Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
- Discover the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest on full-day excursions.
- Experience the mystique of Uluru on a private tour, and sit down to a bush tucker dinner amid the magical Field of Light outdoor exhibition.
- Ride horseback and spot kangaroos on bushwalks amid the dramatic cliffs and thick eucalyptus forests of the Greater Blue Mountains Area.
- Explore Sydney and Melbourne—two of Australia’s most exciting cities—on private tours, and spend a day sailing stunning Sydney Harbour.
Itinerary
Itinerary
From the soaring red flanks of Uluru to the slot canyons of the Blue Mountains, from the sea turtles of the Great Barrier Reef to the kangaroos of the bush, Australia’s wonders abound. Experience the breadth and richness of this continent, exploring sacred sites with Aboriginal guides, observing wild koalas and other endemic species with naturalists, and delving into its vibrant cities and its pristine wild places.
Arrive at the Sydney Airport (SYD) and transfer to your hotel in the historic Rocks district, where the first Europeans to arrive in Australia settled. Set off on a guided tour of the Rocks, from the handsomely restored buildings along the waterfront to the back alleys and pubs once frequented by the convicts who were shipped to this faraway land. Next, head to the world-renowned Sydney Opera House for a private tour. Enjoy an evening at leisure tonight.
Take to the waters of Sydney Harbour on an all-day cruise by chartered sailboat. Glide beneath the lofty arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge, and catch spectacular views of the Opera House. Unfurl the sails as you discover hidden coves, sandy beaches, and refreshing swimming spots along the shore. Go fishing if you wish, and sit down to lunch on deck, savoring grilled specialties from the “barbie.” Return to the city for an evening on your own.
Travel west into the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed wilderness of high cliffs and slot canyons, thick eucalyptus forests, and waterfalls. Your home here is a resort focused on environmental and social sustainability, located within a 7,000-acre wildlife reserve. Settle into your private villa and explore the valley through a variety of activities. Tour the lodge’s homestead, originally built by a pioneering family in 1832, and get a glimpse of everyday life for early settlers in the Australian bush. Set out on a wildlife drive to spot wallabies and wombats, or simply relax in your private pool and watch for kangaroos hopping through the meadows. Enjoy dinner at the lodge’s acclaimed restaurant tonight.
Take advantage of a full day to discover the unusual creatures and rugged beauty of the valley. Join a field guide for a bushwalk or a mountain bike ride, or visit the stables and go horseback riding in the surrounding eucalyptus forests. Learn how the reserve has been restored to its natural state after decades of agricultural use, and take part a conservation project such as planting trees or surveying wildlife. The lodge offers two complementary scheduled activities per day, and many more are available at additional cost.
Return to Sydney Airport this morning for your flight to Cairns, on the coast of North Queensland. Check in to a stunning lodge perched on the shores of the Coral Sea. Your home here is a timber bungalow on stilts tucked into the jungle canopy just steps from the lodge’s private beach. During a free afternoon, take a dip in rock pools, stroll the beach, or spot butterflies and birds on a nature walk with a lodge guide. Tonight, sit down to dinner on a terrace among the treetops, looking out to the sea.
Rise early for a full-day excursion by sailing yacht to the outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef. Skim across turquoise seas to the coral cays and snorkel the reefs with a marine biologist, on the lookout for giant clams, sea turtles, and all manner of corals and tropical fish. Get another perspective on this rich marine world from a glass-bottomed boat, and enjoy time to relax on empty white-sand beaches. Return to our lodge for dinner this evening.
Encounter the rich cultural heritage of the Kuku Yalanji people today. In the company of guides from this ancient Aboriginal group, explore mangroves and mudflats to learn about traditional fishing and foraging practices. Learn how the Kuku Yalanji use plants and minerals to make everything from soap and medicine to paint. In sacred Mossman Gorge, take part in a traditional ceremony, and go on an interpretive walk into the Daintree Rainforest, hearing from your guides about the history of their people and their spiritual connection to this land.
This morning, swap the sea for the desert and fly to the heart of the vast Australian outback to encounter the awe-inspiring Uluru. Once called Ayers Rock, this red rock monolith stands some two miles long and nearly 3,000 feet tall. Experience the site’s mysticism and beauty as you explore with a guide, hearing the creation stories of the area's traditional custodians. Visit the entrance of the serene Mutitjulu Waterhole, one of the site’s only permanent water sources, and examine prehistoric rock art. From the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, take in uninterrupted views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta before returning to Ayers Rock for the evening.
Return to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park today to explore the otherworldly rock domes of Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas. Enjoy a picnic breakfast while watching the sun’s morning glow bring the surrounding desert to life. Set out with a guide on a walk or hike and learn about the unusual flora and fauna here, as well as the site’s spiritual significance to the local Anangu people. As night falls, head for the Field of Light art installation, a vast carpet of colored glass flowers that glows across the desert with Uluru as a backdrop. Enjoy cocktails and a three-course bush tucker buffet surrounded by this magical sight.
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Melbourne, a modern mecca of culture and cuisine on Australia’s southeastern coast. Settle into your hotel, just steps from the city center, and take advantage of a free evening to explore.
Get a local’s perspective on this dynamic city today, delving into Melbourne’s past and present with a private guide. Take a walk down the Golden Mile to learn how gold helped build the city, and look for little penguins in the beachfront suburb of St. Kilda. Discover street art and eclectic shops in the city center, and wander through bustling Queen Victoria Market, a fixture of the city for more than a hundred years.
Spend the morning spotting wild koalas in their natural habitat in the Aboriginal cultural landscape of You Yangs Regional Park. Observe the behavior of these beloved marsupials on a walk with a wildlife guide, and learn about the significance of these lands to the Wathaurong people. Continue to Serendip Wetlands National Park for a hike among the gum trees and a chance to encounter cockatoos, mobs of eastern grey kangaroos, and myriad water birds. Return to Melbourne for an evening at leisure.
After breakfast, transfer to the Melbourne Airport (MEL) and catch your flight home.