Sydney
Sydney is a vibrant coastal city offering a wealth of sightseeing attractions, along with a multifarious range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Photograph the iconic Opera House; sunbathe on the legendary golden sands of Bondi Beach; partake in a little retail therapy in the global fashion houses and street markets; take a tour of the Olympic Park on over 30-kilometres of off-road cycle paths; or picnic at Sydney Harbour National Park, which protects a collection of Aboriginal sites. If you’ve a head for heights, it is possible to book a place to climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, day or night, for some of the most incredible views over the city.
The Blue Mountains
The breathtaking range, the Greater Blue Mountains, whose name derives from the blue haze given off by its thousands of Eucalyptus trees, can be reached within a two to three-hour drive of Sydney. Amongst its valleys, forests, canyons and waterfalls are a host of Aboriginal sites, while there is plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for - including kangaroos, wombats, a variety of birds, reptiles and frogs. These peaks are the perfect destination for bush-walking and adventure pursuits.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is renowned for its thriving arts scene, and individuals with a creative or spiritual side are drawn here by the laid-back lifestyle and outstanding natural scenery - including pristine beaches and sparkling turquoise waters that are amongst the very best in Australia. As well as a plethora of art galleries, popular activities include yoga, nature walks, horse-riding, kayaking, mountain bike tours, hang-gliding and whale-watching (Humpback Whales migrate along the coast between May and November).
Lord Howe Island
Just a two-hour, utterly scenic flight north east of Sydney, Lord Howe Island has a World Heritage-listed eco-system providing sub-tropical splendour, a reef-fringed lagoon, marine park, majestic volcanic peaks and a rainforest hiking trail to Mount Gower.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Flight Information
From London Heathrow to Sydney: 22 hours.
Please contact our Travel Consultants for flight details.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Visas are required for travel to Australia. Elegant Resorts can provide Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for which we'll require: full name (including middle names), passport number, nationality, date of issue, date of expiry, place of issue, your date of birth, your home address in the UK and an email address in the UK as well as an address in Australia (this will be your first hotel or the Southern Crossings head office address, which our Travel Consultants will provide at the time of booking). Alternatively, you can apply for the visa online yourself through the Australian Government website at www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/ there is no charge for the visa but a service charge of approximately AUD$20 per person will apply. Please note, from 1 September 2015 a new Environmental Management Charge (EMC) will be introduced for The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. All visitors will be charged 6 AUD per person, per day up to a maximum of 18 AUD per stay.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.