DAY 1
ARRIVE IN SYDNEY
A welcome package with a detailed itinerary, supplier contact list, various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon arrival at the first hotel on your trip. A transfer in a private vehicle with a driver between the airport and city or hotel is provided.
DAY 2
SYDNEY // BUCKET LIST
After a hotel pick-up, you’ll drive through the historic Rocks precinct – Australia’s first European settlement – passing convict-built cottages and Australia’s first church before crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge. Following a short westbound drive, you’ll arrive at Featherdale Wildlife Park to get up-close with a range of native animals including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and wombats. Carrying onward, you’ll enter the Blue Mountains National Park, first stopping at a secluded clearing to enjoy morning tea. Roam the area in search of wild kangaroos and birdlife and then set off for magnificent Kings Tableland to bask in the incredible views overlooking the Jamison Valley. Break for lunch at a local café in the heart of the Blue Mountains, then track to Wentworth Falls, a beautiful waterfall found between Blue Mountains National Park and Kanangra-Boyd National Park. Next, you’ll hop into an awaiting vehicle and skirt around cliffs, driving towards the township of Katoomba. At Eagle Hawk lookout you will see the famous Three Sisters rock formation, marveling at the views of the Jamison Valley and then visit Narrowneck Plateau to enjoy a few more outstanding vantage points. Having discovered the essential highlights of the Blue Mountains, you’ll return to Sydney, arriving at your hotel at approximately 5:00 pm. Discover the mystery and majesty of Sydney Opera House on a shared guided tour of this iconic performing arts center. Become privy to the stories and secrets, some controversial, behind the commissioning and construction of Danish architect Jorn Utzon’s masterpiece and afterward, relax and enjoy a delicious al fresco lunch at the adjacent, Opera Kitchen where some of Sydney’s finest culinary treats are coupled with one of the world’s best views. Please note, there are approximately 200 steps (low impact) on this tour. Also, access to individual theaters is subject to availability and may be limited due to performances, rehearsals, or other events.
DAY 3
SYDNEY // ALL ABOARD
Experience Sydney’s iconic city landmarks and opulent waterfront sights from the comfort of a small, shared boat cruise. Sail by the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House, observing stunning mansions on the water’s edge. You’ll next visit idyllic Store Beach, perhaps choosing to enjoy a refreshing swim if the weather’s warm enough. Next, enjoy lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, home to the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Tour the historic North Head Quarantine Station, where migrants arriving to a new Australia were first sent if they had fallen ill during their sea voyage. Now transformed into a museum, the station chronicles this significant chapter in Australia’s heritage. Afterwards, enjoy a spot of afternoon tea before sailing back to the harbor. Immerse yourself in this truly authentic Sydney experience – a boat cruise, beach, nature, history, and lamingtons!
DAY 4
SYDNEY TO CAIRNS PORT DOUGLAS
You will be privately transferred between your accommodation and Sydney Airport alongside a professional driver. Board a flight in Sydney with service to Cairns. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 5 minutes. This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately. Transfer between Cairns airport and the beautiful town of Port Douglas with private vehicle and driver. Port Douglas is a vibrant tropical village home to an array of fantastic local restaurants. Among our very favorites include Zinc and Hi Tide by the Beach, two modern Australian eateries celebrated for their fresh seafood and creative flair. Tonight, consider making a reservation at one of these excellent establishments. For a more casual evening, stroll along Macrossan Street and you’re sure to find some delicious pizza and gelato.
DAY 5
PORT DOUGLAS // VENTURE INTO THE OUTDOORS
Today you’ll travel through the rich farming areas toward the World Heritage listed forest region of the Daintree National Park. Step aboard our own personalized craft for a cruise on the mirrored smooth waters of the Daintree River, cruising close to riverbanks and under the overhead canopy of the rainforest seeking out the vivid Ulysses Butterfly, King fishers, Pythons, and other wildlife. Once you arrive at the Daintree section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage protected rainforest, your journey then takes you up the beautiful Alexandra Range passing through the local rain forest. Meet your local specialist guide for an informative tour of the Daintree Rainforest. The Grand Fan Palm gallery allows access into the heart of the world’s oldest surviving rainforest. A cathedral-like Amphitheater of towering fan-palms stands in the heart of the forest, protected beneath the canopy of old-growth rainforest giants and has been a sacred site for generations. You’ll then get to see unusual, exotic fruit originating from all over the globe’s tropical regions at the orchard which is also a host to beautiful species of tropical flowering plants, both native and introduced. Conclude your tour by taking in the outstanding panoramic view at Alexandra Range Lookout of the mouth of the Daintree River, Snapper Island and on a clear day Port Douglas. Finally board the iconic Daintree River Ferry for a short ride before heading back to your hotel.
DAY 6
PORT DOUGLAS // UNDERWATER WONDERLAND
Embark on a day of both adventure and relaxation as you board a beautiful sailing yacht for a shared departure to the Coral Cays of Mackay or Undine Reefs, following the coastline for views of the Daintree Mountains. Once at the protected sites of Coral Cays, nature activities will include snorkeling over the pristine coral reef with a qualified marine biologist offering reef interpretation on a guided snorkel tour. A glass bottom boat coral viewing tour is also on offer. Premium reef sites showcase abundant marine life, including encounters with turtles and an amazing display of giant clam gardens, beautiful corals, and a wide variety of fish. A tropical buffet lunch, morning, and afternoon teas & coffees, supplied by local plantations, will complement a day of adventure and relaxation. Immersed in the northern frontier of Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect sailing and snorkeling adventure for a conservation-minded visitor. Ideally suited to those who can swim and have a spirit of fun and adventure. Discerning guests can fully enjoy an inspiring full day adventure using wind power to the stunning cays on the Great Barrier Reef in the most environmentally way! Please note: This sailing operates with a maximum of 45 guests.
DAY 7
PORT DOUGLAS TO CAIRNS TO MELBOURNE
You will be picked up from your Port Douglas Hotel and taken by private car to Cairns City or airport. Board a flight in Cairns with service to Melbourne. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 25 minutes. This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately. You will be privately transferred between your accommodation and Melbourne’s domestic airport alongside a professional driver.
DAY 8
MELBOURNE // GET A LAY OF THE LAND
Embark on a half-day city tour of incredible Melbourne after meeting up with your private guide and driver at your hotel. You’ll first travel through the government precinct, observing the Treasury Building, Windsor Hotel, State Parliament House, Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum. Continue to the inner northern suburbs to enjoy the Bohemia of Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, home to a vast array of pubs, bars, restaurants, record shops and local designer shops. Enjoy morning tea among the glorious colors and smells of the Botanical Gardens, where magnificent expanses of lush green lawn slope elegantly towards ornamental lakes and massive trees cast boughs of shade over manicured garden beds. Next, you’ll journey past the sporting precinct that became famous with the 1956 Olympic Games and now roars to the cheers of Aussie Rules crowds each weekend. See the nearby Rod Laver Tennis Centre that hosts the Australian Tennis Open each year as well as the world-famous MCG which has hosted most of the major events that have come to this city. Next, you’ll travel westwards to the historic Station Pier in Port Melbourne, a historic arrival point for Melbourne’s European immigrants. Drive along Port Phillip Bay before arriving at remarkable St Kilda, renowned for its sandy beaches, music venues, restaurants, and cafes. Here you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Melbourne’s city skyline, West Gate Bridge, and the Dandenong Ranges from an historic vantage point. Finish your morning adventure with a drive through St Kilda’s funky Acland and Fitzroy Streets before entering the Australian Formula One Grand Prix track at Albert Lake. Your tour concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel. Melbourne is one of Australia’s most dynamic cities that continues to grow on you the longer you stay. From its exciting arts scene to its Alice and Wonderland style hidden bars, it is worth taking your time to get to know this city. Home to the Australian Ballet, East End Theatre District, and a slew of international festivals, there is always something exciting happening in Melbourne. Please speak to your Destination Expert for assistance for further suggestions for your time at leisure.
DAY 9
MELBOURNE // NURTURED BY NATURE
Enjoy a remarkable exploration of Melbourne’s wildlife in this family-friendly private-guided adventure. Meet your private guide and driver at your hotel before driving through beef and dairy cattle farms, horse breeding studs, and swampland. Enjoy afternoon tea en-route before crossing the bridge to Phillip Island. Recognized as a world leader for environmental conservation, Phillip Island’s sandy and rocky shorelines team with wildlife, including over 200 species of birds. On Phillip Island’s northern side, you can look out for masked lapwings, spoonbills, ibis, herons, and black swans. Your next visit is the Koala Conservation Center, one of the few areas in Victoria where you can see a protected koala colony. Walk among the treetops in nature reserve bush land and observe the wild marsupials within touching distance, perhaps also spotting a wild wallaby or two. Time permitting you’ll pass by Swan Lake, the island’s largest freshwater lake, and head to the ‘Nobbies’, a magnificent headland with views that stretch over Mornington Peninsula and Bass Strait. Just under one mile offshore are Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest Australian Fur Seal colony. You’ll witness the incredible Penguin Parade at dusk, where Little Penguins arrive in groups on the beach after their day of fishing. Watch as they waddle their way into the dunes where their burrow nests are situated. Observing and learning about penguin behavior and their daily routines is an amazing learning experience and a great memory for the whole family. Your evening finishes with dinner in the township of Rhyll before returning to Melbourne in the late evening.
DAY 10
MELBOURNE TO QUEENSTOWN
You will be privately transferred between your hotel and Melbourne’s international airport alongside a professional driver. Board a flight in Melbourne with service to Queenstown. The approximate direct flight duration is three hours and 15 minutes. This flight is not included in the price and must be purchased separately. You will receive a welcome package on arrival which will include a welcome letter, detailed itinerary, vouchers for each service, supplier contact list as well as various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting. This will be available at your first service. A private vehicle will provide a transfer between the airport and your hotel.
DAY 11
QUEENSTOWN // FROM SEA TO SKY
Embark on a small group tour to explore Milford Sound’s stunning fiord from two different vantage points: the air and on the water. Upon landing in Milford, take an unforgettable cruise past sheer cliffs, gushing waterfalls and perhaps even spot dolphins, seals, and penguins. Afterward, enjoy an exhilarating helicopter flight past spectacular rivers, valleys, and mountains with blue-green ice falls, landing upon Mount Tutoko glacier in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The trip takes approximately four hours and has a maximum group size of six guests. Please note: The Department of Conservation recently reduced the number of concession landings on Ngapunatoru ice plateau (Mt Tutoko). Therefore, a glacier landing on Milford Sound flights can no longer be guaranteed. Alpine landings are offered in lieu.
DAY 12
QUEENSTOWN // TASTE AND TIPPLE ON A VINEYARD VISIT
Today your private driver-guide will meet you at your Queenstown accommodation and take you on an outstanding wine tour through the central Otago region. Your afternoon begins among boutique vineyards and splendid scenery, highlighted by wine tastings at four of the best wineries in the Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell regions. This outing also includes a delightful gourmet platter lunch at the award-winning Carrick Winery, followed by a leisurely stroll through Old Cromwell Town and a drive through the stunning Kawarau Gorge where you’ll learn about the gold history of the region (time and weather permitting). The duration of the tour is approximately five hours and operates with a maximum of five guests. The tour departs at 12:00 pm and returns at approximately 5:00 pm.
DAY 13
QUEENSTOWN TO AUCKLAND
Meet your driver for a private airport transfer. Board a flight in Queenstown with direct service to Auckland. Approximate flight duration is one hour and 50 minutes. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately. Set out with your private driver for an airport transfer. Meet your private guide at your city hotel to begin an exclusive half-day walking tour into the heart of Auckland. Nicknamed the “City of Sails” for its abundance of yacht marinas and its rich maritime history, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most bustling city, often confused for its capital. Discover Princes Wharf, once a commercial wharf on the city’s waterfront, has now been re-developed into a dazzling hub of bars and eateries, looking out to Waitemata Harbor. Visit the NZ Maritime Museum and learn of the early arrivals to the country, from early Polynesians to the Europeans. Meander through the entertainment district of Viaduct Harbor, home to buzzing nightlife and gourmet experiences. Stroll through Auckland’s entertainment district, Wynward Quarter for gorgeous skyline views and head just a few minutes east to explore the city’s famous Laneways and the Britomart Pavilions, a chic hub for fashion and eateries, ideal for treating your palette to a sweet treat or adding a new accessory to your wardrobe. Your walking tour concludes with a return to your Auckland hotel.
DAY 14
AUCKLAND // STRETCH YOUR LEGS
Only 19 miles from downtown Auckland is the city’s largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges. No other city in New Zealand has such a wonderful asset so close to it. In just 30 minutes, leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquility of the rainforest. Setting out with a private guide, travel to the Arataki Center perched high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings. Continue to the lush rainforest where you can walk the easy bush tracks among giant tree ferns and view New Zealand’s famous kauri trees. Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast where you’ll feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.
DAY 15
AUCKLAND // JET OFF
Meet your private driver for a transfer between the airport and your hotel.
TRIP DETAILS
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing.
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person.
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver.
- Hotel tips, restaurant tips for included meals, and local taxes.
- A group airport transfer on the first and last day of your guided holiday.
- Handpicked, high quality hotels, all tried and trusted.
- Gratuities to Travel Director, Coach Drivers, and Local Experts.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International or domestic air
- No early check in / late check out.
- Travel insurance, visas, and items of a personal nature.
PRICING
Full Tour – Varies
Land Only – Varies
Single Supplement – Varies
Deposit – Varies
PAYMENT PROCEDURE
- Deposit payment of $750 per person to hold space.
- Final payment due