When it comes to Australia you think about kangaroos, boomerangs, didgeridoos, and the famous Sydney Opera House. Yes, most travels to Australia start in the harbor city of Sydney. But even in city full of icons, there are ways to find hidden gems.

Did you know that on certain days of the week, if you call the Sydney Opera House ahead of time, and you get up early in the morning, they’ll let you actually get up onstage and conduct? At the Taronga Zoo you can arrange to have an up-close experience with Australian wildlife led by those who know the animals best – the zookeepers.

Watch Peter on stage, at home with the koalas and behind the scenes in Sydney in the first installment of Hidden Gems: Australia.

Check back next Friday for a  new Hidden Gems adventure in Australia

For more information about Sydney, Australia, check out:

• Voluntourism Spotlight: Help the Koalas with the Earth Watch Institute
• Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Sydney
• Destination Sydney: Exploring the Sydney Hills Neighborhood
• Our Australia & New Zealand archives