Australia’s Finest

Upon your arrival to Sydney International Airport you’ll be met by your private driver for transfer to your hotel in the city. After the long flight, you might want to rest up for busy days ahead. Or, after getting settled into your room, explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales. One of Australia’s most popular art museum, it’s surrounded by lush parkland overlooking Sydney Harbour and features five levels of art. You can browse everything from an extensive collection of Australian works, including one of the largest galleries of Aboriginal works, along with European masters and Asian treasures.

Your private driver/guide will bring you to one of the oldest seaside towns in Australia, Coogee. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade to the Cliff Walkway for beautiful views of the Pacific before viewing the “Sculptures by the Sea” exhibitions. Visit Bronte, a gorgeous surfing beach with colourful rock formations in the cliffs, relaxing with a drink at one of the enticing cafes. Depending on the season you might see some migrating whales offshore too. Afterward head to world-famous Bondi Beach for lunch with a spectacular view. You’ll have time for a swim or an ice cream before returning to your hotel.

A full day awaits with your expert guide bringing you to experience more of the beauty of Sydney, starting with a drive around the city’s birthplace, the historic Rocks precinct. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens and take a short walk to see Mrs. Macquarie’s chair and a breath-taking view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Enjoy lunch and the head to the affluent suburb of Darling Point to check out some of the most impressive addresses in the city. You’ll pass picturesque bays before traveling the coast to Bondi Beach, ending the day with a yacht cruise around Sydney Harbour.

Private transfer brings you back to Sydney’s airport to catch your flight to Uluru Rock in Australia’s “Red Center.” Upon your arrival, a private driver will meet you for transfer to your hotel. This evening enjoy the Field of Light experience that takes place in the remote outback with Uluru Rock as the backdrop. Sip chilled sparkling wine while enjoying canapes and the sounds of a didgeridoo while the sun goes down. After dark, you’ll see the colourful lights of 50,000 glass spheres illuminated along with a local indigenous performance. A three-course bush dinner buffet will follow while you learn more about the installation.

Today you’ll become immersed in the oldest living culture in the world. Join a traditional Uluru family for a visit to Patju, their homeland which sits just outside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You’ll explore it with your Aboriginal guide in a four-wheel drive, while hearing fascinating stories about Uluru’s history, from the aboriginals fight for their land through today. You’ll gather under a remote shelter to learn about their survival in this extreme environment before tourism arrived and then head to a private sand dune for a stunning view of Uluru, Kata Tjunta and the vast surrounding red desert.

Rise early for a sunrise tour this morning. A bucket-list experience, you’ll watch the sun slowly rise over the Australia’s most famous and culturally significant monument and then walk around it as your guide explains why it’s so important to the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu. You’ll witness sacred waterholes where families once taught their children Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories, marvel at ceremonial rock art. Afterward, learn more about traditional Aboriginal life in the Cultural Centre. Private transfer will bring you back to the airport for your flight to Cairns, where a private driver will meet you for transport to Port Douglas.

Your private driver/guide will bring you to Daintree National Park where you’ll hop on a private vessel to cruise the Daintree River. Following close to the riverbanks beneath the rainforest canopy, watch for pythons, kingfishers and the unique Ulysses butterfly with its magnificent blue colouring. Cruise through the backwater spotting crocodiles on the muddy banks and then enjoy a scenic walk through the protected forests with impressive local flora and fauna. Enjoy lunch made with local produce in the rainforest, and then enjoy close encounters with reptiles or feed swamp wallabies and kangaroos. Conclude with a postcard-perfect view at Alexandra Range Lookout.

Hop aboard an elegant yacht to sail to the Undine Reefs or the Coral Cays of Mackay for a snorkelling excursion, along the way you’ll follow the coast and enjoy views of the Daintree Mountains. A marine biologist will provide a reef interpretation before you jump into the crytal clear blue waters, snorkelling among vibrant coral and abundant sea life like sea turtles, colourful fish and an incredible display of giant clam gardens. A glass bottom boat tour to view the coral without getting wet is possible too. Also included is a buffet lunch with tropical foods, tea and coffee.

It’s time to head to the final destination of the tour, Melbourne. You’ll begin your journey to the city with private transfer to the airport in Cairns to catch your direct flight, a 3-hour and 25-minute trip. Upon your arrival to Melbourne’s airport, you be met by your private driver for transfer to your hotel in the city. Australia’s cultural capital, it sits alongside Port Phillip Bay. After getting settled into your room you might want to take advantage of the endless culinary offerings in this foodie’s delight. You’ll find everything from renowned food trucks and tasty street fare to fine dining restaurants.

A private guided adventure to Phillip Island, linked to the mainland by bridge, will be enjoyed today. Once you reach the northern side of the island, keep an eye out for black swans, heron, ibis, spoonbills and more. You’ll visit the Koala Conservation Center to see the wild marsupials up close in their protected koala colony, along with wild wallabies, as well as Australia’s largest fur seal colony. The highlight may be the penguin parade – every night the adorable creatures come ashore by the thousands, making their way up the beach and to their burrows after a day of feasting at sea.

Today you’ll get an in-depth look at Melbourne on a private guided walking tour, discovering its past and present. Visit the Immigration Museum which sits within the magnificently restored Old Customs House featuring stories about some of the city’s early settlers and immigrants, including the significant wave of Greek immigrants, who’ve contributed to Australian life. Your guide will also bring you to Melbourne’s contemporary side, exploring hidden lanes, trendy cafes and wine bars that dominate the culture today. You’ll enjoy lunch in a local eatery, mingling with residents for an authentic look at life here before returning to your hotel.

Your 11-nights Australia Signature Tour comes to an end this morning. While it’s always hard to say goodbye, you’ll have many memories and photos to take with you. After checking out of your Melbourne hotel, your private driver will bring you to the airport to catch your flight home.