Optional Tours

These tours have been designed by Tour Hosts Pty Limited for participating delegates and accompanying persons. Only the best aspects of Sydney and its environs have been incorporated to provide value for money for persons whose time is at a premium. All sightseeing tours include the services of a guide, all entry fees and meals where specified. All tours are based on a minimum number of participants. If this number is not reached, alternative places will be allocated strictly in order of receipt of bookings. Where participants cancel their day tour bookings prior to 10 March 2010, payment will be refunded in full. Thereafter, no refund will be made. It is recommended that comfortable shoes and informal dress be worn on all tours.

• Optional Tours - Full Day
• Optional Tours - Half Day
• Optional Post Tours

Optional Tours - Full Day

(Please note the tours are not included in registration fees)

Hunter Valley Wine Tour

Date: Tuesday 13 or Saturday 17 April 2010
Duration: 7:30am – 6:30pm (approx 11 hours)
Cost: A$165.00 per person

A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to the world class wineries of the Hunter Valley.

Wind your way through the leafy Northern Suburbs, and then escape through the brilliant sandstone outcrops of Ku-ring-gai National Park to reach the mighty Hawkesbury River.

From Mt View you will descend into the Hunter Valley and begin your wine tasting experience at a few of the very special boutique wineries in the area. Here you will have the opportunity to chat to the owners, admire their cottage locations and let them show off the best of their vintages.

At the foothills of the Broken Back Range, you will enjoy a sumptuous lunch and then spend the afternoon visiting some of the larger vineyards for more superb wine tasting. As the afternoon approaches you will return to Sydney via the scenic freeway to conclude this relaxing and enjoyable day.

Includes knowledgeable guided tour with morning tea and lunch.

Discover Blue Mountains Tour

Date: Tuesday 13 April 2010 or Saturday 17 April 2010
Duration: 8:00am  –6:00pm (approx 10 hours)
Cost: A$195.00 per person

Heading across the western plains of metropolitan Sydney you will make your way to the Great Dividing Range of Australia. It is here that you leave the ‘average’ Blue Mountains tourist behind and enter the National Park to unlock a piece of Australia you would never have known existed.

Visit outstanding lookouts, examine rock formations and the unusual plants and wildlife that abound the area. After lunch, soak up magnificent views of Govetts Leap Lookout, then the Jamieson Valley, and the Three Sisters famous rock formation and Scenic Railway optional (at own cost).

Includes guided tour with lunch. Scenic Railway is an optional cost.

Optional Tours - Half Day

(Please note the tours are not included in registration fees)

Sydney City Sights

Date: Sunday 11 April 2010 or Wednesday 14 April 2010
Duration: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Cost: A$67.00 per person

Explore the vibrancy and style of cosmopolitan Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful harbour cities. Discover colonial buildings and cobbled lanes in The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest historical precinct. Enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a waterfront seat carved into the rock for the wife of visionary colonial governor, Lachlan Macquarie. Travel through Sydney’s fashionable eastern suburbs, renowned for their elegant homes and harbour vistas, on the way to world-famous Bondi Beach – a haven for surfers and sun lovers.

This city tour on Wednesday 14 April 2010 is included in the Full Accompanying Persons Registration Fee.

Includes knowledgeable guide.

Northern Beaches Tour

Date: Wednesday 14 April 2010
Duration: 1.45pm – 5.30pm
Cost: A$67.00 per person

Take an afternoon tour across the Harbour Bridge onto Milsons Point where you will have a great photo opportunity of the Opera House. Continue on past Middle Harbour and the Spit Bridge before arriving at beautiful Manly beach for afternoon tea (at own expense). Capture the beauty and lifestyle of Manly and the Northern Beaches followed by a trip along the Sydney's coastline taking in the beauty of Curl Curl, Harbord and Freshwater.

Guests can choose to stay on and explore Manly on their own, then take the ferry home at leisure taking in sights including Watsons Bay, Shark Island, Fort Denison, Kirribilli House, home to the Australian Prime Minister plus spectacular photo opportunities of the Sydney skyline and Opera House from the water.

Includes knowledgeable guide.
Please note that this is a non exclusive tour.
Guests can either return by ferry or coach. Additional costs will be incurred for ferry return.

Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise

Cruise departs daily at 10.00am and 2.15pm
Vouchers supplied but no booking required
Cost: A$52.00 per person

The Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise departs daily from Sydney's centrally located Pier 26, Darling Harbour at both 10:00hrs and 2.15pm. Onboard, take in all the splendid Harbour attractions including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. The coffee cruise offers a truly Australian flavour, with fresh expresso coffee and fine teas accompanied with tasty Australian fare.

Duration: Approx. 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Includes live commentary cruise (non exclusive).
Please note that this is a non exclusive tour.
Transport not included, guests are required to make their own way to the Captain Cook Jetty at Circular Quay.

Bridge Climb

Date: Climbs are available daily during the Congress
Time: Climbs run every 15 minutes
Cost: A$198.00 per person for a day climb, $188.00 per person for a night climb and $258.00 per person for a twilight climb.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an exhilarating experience. Rendezvous at the BridgeClimb office for a safety briefing and prepare for your three-hour adventure! Accompanied by an experienced leader your small team will cross the catwalk to the pylon and walk up to the summit of the Bridge’s upper arch - 130 metres above sea level. Harnessed to a static line for the duration of the climb, be treated to spectacular 360-degree views across one of the greatest harbours in the world.

Duration: Approx. 3 hours.
Includes knowledgeable guided tour (non exclusive).
Transport not included, guests are required to make their own way to the BridgeClimb office in the Rocks.

Please email the Congress managers at fig2010@tourhosts.com.au and advise your preferred day & time and number of persons attending. Climbs run every 15 minutes and are subject to availability at the time of booking. Please click here to read the terms and conditions prior to booking your climb.

Sydney Opera House Guided Tour

Date: Tours are available Monday – Friday during the Congress
Time: Tours run every 30 minutes between 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: A$37.00 per person

Your guide will bring to life the stories and secrets behind this international landmark, it’s original design and building period as well as today’s uses. See inside the major theatres and halls, where some 2,500 events and performances are staged each year and learn what's on during your stay. There are approximately 200 steps on this tour.

Duration: Approx 1 hour.
Includes knowledgeable guide.
Please note that this is a non exclusive tour.
Transport not included, guests are required to make their own way to the Sydney Opera House.

Please email the Congress managers at fig2010@tourhosts.com.au and advise your preferred day & time and number of persons attending. This tour runs every 30 minutes between 9.00am – 5.00pm and is subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that full payment is required to make and confirm your booking.

Departure Point

All tours (except those listed below) will be departing from the Bayside Foyer, Ground. All participants are requested to assemble 10 minutes prior to the departure of each tour.

Please note that delegates will be required to make their own way to the following:

• Bridge Climb
• Dinner Cruise
• Sydney Opera House

Further details will be advised closer to the Congress.

Optional Post Tours

Reef & Rainforest

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Dates: 17 – 20 April 2010
Double Occupancy: A$1,135.00 per person
Single Occupancy: A$1,690.00 per person

North of Cairns, discover one of the most beautiful regions of Australia. Here, at the meeting point of an ancient rainforest and the Earth’s largest living coral structure, guests will slow to a unique rhythm found only in Tropical North Queensland.

Based in the exclusive village of Palm Cove, highlights include swimming and snorkelling on the GreatBarrier Reef and discovering the beauty of the World Heritage listed Daintree rainforest.

Includes airport transfers, full day Great Barrier Reef cruise including lunch, full day Cape Tribulation tour including lunch, three nights deluxe accommodation and breakfast daily. Further details can be supplied in a more detailed day-by-day itinerary. For a detailed itinerary, please contact the Congress Managers. Flights to/from Cairns are not included in the tour price and should be booked by the delegate.

Dramatic Red Centre

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Dates: 17 – 20 April 2010
Double Occupancy: A$1,460.00 per person
Single Occupancy: A$2,120.00 per person

Called the Heart of the Nation, the ‘Red Centre’ is arid, dramatic, vast, a land of extremes and home of Uluru (Ayers Rock) Australia’s spectacular monolith. Participants will also discover other geological wonders such as Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon and more. Walk around the base of this huge monolith, view a magnificent sunrise and discover its significance to the Aboriginal people.

Includes airport transfers, half day tour of Alice Springs, three days of touring from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and onto Ayers Rock, three nights deluxe accommodation, breakfast daily and one dinner. Further details can be supplied in a more detailed day-by-day itinerary. For a detailed itinerary, please contact the Congress Managers. Flights to Alice Springs and departing from Ayers Rock are not included in the tour price and should be booked by the delegate.

Tours General Information

Touring Terms and Conditions

These tours are designed by Tour Hosts Destination Management (license No. 2TA001144), for participating delegates and accompanying persons attending the XXIV FIG International Congress 2010. Only the best aspects of Sydney and its environs have been incorporated to provide value for money for persons whose time is at a premium.

All sightseeing tours include informative English speaking commentary, all entry fees and meals where specified. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended for all tours. For any outdoor tours we recommend that participants bring sun protection cream, sunhat and sunglasses.

Some tours, as identified, are based on a minimum number of participants. If minimum numbers are not reached, alternative arrangements or a complete refund will be made. Places on all tours are limited and will be allocated strictly in order of receipt of payment. Where participants cancel their tour bookings prior to 10 March 2009 payment will be refunded in full. Thereafter, no refunds will be made.

Disclaimer

The services specified in these tour descriptions are available at the time of writing. However, in the event that any service(s) become unavailable for any reason, Tour Hosts will make every effort to supply alternative services of an equal standard and value but cannot accept any responsibility for failure to provide the specified services.

Important Please be advised that all prices are indicative and will incur a 5-8% increase at the end of each rate year. Any changes will be notified via email and then charged accordingly upon delegate approval.