What’s Hot in Australia

Sydney – A Waterfront Hub

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and Australia’s largest city, is best known for the Sydney Opera House, featuring its distinctive sail-like design. Other noteworthy waterfront hubs are the massive Darling Harbour, the new Barangaroo (54 acres) District and the smaller Circular Quay port, along with the arched Harbour Bridge and nearby esteemed Royal Botanic Gardens.

Elegant High Tea at Historic Dunbar House

Don’t miss the opportunity for high tea at the historic Dunbar House, located at Watson’s Bay in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. A special treat awaits in this very elegant waterfront mansion, which has undergone a multi-million-dollar restoration to its original glamour. Dunbar House is known to command the most picturesque and lovely view to be found within the harbor’s proximity.

Experience Australia’s Character on Historic Rocks Walking Tour

Take a walking tour, guided by our knowledgeable and expert travel staff, of the historic Rocks District. This hillside area, now a waterfront precinct, is characterized by its prominent outcrops of sandstone, aptly known as The Rocks. Today the Rocks is an outstanding resource for beautifully restored historic buildings and sites. Few, if any, comparable areas or towns within Australia possess such significance for Australia’s heritage and character.

Sydney Opera House – A World Heritage Masterpiece

Underneath the 10 spectacular roofs of varying planes and textures lies a complex maze of more than 1,000 rooms of all shapes and sizes. In its 43-year lifetime, the Sydney Opera House, which covers almost 4.5 acres, has earned a reputation as a world-class performing arts center and symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. No building on earth looks like this world heritage listed masterpiece of late modern architecture. Ask Destination Pacific about interior tour enhancements and venue options for group dinners.

Did You Know?

Custom Design Your Sydney Harbor Cruise

Nearby the Sydney Opera House, Destination Pacific will help you create your own “New Year’s Eve” extravaganza! Imagine stunning fireworks set to music and ablaze in your clients’ corporate colors bursting overhead while you cruise the harbor – a spectacular event that will be remembered for years to come. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktail cruises are also available on the magnificent Sydney Harbor.

Sydney’s 5-Star Hotels – Affordable with a Great Exchange Rate

With the USD vs AUD exchange rate (currently at 1.3949), there is a 40% advantage for luxurious 5-star accommodations, most with Opera House and/or harbor views near both Sydney Harbour and Darling Harbour. Choose from among these recommended properties for incentive programs in Sydney (not listed in any order and depending on room-block requirements and budget):

• Shangri-La Sydney
• Four Seasons Hotel
• Inter-Continental Hotel
• The Langham Sydney
• Sofitel Darling Harbour
• Hyatt Regency Hotel
• Park Hyatt Sydney

Non-Stop Flights from North America to Australia

North American gateway cities for flights to Australia are Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Honolulu for the following airlines:

• Qantas
• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Delta
• Hawaiian
• Virgin Australia
• Air Canada

A Colossal Centerpiece – Sydney’s Harbour Bridge (AKA the Coathanger)

Under construction from 1925 to 1932, The Sydney Harbour Bridge is not only Sydney’s most notable bridge but also one of its busiest thoroughfares. Cars, trains, cycles and pedestrians all cross the bridge, which also plays host to the Sydney Marathon. The bridge is s affectionately known as the Coathanger and is the city’s centerpiece. Its massive span over the harbor provides the launch site for fireworks when Sydney explodes in celebration of New Year’s Eve.