The Best of Australia: From Sydney to Uluru

A journey through Australia that unites the continent's most iconic natural and cultural symbols. The program includes vibrant Sydney, one of the world's most beautiful reefs—the Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree rainforest, the sacred Uluru monolith, and stylish Melbourne.

This tour combines rich excursions, unique natural landscapes, and accommodations in premium hotels and lodges. This itinerary is for those who want to see Australia at its most diverse—from ocean and jungle to desert landscapes and modern metropolises.

Accommodation for three nights in an Opera View Room including breakfast at:

• Park Hyatt

Your next stop is under the Harbour Bridge for a magnificent view back to The Sydney Opera House at Dawes Point before proceeding to the Botanic Gardens for the iconic panoramic view of The Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Government House, Kirribilli House and Admiralty House. Continue past Woolloomooloo and into Kings Cross, the hub of Sydney nightlife for the next suburb of Paddington, to admire the historical period terrace houses, fashionable laneways and art galleries before continuing onto Double Bay, the Rodeo Drive of Sydney shopping and the start of some of Australia’s most exclusive real estate.

Proceed to a local wharf in Rose Bay for your four hour cruise, relax as you go past Kirribilli, home to the Prime Minister and Governor General and under The Sydney Harbour Bridge, into Darling Harbour past the new Barangaroo development and pass within meters of the Sydney Opera House with views back to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and up the harbour to the Eastern Suburbs.
Continue past Woolloomooloo and Garden Island on your way to a quiet picturesque bay for a gourmet lunch with an assortment of fresh local seafoods, delicious salads, BBQ treats and a homemade desert accompanied with a selection of local beers and wine. After lunch head back to Rose Bay Wharf via the magnificent waterfront properties of Double Bay, Point Piper and Vaucluse.

Drive past some of Sydney’s most affluent real estate to visit the ocean side of South Head call “The Gap”, close to the entrance to ydney Harbour for dramatic cliff views and amazing city views. Depart atsons Bay and continue on to Australia’s most famous beaches, Bondi Beach. End the day with either a short coast walk or venture onto the white sands of Bondi Beach and dip your toes in the ocean.

On conclusion of the tour you will be transferred back to your accommodation

Your first stop this morning is at Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to Australia’s favourite marsupials, where you will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats and many other unique Australian animals and birds.
Continuing your journey to the Blue Mountains National Park, you will enter a little known hidden clearing to unlock a piece of Australia you would never have known existed. Enjoy morning tea in a secluded valley, where you may see kangaroos grazing in the wild.
Visit a number of scenic lookouts, including Kings Tableland with its breathtaking views over the Jamison Valley. See firsthand the ruggedness and beauty that the Blue Mountains are famous for.
Lunch is included today at a local café in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Then head to Wentworth Falls and take a short walk to the falls with your guide. Enjoy stunning views and experience the local flora and fauna up close as your guide shares their knowledge of the incredible geology of the Blue Mountains and how they were formed.

Rejoin your vehicle and travel towards the township of Katoomba. At Eagle Hawk Lookout you will see the famous Three Sisters and learn the Aboriginal legend behind this famous rock formation while marvelling at the stunning views of Jamison Valley. Then continue around Narrow Neck Plateau for more incredible vantage points.

Then sit back and relax during your journey back through Sydney’s Western Suburbs and across the ANZAC Bridge.

Your tour will conclude at your accommodation.

On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to Cairns General Aviation Terminal for your onward flight.
Fly Cairns to Lizard Island (included in the cost) 

Please note: Luggage on the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island and return is restricted to a maximum weight of 25kg (55lb) per person including 4kg (9lb) hand luggage. Storage for excess luggage is available at the East Air terminal. Please ensure a minimum of 1.5 hours is allowed for the connection between domestic flights and flights to the island.

On arrival at Lizard Island airstrip you will be met by a representative of the Resort and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation for three nights in an Oceanview Villa including meals, selected beverages and selected activities at:

• Lizard Island Resort

During your stay at Lizard Island, touring options specified below are available, but do not always operate daily. The Lodge will confirm your programme on arrival.

• Snorkelling equipment and lessons
• Beach Snorkelling (unguided)
• Use of motorised water sports and motorised dinghies to explore the many beaches
• Beach drop off, with gourmet picnic lunch
• Tennis – day and night
• Selection of naturalist shared guided walks (Cook's Look, Historic Nature, Sunset Bat, Blue Lagoon)
• Local gin tasting masterclass
• Wine tasting
• Shared Bird Watching tour
• Nature Talks

Other activities are offered at additional charge:

• Outer or Inner Reef Fishing
• Light Tackle Fishing (January-August)
• Heavy Tackle Fishing (September- December)
• Half day Dive or Snorkel trips on local reefs
• Full day Dive or snorkel trips on the Outer Reef
• Diving tuition, including Discover Scuba, & Refresher Dives
• Lizard Island Research Station Tour
• A range of treatments at the Essentia Day Spa
• Guided snorkel tour through Clam Gardens
• Turtle Tour
• Twilight Cruise
• Kayak or Kayak Snorkel Tour
• Guided Sea Darts Snorkelling Tour
• Guided Turtle Tour
• Stand up Paddle board tour

Please note: Not all tours operate daily, a full program is provided on arrival. Many optional activities listed on your itinerary, including Spa treatments at Lizard Island Resort, require advance notice. 

On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your accommodation in the Daintree Rainforest (approximately a 1 hour and 30 minute journey).

While at Silky Oaks Lodge the following activities are included with your stay:

• Use of stand-up paddleboards on the Mossman River
• Complimentary use of mountain bikes
• Morning yoga class
• Exclusive access to the Fig Tree Rapids walking trail
• Other activities are available at additional cost including:
• Take a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of this spectacular (and very photogenic!) region 
• Join a local expert guide for a bird-watching tour observing various species of tropical birds
• Adventure seekers are equally spoilt for choice with horse-riding, mountain-biking, kayaking or river drift options in the spectacular tropical surrounds
• Spend a day in the company of a Kuku Yulangi guide to learn traditional indigenous hunting techniques and local legends, sample bush-tucker or create your own piece of Aboriginal art under the guidance of a local artist
• For fishing enthusiasts enjoy an Estuary or Reef Fishing tour
• Enjoy a treatment at the iconic Healing Waters Spa

Please note: Many optional activities listed on your itinerary, including spa treatments, require advance notice. 

Accommodation for two nights in a Treehouse Retreat including breakfast, dinner, selected beverages  and selected activities at:

• Silky Oaks Lodge

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your Mossman Gorge and River adventure day.

Notes: For your tour today, please bring swimwear, wear shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain, a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved sun shirt. For the river drift experience part of the tour, guests require a 'medium' level of fitness and must be able to swim. Please wear your swimming costume underneath your clothes to later change into a wetsuit and bring a towel.

Driving north, your guide will highlight the sugar cane industry, provide informative local history and identify the plethora of birdlife along the way. Start the day at Mossman Gorge with a traditional Kuku Yalanji smoking ceremony, you’ll be cleansed of bad spirits and have traditional rainforest body paint applied. Exploring the Daintree National Park at an easy pace, this interpretive 1.5hr walk, will leave
you with a deeper understanding of this breath-taking rainforest.

Enjoy lunch before heading towards the Mossman River for a unique river drift experience on the Mossman River. A stunning section of water that begins as a highland stream 1300 metres above sea level, the Mossman River runs for 30 kilometres to the Coral Sea, while accumulating water from the 140-million-year old rainforest, it travels through on its way down.

Next is your River Drift adventure, beginning with an interpretive river walk, where the shallow or dry riverbed serves as your path upstream, completely enveloped by the rainforest. This unique journey allows you to explore the river's course on foot, surrounded by rainforest, before transitioning to a different section of the river for the next phase of your adventure. Here, equipped with river sleds, you will experience the varied pace of the river's flow. Glide through calm waters under a lush canopy, then feel the exhilaration of navigating faster currents.

On conclusion of the tour you will be transferred to your accommodation.

On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport you will be met by a representative of Longitude 131° who will transfer you to your accommodation.
Accommodation for two nights in a Luxury Tent including meals, selected beverages and selected small group shared touring at:

• Longitude 131

The following tours exploring the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are included in your Longitude 131° experience:

• Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge Sunset tour
• Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta tour
• Mutitjulu Meander - Uluru tour
• Uluru Sunset tour
• Field of Light – an amazing light installation by the internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro
• Experience Table 131 – Dinner under the stars

Other activities are available at additional cost:

• Private Guided Adventure Hikes and Walks
• Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
• Scenic helicopter flights
• Kings Canyon tour by road or air
• Mt Connor Outback Adventure
• Camel rides
• Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
• Dot Painting workshops
• Bush Tucker Tours
• Treatments at Spa Kinara

Please note that many optional activities listed on your itinerary, including Spa treatments at Spa Kinara, require advance notice. 

On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your accommodation.

This afternoon is at your leisure to explore Melbourne.
Tonight, you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your Melbourne sightseeing and culinary experience.

Explore Australia’s most dynamic city for nightlife and the dark culinary arts with your local host. Meet the characters, break bread and hear strange and curious stories from the Melbourne night. Bring your appetite, as you will have the chance to sample Melbourne's best bar food, from charcuterie boards delicately adorned with local produce, to scrumptious dim sum or discover the joys of a humble Aussie jaffle.

Head to one of the city’s slickest hidden cocktail bars and share your tastes and interests for a personalised experience. Begin with a gin or a classic cocktail in an intimate bar or with wine and tapas at our favourite laneway wine bar. Learn about the city’s dark side and the many curious characters from both sides of the law, who have helped to shape it.
Continue to one of the city’s ‘rooftop bars’ and enjoy a different view of Melbourne, a local craft beer and a few more tasty share plates. Meet the people at the creative heart of this vibrant industry for some unique insight.

Proceed down a winding cobble-stoned lane, past some colourful street art and the tantalising sounds of karaoke - leave it all behind in a hidden local speakeasy from another time and place. Visit late night Tokyo, or a quirky dive bar on the wrong side of an industrial fridge door, it pays to expect the unexpected from the Melbourne night as you take in what the city has to offer.

Your guide will transfer you to your accommodation.

Accommodation for one night in a King Deluxe Room including breakfast at:

• Park Hyatt