Ultimate Sydney & Beaches

Map View Full Details

A guided first week in Australia for 18 to 35 year olds: a city walk past the Opera House, a day on a private catamaran on Sydney Harbour, sandboarding on the Stockton dunes and a dolphin cruise at Port Stephens, and the Coogee to Bondi walk, with a group leader and new travel mates the whole way.

Days

7 days, 7 nights

Age

18 to 35 year olds

Group size

Group tour with a group leader

Start / finish

Sydney / Port Stephens / Sydney
Wake Up Hostel Sydney

Return

Wake Up Hostel Sydney

Accommodation

Shared 10-bed dorms: Wake Up Sydney and Melaleuca Backpackers eco cabins, Port Stephens

Transport

Airport shuttle, bus to Port Stephens, 4WD, catamaran and dolphin cruise boat

Meals

7 meals, including a welcome dinner, catamaran BBQ and pizza night

Route

View map

Included experiences

Sydney — guided city walk past the Opera House and Darling Harbour
Sydney Harbour — full day on a private catamaran with a BBQ
Stockton Sand Dunes — 4WD ride and sandboarding
Mt Tomaree — hike above Port Stephens
Shoal Bay — dolphin-spotting cruise
Coogee to Bondi — coastal walk and an afternoon on Bondi Beach
Sydney — guided bar crawl

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: WELCOME TO SYDNEY

An airport shuttle brings you to your hostel in central Sydney, and the tour starts at 11:30am with an orientation at Ultimate's base. Your group leader then walks you through the city, past Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden, founded in 1816 and the oldest scientific institution in Australia, and the Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973 and World Heritage-listed in 2007. In the evening the group gets acquainted over a welcome dinner at a party bar.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney)

DAY 2: SYDNEY HARBOUR ON A CATAMARAN

A whole day on a private catamaran on Sydney Harbour, under the Harbour Bridge, whose steel arch has carried traffic since 1932. The harbour is a drowned river valley with more than 240 km of shoreline, so there are plenty of hidden bays to anchor in for a swim. Lunch is an Aussie BBQ on deck.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney)

DAY 3: SYDNEY TO PORT STEPHENS

The morning is yours in Sydney. After lunch the bus heads north to Port Stephens, a bay bigger than Sydney Harbour, where you check in to eco cabins at Melaleuca Backpackers, five minutes' walk from the beach. Dinner is pizza night, then the group heads to the sand for stargazing, far from the city lights.

Overnight: Port Stephens (Melaleuca Backpackers eco cabins)

DAY 4: SAND DUNES AND MT TOMAREE

Up for sunrise on the beach, then a 4WD carries you out onto the Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere at 32 km long, inside the Worimi Conservation Lands. Sandboard down the slopes, then stop for morning tea. Later you hike up Mt Tomaree, 161 metres above the bay's entrance, for views along the coast. The afternoon is free on the beach before a BBQ dinner and group games.

Overnight: Port Stephens (Melaleuca Backpackers eco cabins)

DAY 5: DOLPHINS AND BACK TO SYDNEY

A boat cruise from Shoal Bay goes looking for the bay's dolphins; about 90 bottlenose dolphins live in Port Stephens year-round. Lunch is in the local town before the bus takes you back to Sydney.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney)

DAY 6: COOGEE TO BONDI

Walk the 6 km coastal path from Coogee to Bondi, past sandstone cliffs, ocean pools and Waverley's clifftop cemetery, then spend the afternoon on Bondi Beach, where the surf club founded in 1907 still patrols the sand. That night is the tour's one official night out, a guided crawl through three pubs and backpacker bars.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney)

DAY 7: SYDNEY YOUR WAY

A free day. Your group leader has ideas and a list of what's on, and extras such as the Harbour Bridge climb, Taronga Zoo or a day in the Blue Mountains can be added when you book. Guided activities end on Saturday evening, Sunday is yours, and you check out of the hostel on Monday.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney)

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Wake Up Hostel Sydney; an airport shuttle to the hostel is included on day 1.
Departure time: 11:30am. Tours start on most Mondays through the year.
Finishes: Guided activities end Saturday evening; you check out of the hostel the following Monday.
Minimum age: 18. The tour is designed for 18 to 35 year olds.
Suits: Solo travellers, couples and friends who want a social start to an Australian trip. It is social rather than a party tour, with one official night out.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can usually be catered for; other needs can't be guaranteed.
Accommodation note: Rooms are shared 10-bed dorms; twin and private rooms cost extra.
Please note: Medical conditions must be declared in writing when you book. Download the Ultimate travel app (search 'Ultimate Adventure Travel'); your login is emailed a week before the tour.

What to bring

Your phone, with the Ultimate travel app installed
Travel insurance details
Spending money for meals not included

What is included

Group leader for the whole tour
7 nights in shared 10-bed dorms: 5 at Wake Up Sydney and 2 in eco cabins at Melaleuca Backpackers, Port Stephens
7 meals, including the welcome dinner, catamaran BBQ, pizza night, a BBQ dinner and a lunch in Port Stephens
Airport shuttle to the hostel on day 1
Guided Sydney city walk and welcome dinner
Full-day private catamaran cruise on Sydney Harbour
Bus to and from Port Stephens
4WD dune trip and sandboarding at Stockton
Mt Tomaree hike and sunrise at the beach
Dolphin cruise at Shoal Bay
Coogee to Bondi walk and guided bar crawl
Ultimate travel app with your itinerary and group chat

Not included

Flights
Travel insurance (required)
Meals not listed as included
Spending money: allow about $40 to $60 a day
Optional extras such as the Harbour Bridge climb, Taronga Zoo and the Blue Mountains
Twin or private room upgrades
Extra nights before or after the tour

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.