Day`Tours`Blue`Mountains`and`Bay`of`Islands

[maclady]

We`will`be`staying`in`Sydney`precruise`and`Auckland`post`cruise.We`one`to`book`day`tours`to`these`sites.We`dont`want`to`attempt`the`train.We`are`looking`for`recommendations`for`tour`companies`that`provide`good`day`tours`to`these`sites.``Karen:)

[rjscott]

Karen, Wonderbus is one of the most recommended for the day tours to the Blue Mountains and they include a stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can interact with local wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas. http://www.wonderbus.com.au/DayTourInfo.asp It is a very full day, however, so if you prefer just the Blue Mountains, with a stop to view kangaroos in their natural setting, you might like Oz Trek http://www.oztrek.com.au/

[Fabian52]

To: rjscott

Can you elaborate a little more on the difference between these two different excursions. We were going to sign up for the wonderbus because we want to see Koala bears and as much wildlife as possible.

I see in oztrek excursion that they go to some sort of park also. Are they both a full day. Have you done either of them.

I am up for the full day but want to get the most out of it since the next day we board the ship. ;)

[rjscott]

Fabian, actually, we were in Sydney for several days and had a car, so we didn't do a tour per se, but we did talk to people who were doing these tours, and these were the ones we heard recommended. My husband and I are big on the wildlife parks and visited several while in Australia, and the Wonderbus goes to Featherdale before going on to the Blue Mountains. At Featherdale, they have koalas to "pat" and kangaroos to feed and/or pat. It's a very nice park with a good variety of animals you won't see at zoos in the U.S. http://www.featherdale.com.au/index.htm It is a full day, but I would do it in a minute, as you'll have plenty of time to rest on the bus, and then on your ship as you sail. For those who don't want to spend as much time on a tour, the Oz Trek tour that goes to Euroka Clearing was interesting to me because of the opportunity to see the kangaroos in their natural element. We visited this spot one evening just before dusk(I believe the tour goes in early morning, as the kangaroos graze in early morning and late evening). It is really special to see the kangaroos come out from the woods one by one, and then a few at a time to graze. At Euroka Clearing, there are also lots of cockatoos that flock in the trees and on the ground and they can make quite a racket. They are so beautiful and it is quite amazing to see them in the wild, as I've only seen them as pets or in zoos here in the U.S.

But, given that you want to see the koalas and other wildlife, you will want to do the Wonderbus. You will love Featherdale. Have a great cruise!

[hallpau]

I'm interested in recommendations for Sydney city tour operators. I have found many recommendations for Blue Mountain tours but nothing for city tours.

 

Any recommendations.....

[rjscott]

Hallpau, we didn't do a tour per se in Sydney, but we purchased a 3 day Sydney Pass which included the hop on/hop off Explorer Buses. We loved those buses, as they included narration as we rode from stop to stop. There are two routes of the Explorer Buses and we did both routes and I think we saw a really good amount of the sights. Now, the 3 day pass may not work for you if you're not going to be in Sydney that long, but here's the website: http://www.sydneybuses.info/tourist-services/sydneypass.htm Also, I got some super advice from some lovely Aussies on Trip Advisor. It would not have been a successful trip without their terrific input: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g255055-i120-Australia.html Perhaps one of them can suggest a tour operator in Sydney.