Sydney lights up

The fun starts as soon as you touch down at Sydney Airport where you’ll be personally met and transferred to the View Hotel in North Sydney. After relaxing and taking in the ambience of Australia’s harbour city, a very special ‘feast high in the sky’ welcome dinner awaits. Located 82 floors up in the Sydney Tower, you’ll create your own culinary adventure from an extensive range of dishes while the restaurant slowly rotates, and the Vivid Sydney lights begin to glow.

Parramatta is the focus of the following day. A tour hosted by passionate historian, Judith Dunn OAM, will paint a lively picture of stories of colonial life with a visit to the Old Government House, Australia’s oldest public building. After lunch at Club Parramatta, it’s all aboard the RiverCat for a scenic journey along the Parramatta River en route to Circular Quay. There’ll be time for some self‑exploration of the Vivid Sydney light displays before the pièce de résistance of the tour, a three‑hour Vivid Sydney Dinner Cruise, dining on a sumptuous four‑course dinner against a backdrop of breathtaking lights dancing across the city’s iconic landmarks.

The next day, you’ll be whisked north through the stunning Northern Beaches to Palm Beach for a stroll along the golden sands or to check out the views from Barrenjoey Headland. In true Northern Beaches style, you’ll enjoy a two‑course lunch at a waterside restaurant. Back at the hotel, dinner at LB’s showcases fine Australian produce.

On the final morning, a visit to one of Sydney’s glorious 19th century grand houses will delight. Perched harbourside, Vaucluse House and Garden was once owned by explorer and statesman, William Charles Wentworth, who lived here with his wife and 10 children. Wander through the meticulously restored rooms and marvel at the beautifully manicured garden, before sitting down to a lovely farewell lunch with your travel companions. It’s then onto the airport for your journey home taking with you precious memories of the Vivid Sydney Festival.