Custom Australia
Destination
Australia
Duration
10 Days
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Superior
Australia is enormous—about the same size as the United States—and offers a tremendous number of opportunities for adventure, many more than you can fit into one trip. We’ve taken what we consider the must-see highlights and compiled them into a comprehensive itinerary that will give you a good overview of the country.
During your time in Australia, you’ll experience the drama of modern Sydney, the desert Outback, and tropical Queensland where the rainforest meets the reef. You’ll have the opportunity to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, explore the famous Ayers Rock, cruise and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and search the rainforest for the elusive platypus. This is an unforgettable experience!
We cannot overstate the attraction of Australia for a family adventure. It is nothing short of pure delight for adults and kids alike to experience the topsy-turviness of it all: the funny animals, the inverted seasons, the strange colors of the land, and the silly way that folks talk.
Great For
- Flexibility
- Variety
- Families of All Ages
Itinerary
Day 1 Apr 18 Sydney
Upon arrival in Sydney, you will be greeted and escorted to your centrally located hotel that we have booked for the night before. (MF 801 arriving at 9:40 am) The rest of the day you are free to explore on your own. If your arrival is early in the day, you’ll have many options, including a ferry ride to Taronga Park Zoo, a visit to the beaches, a guided tour or performance at the Opera House, a bike ride in Centennial Park, visits to the Art Museum and the Aquarium, the famous Harbour Bridge and more.
Lodging
Grace Hotel in deluxe room king with rollaway
Day 2 Apr 19 Let's Go Surfing and Bridge Climb
Welcome to Sydney, one of the most vibrant and panoramic cities in the world! Today is all about adventure for Oscar. First up, surfing lessons!
Make own way to Bondi Beach via public transport or taxi to meet at 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time listed. (TBD) As you look at the water, it’s at the left-hand end of the beach. On this popular two-hour beginner surf lesson, you’ll learn to get safely up and onto your first wave without a worry. This short
course is designed for anyone who wants to give surfing a go, with an authentic surfing feel, useful safety info about waves and the beach, and the experience of a lifetime. Most lessons are held in waist-deep water but it’s recommended that you’re able to swim 50
metres (the length of an Olympic swimming pool). Included is the surfboard, wet suit, and suntan lotion so just bring your suit and towel.
Next, absorb a 360-degree panorama of Sydney as you journey to the summit on the original climb experience at Harbour Bridge. Like an exposed spine, the outer rim delivers you to the peak, as the sky remains just beyond your outstretched fingertips. Please make your own way to 3 Cumberland Street The Rocks, and check-in at least 15 minutes prior to your climb time. (TBD) BridgeClimb is located on the western side of the street. NOTE: For safety reasons, you can’t carry anything with you on the Bridge. Secure lockers
are provided for you to keep your things in, including phones and cameras. Climb Leaders will capture photos of you during your climb. One free group photo is included with your ticket.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Grace Hotel
Day 3 Apr 20 Blue Mountains
Today you’ll discover the best of the Blue Mountains as you travel to the heart of this unique World Heritage Region. You’ll be picked up at your hotel. The first stop is at Euroka Clearing at the baes of the Blue Mountains. Here you’ll enjoy morning tea and have a relaxed time away from mainstream tourism as you look for kangaroos, reptiles, and birdlife. Travel west through the foothills of the Blue Mountains through picturesque little villages. Next, you’ll enjoy some short walks to lookout points for spectacular views of bushland and waterfalls. Enjoy lunch at the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel with its sweeping valley views. The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of scenic lookouts, including Govett’s Leap, one of the most
famous lookouts in Australia. The last stop is the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens to once again enjoy the magnificent views and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice before travelling back to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Grace Hotel
Day 4 Apr 21 Fly to Ayers Rock/Uluru Apr 21
This morning, say good-bye to Sydney and head to the airport for your flight to Australia’s “Red Center.” (VA 1627, 10:05 am/1:15 pm) Upon arrival, transfer by shuttle (AAT Kings) to your accommodations, where you can get settled and freshen up.
Then it’ll be time for your exploration to begin!
Departing the resort (2:30 pm), the tour will travel through the landscapes to the entrance of the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From this point, it is only a matter of minutes before the spectra of Uluru rises from the sand dunes to demonstrate its enormity and presence in this country.
The first step allows you a photographic opportunity of this amazing icon. With Uluru looming in front of you, you journey toward the base. Walk with your guide to a place of tranquility. The closer you wander the more you surrender to the realization of the sheer size of this monolith.
As you drive around the base, your guide will take you to the entrance of Mutitjulu Waterhole, a semi-permanent watercourse nestled in the contours of Uluru. Here you will learn the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) as well as a number of other stories associated with other prominent Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories. You will see the rock art of the ancients and learn how Uluru was, and still is, a significant location for teaching young Aboriginal people. Then adjourn to the new Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area where you will observe an uninterrupted view of Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the background. Your guide will then return you to your accommodation.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Dessert Gardens Hotel in Garden View Room queen and rollaway
Day 5 Apr 22 Aboriginal Kata Tjuta/Field of Lights
The Kata Tjuta is one of the most famous tours of Uluru. Start your day with an early pick-up (approximately 5:45 am) so you can witness a spectacular sunrise.
Your tour this morning will travel through the landscape to the entrance of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From there is it a 40 kilometers journey through the desert landscape to the mighty rock formation.
On arrival at the viewing area, you walk to the best vantage point to see the 36 domes that comprise this spiritual place while watching the suns morning glow as the desert comes alive.
We make our way to the western side of Kata Tjuta where you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy an outback picnic breakfast. As you approach the entrance to Walpa Gorge, named for the wind (Walpa) that whistles between the massive domes that shape Kata Tjuta, the result of eons of weathering and continual upheaval, your guide will share the significance of this men’s sacred ceremonial site.
We take a stroll between these mighty conglomerate rock walls as your guide explains how the environment and the geology have evolved over millions of years.
Your guide will return to your accommodation.
This evening enjoy a spectacular event – The Field of Lights! (pick-up about an hour before sunset) This global phenomenon was created by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, who has come ‘home’ to the place that inspired it – Uluru. More than 50,000 slender stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres bloom as darkness falls over Australia’s spiritual heartland. Feel the inspiring magnitude of the vast night sky, the overwhelming presence of the majestic rock. As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, the field of light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of color light up the desert. You’ll enjoy a three-course dinner, followed by an explanation of the southern night sky from your resident star talker.
Meals
Picnic Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging
Dessert Gardens Hotel
Day 6 Apr 23 Ayers Rock / Queensland
Today you’ll take a 3-hour flight from Ayres Rock to Cairns, and make a dramatic switch from the red desert, over the Great Dividing Range, to the lush green of Queensland’s tropical coast. (Qantas 1854, 3:25 pm/6:25 pm)
You will be greeted at the Cairns Airport and transferred about an hour north to your hotel in Port Douglas located on the spectacular coastline. This will be your home for a full three nights while you explore tropical Queensland.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Villa San Michele 1 bedroom apt with kitchenette and rollaway
Day 7 Apr 24 Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef will be one of the most memorable days of your life. Spend four full hours on the reef at Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque reef cay where coral gardens abound with a multitude of marine life. The Cay is also home to a protected seabird sanctuary.
Upon departure from Cairns Marina, you will cruise on a high-performance catamaran directly to the reef. Enjoy guided snorkeling tours (with equipment provided) and presentations by marine biologists. Be sure to bring your bathing suit, towel, hat, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen! You will return to your hotel late this afternoon.
Meals
Lunch
Lodging
Villa San Michele
Day 8 Apr 25 Aboriginal Life in the Daintree rainforest
Spend your day with a local Aboriginal tour guide, learning about the amazing relationships the Kuku Yalanji still have with their land. You will visit the majestic Daintree rainforest and coastal habitats learning about the environment, different foods and medicines utilized from nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices, have a go at spear throwing and if you are lucky, catch a mud crab. Learn the history, culture, and traditions of the local Aboriginal people and the area. To complete the adventure cool off in a pristine freshwater stream. (8am-5pm)
Meals
Lunch
Lodging
Villa San Michele
Day 9 Apr 26 Wildlife Habitat
Your Wildlife Habitat is a 2-hour personalized private tour with amazing opportunities for you to interact with Australian animals. (you will make your own way here) Enter the koala enclosure for one on one time, visit the Wildlife Care Centre to learn about wildlife rescue efforts, a private reptile presentation, and 1.5 hours with a wildlife keeper. NOTE: Advise of preferred time for lunch: 11:00a or 1:00p.
Afternoon, free at leisure.
Meals
Lunch
Lodging
Villa San Michele
Day 10 Apr 27 Cairns/ Sydney
This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sydney. (VA 1418, 12:40 pm/3:35 pm) Here you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Lodging
Grace Hotel
Day 11 Apr 28 Cairns / Onward
Sadly, your Australia adventure has come to an end and it’s time to be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (MF 802, departing at 11:40 am)
Meals
Breakfast
Dates & Price
Dates
Custom & private on your dates. Contact an Adventure Specialist to create your dream trip! Schedule a call or tell us more about your dream trip!
For dates and customization options for this adventure, please contact us.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Australia is enormous—about the same size as the United States—and offers a tremendous number of opportunities for adventure, many more than you can fit into one trip. We’ve taken what we consider the must-see highlights and compiled them into a comprehensive itinerary that will give you a good overview of the country.
During your time in Australia, you’ll experience the drama of modern Sydney, the desert Outback, and tropical Queensland where the rainforest meets the reef. You’ll have the opportunity to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, explore the famous Ayers Rock, cruise and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and search the rainforest for the elusive platypus. This is an unforgettable experience!
We cannot overstate the attraction of Australia for a family adventure. It is nothing short of pure delight for adults and kids alike to experience the topsy-turviness of it all: the funny animals, the inverted seasons, the strange colors of the land, and the silly way that folks talk.
Need to Know
Prices may fluctuate based on the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Australian Dollar.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Please note: Prices on this trip may fluctuate based on the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Australian Dollar.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: all flights, meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; gratuities; and insurance.
Payment and Deposit Schedule
An initial payment of 20% per person per trip or the applicable amount based on the trip and the proximity of the departure date. Final payment for land arrangements is due 90 days prior to departure. Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before advancing a deposit.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 10 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 2 - 12
Join small, local group tours
Comfort Level
Superior
Delightful and superior hotels
Activity Level
Active
Easy walking and some optional activities
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.