Seaplane to lunch in Sydney

QUESTION: My parents will be in Sydney, Australia for their 30th wedding anniversary and I would like to treat them to something special, such as a harbour cruise in the Sydney harbour, a flight over the city or dinner in a top restaurant. Do you have any suggestions? - Rose Kipland

ANSWER: A Sydney expert suggests that a gourmet lunch and seaplane package might fit the bill. Departing from the seaplane base at Rose Bay, the aircraft will fly them over the city's spectacular northern beaches, landing in the waterway at Pittwater. A courtesy car then transports them to Jonah's at Palm Beach, a stunning restaurant with magnificent 180-degree views of Whale Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Chef George Francisco has produced stunning modern Australian cuisine for celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Laurence Olivier and Anthony Hopkins, so your parents are bound to be impressed. On the return flight, the seaplane circles the harbour in front of the harbour bridge and the opera house. Packages start at around 479 Australian dollars (about R2800) per person.

A less adventurous (and cheaper) option would be a Sydney Harbour sunset dinner cruise. Enjoy canapes and a fine dinner on the MV Sydney 2000 with unlimited champagne, wine and beer from only 76 Australian dollars (R450) per person. Guaranteed window seats cost an additional 25 Aus dollars (R145) each.