Essence of Sydney, Wildlife and the Reef 06 Jun, 2025

Independent/Tailor-Made / Australia

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Amazing Experience

Overview

Trip Overview

See the best of Australia’s southern states in style, with stops in up to 4 capital cities on a fully escorted 5, 7 or 11 day itinerary.

Consider arriving a few days early to explore Sydney, Australia’s most diverse and iconic city, before departing for Canberra. A purpose-built national capital, Canberra is packed with sights including Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial. You’ll visit both on an afternoon tour, after a delicious BBQ lunch at a working sheep farm. At the nearby Snowy Mountains, ride the chairlift up Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak.

Cross the border into Victoria for an overnight stay and tour of historic Beechworth, the state’s best preserved gold rush town. Walk in the footsteps of notorious bushranger Ned Kelly on your way to Melbourne, Australia’s cultural, shopping and sporting capital. We bid farewell to our guests on the 5 day itinerary here.

A full day in Melbourne gives you time to experience this world class city your way. Culture vultures might enjoy a visit to Melbourne Museum (the Southern Hemisphere’s largest), or the National Gallery of Victoria. Consider a twilight excursion to Phillip Island in time for the famous ‘little penguin parade’. Immerse yourself in history, panning for gold at Sovereign Hill. Or spend the day shopping in the central business district, enjoying the intimate laneways and chic cafes of Australia’s most European city.

Guests on the 7 day itinerary join in time for one of Australia’s most spectacular drives, the Great Ocean Road. See famous landmarks including the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge, all formed by centuries of erosion from the wild Southern Ocean. Learn more about the local Aboriginal culture at Worn Gundidi, including insights into medicine in the bush.

Enter South Australia, with a stop in picturesque Mt Gambier before you reach Adelaide. This mid sized capital is a major cultural centre and hosts numerous festivals throughout the year including the renowned Adelaide Cabaret Festival. It’s also the ideal jump-off point for an excursion to Kangaroo Island, a living gallery of natural wonders sometimes referred to as Australia’s Galapagos. Visit the famous sea lions of Seal Bay and see fascinating geological sights such as Admiral’s Arch. 

Highlights

Departures

2024: Aug 28; Sep 19; Oct 17, 31; Nov 21

 

Trip Includes

  • Tour by luxury air conditioned coach with 2 door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
  • Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director & Tour Driver
  • Meals as outlined in itinerary
  • Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels
  • Welcome drink
  • Hotel porterage

 

Trip Excludes

  • Optional excursions & touring that are available for purchase on tour
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Visa fees if applicable
  • Gratuities

Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Sydney - City Centre

 

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

3 Night Stay

Meal Plan: Room Only

A beautiful hotel with a stunning 1800's sandstone facade, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is an intimate, boutique-style property. Once home to the Fairfax newspaper empire and the prestigious Bank of New South Wales, this accommodation offers a location near Sydney Opera House and major shopping precincts. There is a wide array of upscale facilities, including on-site dining at the recently refurbished restaurant and a modern health club. The staff ensures that your stay at this accommodation in Sydney is both comfortable and unforgettable.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

Morning Panoramic Sydney Sights

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half day city sights tour. On tour you will visit the historic Rocks area and hear of early convict history. We continue through the financially focused Central Business District (CBD), and Macquarie Street. Marvel at 18th century sandstone architecture such as NSW Parliament House, Rum Hospital, Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary’s Cathedral. We will continue to Mrs Macquaries Point, to enjoy magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We then continue through Sydneys Eastern Suburbs, home to the rich and famous. Travelling along the coves and shores of one of the worlds most impressive harbours, we will take a few stops for photo opportunities, including a panoramic photo of Sydney skyline. You will pass through areas such as Kings Cross, Double Bay, Rose Bay before arriving at Watsons Bay, passengers will have the option a short coastal walk with views of the South Pacific Ocean and the entrance to Sydney harbour. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach where we enjoy a short stop of approximately 30 minutes. Visit the beachfront promenade, put your toes in the sand, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and surfers riding the waves of Bondi Re-board your bus and continue on to Tamarama and Bronte beaches before returning to the city via Centennial Park and Paddington, a trendy district with its elegant terrace houses and boutique shops along Oxford Street. Final stop of the day is Darling Harbour. Your tour will end at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. You will need to make your way back to your hotel.

 

Cruise Like a Local Luncheon Cruise

Treat yourself to Sydney Harbour's most sensational Cruise Like a Local Luncheon Cruise. A unique, four hour cruise experience. Enjoy the company of a small group aboard a 52 foot motor yacht. Your personal captain and host will share the rich history of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore as you take in the sites of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a 3 course BBQ lunch with regional wines, local beers and 5-star service. Immerse yourself in all the activities that a private vessel offers, including swimming, fishing, and kayaking - or sit back, relax on the expansive sunbed and do nothing at all.

The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and stunning views. Today your guide will take you off the beaten track to visit remote lookout locations and discuss the history, flora and fauna of this magnificent region. 7:00 - 7:30 AM Depart from the hotel with AEA Luxury Tours. Our first stop of the day is at Calmsley Hill a working farm also home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats and Koalas. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure. From Calmsley Hill we continue to ascend the Blue Mountains via the highway. We will visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas. Where possible this will be away from the crowds of tours that visit the mountains each day with other operators, thus our guests will enjoy a stress and hurry free environment taking in the views and information imparted by their guide. Continuing on we arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout points away from the crowds for views of the famous 3 Sisters. Whilst the Blue Mountains features so much more than this natural attraction you can't help but admire the unquestionable beauty of this amazing rock formation. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colors. Here your guide will discuss the legends behind this famous rock formation and time available for you to take some great photos. We then make our way around the mountain towards the village of Blackheath and our lunch venue the Hydro Majestic. Here in this relaxed venue with stunning views. We enjoy a 2-course lunch with tea/coffee. All diets are catered for (excluding Kosher Meals). Beverages can be purchased at your own expense from the Bar. The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of lookouts. Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you'll know why it's one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. If you're not mesmerized by the dancing waves of water spray, you'll be transfixed by the sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness. We then stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens our last stop, where we enjoy the sweeping views across to Sydney before travelling down the Bells Line of Road to arrive back at your hotel approximately 4:30 - 5:00 pm.

Sydney - City Centre to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

 

Adelaide Airport to Adelaide - City Centre

 

Insiders Adelaide Walking Tour - Culture and Heritage

Explore the Cultural Boulevard, walking amongst the statuesque Government and University buildings. Visit famous Art Gallery, Museum, and the Artlab to view the talented team restoring historic paintings, books and fabrics. Enjoy visits of little streets and lanes whilst indulging from the famous icon producer Haighs, SA's own Jurlique store, discovering hidden secrets along the way.

 

Crowne Plaza Adelaide

1 Night Stay

Meal Plan: Room Only

Enjoy a culturally-rich and inspiring escape at Crowne Plaza Adelaide with stunning views from the city's tallest building in design-led rooms. Stay in the East End- Adelaide's sweet spot- close to Lot Fourteen and Adelaide Botanic Garden with easy access to the casino, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Oval. Indulge in fresh experiences beginning with check-in on Level 10 that seamlessly lets you segue from business to leisure and back again at this urban haven in the sky.

Crowne Plaza Adelaide

Adelaide - City Centre to Adelaide Airport

Multi Day Tour

Kangaroo Touring

Today, we’ll get a feel for Island Life – where things take time, drivers wave as they go by – or even stop for a chat.
Have a cuppa with some home-made treats before taking a walk down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead or wake briefly for a feed. Listen for the sounds of the bush – brightly coloured honeyeaters and brilliant parrots, cicadas or perhaps just the sound of silence.
Travel through the Island’s most productive country to the north coast. Walk through the bush with your guide – through strangely shaped trees learning what makes that noise, whose tracks are those, and who left THAT little pile there? Look for small wallabies almost extinct on the mainland, a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island and a variety of other birds, plants and animals.
Break for lunch at a private bush camp and enjoy a delicious meal featuring King George whiting (local sea fish), fresh salads and fine South Australian wines.
At Seal Bay Conservation Park take a private tour with your guide among Australian sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach – an experience similar to that of the Galapagos. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology.

Meal

Dinner, Lunch

 

Aurora Ozone Hotel

Welcome to the Aurora Ozone Hotel at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Boasting a truly unique location, set along the foreshore of one of South Australia’s most pristine coastlines. Experience our quality Kangaroo Island accommodation located on the foreshore with stunning views overlooking Nepean Bay from our Zone Restaurant.

Aurora Ozone Hotel

Begin the day travelling through some of the fire-affected landscapes of Kangaroo Island, which are recovering quickly following generous winter rains.
Learn about fire ecology and how nature deals with fire. Some of our native flora species only flower following fire!
Travel into Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on top a granite dome plunging into the ocean
Break for an elegant picnic lunch in the bush, or if weather permits, on a spectacular clifftop. Lunch features marinated poached chicken, fresh salads, cheeses accompanied by local wine, beer, soft drinks and spring water.
Evidence of the power of the Southern Ocean swell continues at Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of Long-nosed fur seals which swim effortlessly through crashing waves.

Meal

Breakfast, Lunch

 

Adelaide Airport to Adelaide - City Centre

 

Crowne Plaza Adelaide

1 Night Stay

Meal Plan: Room Only

Enjoy a culturally-rich and inspiring escape at Crowne Plaza Adelaide with stunning views from the city's tallest building in design-led rooms. Stay in the East End- Adelaide's sweet spot- close to Lot Fourteen and Adelaide Botanic Garden with easy access to the casino, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Oval. Indulge in fresh experiences beginning with check-in on Level 10 that seamlessly lets you segue from business to leisure and back again at this urban haven in the sky.

Crowne Plaza Adelaide

Adelaide - City Centre to Adelaide Airport

 

Cairns Airport to Port Douglas

 

Villa San Michele Port Douglas

3 Night Stay

Meal Plan: Room Only

A piece of the Mediterranean in the heart of Port Douglas. Villa San Michele enjoys the best location in Port Douglas on vibrant Macrossan Street in the heart of Port Douglas. This unbeatable location places you in the centre of all that Port Douglas has to offer. Boutique shops, cafes and award winning restaurants are right on your doorstep. Magical Four Mile Beach and the Reef Marina are just a 5 minute stroll away.

Villa San Michele Port Douglas

Join your coach transfer to the wharf this morning and board the vessel to enjoy a full day reef and island cruise to Low Isles. Sail to and explore this protected coral cay, with white sandy beaches and coconut palms, surrounded by coral gardens and the Coral Sea. Sailaway moors in the sheltered blue lagoon for five hours. Just relax on the island, join the guided snorkel tour, take a trip on the glass bottom boat or laze on the deck after a buffet lunch. Later, enjoy sailing back to the mainland.

Your tour begins with being met by your friendly accredited guide at your accommodation. After introductions, drive north along the magnificent scenic coastal route learning about the history of the area and admiring spectacular views of the coastline and the Azure waters of the Coral Sea. The first stop is at the Majestic Daintree River for morning tea (tea, coffee & biscuits) before enjoying an informative River Cruise. Relax and enjoy the splendour only the Daintree Rainforest can offer as you learn of Estuarine Crocodiles, mangrove forests and endemic wildlife. Next, we make our way up over the Alexandra Range and pause for a panoramic view of World Heritage, Wet Tropics, and Tropical Rainforest merging with the azure colours of the Coral Sea. Your guide will take you on a journey through ancient Daintree Rainforest, whilst giving you an interpretation of flora and fauna. You will have ample time for photographs and questions as we search for the elusive, rare and totally unique Southern Cassowary and other wildlife species. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe. After lunch, continue along the 4WD Bloomfield Track through to pristine Emmagen Creek. Now it is time for a refreshing rainforest stream swim. We then make our way to Cape Tribulation Beach and stroll along the beach and boardwalk to the photographers' platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the 'Rainforest meets the Reef'. Head back with a stop at the Daintree Ice-cream Company (ice cream at own expense).

Port Douglas to Cairns Airport

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