The below itinerary is only a 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 fabulous Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Sydney within walking distance to all the major attractions, including Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Day 2 - 4 Sydney – Over the next 3 days you have the choice of 2 of 8 Excursions
As Australia’s largest and most famous city, Sydney can be designed to suit any taste. While the sparkling harbor anchors the more iconic sights, our tours sprawl well into the surrounds – where the choice between Blue Mountains and gourmet meals is entirely up to you. From sea plane flights to surf lessons and bridge climbs to food and wine, browse our selected list of excursions below and choose whichever speak to your style.
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.
6. Full Day Blue Mountains Excursion
This morning head for the Blue Mountains. Stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm also home to Kangaroo, Emu, Wombat and Koala. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure. Visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas and enjoy a stress and hurry free environment. Arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout point away from the crowds for views of the famous Three Sisters. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. Stop at Blackheath and enjoy a 2-course lunch with tea/coffee. Visit a selection of lookouts. Experience the view Govetts Leap and the magnificent waterfall. Stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, where you will enjoy sweeping views across to Sydney before travelling down the Bells Line of Road to Sydney.
7. Full Day Wildlife in the Wild Tour
This afternoons tour is an exceptional opportunity to experience the Aussie Bush in search of Australia’s iconic native animals in their natural habitat - Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Wombats, Wallabies, birdlife, the elusive Emu and much more. Travelling to private farmland and bushland in the Southern Highlands, just 1.5 hours south of Sydney. Walk through towering forests of Grey Gums in search of koalas, look for platypus along the riverbanks, drive through woodlands as mobs of kangaroos feed. After dinner, go night spotting for nocturnal wombats, gliders and possums. You can seek out the animals when they are most active. Return to Sydney at around 10.00pm where you will be transferred to your Sydney accommodation.
8. Full Day Hunter Valley Gourmet Tour
Today’s tour provides you with the opportunity to relax, get away from the city, and enjoy some fabulous food and wine in Australia’s oldest wine-growing region. The Hunter Valley combines world renowned wines, gourmet produce and stunning countryside - all the makings for a great, relaxing day. With over 90 cellar doors in the Hunter Valley, today's focus will be on the boutique wineries, where the passion of the wine makers is obvious. This tour gives you access to a range of excellent wineries and the opportunity to meet some of the people who make and grow the wine. At lunchtime, enjoy a gourmet meal with a seasonally changing menu of fresh, local produce, accompanied by a glass of fine Hunter wine. Return to Sydney, where you will be transferred to your Sydney accommodation
Day 5 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 6 Melbourne – Today you have the choice of 1 of 2 urban walking excursions
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 7 Melbourne – Today you have the choice of 1 of 3 Regional Excursions
1. Yarra Valley Food & Wine Journey
Today’s tour travels to the Yarra Valley, where stops at five different wineries shed light on the winemakers, compelling family histories and resilience through seasonal challenges across many generations. It’s the persistence and passion of these people that saw them through the hard parts, building on humble beginnings to become the magnificent wineries they are today. Enjoy cheese and wine pairings at De Bortoli Estate and indulge in a two-course lunch with wine before returning to Melbourne. The day ends with a transfer to your accommodation.
2. Full Day Great Ocean Road Tour
Experience this majestic coastal drive in style, with time to relax and fully appreciate the wonders of this world famous route. Stay on the lookout for some very special animals including whales, dolphins, echidnas and bandicoots. You will have time to stroll along the wild beaches or take in the awe-inspiring scenery. Stop at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town set amongst the soft rolling hills, offering a great selection of cafes and restaurants where you stop for lunch. Experience exclusive access to an ancient Eucalyptus Forest walk, located at the iconic Great Ocean Road EcoLodge where you can have close encounters with koalas, kangaroos and native birds. You will be contributing to the Great Ocean EcoLodge’s conservation program to protect the local tiger quolls, koalas and unique flora of the region. A truly unique day out, capped off by a visit to the ancient rock formations of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
3. Koalas & Kangaroos in the Wild
Today you’ll have the opportunity to walk through natural bushland and meet wild koalas, all while participating in the Make a Home for Koala Clancy Koala Conservation Project. Your guide is an expert on each one’s history and social life and will share with you their stories while you have a chance to take some photos. Wild mobs of kangaroos can also be found in the plains and open forests, and while their natural instinct is to flee humans, you may be able to get close enough to capture a photo and observe their complex social life. Parrots, fairy wrens, emus, honeyeaters, possums, wallabies and lizards are also in the area, and your guide will help you to spot them along the way.
Day 8 Depart Melbourne
After a wonderful vacation, it’s time to say goodbye to Melbourne, Australia. We have included a private transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
