September/October 2025
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Sydney - Up, Up and Away
AUSSIE ADVENTURE : PART THREE | 23
Just outside Sydney, you’ll discover hidden gems that offer unforgettable experiences. From the lush vineyards of the Hunter
Valley to the misty vistas of the Blue Mountains, these nearby escapes offer a taste of Australia’s magic. And for something truly extraordinary, the iconic BridgeClimb Sydney gives you stunning views from the top of the Harbour Bridge, making for a
thrilling and unforgettable adventure. Join me as we explore these must-see spots beyond the city.
the climb? What it doesn’t take is any special fitness. The climb is more of a gentle walk, with only a couple of short ladders to scale. You’re always attached to the Bridge, and part of a group of up to 14, most of whom find that nervousness vanishes once they set
off.
Climb Leaders are upbeat, reassuring, and knowledgeable, and you’re well-prepared (you’ll even undergo a breathalyzer test!) before stepping onto the Bridge. If it’s on your bucket list, don’t hesitate.
It’s on mine, and over 25 years, I’ve done it 13 times. Each experience is different - dawn, day, twilight, and night climbs. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The payoff is breathtaking; the view of the Opera House, the islands, and the sunlit tips of Sydney’s skyline, stretching like candles on a giant birthday cake. At dawn and dusk, the sky is surreal, and you realize that the thrill of feeling completely alive, your senses heightened, is what makes it truly special. You know, without a doubt, you’re in one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful places.
BY TOM ADAIR
IT’S a perfect day: the Sydney sky shimmers a brilliant blue. You’re looking forward to dinner and the sunset, and in just four or five days, you’ll have captured selfies at all the iconic sights. But wait— before you leave the city, there are other worlds just a short hop away, each easily accessible. Head west or north to explore
the
mountains or vineyards, and experience more of
Australia’s unique charm. The
ultimate ‘away day’, however, is even closer to home: BridgeClimb Sydney, which takes you skyward.
Of all the bridge climbs around the world
(there are only five), this one is by far the best. I do it every time I’m in Oz. But first, it’s off to the Hunter Valley. Ready to go by 7 a.m., Boutique Tours Australia picks me up from my downtown hotel.
As we cross the iconic Harbour Bridge,
Raffa, our driver, is ‘Mr. Wake-Up Call with a Smile’. His seven passengers are all laughing and hanging on his every word. “Some of you might have to help me out, especially if I drink too much,” he jokes. “Anyone here know how to drive?” We’re heading west, passing soft, zig- zagging hills. Two hours later, we reach the tiny gateway town of Cessnock, surrounded by vineyards, occasional billabongs, and grassy paddocks. From a grove of eucalyptus trees, kangaroos watch us warily. “A pair of young bucks,” Raffa says, stopping for a photo op. Cameras click. Satisfaction. Here, in Australia’s oldest and largest wine-producing region, our taste buds are
ready for adventure. We’ll spend the day sightseeing, sampling, and slurping, with lunch included. Our first stop is the intimate Saddler’s Creek Wines. The selection is outstanding: Verdelho,
Piquepoul, Hanging Tree and a sparkling
Semillon that’s only rivaled by the signature Saddler’s Shiraz. The indulgence continues at
Wines, where grapes
are hand-picked and the backdrop of the Brokenback
We enjoy a light café meal paired with local cheeses - brie, blue, and cheddar - at Cypress Lakes Restaurant. Afterward, Raffa drives us to the grand finale: Ernest Hill Wines, a charming family-run winery where we meet Neville, a twinkle-eyed wine-tasting guru who guides us through the vintages. We leave with bottles in hand.
On the long drive back to the city, some of us nap, content as joeys in a pouch. “Where are you headed next?” asks Raffa. “Think mountains,” I reply. “And a colour that starts with ‘B’.”
Blue Mountains
Another early start - pick-up at 7:15 a.m. This trip can be done by train from Central Station to Katoomba, then a bus to explore the Blue Mountains. But I’ve chosen an AEA Luxury Tour to fully relax. The driver knows just where to find kangaroos and other native species, and lunch is included.
The journey takes us west to Calmsley Hill, a working farm where we stop for a ‘comfort break’ and have a chance to mingle with emus, koalas, and ‘Bam Bam’, the poster- child wombat. In the distance, thick cloud rolls in. “A couple of days ago, visibility was awful,” the driver says. “Then it poured. Today’s
Mountains makes the reds,
Durif, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, all the more spectacular. With taste buds singing, it’s time for lunch.
dry, but the Jamison Valley is still covered in mist.”
An hour later, we arrive at the Visitor Information Centre. The scene is a bit ghostly, tourists shuffle in the fog, moving at the speed of disappointment. Teasing photos in the shop show what we should’ve seen, but can’t. No souvenir bottles of mist, alas. Then, from the car park, a shout: someone spots a break in the clouds! “Let’s have lunch early,” the driver suggests. “The sun might surprise us.” We’re booked for lunch at Boiler House Restaurant, with a view of the valley. The food is good, the wine delicious. Nearby, the Hydro Majestic Hotel, an old heritage building, displays fascinating artifacts from Sydney’s pioneering past. To our delight, the mist begins to lift. We explore the edge of the valley for half an hour, and soon the Three Sisters emerge from the fog. Below, Jamison Valley unfolds, with treetops spreading endlessly. At Govetts Leap, we pause for more photos. A stop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens for a glass of something sparkling rounds out the day perfectly. Soon, Bells Line of Road leads us back towards Sydney’s skyline, the unmistakable arc
of the Harbour Bridge
greeting us. As I close my eyes that night, it hovers in my thoughts, like an irresistible invitation.
BridgeClimb Sydney
No need for a debate, this final ‘away day’ is all about heading upward. You’re no longer truly ‘in the city’. You’re removed from the noise of traffic, the buskers, and the trams clanging at Circular Quay. For a moment, you feel transported - just like Sydney’s first colonists, but in a far better way. Sit by the Harbour’s edge and watch the human specks crawling toward the summit, a thin, slow line. What does it take to make
Tom Adair was a guest of Tourism Australia (
australia.com ) and Visit New South Wales, (
visitnsw.com).
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