Welcome to Sydney! This vibrant city is full of delights, from its multitude of hidden laneway restaurants to its iconic beaches. During your transfer from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to your accommodation, you’ll get a glimpse of Sydney’s most famous sights – the grand sails of the Sydney Opera House and the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll be greeted by your guide this afternoon for a short walking tour of the local area, with enough time to enjoy a coffee.
This evening, gather with your fellow travellers at a Darling Harbour restaurant for a sumptuous welcome dinner before getting a good night’s rest.
This morning, meet your guide at 9am to begin a day of urban exploration. Catch panoramic views of Sydney Harbour from Observatory Park before heading off to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. Uncover history at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and find tranquillity at Australia’s oldest botanic garden before heading east to the city’s most famous beach, Bondi.
After a delicious lunch at Bondi, you’ll have the opportunity to take a stroll along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Today is yours to spend as you please in Sydney, or you can choose to partake in an optional tour to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Seize the chance to get up close and personal with Australian wildlife, savour a scenic morning tea, take in the picturesque vistas at The Three Sisters and enjoy many other lookout stops along the way.
Should you choose to explore Sydney, our insider travel guide includes handpicked places to eat and drink, the best activities in the area and special experiences to make your trip memorable.
Optional activities:
- Blue Mountains tour (from A$325 per person).
After a leisurely breakfast, a driver will meet you to transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Cairns, Queensland. Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, coral cays and year-round warmth. For more about Cairns, our curated travel guide showcases top dining spots, activities and exclusive experiences for a memorable trip.
After checking in to your accommodation, you’ll have the afternoon to yourself. In the evening, a driver will take you into the rainforest for an unforgettable dining experience known as ‘Flames of the Forest’. A glittering light display will illuminate the forest canopy for a truly breathtaking meal.
Today, dive into an underwater wonderland and spend the day exploring one of the world’s natural marvels. A driver will meet you early this morning to transfer you to the Cairns Wharf, where you’ll board a catamaran and head out to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Safely snorkel and swim through extensive networks of colourful coral cays. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the reef is home to over 3,000 individual systems, containing an abundance of marine life, and is the only living thing on earth visible from space.
Enjoy lunch onboard before returning to Cairns in the late afternoon and spend a relaxing evening at your accommodation.
Wake early to travel through lush farmland toward Daintree National Park. This tropical expanse is Australia’s largest rainforest, taking up over 1,000 square kilometres and home to a plethora of wildlife and plant species. The traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji First Nations Peoples, this ancient rainforest is estimated to be 180 million years old.
Here, you’ll board a cruise and glide through the waters of the Daintree River, keeping an eye out for butterflies, kingfishers, pythons and more. As you move closer to the silent backwaters, you may spot a saltwater crocodile basking on the banks. Disembark for morning tea beneath the rainforest canopy before going on a guided walk through the lush green. Continue on to Cape Tribulation, where you’ll enjoy a rainforest-inspired lunch.
Get up close and personal with some of the wildlife native to the area, with the chance to feed the kangaroos and swamp wallabies at a private zoo. Head off to savour the flavours of local produce and discover exotic fruit originating from this tropical area. Your last stop is Alexandra Range Lookout, where you can capture the postcard-worthy view of the mouth of the Daintree River before being taken back to your accommodation.
Meet your driver this morning for your transfer to Cairns Airport (CNS) to board your flight to Ayers Rock Airport (Uluṟu; AYQ). Watch from your window as the scenery transforms from the lush tropical forest to the rich crimson of the Australian outback. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation, the five-star Sails in Desert.
This afternoon, you’ll be met by a local guide for a walking tour around the base of Uluṟu. This burnished ochre monolith is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and a deeply spiritual site for the Aṉangu people. At 348 metres high, Uluṟu towers over its surroundings and is estimated to be over 550 million years old. Discover the awe-inspiring landscape as you learn about this special place from your expert guide. After your walk, you’ll be driven to another vantage point to take in the sunset – watch as the colours of the landscape change, and toast to this incredible experience with a glass of sparkling wine or a cold beer.
This evening, return to your accommodation for a restful slumber.
Set your alarm to wake early this morning to catch the sun rising over the outback. You’ll be driven to a position where you’ll see the day break through the night sky and rise over the ancient Kata Tjuṯa rock formation. To the east, you’ll also be able to see Uluru. Afterward, enjoy a picnic breakfast against the breathtaking crimson backdrop.
From here, a guide will take you on a walking tour through the Valley of the Winds among Kata Tjuṯa’s domes. The red soil of the outback and the rugged basalt outcrops create an otherwordly landscape. Keep an eye out for wildlife, stopping along the way to take in the view.
Return to your hotel just before lunch, where you’ll be free to spend the afternoon as you please, making the most of your desert surroundings. This evening, partake in a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner. You’ll enjoy modern Australian fare and the sounds of the digeridoo as darkness falls on the desert and millions of stars begin to appear from above.
This morning, rise before sunrise for another awe-inspiring experience. You’ll travel a short distance with a guide to a location overlooking the majestic Uluru, where the emotive art installation ‘Field of Light’ graces the desert darkness with 50,000 spheres of light in various colours. Watch as the first rays of sunlight flood the landscape as the Field of Light dims for the day.
Following the morning spectacle, your driver will meet you to transport you to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, you’ll be transported to your hotel for some leisure time.
This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner at The Gantry Restaurant inside the Pier One Hotel. You’ll savour a uniquely Australian meal as you reminisce on your time spent discovering this beautiful and diverse country.
After a hearty breakfast, your Australian journey comes to an end. A driver will meet you at your accommodation to transfer you to Sydney International Airport (SYD) for departure.
