The below itinerary is only a recommended suggestion; we offer tailor-made personal service and solutions to help you plan your perfect vacation.
Day 1 Arrive Sydney
Welcome to Sydney! Upon arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel the heart of downtown, set within walking distance to major attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Day 2 Sydney – Today you have the choice of 1 of 5 tours
1. Sydney Seaplanes Secrets 30-minute Scenic Flight
Taking off from Rose Bay, this flight encompasses Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches. See all the famous sandy stretches on route, including Manly, Curl Curl, Avalon and the iconic Palm Beach where Australia’s favorite soap, ‘Home and Away’ is filmed. Return to the harbor via the yachtsman’s paradise of Pittwater and be amazed at the number of boats grouped around the picturesque waterway. Finally, end the trip with a gentle splash back down to Rose Bay. Please note, transfers to Rose Bay are not Included in this tour.
2. Morning Bondi Local Tour
Do what the locals do and head to Bondi Beach! Enjoy a surf lifesaving club tour, a surf or bodyboard lesson and a casual beachside lunch with five-star views across Bondi. Along with your friendly local Bondi Surf Instructor, this is the best way to experience Australia’s most beautiful beach.
3. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Get your adrenaline pumping with a climb up Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge. This guided journey takes you along the lower arch of the bridge and then up the express ladder which leads to the summit, 440 feet above the shimmering harbor below. Here you’ll witness 360-degree views of Sydney including east to the Sydney Opera House and west to the Blue Mountains and Harbour City surrounds.
4. Cruise Like a Local – BBQ Luncheon Cruise
Treat yourself to one of Sydney Harbour’s sensational 4-hour barbecue lunch cruises. Offering a unique and informative cruise experience, your personal host will cruise back in time sharing the rich history of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore. Enjoy the company of a small group and immerse yourself in on-board activities like fishing, kayaking and swimming. An Australian barbecue lunch is included alongside beverages, wines and local beers.
5. Sydney Opera House Morning Backstage Tour with breakfast, afternoon City Tour
Get an early start this morning for VIP backstage access to the Sydney Opera House. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity reveals the real-life dramas behind the building, as your guide will raise the curtain on what really goes on beyond the spotlight. Walk in the footsteps of legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Pavarotti, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cate Blanchett, Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Foo Fighters. You might even get to stand on the world-famous Concert Hall stage, take up the conductors’ baton in the orchestra pit or get a sneak peek inside the stars’ dressing rooms. Then enjoy breakfast in the Green Room, the private haven of some of the world’s most famous artists.
In the afternoon, the tour takes you to the historic Rocks district to hear stories of Australia’s early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and pay visits to the Queen Victoria Building and Sydney’s trendy Oxford Street district. Travel past the elegant terrace houses of Paddington, then arrive at the Pacific Ocean where you will see the superb coastal cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach, visit the beachfront promenade and enjoy a coffee or cool drink (own expense). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney’s best panoramic view at Dover Heights, then return to the city via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbor. Your tour concludes at either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
Day 3 Day at leisure to explore Sydney
Today is yours to explore sunny, cosmopolitan Sydney at your leisure. Mingle with the locals on famous Bondi Beach and take the scenic walk from Bondi to Bronte Beach. Soak up gorgeous views of the city at Circular Quay and explore the bustling neighborhood of Barangaroo just a short walk away. If you’d like to dig a little deeper into Sydney and discover hidden gems, we recommend a private or small-group tour of the city. We also have a fabulous lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour where you can truly live like a local for the day!
Day 4 Sydney to Melbourne
Your adventure continues today as you fly to Melbourne. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to explore the city’s laneways, coffee shops, hidden bars and covert boutiques.
Day 5 Melbourne – Today you have the choice of one of two half day tours
1. Half Day Lanes & Arcades Including Lunch
Take a walk through Melbourne’s beautiful back streets and laneways this morning to get acquainted with the local lifestyle. Discover independent designers and specialty retailers, some quirky cafes and thought-provoking street art. There’s truly something for everyone in this city, and you can see over 30 stores in this one casual stroll. Stop for an hour to enjoy lunch with a glass of wine, then pop into all the stores that caught your eye earlier.
2. Queen Victoria Markets and Local Flavors Tour including lunch
Your tour today begins with a trip to the iconic Queen Victoria Market, ideal for strolling through food stalls and people watching the locals. Next you’ll continue to Lygon Street, a neighborhood known as the city’s Little Italy and a local favorite for Melburnians. Here you’ll discover the food, history, people and culture of the area through a food tour of Melbourne’s biggest market, complete with stories, samples, tastings and time to explore. Savor a delicious and wholesome lunch with a drink, then discover hidden historical buildings, skeleton boutiques and the very best of local businesses.
Day 6 Melbourne to Uluru (Ayres Rock) with dinner under the stars
Today you’ll say goodbye to Melbourne and hello to the Outback! Ayers Rock (or Uluru) sits prominently in the Red Centre and is renowned as the spiritual heart of Australia. Rich in Aboriginal culture, you’ll find that it truly encompasses the beauty of its surroundings, including your accommodation, Sails in the Desert Hotel. After your transfer, the day is at leisure until evening when your journey begins. Starting on a lone sand dune, a path takes you to an uninterrupted 360-degree view of this vast landscape. In front of you is the fabled Uluru, and behind are the domes of Kata Tjuta enhanced by the glow of the sunset. Here you enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés before feasting on a BBQ buffet of authentic Australian delicacies including barramundi, kangaroo, emu and crocodile, bush salads and classic desserts, complemented by Australian wines. Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, as the local guide takes you on a tour of the spectacular southern night sky.
Day 7 Uluru Sunrise Tour & Sunset Camel Ride
One of the most impressive features of Uluru is the way it shifts colors in the changing light—flaring to life as the sun rises and bathing it in bright red and deep purple tones as it sets. Today you will witness the magnificent spectacle at both times of day, first with a guided trek around the base of Uluru where you’ll embrace the culture, geology, and environment that make up the essence of this amazing natural attraction. Find yourself in awe as you watch Uluru change colors in the sunrise, visit waterholes, view ancient rock art sites, and learn the legends of the native Anangu people. This evening, ride camels through the desert and witness Uluru transform at sunset.
Day 8 Uluru to Darwin, Transfer to Wildman Wilderness Lodge
Enjoy one last inspiring sunrise over Uluru this morning before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Kakadu National Park. Covering more than 7700 square miles of pristine natural beauty, the biodiverse Kakadu is home to wildlife, Aboriginal rock art sites and exotic landscapes. Your home for the next two nights will be one of the standalone cottages or ‘habitats’ at Wildman Wilderness Lodge, which offers premium accommodation in a remote and wild setting.
Day 9 Wildman Wilderness Lodge full Day Kakadu National Park Tour
Enjoy a full-day wildlife and wilderness adventure today in Kakadu National Park. You may recognize this unspoiled landscape from the film Crocodile Dundee, what with its rugged escarpments, lush rainforests, roaring waterfalls, and Aboriginal rock art galleries – some of which date back more than 50,000 years.
Stop at South Alligator River before continuing past lush floodplains and billabongs to Ubirr. Here you’ll see one of Kakadu’s most famous rock art sites as well as panoramic views of the surrounding floodplains and Arnhem Land escarpment. Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch near the East Alligator River, then take a short walk to Cahills crossing to spot one of the many saltwater crocodiles in the area. The last stop in the park is at Mamukala Wetlands for stunning views and an incredible variety of birdlife.
Day 10 Wildman Wilderness Lodge to Cairns
Departing Australia’s Northern Territory today, your adventure continues with a flight to Cairns and transfer to Bailey, your hotel for the next two nights. Known as the gateway city to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns tempts proximity to world-class snorkeling, diving and cruising, yet you needn’t leave the city limits to find a great adventure. Experience authentic theatre, guided bush walks and didgeridoo shows at nearby Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park, or try whitewater rafting on the Tully and Baron rivers. Come evening, give in to gluttony along Grafton and Spence streets, and score on fabulous finds at the Cairns Night Market stalls.
Day 11 Great Barrier Reef Outer Reef Experience Cruise
Today you’ll be collected from your hotel and taken to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to board your cruise vessel. This full-day cruise takes you to the Outer Great Barrier Reef platform. Upon arrival at the Outer Greater Barrier Reef platform, the reef activities will commence with a semi-submersible coral viewing tour with informative commentary. After lunch it’s time for more activities or views on the sundeck, then you’ll depart back to Cairns and transferred back to your Cairns area hotel.
Day 12 Depart Cairns
After a wonderful vacation, it’s time to say goodbye to Australia. We have included a private transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
