Highlights of Sydney, Port Douglas & Brisbane - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney

Get ready to enjoy Sydney, a city that ticks all the boxes of any great global metropolis: prime harborfront location, iconic landmarks, copious beaches, and great shopping, nightlife, and culinary scenes. Upon arrival at the airport, a private driver will transfer you to your hotel. If you aren't too tired after the flight, you can venture out and explore this city of over five million people on your own. 

To start, head to the waterfront and soak up the lively atmosphere of Darling Harbour. You can also walk across Harbour Bridge for great views of the Sydney Opera House. Nearby are the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighborhood. Sunseekers needn't feel left out, either, as there are over 100 beaches in Sydney. Head to famous Bondi Beach for a surf lesson, or enjoy the calmer waters of Coogee. As the sun sets, hop on a harbor cruise for an evening of stunning views and fascinating stories that bring the history and culture of the city alive. 

Day 2: Sydney Guided Bike Tour & Opera House Tour

Today's cycling tour takes you to Sydney's iconic sights and is led by a local guide who will provide expert commentary on the landmarks you visit. Highlights include Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden, the Anzac War Memorial, Chinatown, Parliament House, the Queen Victoria Building, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and over 30 more attractions. An extra treat is that halfway through the tour, you'll make a pit stop at a local pub for a quick pint.

After the city tour, head to the most famous building in the country: the Sydney Opera House. Construction on this masterpiece of 20th-century architecture (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) began in 1959 and took over 20 years to complete. Today, it's a multi-venue performing arts center that presents more than 2,000 shows to over 1.5 million audience members each year. On an hour-long guided tour, you'll go inside to learn all about the building's history and design, plus visit the main public spaces.  

Day 3: Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

This morning you'll head west of Sydney to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for staggering cliffs, secluded lookouts, cascading waterfalls, and eucalyptus forest. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, where you'll encounter kangaroos, emus, wombats, and koalas at a working farm. Hike across stunning valleys and ridges as you approach Jamison Valley Lookout. 

Reach Govetts Leap, one of Australia's most famous lookouts, and marvel at the sweeping view across Grose Valley. Your final stop is 3,280 feet (1,000 m) above sea level at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. See hundreds of different plant species worldwide and discover the many birds, lizards, possums, and insects that call the park home. At the end of the day, you'll head back to Sydney to explore the city on your own.

Day 4: Hike the Sydney Harbour Bridge

This morning is free for you to explore Sydney at your own pace. Head to the trendy Surrey Hills neighborhood for a leisurely breakfast at one of the many diverse restaurants, or make a beeline for the beach. Take a stroll through Centennial Park, which is Sydney's version of Central Park, or see some of the 28,000 plants from around the world at the Royal Botanic Garden. If you're in the city on a Saturday, browse clothing and jewelry at the outdoor Paddington Markets.

In the afternoon, you'll not only visit another of Sydney's landmarks, but you'll also climb up it. This guided hike up the famous Harbour Bridge begins with a safety demonstration. Then, your expert climb leader will take you up a network of catwalks and ladders that ascend to 439 feet (134 m) above sea level. From this vantage point, you can see east to the Opera House and out west to the Blue Mountains. At the top, enjoy the sunset over the harbor, then descend amid the bright lights of Sydney's skyscrapers.

Day 5: Fly to Port Douglas, Explore

Bid Sydney farewell this morning as your driver transfers you to the airport to board your flight to Port Douglas. On arrival, a driver will collect you to drop you at your hotel. Located just north of Cairns, in northeastern Queensland, Port Douglas is a resort town on the Coral Sea and a popular base for excursions to Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. It's also a great destination in its own right, perfect for travelers who want a tropical escape in a relaxed environment. 

You can spend the day browsing Port Douglas' charming boutiques, dining in its exquisite alfresco restaurants, or taking excursions to the postcard coral cays (islets) of the nearby Barrier Reef. Also, a visit to Four Mile Beach is essential. Here, you can laze on the golden sands of this palm-fringed crescent beach without a care in the world. Port Douglas is also a popular base from which to explore the Wet Tropics national parks, Daintree Rainforest, and the scenic coastal headland Cape Tribulation.

Day 6: Full-Day Barrier Reef Boat Tour

Your grand Barrier Reef adventure starts with an early departure from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas. Kick back and relax on the deck of a beautiful yacht as it sets sail to the outer reef, where you'll find the pristine white sands of Mackay Coral Cay and the epic snorkeling spots of Undine Reef.

Getting there is half the fun, as this sailing trip follows the stunning coastline and features views of the Daintree Mountains' soaring peaks. Once at the protected sites, you'll hit the water and explore the coral reef system on a guided snorkeling tour led by a qualified marine biologist. You can also enjoy a coral-viewing tour on a glass-bottom boat. It passes premium reef sites that showcase abundant marine life living among the beautiful corals. These include tropical fish, turtles, and even giant clam gardens.

Day 7: Full-Day Mossman Gorge Adventure with River Drift Snorkeling

This morning you embark on a full-day tour that will take you just north of Port Douglas to Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu), a traditional fishing ground of the Kuku Yalanji people. Here, you'll join one of the Kubirri Warra brothers on their beach for a walk among the mudflats and mangroves. Following this is an introduction to the traditional fishing techniques of these First Nations Australians, after which you'll join them to try and catch your own tucker (food).

Then, travel inland to nearby Mossman Gorge, the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park. After a traditional First Nations welcoming ceremony, you'll enter the rainforests of Daintree, which are the oldest in the world. Enjoy an easy hike across boardwalks and bridges that offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls. As you go, your guide will point out the various flora and fauna you pass. Afterward, you'll return to Port Douglas and your hotel.

Day 8: Free Day in Port Douglas

Spend a relaxing day exploring all that Port Douglas has to offer. Perhaps travel to nearby coastal villages and palm-fringed beaches like Trinity and Clifton. Or opt for a 4WD tour of Daintree and explore more of the oldest rainforest ecosystem on Earth. Continue to other natural wonders like the stunning Cape Tribulation coastal headland. To see aquatic animals, travel to the nearby city of Cairns and visit its Aquarium, which is home to various species of sharks, rays, sea turtles, eels, and many others.

Day 10: Full-Day Australia Zoo Tour

Visit the Australia Zoo today, made famous by Steve and Terri Irwin; it is now a living legacy of Steve and his wildlife conservation efforts. Home to over 1,200 native and exotic wildlife species, the zoo also houses a wildlife hospital that reduces and rehabilitates Australia's native fauna. There will be plenty to learn from your tour guide during your visit, and hands-on animal interactions include the chance to feed kangaroos and cuddle a koala. If time allows, you can also visit nearby lush rainforests, the charming Montville village, white sandy beaches, or stunning lookout points. 

Day 11: Full-Day Springbrook Rainforest & Waterfall Tour

Wake up early this morning to journey out of the city and into the heart of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforest in Australia's "Green Cauldron." Set on a high plateau, atop the remains of an ancient 23 million-year-old volcano, Springbrook National Park lies 62 miles (100 km) south of Brisbane and covers 16,617 acres (6,725 ha). On today's full-day tour, you'll explore this area of important ecological significance and outstanding natural beauty as you travel through lush valleys, hike behind cascading waterfalls to panoramic views, and spot a wide range of rare wildlife.

After lunch, drive through the magical Numinbah Valley to discover the famous Natural Bridge—an amazing rock formation where water tumbles through the open roof of a basalt cave formed over millions of years. When your adventure draws to a close in the afternoon, a transfer takes you back to Brisbane, where the rest of the evening is free. 

Day 12: Brisbane Morning Bike Tour

See more of Brisbane this morning from a different perspective on a guided half-day bicycle tour through the city's main sights. Setting out from South Bank Parklands, you'll pedal to the historic Kangaroo Point before continuing over the iconic Story Bridge to the charming suburb of New Farm.

Ride down tree-lined streets and into New Farm Park, a gorgeous green space with riverside picnic spots, cycling paths, and playgrounds. Then pedal through the City Botanic Gardens, which boast outdoor sculptures along with an impressive collection of native and exotic plants. Your tour finishes at the Brisbane Wheel, where you'll make your own way back to your accommodation and spend your last evening in Brisbane however you please.

Day 13: Depart Brisbane

Enjoy your final morning in Brisbane at your leisure. When the time comes, a driver will collect you from your hotel and drop you at the airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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