Is it still possible to take a scenic flight over Sydney Harbour? I was there years ago, but knew I couldn't afford it. Now I'm going back and would like to give it a go. Marcus Lewis, London

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Whatever you do, don't forget the ferries, which are still just as cheap and scenic as ever, and the view from the top of Sydney Tower is knock-out too. But if you want a breathtaking bird's eye view from a seaplane, there are two companies that can help.

Sydney Seaplanes (00 61 2 9388 1978) runs a small fleet of classic seaplanes ­ mostly the De Havilland Beaver, which in common with other planes that can land on water, has an over slung wing, and so is perfect for scenic flights ­ as everyone has an uninterrupted view.

A 15-minute scenic flights costs £78pp (for a minimum of two people) and departs from Rose Bay and flies over the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach.

Or for £110pp, you can take a 30-minute flight out of the harbour and along the northern beaches ­ Manly, Curl Curl, Avalon, and beautiful Palm Beach ­ where "Home and Away" is filmed.

Or try Sydney by Seaplane (00 61 2 9974 1455), which offers similar flights of between 15 minutes and one hour. The 15-minute Rose Bay flight costs £70 per person and flies the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, or there's the Palm Beach option for the same cost, which departs from Barrenjoey and takes in the headlands and beaches of Bilgola, Newport, Avalon and Whale Beach - but not the Opera House and bridge.

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