Sydney: Wildlife, Waterfalls & Wine Day Trip with Koalas

Summary

Koalas up close sea cliff bridge rainforest hike local wine small group

You’ll ride south from Sydney along wild coastline, meet koalas with a keeper at Symbio Wildlife Park, walk rainforest trails to hidden waterfalls in Morton National Park, and relax over wine tasting at a boutique vineyard—all with lunch by the ocean included. Expect real conversations with locals and moments that stick long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever seen a koala up close?” That’s how our guide, Dave, started things as we rolled out of Sydney. He was right—I hadn’t. The minibus was quiet except for someone unwrapping a snack behind me and the low hum of traffic fading as we left the city. I watched eucalyptus trees flick past and tried not to think about how early it was (coffee helped). Our first stop at Bald Hill Lookout had this wild wind that made my eyes water, but honestly? The view over Illawarra just kept me standing there longer than I meant to. Some hang gliders were setting up—looked terrifying and kind of beautiful at the same time.

Symbio Wildlife Park was next, and I didn’t expect to actually learn so much about koalas. Their fur isn’t soft like you’d think—it’s more like a thick old sweater. The keeper told us about their rescue work while one sleepy koala blinked at me from her perch. I got a photo with her (the koala, not the keeper), which is now my mom’s phone background. We fed kangaroos too—one licked my hand and I nearly dropped all the food pellets. There were wallabies bouncing around and this faint smell of hay mixed with eucalyptus everywhere.

The Grand Pacific Drive felt like something out of a movie—windows down, salty air blowing in, Sea Cliff Bridge curving out over blue water that looked fake but wasn’t. Lunch was at this beachside café where locals actually eat (I checked), and I tried barramundi for the first time. If you’re brave or just Australian, you can swim after lunch—I just dipped my toes in because honestly it wasn’t warm enough for me.

Later we climbed into the Southern Highlands—rainforest turning into farmland outside the window. There’s an easy hike through Morton National Park; you can hear waterfalls before you see them, echoing off sandstone cliffs. It smelled like damp earth and something sweet I couldn’t name. At the winery, we tasted cool-climate reds with cheese on a wooden deck overlooking rows of vines—someone in our group bought two bottles “for later” but opened one right there anyway. By the time we got back to Sydney (around 6:30pm), everyone was quieter—tired in that good way when your head’s full of new things.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife, coastal views, and wine tasting

• Meet guide and board minibus
• Drive south along Botany Bay beaches
• Stop at Bald Hill Lookout
• Visit Symbio Wildlife Park
• Private koala experience with keeper
• Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies
• Drive along Grand Pacific Drive
• Cross Sea Cliff Bridge
• Lunch at seaside café
• Optional swim at golden beach
• Hike in Morton National Park
• Visit sandstone gorges and waterfalls
• Wine tasting at boutique winery
• Return to Sydney Circular Quay

Top questions

How long is the wildlife waterfalls and wine day tour from Sydney?

The tour lasts approximately one full day, departing in the morning and returning to Sydney around 6:30pm.

Is lunch included on this Sydney day trip?

Yes, lunch at a popular seaside café is included along with a drink choice (wine, beer, juice or soda).

Can I interact with koalas on this tour?

Yes, there’s a private koala experience at Symbio Wildlife Park where you meet a keeper and get close to koalas.

How many people are on each tour?

The group size is small—maximum 11 guests per tour.

Does this tour include wine tasting?

Yes, you’ll visit a boutique winery in the Southern Highlands for wine (and cheese) tasting.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; meeting point details are provided after booking.

Are entry fees included?

Yes, entry fees for national parks and wildlife park are included in your booking.

What should I bring for this day trip?

You should bring closed shoes, sunscreen, hat, reusable water bottle—and swimsuit/towel if planning to swim.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable minibus transport south from Sydney with a friendly local guide, private koala experience at Symbio Wildlife Park (with entry fees covered), hand-feeding kangaroos and wallabies, seaside lunch with drinks at a local café, an easy rainforest hike to waterfalls in Morton National Park, wine and cheese tasting at a boutique winery in the Southern Highlands before returning early evening.