Highlights
- Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House and climb across the Harbour Bridge
- Walk along the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal trail with optional swim stops
- Witness Uluru at sunrise and sunset with special dinners and the Field of Light
- Road trip from Alice Springs to Uluru via the adventurous Mereenie Loop
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney, Tour the Sydney Opera House | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Sydney Bike Tour, Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sunset Dinner Cruise | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Fly to Alice Springs, Free Time | Alice Springs |
| Day 4 | Drive to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop | Kings Canyon |
| Day 5 | Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Drive to Uluru, Sunset Barbeque Dinner | Uluru |
| Day 6 | Kata Tjuta Sunrise Walk, Uluru Sacred Sights, Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner | Uluru |
| Day 7 | Uluru Sunrise & Field of Lights Experience, Fly to Sydney, BridgeClimb | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Depart Sydney |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney, Tour the Sydney Opera House
Welcome to sunny Sydney! Collect your luggage and meet your driver, who will transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. Sydney is a must on any Australian itinerary. Beyond the iconic Sydney Opera House and famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney's dazzling natural harbor, epic beaches, cutting-edge restaurant and bar scene, and excellent live music and theater make this city a blast to explore. Start with a quick walk through the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, and stop at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the best views.
Make your way down to the Opera House and go behind the scenes for a fascinating look at this Sydney icon and UNESCO-listed building. A knowledgeable guide will share entertaining stories about the space and take you to off-limit areas. Afterward, pop into the Opera Bar for a drink beneath open skies and soak up unreal Sydney views. Then, visit the Pylon Museum at the Harbour Bridge for a history lesson and more brilliant vistas. Use your evening to explore the city's local bar and pub scene, or rest ahead of your upcoming big adventure.
Day 2: Sydney Bike Tour, Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sunset Dinner Cruise
It usually takes two to three hours to complete, depending on how often you stop, as there's the temptation of a swim at every beach you pass! Begin at Sydney's Bondi Beach, pass 2,000-year-old traditional Indigenous rock carvings at Marks Park, grab a coffee at Tamarama Beach, walk past the heritage-listed Waverly Cemetery, see Gordons Bay, and finish at Coogee Beach. Return to the city center for a sunset cruise of Sydney Harbour. You'll admire iconic sights such as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as well as Fort Denison, Luna Park, and more, all accompanied by a delicious three-course dinner.
Day 3: Fly to Alice Springs, Free Time
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
This morning, head to the airport for your two-hour flight to Alice Springs. On arrival, collect a rental car and prepare for your great outback adventure. Known to the locals as "Alice," this town embodies the quintessential Australian spirit, from the ancient desert location to the Indigenous culture woven into the fabric of life here.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Alice Springs at your leisure. To taste local culture, head to the Araluen Cultural Precinct, which houses an art gallery and museum showcasing the region's history and Indigenous art. The Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum shows the essential work of the aerial medical service. Or visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary and meet rescued and orphaned baby and adult kangaroos.
Day 4: Drive to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop
When you're ready this morning, it's time to explore Australia's Red Center! While the road is completely sealed on the 3.5-hour drive between Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, today, you can add the adventurous Mereenie Loop. This unsealed dirt road attracts adventure lovers traveling through the desert. It takes you along the less traveled road through some beautiful landscapes in the Central Australian Outback. You might even see a handful of wild camels or dingoes along the way.
Leave Alice Springs and head toward Glen Helen in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Stop for a swim at Redbank Gorge Pools, 12 miles (20 km) west of Glen Helen. If you have the time, buy an inner tire tube from Glen Helen Resort and splash your way through the gorge. Arrive at Kings Canyon in the afternoon. Enjoy the vast outback and head to bed early, as you'll be exploring the famous Kings Canyon Rim Walk at sunrise tomorrow.
Day 5: Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Drive to Uluru, Sunset Barbeque Dinner
Rise bright and early to accomplish the Rim Walk, a 3.7-mile (6 km) circuit around Kings Canyon. It usually takes 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The walk starts with about 500 steps, but it gets easier from there! From the top, marvel at the incredible views and see the sandstone domes known as the Lost City. Next, stay up top or enter the picturesque Garden of Eden, filled with lush greenery. After exploring Kings Canyon, continue your drive through the vast outback to Uluru.
Day 6: Kata Tjuta Sunrise Walk, Uluru Sacred Sights, Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
Wake up early again to witness the sunrise at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). This incredible group of rock domes extends 3.7 miles (6 km) into the ground and dates back more than 500 million years ago. Enjoy a light breakfast while hearing stories of Kata Tjuta's geology, history, and culture. Next, your guide will take you on a 2-3 hour walk to the Valley of the Winds lookout, where you'll have time to check out the landscape and views. After a rest, you'll get a closer look at Uluru with a local guide, who will drive you around the base, a distance of 6 miles (10 km).
Take a short walk together to the Mutitjulu Waterhole to see a vital water source sacred to the Aboriginal people. Then, explore caves and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings. At dusk, relax with a wine and canapés as you watch the monolith turn from bright red and gold to various shades of pink and purple. You'll deepen your connection with the local Anangu culture through an evening of storytelling. Journey out to an intimate amphitheater to experience Wintjiri Wiru's ancestral Mala story under the desert sky with drones, lasers, projections, music, and Pitjantjatjara language.
Day 7: Uluru Sunrise & Field of Lights Experience, Fly to Sydney, BridgeClimb
This morning, in the calm quiet of predawn, you'll witness the 50,000 globes of light sparkle in the desert. Internationally renowned artist Bruce Monroe created the Field of Light installation specially for this space. Make your way up the hill to the viewing platform, where you'll enjoy a hot beverage as the sun starts to creep up and light floods across Uluru and the Kata Tjuta in the distance.
It's time to return to the bright lights of Sydney. Drive to the airport in Ayers Rock, drop off the rental car, and catch your flight. When you land in Sydney, a driver will wait to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags, freshen up, and prepare for a special final night in Australia. This is when you'll see Sydney turn from day to night atop the famous coathanger—the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Strap on a harness and let a BridgeClimb leader take you 439 feet (134 m) above sea level for 360-degree city views!
Day 8: Depart Sydney
It's time to say goodbye to Australia! If you have time, you could explore the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, jump on a ferry to cruise around the Sydney Harbour, or take a surf lesson at Bondi Beach.
When the time is right, a driver will transfer you to Sydney's airport in time for your flight home. Safe travels!
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