Go on a romantic stroll up the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge just like the royal lovebirds Harry and Meghan

Cheered on by pregnant wife Meghan, the thrill-seeking royal scaled the 1,332 steps to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge on Friday.

Following in his footsteps, my husband Oli and I took on the challenge and while the Aussie PM didn’t join us for our walkabout, our guide helped keep us calm as we tried not to look over the 440ft drop.

Strapped in for safety and wearing less than elegant onesies, we soaked in the view — Sydney Opera House glistening in the sun to our right and, shimmering on the horizon, the distant Blue Mountains.

To see Sydney in all its glory as the sun sets and the city lights up, aim for Bridge Climb – Sydney’s twilight booking.

Back down to earth, a stiff drink was in order at the Opera Bar in the shadow of the two famous structures.

The shell-like Opera House is not only a design marvel but an engineering feat.

If you really want to impress your friends, visit the underground car park.

An architectural iceberg, it extends a record-breaking 12 storeys underground. It might not get many likes on Instagram, but who else can boast of visiting the world’s deepest basement?

A great way to do Sydney is to rent an apartment, so after a day spent sightseeing or on the beach, you can relax in your own place.

And we found having a kitchen to cook in was a huge money-saver.

Stayz offers plenty of properties all over the city, and we picked a small flat near the world-famous Bondi beach.

Head there at 6.30am and surfers are already out with sun-worshippers ready to top up their tans.

GO: SYDNEY

GETTING THERE: Singapore Air flies from Heathrow and Manchester to Sydney with prices from £740pp. See singaporeair.com.

STAYING THERE: Bondi Penkivil L’Abode in Bondi Beach is from £95.67pppn, two sharing. See stayz.com.au or homeaway.co.uk

If you fancy hopping on a board check out Let’s Go Surfing on North Bondi.

Instructors will walk you through how to stand up, step by step.

It’s not just Bondi that provides glorious white sands and surf — you can take in picturesque views of the South Pacific on the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Popular with joggers, the clifftop path offered dramatic views as we passed Tamarama and Bronte beaches before settling for the rest of the day at Coogee beach.

Or take a ferry to Manly, where more restaurants, shops and beaches mean you can camp out for the whole day and take the opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive.

Plus, on the way out, you’ll get one more great view of that Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

HAM IT UP IN STYLE WITH ISLAND ESCAPE

TOMORROW, Harry and Meghan will fly to Fraser Island, a popular hotspot for backpackers travelling the east coast of Australia.

But there is another island off the Queensland coast that is far more fit for royalty. Hamilton Island has attracted A-listers including Paul McCartney, Oprah and Taylor Swift.

With flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, it is a great option for a luxury end to your Aussie holiday.

Accommodation includes couples-only escapes and family-friendly hotel rooms, villas, apartments and holiday homes.

There’s not a room on the island more than a five-minute walk from the main Catseye Beach.

However, if you are lucky enough to stay in the wonderful Beach Club you can watch the world go by from the infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, and eat pancakes for breakfast.

The island is a great base from which to explore Whitehaven Beach on nearby Whitsunday Island and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

Made up of 98 per cent silica sand, the beach stretches for four miles, and you feel like you are walking across soft flour.

Heading off with Cruise Whitsundays, you take a 30-minute trip to the island, before being taken to the Hill Inlet offering stunning views over the blue seas.

A barbecue on the beach, along with supplied games and swims in the glorious sea, makes it the perfect day out on one of the world’s most beautiful spots.

Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef is a two-hour boat ride away.

If day trips are not your thing, then take advantage of everything Hamilton Island has to offer, including an 18-hole championship golf course, jet skis and mini-golf.

Or get your nature fix on a walk to Passage Peak, the highest point of the island, with wild wallabies bouncing by you as you make your way through the streets.

Dine at some of the stunning restaurants, from family-friendly Manta Ray to the romantic Romano’s that will make your A-list stay complete.

GO: HAMILTON

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Flights from Sydney to Hamilton Island are from £173pp oneway.

See jetstar.com.

Holiday homes are from £186.58pppn.

Head to hamiltonisland.com.au.

OUT & ABOUT: The Ultimate Whitehaven Beach Hike, Hill Inlet & Lookout tour is from £123.76pp. See cruisewhitsundays.com.

MORE INFO: Queensland.com.

Source: Read Full Article