An Australian Trip of a Lifetime
View My Main Profile
Doug Taeckens
Keller, TX Travel Agentยท 4 Years of Experience
Ask Your Travel Agent Ltd., an independent agent with Ask Your Travel Agent, LTD, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(11)
100% Recommended
Doug is a knowledgeable and efficient agent who has added many highlights to our travel experiences Read More >
COUNTRIES VISITED:Australia
PLACES VISITED:Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru National Park
SUGGESTED DURATION:16 Days
A sixteen day tour of Australia starting in Sydney, traveling to Adelaide with some great wine tasting, taking the famous Ghan train to Alice Springs, visiting the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, visiting the Daintree Rainforest in Cairns, and of course snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and finally back to Sydney for one final evening.
Close All Days
DAY1
Sydney
Close Day
Arrival in Sydney
Check into the Four Seasons hotel
Take a taxi to Bondi Beach
Walk the cliff tops from Bondi to Bronte Beach and back - about 90 minutes
HIGHLIGHTS:
What a view from the cliff tops
DAY2
Sydney
Close Day
Climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge
An early morning climb with BridgeClimb to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge
An afternoon private tour of the Rocks with Dreamtime Southern X - a study of Aboriginal culture
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to visit the Rocks Market and the Spirit Gallery
DAY3
Sydney
Close Day
Katoomba & the Blue Mountains
An all day private tour with Southern Crossings of Katoomba & the Blue Mountains
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ride the Cable Car
DAY4
Sydney
Close Day
Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat
Check out of the Four Seasons and take the nearby ferry to Taronga Zoo.
Check in at the Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat where you might see Koalas outside your window.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Stay outside on the ferry and take some great pictures of Sydney harbor
DAY5
Sydney
Close Day
DAY6
Adelaide
Close Day
Next stop Adelaide
Check out the Retreat in the morning and the head to the airport for a two hour flight to Adelaide. Check into the Mayfair Hotel
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy the Koala Bears in the Retreat
DAY7
Adelaide
Close Day
Wine tasting in the Barossa Valley
A Southern Crossings private tour of some of the best Barossa Valley Wineries.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to include Penfolds in your visits
DAY8
Adelaide
Close Day
City Tour
A Southern Crossings private tour of the sites of Adelaide
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to visit Rundle Mall and have dinner at Georges
DAY9
Alice Springs
Close Day
The Ghan Train
Check out of the Mayflower and head to the train station. Board your Platinum Class car on the famous Ghan train to Alice Springs. Enjoy your views of the outback on the way. Check into the Ooaraminna Station Homestead.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Platinum Class is the way to go.
DAY10
Alice Springs
Close Day
Exploring Alice Springs
Exploring Alice Springs including the Desert Centre and the Kangaroo Sanctuary.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to go to Araluen Arts Centre for great Aboriginal art.
DAY11
Uluru National Park
Close Day
Visiting Uluru
Check out of your hotel and leave for a private tour of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with Southern Crossings. End of day drop off at Ayers Rock Resort
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.
DAY12
Cairns
Close Day
Travel to Cairns
Enjoy the morning in the National Park. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport and board your Qantas flight for a 2 1/2 hour flight to Cairns, Check into the Silky Oak Lodge adjacent to the Daintree Rainforest and close to the Great Barrier Reef.
HIGHLIGHTS:
From the hotel property you can see parts of the Daintree Rainforest.
DAY13
Cairns
Close Day
Daintree Rainforest
Enjoy a Southern Crossings private tour of the Daintree Rainforest.
HIGHLIGHTS:
A Croc cruise on the Daintree River
DAY14
Cairns
Close Day
A day at the beach.
Enjoy a day at the Palm Cove beach.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Lunch on the seafront promenade.
DAY15
Cairns
Close Day
Great Barrier Reef.
Enjoy a private snorkeling adventure at the Great Barrier Reef with Southern Crossings.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Be sure to visit Hastings Reef for some of the best snorkeling.
DAY16
Sydney
Close Day
Last evening in Australia
Check out of your hotel and head to the airport. Board your Qantas flight for the 3 hour flight to Sydney. Check into the Four Seasons hotel and enjoy your last afternoon and evening in Australia.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Dinner at Georges.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This comprehensive itinerary packs in a lot of the Australian highlights but certainly not all. Like most countries it takes several visits to really get to know it, but if you only have one opportunity to visit this is a great recommendation.