Highlights
- Experience 5-star stays at a city hotel, outback campsite, and rainforest eco-retreat
- See the best of Sydney's landmarks and beaches with a full-day private tour
- Watch the sunset over Uluru, followed by a multicourse dinner under the stars
- Wake up to birdsong in the Daintree and explore the ancient rainforest
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef with a private luxury catamaran cruise
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney, Opera Performance at the Sydney Opera House | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Full-Day Sydney Tour: Landmarks, Beaches & Bays | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Blue Mountains & Featherdale Zoo Tour | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Fly to Uluru, Afternoon Uluru Sunset, Field of Light & Table 131° | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Sunrise at Kata Tjuta, Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge Cocktails & Canapés | Uluru |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Kings Canyon Tour, Evening Wintjiri Wiru After Dark | Uluru |
| Day 7 | Fly to Port Douglas, Sunset Sailing Cruise | Port Douglas |
| Day 8 | Full-Day Daintree Wanderer Tour | Port Douglas |
| Day 9 | Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise | Port Douglas |
| Day 10 | Fly to Sydney, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney, Opera Performance at the Sydney Opera House
G'day and welcome to Sydney! This buzzing metropolis feels like the heart of Australia thanks to its iconic landmarks, historic neighborhoods, world-class culinary scene, prime waterfront location, and pristine beaches. On arrival at Sydney airport, a private driver will meet and transfer you to your 5-star hotel, the luxurious harborside Park Hyatt. Soak in the brilliant views from your room and slip into something chic—tonight you're going to the opera!
Venture down to the harborfront and stop at Opera Bar for a sunset drink with views of the iconic bridge and Sydney Opera House. After, you could enjoy dinner under the sails at the exquisite Bennelong before experiencing a live performance by Opera Australia. Yes, the Sydney Opera House is more than just a beautiful and iconic building; this performing arts space hosts more than 2,000 shows every year, and tonight, you'll experience the world-class venue as an audience member.
Day 2: Full-Day Sydney Tour: Landmarks, Beaches & Bays
Today, a private guide will connect you with Sydney's greatest sights and tales, starting in The Rocks, the city's oldest suburb, where you'll learn about Australia's convict history. Hear the story of Mrs Macquarie and why she has a stone chair named after her, then journey past the Royal Botanical Gardens, the heritage State Parliament House, and the landmark St Mary's Cathedral. Hear about Sydney's seedy underbelly as you drive through the infamous Kings Cross, a former red light district, then continue out to the eastern shores, bays, and coves of Sydney Harbour.
Pause for tea and coffee with Tim Tams (a famous Australian cookie) at Watsons Bay, then say g'day to brilliant Bondi Beach, where golden sands and bronzed lifesavers await. You'll cross the heritage-listed Sydney Harbour Bridge, built in 1931, and venture over to Manly, a beautiful beachfront suburb popular for surfing. As a private tour, your guide can adjust the stops and sights to your interests and pace. You'll return to the city just in time to catch the sunset, then you could seek out a special dinner at Quay or Aria and find a cocktail bar for a nightcap.
Day 3: Full-Day Blue Mountains & Featherdale Zoo Tour
Visit lookout points in the Blue Mountains, including the Three Sisters rock formations
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
The Blue Mountains offer an easy, natural escape from Sydney, with cascading waterfalls, towering sandstone cliffs, and lush eucalyptus forests. A private guide will collect you in a luxury car for a full-day adventure, starting with a drive to Featherdale Zoo. Here, you can enjoy up-close and personal encounters with Australia's beloved marsupials. You'll also meet, cuddle, and hand-feed koalas! After, you'll road trip to Leura along scenic windy roads and visit Echo Point in the charming town of Katoomba.
Stroll along a scenic boardwalk to reach the dramatic Three Sisters rock formation. This towering trio of sandstone peaks is steeped in Indigenous culture and legends. As a private tour, you can shape the afternoon to your interests. Choose to hike on one of the many scenic trails and be rewarded with panoramic views or reach the cascading Katoomba Falls. Visit Scenic World to ride the world's steepest railway or zipline through the rainforest. Whatever your style, your Blue Mountains day promises the chance to reconnect with the beauty of this natural oasis west of Sydney.
Day 4: Fly to Uluru, Afternoon Uluru Sunset, Field of Light & Table 131°
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is an unmissable experience and the spiritual heart of Australia's outback and desert plains. Today, you'll catch a flight to Ayers Rock Airport, dropping you close to the country's most recognized natural wonder and into the home of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara tribes, the area's traditional landowners. Upon arrival, a private driver will meet you and transfer you to Longitude 131˚, a spectacular luxury camp set amid red-rust dunes. Here, you'll be connected with the outback landscape with direct views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Late this afternoon, a private guide will take you into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in time for the sunset. As the sun begins to dip, you'll witness the many moods and colors of Uluru. Sit back with a glass of sparkling wine and watch day turn to night. Afterward, you'll journey to the Field of Light, an installation of 50,000 radiant frosted-glass globes by internationally renowned artist Bruce Monroe. Watch as they sway in the darkness, then sit down for dinner beneath the stars at Table 131°, where you'll enjoy a four-course dinner with matched wines and a guided exploration of the stars.
Day 5: Sunrise at Kata Tjuta, Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge Cocktails & Canapés
Rise early to witness the sunrise at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), an incredible formation of 36 mighty rock domes that extend some 3.7 miles (6 km) into the ground. Learn about the geology and history of the formation as the remains of erosion that began more than 500 million years ago. Soak up the tranquility of predawn in the outback and enjoy a light breakfast before setting off into Walpa Gorge. Admire the towering rock walls, tree-lined creeks, and waterholes, and step out to the Kata Tjuta viewing platform to enjoy morning tea with a seriously splendid view.
Closer to sunset, return to the base of Uluru with Longitude 131° guides to learn about the Indigenous Mala people. Follow a winding pathway through lush groves, boardwalks, and occasional streams to reach Kantju Gorge at dusk, where the setting sun illuminates the rocks in brilliant red. View rock art and take a moment to reflect by the waterhole used by local Aboriginal people before winding down with canapés and drinks at the Longitude 131° pop-up bar.
Day 6: Full-Day Kings Canyon Tour, Evening Wintjiri Wiru After Dark
Today, you'll go deeper into Australia's "Red Centre," from Uluru to Kings Canyon, passing vast red sand plains, blue-domed skies, and landmarks like Mount Conner, Curtain Springs cattle station, and Kings Creek Station, known for its camel burgers. Along with guided from Longitude 131˚, you'll see the spectacular Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park on a four-hour Rim Walk, discovering steep stone walls, dramatic cliffs, and the lush Garden of Eden. Learn about the canyon's ancient geology and take photos at the location of the iconic Australian film, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert."
This evening, your connection with the local Anangu culture will deepen through storytelling, an art form the local people have shared for thousands of years. Journey out to an intimate amphitheater where you'll experience a chapter of the ancestral Mala story under the desert sky with the help of choreographed drones, lasers, projections, music, and Pitjantjatjara language. After, return to your luxurious tent at Longitude 131˚.
Day 7: Fly to Port Douglas, Sunset Sailing Cruise
After breakfast, you'll swap the arid outback for the lush tropics. A private driver will take you to the airport for your 2.5-hour flight to Cairns, where a private driver will meet you for the transfer to your hotel behind Port Douglas. This beachfront resort town is a favorite for exploring the region's two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, and the Daintree Rainforest. Check into the luxurious Silky Oaks Lodge, a relaxed eco-retreat set above the gently flowing Mossman River and surrounded by the cool leafy canopy of the Daintree.
Relax in the heart of the forest, listening to the sound of birds calling, then take a private transfer to the Port Douglas Marina ahead of your evening sunset sail. Board a luxury catamaran and set off to savor the sunset over the Coral Sea against a backdrop of the Low Isles and surrounding mountains. Make a toast with a welcome drink and enjoy a gourmet selection of canapés as you zip around the deep blue ocean.
Day 8: Full-Day Daintree Wanderer Tour
Wake up to the shrill of native rainforest birds, then venture out to the terrace where a breakfast of tropical Daintree fruits, freshly squeezed juices, and locally grown tea and coffee await. Savor coconut waffles stacked with local pawpaw or spiced pancakes loaded with smoked salmon before a private guide meets you in the lobby. Today, you'll explore the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest with a local. With origins dating back more than 135 million years, this ancient rainforest is one of the planet's most diverse and ecologically significant ecosystems.
Within the Daintree, you'll find a remarkable array of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Your guide will lead you through the lush landscapes, where towering trees, intricate ferns, and vibrant flowers create a tapestry of life unlike any other. Across today, you'll join a one-hour crocodile cruise, enjoy morning tea in the rainforest, visit Cape Tribulation Beach, taste local flavors at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, and stop for a leisurely local lunch before returning to your eco-retreat.
Day 9: Great Barrier Reef Catamaran Cruise
Today, you'll explore one of the world's great natural wonders with a full-day excursion on the Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest coral reef system is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 30 species of whales and dolphins, and six species of sea turtles. Made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the protected area spans over 1,430 miles (2,300 km). Pack your swimsuit and sunscreen this morning and board a private catamaran destined for idyllic Low Isles and Mackay Cay on the Outer Reef, away from the crowds.
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and is an essential ecosystem for the world's oceans, providing vital habitat and protection for marine life. With this private reef experience, you'll have the chance to see exceptional corals with the help of qualified marine biologists. As you snorkel, they can provide guidance and expertise while you spot colorful fish, sea turtles, rays, and even sharks. At the end of the day, return to Port Douglas and take a private transfer back to the retreat.
Day 10: Fly to Sydney, Depart
It's your final day in Australia, so savor one last morning, waking up slowly in the middle of the ancient rainforest and enjoying every bite of your brilliant local breakfast. If you have time before your departing flight to Sydney, use it to relax at the eco-retreat and lean into the vacation feeling. At an agreed time, a private driver will collect you and your bags for your transfer to Cairns airport and your three-hour flight to Sydney, where you can connect to international long-haul flights home or onward. Safe travels!
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