about its architecture and history? Take a Champagne cruise around the harbour or, if you're feeling brave, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for incredible 360-degree city views.

You'll be staying at the five-star Intercontinental Sydney, right on the edge of Sydney Harbour and within easy reach of Circular Quay and The Rocks. This is an ideal base for exploring all that Sydney has to offer and will make for a truly memorable New Year stay. The hotel features an indoor pool, a luxurious spa with saunas and steam rooms, a fitness centre, and fantastic dining options.