Amazing Australia

Arrive Sydney, Australia

Welcome to Australia! You are met upon arrival in Sydney, and taken to your luxury hotel.

Late morning, enjoy a private tour of Sydney and its southern beaches. Sydney has one of the most beautiful harbors in the world along with spectacular beaches and the soaring Blue Mountains as a backdrop. Though it began as a penal colony in 1788, today Sydney is a charming yet cosmopolitan city. It is the capital of the state of New South Wales, and the largest and most extravagant Australian city. It has a population of four million people, busy streets, and imposing skyscrapers.

See the colorful Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, carved out of a rock ledge for then Governor Lachlan Macquarie's wife, it offers spectacular views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Continue through lively Kings Cross, Paddington, and Watson’s Bay en route to famous Bondi Beach. Head back to Rose bay and enjoy a delightful 3-course lunch with great views of the harbour.

Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. ​(L)

Sydney Sightseeing

This morning, meet your private guide and transfer to the Sydney Opera House, for a private ‘behind the scenes tour’ of this iconic facility. This World Heritage masterpiece is home to 1000 rooms, 300 corridors and hundreds of intriguing tales. Step inside the inspired theatres where more than 1600 performances come to life each year, making it one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world.

Continue with a walking tour of the historic Rocks area, site of the first colonial settlement in Australia in 1788. Explore the beautifully restored historic buildings, art galleries, and museums. The area has also become a trendy shopping district, with many dining options and a lively nightlife.

Lunch today is a scenic treat – aboard the beautiful yacht. Dine on board as you enjoy views of one of the world’s most beautiful harbors and the magnificent waterfront homes and parklands.

Disembark the yacht, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. ​(B,L)

Sydney & the Blue Mountains

Today you will enjoy a private tour to the Blue Mountains. Head out of the city and reach Featherdale Wildlife Park where you will meet all the native Australian animals.

Continuing on, head up through the northern section of the Blue Mountains National Park. Passing through the historic town of Hartley Vale, search for kangaroos grazing in the pastoral areas. The lunch destination is in the heart of the Blue Mountains, where you can relax to enjoy the delicious food. Then continue to view more scenery before arriving at Scenic World, home of the world’s steepest incline railway. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the Three Sisters and a walk through the rainforest.

Your last stop will be at the new Waradah Aboriginal Centre where you have plenty of time to see a corroboree, look around the art and artifacts shops and maybe try painting with ochre on their painting wall.

Travel back to Sydney late afternoon. ​(B,L)

Sydney to Uluru

This morning, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), in the center of Australia’s red desert.

Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the most luxurious hotel in the Australian desert. The exterior has the appearance of a ship sailing in the vast desert surroundings. The interior décor features Aboriginal heritage and culture with an art gallery in the lobby, and significant artworks on display throughout the hotel.

Spend the day in the shadow of the Uluru monolith, a spiritual monument of the Ananu (Aboriginal people). This evening, view sunset on Uluru, and an unforgettable dining experience. Discover the wonders of the southern night sky as you dine under the stars of the southern night sky. ​(B,D)

Ayers Rock & Adelaide

Arise early this morning to witness the dramatic sunrise over Uluru – nature’s lightshow. Then a short walk with your expert guide brings you close to this wonderful and powerful place, viewing rock art, exploring waterholes and appreciating the unique flora and fauna of Uluru. Learn about the history and myths of this spiritual place. Visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to discover more about the region.

Later, you are taken to the airport for your flight south to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. You are met on arrival and taken to your luxury hotel.

Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the city on your own. ​(B)

Adelaide & the Barossa Valley

A delicious and savory day – relish a full day private tour through Adelaide’s lush Barossa Valley. Start with a drive through the scenic Torrens Gorge, a natural chasm, and then out to the Adelaide Hills, and into the Barossa Valley wine country. Explore the variety of wineries as you learn about the history of this immigrant area. The valley was settled in the 1840s by both German immigrants and English settlers, who brought with them their own culture of growing, cooking, and preserving food.

Your chauffeur, a trained wine guide, assists you in creating a personalized itinerary and stops suited to your taste. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Vinter's Restaurant, and then take the picturesque drive up to Menglers Hill for unsurpassed views over the entire valley. Drive into historic Angaston - the more English of the villages in the Barossa, and enjoy afternoon tea at Maggie Beers Farm Shop. (B,L)

Kangaroo Island Excursion

Depart Adelaide this morning for a short flight to Kangaroo Island. Widely regarded as Australia’s Galapagos, and brimming with diverse wildlife and natural beauty, Kangaroo Island is a place of extraordinary contrasts that has changed little since its discovery in 1802. With a rich heritage and a world-class food and wine culture, Australia’s third largest island offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

You are met on arrival, and begin your full day guided 4X4 tour of the island. See Kangaroo Island’s wildlife – kangaroos, koalas, seals and more. View the stunning coastal landscapes of gorgeous white sand beaches and rugged coastline. Learn about the island's deep-set maritime heritage. Visit Couedic Lighthouse, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a fur seal colony. At Lathami Conservation Park Walk quietly through the bush with your guide, Look for wallabies which are almost extinct on the mainland, and a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island.

Take a break with a delicious picnic lunch of local seafood, fresh salads and fine South Australian wines at a private bush location. Next, explore Seal Bay, home to Australia’s third largest colony of Australian sea lions.

Fly back to Adelaide late this afternoon. ​(B,L)

Adelaide to Melbourne

This morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Melbourne. This is Australia’s garden city, the capital of the state of Victoria, and a cosmopolitan city full of Victorian architecture. Melbourne is home to wonderful boutiques, galleries and a delightful variety of restaurants.

You are met on arrival, than taken on a private tour of the 'real' Melbourne. Discover this city like no other – an eclectic mix of cultures and history. See the Shrine of Remembrance and learn about Australia’s wartime history. Drive through the Golden Mile Heritage Trail and see the opulent boom architecture of the homes, churches, and theatre halls adorned with ornate murals and mosaics. Learn how the discovery of gold in the 1850s led to the prosperity of the city, and established it as one of the premier financial centers of Australia. Visit some of Melbourne’s precincts, and grab a coffee at a chic laneway café. Meet the faces behind the produce at the historic Queen Victoria Market.

Stop for lunch at Federation Square, a unique cultural precinct with a striking and distinctive architecture design of geometrical patterned panels and shards, with zinc, sandstone and glass tiles. After lunch enjoy a stroll through some of Melbourne’s other iconic laneways and see the plethora of unique bars, galleries, boutiques and cafes. ​(B,L)

Melbourne & Phillip Island

Enjoy a full morning at leisure – relax or explore this wonderful city.

This afternoon, drive outside the city to explore Phillip Island, home to some of Australia’s most unique native wildlife. Stop to get an up-close look at koalas at the Koala Conservation Center. Catch a glimpse of the world’s second largest Australian Fur Seal Colony at Seal Rocks.

Next, learn about the delightful little penguins at the Phillip Island Visitor Center before the highlight of the day - watching the ‘Penguin Parade.’ Every evening at sunset, little ‘Fairy Penguins’ come out of the surf and waddle up into their beach burrows - straight past eager visitors watching from a raised platform set above the dunes. This is one of the world’s great wildlife wonders.

En route back to Melbourne, stop for dinner at a local Phillip Island restaurant. ​(B,D)

Melbourne to Cairns & Port Douglas

Fly to Cairns this morning.

Upon arrival, you are met and taken to your eco-resort near Port Douglas, a tropical paradise where the mysterious Rainforest meets the grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the white sandy beaches lined with glorious coconut palms and the year round warm ocean.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a special dinner. Relax in the warm glow of hospitality, fabulous food and Australian wines. ​(B,D)

The Great Barrier Reef

Relish a glorious full day on the water as you visit the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef. Home to more than 1,500 varieties of fish and 400 species of coral, this is a colorful ocean wonderland.

Cruise aboard a custom catamaran to the beautiful Outer Reef. Soak up the sun, snorkel with the fish, scuba dive, or simply enjoy sailing amid these lush outer coral gardens. Lunch is served on board.

Arrive back at your deluxe lodge by late afternoon. ​(B,L)

Port Douglas

The full day is at your leisure. Relax on the beach, or take an optional tour to the Daintree Rainforest or the Kuranda Skyrail. Your resort also offers on-site nature experiences including nature and garden walks, guided bird watching, kayaking, and more.

In the evening, an experienced and passionate lodge guide offers an introduction to the beautiful Southern Constellations at the lodge’s unique outdoor observatory. The night sky here is free from light pollution, filled with millions of stars, and surrounded by sounds of the rainforest and the ocean. ​(B)

Depart Port Douglas

Today you are at leisure until time for your transfer to the Cairns airport for your flight home or onto your next destination. ​(B)