TRAVEL BUZZ: Experience Sydney in 2012

Celebrate Australia Day with this great deal to discover the glittering harbour and ocean city of Sydney.

In honor of Australia Day when Australians commemorate the arrival of the first fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, Qantas Airways, Destination New South Wales and Qantas Vacations are offering a special promotion for this month only: “Experience Sydney in 2012 from $2012pp*“. Travelers can book a comprehensive Aussie holiday including airfare, accommodations, tours, activities and more. Available for booking by February 29, 2012 for travel between April 15 – June 8, 2012 and July 15 – September 21, 2012, this special promotion enables visitors to explore one of the most spectacular and vibrant cities in the world.

Adding an extra element to the limited-time promotion, travelers can participate in the Sydney Online Auction, which will enable participants to bid on a range of iconic Aussie experiences over a 7-day period with bids starting from just $1. At the end of each 7 day sale, the experience will go to the highest bidder. Experiences can also be purchased instantly at discounted rates.

The first experience up for grabs in the auction is by Australian Eco Adventures and includes a small group tour of Sydney and the Hunter Valley region, lunch with local wines, overnight accommodation at Peppers Guest House and transfer back to Sydney, valued at $1,436 per couple. Sydney is a top “bucket list” destination for good reason, with its breathtaking harbor and iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visitors can explore the more than 155-mile long shore and coastline, indulge in fine waterfront dining and enjoy a wealth of entertainment options.

In 2012 Sydney will showcase why it is renowned as one of the world’s best festival and event cities, with unique shows from Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour March 24 – April 15, the Sydney Writers Festival from 14 – 20 May and Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas from May 25 – June 11. Sydney’s natural surroundings are equally spectacular. Day trip options include the magnificent World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park and Royal National Park (the world’s second oldest national park) and the Hunter Valley wine region – all offering potential sightings of Australia’s unique wildlife, including unique “Moonlight Bushwalks” through Understand Down Under where visitors can sleep out under the stars at a secluded cove, swim in a billabong and take fun photographs using glow sticks.

Check out WanderMelon’s Secret Sydney Guide before you go for more great tips on how to make the most of your trip down under.

The Qantas “Celebrate 2012 in Sydney from $2012” package includes:

• Round-trip Qantas Economy flights from Los Angeles to Sydney*
• Five nights in Sydney at a 3-star hotel
• Sydney City Sightseeing tour
• Sydney Harbour lunch cruise
• World Heritage Blue Mountains full-day sightseeing tour
• Entry to Wild Life Sydney
• Air Taxes
• Hotel upgrades available from $100

Flights are available from U.S. $1,258* per person round-trip Economy airfare, including taxes, fees and surcharges, for travel from Los Angeles to Sydney. Price is per person based on double occupancy and not combinable with any other special or discounted vacation package.

*Round-trip economy class travel from Los Angeles to Sydney departing April 15 – June 8, 2012 and July 15 – September 21, 2012. Book by February 29, 2012.  Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights.  Tickets are nonrefundable except tickets purchased one week or more prior to departure may be canceled without penalty within 24 hours of ticketing. Date changes are $200 per transaction plus any additional airfare.  Fuel charges of $500 from the US, and US/foreign taxes of approximately US$160 are included. Some airlines may impose additional charges for checked baggage. Please refer to each airline’s website for information regarding its checked baggage policies. Prices are current as of January 25, 2012 and are subject to change. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received.