Upon arrival in Sydney, you will be greeted and escorted to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day you are free to explore on your own. If your arrival is early in the day, you’ll have many options, including a ferry ride to Taronga Park Zoo, a visit to the beaches, a guided tour or performance at the Opera House, a bike ride in Centennial Park, visits to the Art Museum and the Aquarium, the famous Harbour Bridge (which you can climb!), and more.

(Options are not included in costs, but we are happy to help make arrangements. We recommend reserving the Bridge Climb or Opera House performances ahead of time.)

Welcome to Sydney, one of the most vibrant and panoramic cities in the world! Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will meet you at your hotel for an unforgettable Sydney small-group experience.

Start in the Sydney Old Town and CBD heading east along the shores of Sydney Harbour for breath-taking views over one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world.

Journeying through some of the most exclusive harbourside suburbs of the Eastern Suburbs region you take a break at Watsons Bay and The Gap at the entrance of Sydney Harbour – one of the most captivating Panoramic Views in Sydney.

Then it’s on to the Famous Bondi Beach via where guests can enjoy a stroll along the beachfront promenade, enjoy a tea or coffee (at own expense) and see bronzed Aussie lifesavers.

Returning to the city via Bondi Junction, Centennial Park, Paddington and China-Town, pause at Darling Harbour where you can join our optional harbour lunch cruises. Then driving directly underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, finish the tour back in the old town of the Rocks near Circular Quay.

This morning, say good-bye to Sydney and head to the airport for your flight to Australia’s “Red Center.” Upon arrival, transfer by AAT Kings shuttle to your accommodations, where you can get settled and freshen up.

Then it’ll be time for your exploration to begin! Departing the resort, the tour will travel through the landscapes to the entrance of the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From this point, it is only a matter of minutes before the spectra of Ayers Rock, sacred to the Anangi aborigines will be present. It’s an enormous monolith, rising 1,100 feet above the surrounding flat desert.

The first step allows you a photographic opportunity of this amazing icon.  With Uluru looming in front of you, you journey toward the base.  Walk with your guide to a place of tranquility. The closer you wander the more you surrender to the realization of the sheer size of this monolith.

As you drive around the base, your guide will take you to the entrance of Mutitjulu Waterhole, a semi-permanent watercourse nestled in the contours of Uluru. Here you will learn the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) as well as a number of other stories associated with other prominent Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories. You will see the rock art of the ancients and learn how Uluru was, and still is, a significant location for teaching young Aboriginal people. Then adjourn to the new Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area where you will observe an uninterrupted view of Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the background. Your guide will then return you to your accommodation.

The Aboriginal Uluru Tour is one of the most famous tours of Uluru. Start your day with an early pick-up so you can witness a spectacular sunrise. As you travel towards Uluru, its vast shape rises from the sand dunes in the early dawn light highlighting its presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location to watch the sunrise over this amazing monolith and enjoy an outback picnic breakfast.

You will visit Mutijulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk and learn the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python). After this short walk, drive around the base of Uluru and hear the story of the Mala people before returning to the resort.

This evening, journey into the desert where you’ll be welcomed by the haunting sounds of a didgeridoo as you view the sunset behind the Olgas. Enjoy a barbecue dinner that includes kangaroo, emu, chicken, and barramundi, all accompanied by salads, vegetables, and your choice of beverages. After dessert, the lights will be dimmed so you can focus on the sounds of the great outback and see the stars in the southern skies. An astronomer will introduce you to the planets and constellations, with the opportunity to view them through an on-site telescope. After stargazing, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

This morning, return to the Ayers Rock Airport via shuttle for your flight to Alice Springs, the unassuming town that serves as the vital center of the enormous Central Outback. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to settle in for two nights.

This afternoon, you are free to see the sights of “The Alice” on your own and learn how the town got its name. Make a stop at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs.  The stone buildings have been restored, and give an idea of the harsh pioneering lifestyle of the first settlers in the early 1900s.  Or visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn how this facility operates to provide medical care and education to the people of the isolated outback. Tour the Alice Springs Reptile Center, where you can see unique Central Australian reptiles such as the Perentie Lizard and the Thorny Devil.  You could end your tour of Alice Springs with a panoramic view from Anzac Hill, which overlooks Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

After breakfast this morning, you will begin a full day of touring the West MacDonnell Ranges. First, explore Simpsons Gap, known for its elusive rock wallabies and beautiful river red gum trees. Take a short nature walk on a path lined with cycads, ghost gum trees, acacias trees, and cypress pines to the majestic Angkerle, also known as Standley Chasm.  Here you’ll stop for morning tea. Next visit the Ochre Pits, and Ormiston Gorge. The next stop is at Glen Helen for a sit-down buffet lunch, then on your way back to Alice Springs,  stop for afternoon time at Ellery Creek Big Hole. This waterhole is one of Central Australia’s most pristine, so don’t forget your swimmers in the warmer months!

The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary for their immensity and the spectacular array of sunburnt oranges, maroons, and purples on display. These mighty ranges light up in brilliant oranges and reds at sunset on the return trip to Alice Springs.

Today you’ll take a 4-hour flight from Alice Springs to Cairns, and make a dramatic switch from the red desert, over the Great Dividing Range, to the lush green of Queensland‘s tropical coast.

You will be greeted at the Cairns Airport and transferred just 20 minutes north to your hotel in Palm Cove, located on the spectacular coastline between Cairns and Port Douglas. This will be your home for a full four nights while you explore tropical Queensland.

Your Wildlife Habitat is a 2-hour personalized private tour with amazing opportunities for you to interact with Australian animals. Enter the koala enclosure for one on one time, visit the Wildlife Care Centre to learn about wildlife rescue efforts, a private reptile presentation, and 1.5 hours with a wildlife keeper. (Note: you will make your own way to the Wildlife Habitat.) Afternoon free at leisure.

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef will be one of the most memorable days of your life. You’ll have exclusive access to a stunning coral reef location selected for its superior water clarity, coral quality and overall diversity of marine life. The all-weather Marine World platform caters for all activity levels. Snorkel in the sheltered coral lagoon, go scuba diving (no experience necessary; optional; additional charges) or join the Marine Biologist on a Guided Snorkel safari. Not a confident swimmer? then stay dry and view the reef from the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass-bottom boat or underwater observatory, try a Helmet Dive (optional; additional charges) for a scuba-style experience without getting your hair wet, or soar above it all on a spectacular Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight (optional; additional charges). Aboard the fast catamaran from Cairns, you’ll have 5 hours at the reef with time to do it all.

Spend your day with a local Aboriginal tour guide, learning about the amazing relationships the Kuku Yalanji still have with their land. You will visit the majestic Daintree rainforest and coastal habitats learning about the environment, different foods and medicines utilized from nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices, have a go at spear throwing and if you are lucky, catch a mud crab. Learn the history, culture, and traditions of the local Aboriginal people and the area. To complete the adventure cool off in a pristine freshwater stream.

Sadly, your Australia adventure has come to an end and it’s time to make your way to the airport for your flight home.

Not ready to leave? Ask us about extensions in Australia, Tasmania, or New Zealand, or consider a stay at one of the Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts.