Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful nature walks, beaches and wine regions in the world. We are an active nation with picnics, hikes (and wine) a standard part of our weekends. With the use of your Opal card, you too can travel and explore Sydney and its surrounds. Here is a snapshot of the places you should put on your to-do list when looking for a day adventure in the Aussie nature or a cheeky little weekend away. The Hunter Valley has a rich wine culture which dates back over 180 years and is home to numerous wineries, including world-renowned brands and family-run boutique operations. There are over 120 wineries, gourmet restaurants and spa retreats and if an outdoor concert is on your bucket list then the Hunter Valley can provide that too with the first of the open air concerts starting in October with Opera in the Vineyards. Over the years the concert venues at Bimbadgen, Hope Estate and Roche Estate have hosted some big name artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Tom Jones, Elton John, Duran Duran, John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes. It’s hard to choose our favourite wineries but here’s a list to get you started: • Audrey Wilkinson Winery • Bimbadgen Winery • Brokenwood Wines • Harkham Winery • Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard • Meerea Park Wines • Peppertree Wines To travel by train, the most convenient stations to depart from are at Maitland, Newcastle or Morisset. There are connecting buses from each of these stations to the Hunter Valley, for more information head here. For a little adventure closer to home, look no further than one of the beautiful harbor foreshore walks. Grab a coffee or indulge in a gelato and take a wander around the gorgeous shores of Sydney. Most of these walks also have cyclist lanes if a bike ride is more your thing. Bondi to Bronte If you haven’t been to Bondi, then I am sure you have seen it on TV or on a friend’s Facebook album of their Aussie Travels. Let me tell you, it is even more stunning in real life. Bondi Beach is broken up into two parts South Bondi and North Bondi and if you continue along the promenade along the beach and continue down the south end you will find a gorgeous costal work affectionately known as the Bondi to Bronte or “B2B”. The Bondi to Bronte walk, including Tamarama and Mackenzies Bay, is one of the most iconic walking trails in Sydney. The panoramic views of the ocean and the coastal cliffs are absolutely breathtaking. There are lots of vantage points along the way where you can rest up and soak in the amazing views and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot some whales and dolphins. The walk is about 2.3 kilometers one way and takes about one and a half hours, it’s an easy walk with only a couple of sets of stairs. A must to do on your Sydney adventures. The Hermitage Foreshore Walk The easy Hermitage Foreshore walk is one of Sydney's great coastal walks. Start your walk at Bayview Hill Road, Rose Bay or Nielsen Park, Vaucluse and take in the views of Shark Island, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the grounds of Strickland House along the way. Be sure to take your camera or phone as there are plenty of beautiful photo opportunities along the way. From the front of Stickland House, you can take the bus to Watson’s Bay to explore The Gap and South Head or back to the city if you are out of time. Spit Bridge to Manly There is also the Manly to Spit Bridge walk which is a favourite among the locals. Weave your way through a mix of lush bushland and scenic harbour side trails which will past some of North Sydney's most stunning beaches and bays. The walk is ten kilometres and takes around three to four hours to complete. There are plenty of great vantage points along the track which offers spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, including at historic sites such as Grotto Point Lighthouse and through the Sydney Harbour National Park. These places above are a great getaway for the day or weekend to get out of the hopital workplace and enjoy Aussie nature at it's best!