Cities, Wildlife & Wilderness in Australia: Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Uluru & Melbourne - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney, Explore

Welcome to Australia! Upon arrival at Sydney Airport, you'll be met by a private driver who will take you to your accommodation in the city. You'll have some free time after checking in, so if you have the energy after your journey, consider heading out to explore Sydney.

One of the top cities to visit in Australia, there's plenty to keep you entertained, from visiting its world-famous opera house and harbor to beachside walks. Perhaps ease yourself in gently today with a walk through the pretty Royal Botanic Gardens along the harbor, and then stop at the iconic Mrs Macquarie's Chair (an exposed sandstone rock carved into a bench) for the best view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. In the evening, enjoy the city's buzzy bar and restaurant scene and perhaps even catch some live music.

Day 2: Sydney Classic Bike Tour, Bridge Climb Summit at Twilight

On the Sydney Classic tour, you'll head out to explore Sydney by bike this morning. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will take you past the city's prominent landmarks on an accessible route through parks and along the harbor. You'll peddle across the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and stop to enjoy a well-earned drink in one of Sydney's oldest pubs.

In the early evening, participate in one of the most popular experiences in the city, the Sydney Harbor BridgeClimb. Opting for the Twilight Climb, you'll ascend the iconic landmark as the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city with a golden glow. During the experience, you'll climb ladders, walk on catwalks, and learn more about the bridge's history and engineering. Your whole group will celebrate when you make it to the top.

Day 3: The Taste of Sydney Tour

Learn about Sydney through your stomach on a Taste of Sydney tour. On this five-hour tour, you'll travel all over the city and indulge in a four-course lunch in four different areas, known as precincts. You'll be treated to food and drink pairings in each precinct you visit. Your experience includes a local beer tasting, dishes from butchers' and farmers' chef's tables in a gentrified tram shed, and wines complemented by a charcuterie board.

After the introduction to some of Sydney's most exciting places to eat and drink, you've got a free evening to go back to your favorite restaurant discoveries or to enjoy the city's energetic nightlife.

Day 4: Day Trip to Blue Mountains Guided Tour

Today, you'll set off early for an adventure in the Blue Mountains National Park. It's one of the seven national parks making up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and New South Wales's most visited national park. On your way, stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm where you'll find koalas, wombats, emus, and kangaroos. Enjoy tea here and some free time to explore before continuing the journey, with stops en route to see standout viewpoints that your expert guides have chosen away from the crowds.

At Eaglehawk Lookout, enjoy a view of the famous Three Sisters without the crowds, then relax over lunch with a knockout view at the Hydro Majestic. This will set you up for an afternoon visiting more lookouts. A highlight will be Govetts Leap, one of Australia's most famous vistas. The impressive waterfall has a 590-foot (180 m) drop to the base of a cliff, and you can gaze down the valley to the Grose Wilderness. Your last stop is the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden for a cold drink before being driven back to your hotel in Sydney to relax for the night and prepare for a busy day tomorrow.

Day 5: Transfer to Adelaide, Drive to Cape Jervis, Ferry to Kangaroo Island, Explore

A driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning to transfer you to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight to Adelaide. Once you arrive, pick up your rental car and set off on a two-hour journey south to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. This is where you'll catch your ferry across the Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island, Australia's third-largest island.

You can drive from one end of Kangaroo Island to the other in around two hours, so it's a great place to explore in a relatively short space of time. The rest of your day is free to get your feel of the island, depending on whether you'd like to stay in the east of the island near the port and its major towns or venture to the wilder western side with the popular Flinders Chase National Park and the other sanctuaries.

Day 6: Guided Marine & Dolphin Swim Tour, Foodie Delights of Kangaroo Island

You'll enjoy a memorable morning as you take part in a guided marine tour off the coast of Kangaroo Island—the only true wild dolphin swim on the island—allowing you to see some fantastic wildlife. You'll be able to swim with dolphins, listen to their underwater conversations with a hydrophone, and observe seals, sea eagles, and osprey from the boat. You'll also view ancient fossil beds and learn about the island's fascinating history.

Day 7: Admire the Remarkable Rocks, Seal Bay & the South of Kangaroo Island

This morning, drive west to explore the famous Flinders Chase National Park. The park is full of fantastic attractions, and your first stop should be the Remarkable Rocks—a group of artistic rock formations created by more than 500 million years of erosion. Next, head to Admirals Arch, one of the island's most recognizable attractions and home to a fur seal colony. At the start of the walkway to Admirals Arch, you'll also see Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse. Named after a French naval officer, it's over 100 years old. You can then wander around the national park, choosing a trail to suit your interests. 

Once you've explored, head east to Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to one of Australia's largest colonies of sea lions and one of the few places to see these beautiful creatures up close. Explore solo on the boardwalk or join a guided tour for access to the beach and a more intimate experience. En route, you could stop at Vivonne Bay and Little Sahara. Vivonne Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, with powdery white sand and glittering aquamarine water. Little Sahara is known for its sand dunes; children and adults come to sandboard.

Day 8: Ferry to Cape Jervis, Drive to Adelaide, Fly to Alice Springs

Leave Kangaroo Island this morning by ferry, then start your drive to Adelaide. If you have time, you could explore the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula on your way. After an hour's drive, you'll reach McLaren Vale, home to some of the world's oldest grapevines. A standout attraction in the region is the d'Arenberg Cube, a winery and a restaurant shaped like a twisting Rubik's Cube. 

You'll then board a short flight from Adelaide to Alice Springs, or "Alice" to the locals, where you can pick up your next rental car. Sitting upon an ancient desert, take in some of the Aboriginal culture here, such as the great art galleries in town.

Day 10: Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Drive to Uluru, Uluru Sunset

Set your alarm early to tackle the 3.7-mile (6 km) Rim Walk before sunrise. The walk should take three to four hours, with the start being the most challenging part as there are around 500 steep steps to climb. However, the effort is worth it, as you'll see the impressive sandstone domes known as the Lost City. Then, you can choose to continue exploring the top or head down to the picturesque Garden of Eden with its lush greenery. Snap those pictures and then climb the stairs back up to the south side of the canyon. 

After your exciting morning, continue your road trip across the outback to Uluru. In the evening, after you've settled in, you'll be taken on a sunset tour so you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful desert surroundings while your guide provides expert commentary. As you approach Uluru, you may feel overwhelmed by its size and presence. Enjoy strolling around its viewing area at sunset with a glass of sparkling wine or beer and nibbles.

Day 11: Sunrise Tour of Uluru, Kata Tjuta Hike, Sounds of Silence Dinner

It's another early start today, but it'll be worth it as you'll visit two significant landmarks in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. First, it's Talinguru Nyakunytaku, the Uluru viewing area. From here, you'll watch as the first rays of light appear over the arid desert plains of the Red Centre. Afterward, you'll be driven to the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). On the way, your guide will give you a historical overview of the park while you enjoy scenic views. You'll arrive at the base of Walpa Gorge, another part of Kata Tjuta that is sacred to the Aboriginal people. From here, set off on a one-hour hiking trail through the gorge. 

In the evening, attend a Sounds of Silence dinner, where you'll dine under the night desert sky as a storyteller tells you ancient tales. As you eat, you'll have the domes of Kata Tjuta behind you, Uluru in front, and, hopefully, a spectacular sunset before darkness descends. After the sun sets, you'll enjoy a barbecue buffet of Australian delicacies complemented by some of the country's finest wines. You'll also enjoy stargazing as a star talker helps you to discover the beauty of the southern night sky. Relax after your meal around a campfire with a hot drink.

Day 12: Field of Light at Sunrise, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Fly to Melbourne

You'll be taken to see the Field of Light installation at sunrise. Your guide will give you insight into the artist and installation then you'll enjoy it in the predawn silence. Just before the sun rises, head to its raised viewing area. If you have time before your flight, you could visit the Cultural Centre at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park or go on a free ranger-guided Mala Walk (1.5 mi/2 km), which travels along parts of Uluru's base through the caves where Anangu's ancestors (the Mala people) first camped, and past traditional rock art before arriving at Kantju Gorge.

Now head to the airport to catch a flight to Melbourne via Sydney. A driver will meet you in Melbourne and take you to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free for you to relax. If you'd like to explore, consider checking out Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia, so expect funky street art and Bohemian coffee shops tucked in many corners of the city. If you're looking to eat out, there's a lively atmosphere on the banks of Southbank, while in Federation Square, art and coffee culture merge.

Day 13: Explore Melbourne, Phillip Island Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife Tour

Day 14: Great Ocean Road Ecotour

You'll enjoy a full day on one of the world's most scenic roads today, the Great Ocean Road, which features long sandy beaches along dramatic cliffs. With a guide, you'll see iconic and world-famous sites, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson's Steps, the site of historic cliff lines. You'll leave your coach to go on a bushwalk in Great Otway National Park, where you can try to spot koalas, gray kangaroos, and swamp wallabies.

Day 15: Depart

It's your last morning in Australia today, so take some time to relax before you're picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport. Then it's time to board your flight to your onward destination with all the memories from your trip Down Under. Until next time!