To see and experience genuine Australian exotica, you don't need to travel far from the metropolis of Sydney.

Just 200 km from the city centre, in the northern coastal region, lies the vast harbour of Port Stephens, famous for its 26 golden beaches, blue lagoons and a resident colony of around 160 bottlenose dolphins.

It is here, in Anna Bay, that you'll find the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere (up to 50m high and 32km long), where you can take a high-speed beach safari by 4WD and go sandboarding down the towering dunes "with the wind in your hair".

The tour program includes:

• Driving across the magnificent Rip Bridge, with panoramic views over numerous bays and pristine reserves of the Northern Broken Bay area
• A 1.5-hour catamaran cruise, watching playful bottlenose dolphins 
• A visit to the region's most famous brewery and winery. In 2018 the brewery was named "Best in Australia" (optional)
• A visit to an oyster farm to taste the freshest oysters (optional)
• Stops at lookout points with views over the picturesque bays, golden beaches and rocky shores of Port Stephens
• A 4WD safari (1-2 hours) along the coastal dunes, with sandboarding down the dunes 
• A visit to an interactive aquarium with sharks and rays (optional) 
• A visit to the Australian Reptile Park (optional) 

All entrance tickets, tastings and the harbour cruise are paid separately.

For a more in-depth exploration of Sydney's northern coastal region, you can also book a 2-day tour to Australia's oldest wine-growing region - the Hunter Valley.