Gay Vacation Packages: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Don’t miss Australia’s biggest party: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras! Catch the colorful parade in Sydney, then relax at a beautiful and luxurious beach retreat away from the crowds.

Gay vacation packages are one of our specialties! Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a huge event for the LGBT+ crowd, as they gather en masse to celebrate one of the most colorful events of the year. We designed this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras vacation for a couple from Chicago. They wanted to party in Sydney, do some wine tasting, and relax on the beach. This custom itinerary gave them everything they were looking for and more.

We started their Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras vacation in cosmopolitan Sydney. They were able to see the huge, quirky, colorful parade that caps off a 3-week extravaganza and affects every part of Sydney during parade weekend. We left them plenty of free time to party it up in Sydney! We also arranged some classic Sydney experiences, like the Sydney BridgeClimb, private tour of Sydney and a private wine tasting tour in the Hunter Valley.

They had 5 nights in Sydney to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities and discover the best this exciting city has to offer. Then to relax, they flew up north to Byron Bay and Cabarita Beach, where they stayed at Halcyon House. At this gorgeous, luxurious, and understated beach retreat, they were able to explore secluded beaches by bicycle, do some boutique shopping, and sample the delicious flavors of this foodie region. It was the perfect escape after their adventure-packed time in Sydney.

At last, it was time to say goodbye to Australia and head back home. They had so much fun on their Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras vacation, they decided to return the following year and explore more of Sydney and New South Wales!

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Sydney, Australia! Cosmopolitan and aesthetically appealing, Sydney is a feast for the eyes with plenty to offer any type of traveler. Discover Sydney’s colorful colonial past, miles of beautiful beaches, historic buildings and landmarks, award-winning restaurants, easygoing lifestyle, and vibrant culture. You’ll have a few days to explore this sunny city before the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade hits the streets!
The Grace Hotel Sydney

Day 2
Today, you’ll get an adrenaline rush as you see Sydney from up above on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. On this safe but exhilarating climb, you’ll make your way to the very top of this Sydney icon, 440 feet above the water! See the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Tower Eye, and the rest of the skyline from an all new 360-degree perspective. The rest of the day is yours to explore, party, or relax as you wish.  And discover the hidden gems of Sydney with a private tour of the city.
The Grace Hotel Sydney

Day 3
Explore some of Australia’s finest wine country today on a private tour of the Hunter Valley. Enjoy cellar door tastings at boutique wineries, see behind the scenes and meet the winemakers, and savor a gourmet lunch with matching Hunter Valley wine. Gourmet cheeses, chocolates, and other artisan goods are also available to sample today. Return to Sydney in the evening and partake in some pre-parade festivities.
The Grace Hotel Sydney

Day 4
It’s the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade! The city will be seduced and dazzled as it is every year. Cheeky, noisy, colorful, outrageous, and getting sexier with age, the parade usually makes its way down Oxford Street, through Darlinghurst, a short distance from your hotel. More than 180 floats and 8,500 people fill the streets with glitter today.
The Grace Hotel Sydney

Day 5
This is your day at total leisure to enjoy the parts of Sydney that interest you most. Perhaps you’d like us to add a private lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour, or maybe you’d like to try a surf lesson at the famous Bondi Beach. Some visitors prefer the more relaxing beaches that surround Sydney, and romantics love a scenic seaplane flight to a gourmet lunch on the northern bays. There are plenty of activities we can add to keep you busy today, or you can relax and explore the city at your own pace. Tonight, we can make reservations at a fabulous restaurant or arrange tickets to a performance at the Sydney Opera House.
The Grace Hotel Sydney

Day 6
A short flight brings you north to Byron Bay, where you’ll pick up your rental car and drive to Halcyon House, your home for the next 2 nights. This stunning, boutique beach retreat is the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun after your time in the city. Here, you can use complimentary bicycles from the hotel or enjoy a picnic on the beach. There are also countless uncrowded beaches nearby that are ideal for surfing (complimentary use of surf boards is included with your stay), snorkeling, diving, and dolphin watching.
Halcyon House

Day 7 – 8
The next 2 days are yours to spend at your leisure. Explore the pristine beaches, alternative culture, boutique shops, and culinary delights of your surroundings. Or, you can simply relax at your hotel—with eye-catching interior design and a world-class restaurant onsite, Halcyon House is a luxurious home away from home you’ll never want to leave!
Halcyon House

Day 9
It’s time to say goodbye to Australia today. Drop off your rental car at the airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Sydney and onward back home.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Does not include the cost of airfare


Based on
9 day stay
2 travelers

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