Austravel tel: 0171-7347755 offers a cycling package for pounds 1308 per person based

Austravel (tel: 0171-7347755) offers a cycling package for pounds 1,308 per person based on two sharing. The trip includes return flights, bike hire, and full- board accommodation during the six days of cycling. Transfers and meals during the four nights in Melbourne cost extra.7 HorsebackPeregrine Equitours (tel: 01865 511642) offers horseback and camping trips through the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Australian Pacific Tours (tel: 0181- 8797444) offers a four-day tour to the mountains providing opportunities to appreciate Australia's unusual wildlife One night is also spent at the luxurious Lilianfels resort. Prices start from pounds 396 per person based on two sharing.

Transfers from your Sydney hotel, accommodation and some meals are included. Bridge The World (tel: 0171-7347447) can book this extravagant way to wave goodbye to bachelorhood. The tour includes a stay in an underground hotel in the mining town of Coober Pedy. Starting from Adelaide, the trip costs pounds 1,495 per person based upon a twin-share. It includes light- aircraft transport, accommodation, meals, and yes, even beer. International flights can be arranged by Bridge The World for pounds 612 return flying with Malaysian Airlines.5 Blue MountainsThe Blue Mountains has long been a popular place to which to escape for Sydney's residents. The attractive scenery and cool climate make it a refreshing place to take a short break.

International flights and transfers to AAT's Sydney coach terminal cost extra.4 The ultimate stag partyPopping over to Dublin for a stag night is positively tame in comparison to a four-day crawl by light aircraft around South Australia's remote outback pubs. The tour follows the route between Sydney and Melbourne by coach and includes an escorted trip to Canberra and a visit to the historic mining town of Beechworth in Victoria. The price of pounds 405 per person is based upon two people sharing A variety of meals is included with the accommodation. While not promising to turn you into a jackaroo or jillaroo, there will be opportunities to turn your hand to mustering, calving or sheep-shearing. Alternatively, first class for the same journey costs pounds 435 per person and is based upon a full-board twin-share. Flights and transfers cost extra.3 FarmstayAs part of a four-day tour, AAT Kings (tel: 0870 2402440) offers the chance to spend a day at a traditional Australian farmstead. Transfers are extra. 2 Classic railwaysThere are few more evocative ways of travelling across south-eastern Australia than by rail.

The renowned Ghan train offers a stylish way to see the rugged countryside between Adelaide and Sydney. Thomas Cook Leisurail (tel: 0870 7500222) can book this train for the two-day journey from Alice Springs to Sydney via Adelaide. The low-season fare in holiday class, based upon a twin-share carriage, is pounds 320 per person for the entire journey This does not include meals. Austravel offers a 10-day holiday for pounds 1,932 per person based on two sharing. The package also incorporates a four-night stay in the Blue Mountains and three nights in the Hunter Valley. The price includes return flights, room-only accommodation, and four Olympic event tickets. The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will undoubtedly be the world's great sporting event next year.