Itinerary Highlights
- Indulge in East Coast cuisine with a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise and Hunter Valley Wine Tour
- Explore the wonders of The Blue Mountains with a Private Blue Mountains 4WD Wilderness Adventure
- Spend three unforgettable nights on the Great Barrier Reef, exploring underwater wonders of Orpheus Island by snorkelling
- Discover the beauty of Queensland’s outback and stay at the Luxury Mt Mulligan Lodge, a working cattle farm
- Best time to travel November to June
What's Included
- Accommodation Throughout
- Domestic Flights
- International Flights
20 nights from £11,269 per person
Kelsey
Travel Specialist
Explore Australia’s East Coast Cities, Outback, Rainforest and Reefs
20 nights from £11,269 per person
- Save on accommodation
- 10% discount at Orpheus Island
- 10% discount at Mount Mulligan Lodge
- Board Varies
Travel between 1 Mar 2025 and 31 May 2025
Journey through the unique wonders of eastern Australia with this 21-day itinerary, covering bucket list-worthy spots. Escape to the Australian outback, immerse yourself in the rhythms of ancient rainforests and explore the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef, along with exploring modern cities and golden coasts. Enjoy unforgettable experiences whilst staying in the finest lodgings, with personalised excursions throughout.
Begin your journey in Sydney, exploring its neighbourhoods and iconic attractions. Embark on the Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise to try Australia’s delicacies and go on to indulge in the beverages of the Hunter Valley wine region. See the best of the Blue Mountains on a five-hour private tour with Tread Lightly Eco Tours.
Leave Sydney and jet to your next destination. Explore the lush surroundings of Byron Bay, seeing the best of the World Heritage listed Nightcap National Park with the Byron Hinterland Tour. Then, head to Brisbane and travel north to see the picturesque views of Queensland’s Gold Coast, Brisbane's Botanical Gardens and much more.
Orpheus Island is next on your exciting itinerary. Explore the waters with snorkelling and sailing or a pre-dinner cruise for canapes with wine or beer, and take delicious picnics to the pristine beaches. Swap the coastal luxury with an Australian outback experience at Mt Mulligan and to discover ancient Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland. Home to the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll get the exhilarating opportunity to explore whilst snorkelling the low isles.
Itinerary
Day 1 Sydney
Arrive in Australia’s most populous city, where you will be transferred by private car to your luxurious Sydney hotel for three nights. Settle into your room at the Capella Sydney, or start your stay with some pampering at the spa, where immersive wellness treatments will help with your recovery from the long-haul flight.
Day 2 Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise
Feast on delicious breakfast items at Aperture, Capella Sydney’s indoor garden restaurant. After, take a leisurely stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, with a backdrop of Sydney’s sparkling skyscrapers and overlooking Sydney Harbour. Explore this 30-acre urban oasis at your leisure, follow the waterfront past the magnificent towering sails of Sydney Opera House before boarding your Journey Beyond Harbour Lunch Cruise
Staying at
Capella Sydney
Day 3 Sydney
When it comes to unique and inspiring experiences, the list is endless in Sydney. Take a guided walk along the coastline between Coogee and Bondi beaches, finishing with a mouth-watering lunch at Icebergs Dining Room, with views over the oceanside swimming pool. Climb the dizzy heights of Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney, while in the evening enjoy a performance at Sydney Opera House.
Staying at
Capella Sydney
Day 4 Hunter Valley Food & Wine Tour
Discover one of Australia’s premier wine growing regions, The Hunter Valley, on this full-day, small group tour. Enjoy breakfast at Hawkesbury River before driving through picturesque countryside, past rolling hills with panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range in the distance. Wine tasting at three wineries and a progressive lunch is included.
Staying at
Capella Sydney
Day 5 Blue Mountains
Travel through Sydney’s western suburbs to the rugged Blue Mountains National Park. A World-Heritage-listed landscape, The Blue Mountains encompasses eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, dramatic towering cliffs and is home to some of Australia’s wonderful native wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas. The region is dotted with quaint mountain villages such as Leura. Echoes Boutique Hotel offers spectacular views of Jamison Valley and is an easy walk to The Lookout Echo Point, Katoomba Falls and Blue Mountain Cable Car. Staying at Echoes Boutique Hotel
Day 6 Blue Mountains
This morning, discover some remote wilderness areas of The Blue Mountains on our five-hour 4WD tour with Tread Lightly Eco Tours. Not only will you witness spectacularly wild landscapes, but you may also spot a kangaroo or two. The afternoon is for you to explore Katoomba and the region at your leisure. We recommend reserving a table for dinner at Darley’s Restaurant at sister hotel of Echoes, Lilianfels. Staying at Echoes Boutique Hotel
Day 7 Byron Bay
After your private transfer to Sydney Airport, take a short flight to Ballina in northern New South Wales, where you will be met and transferred to Byron Bay. Enjoy the lush surrounding of your resort hotel, follow the boardwalk through the forest and to the beach; keep an eye out for Chris Hemsworth, he’s a Byron Bay resident!
Day 8 Byron Hinterland Tour
Explore the breathtaking Byron Hinterland on a full-day, small group tour into the World Heritage listed Nightcap National Park. Highlights include a two-hour guided rainforest walk to Minyon Falls. Discover an abundance of wildlife, swim in pristine freshwater pools and enjoy a BBQ lunch before perusing Bangalow’s fascinating mix of shops and galleries.
Staying at
Crystalbrook Byron
Day 9 Byron Bay
For the early riser, take a taxi to Byron Lighthouse at Cape Byron where you can witness spectacular sun rises. Spend a day at the resort and enjoy the resort amenities. Explore the delightful beachside Byron Bay, take some private surfing lessons where you might even have some dolphins come and join you in the surf.
Staying at
Crystalbrook Byron
Day 10 Brisbane
Today, leave Byron Bay and travel north along Queensland’s Gold Coast to the tropical city of Brisbane. Sitting on Brisbane River, this laid-back city offers green parks such as the lush Botanic Gardens, museums and art galleries, river cruises and Southbank Parklands. Enjoy al fresco dining, entertainment and explore Streets Beach, a palm-fringed urban swimming beach and lagoon. Staying at Hotel X Brisbane
Day 11 Brisbane
Enjoy exploring the art galleries and boutiques of Fortitude Valley, or spend the day soaking up the sun at the rooftop pool of your hotel. If you prefer to explore the region further, we can offer private tours to the beautiful Scenic Rim, a dramatic arc of volcanic mountains. Venture further north to the Sunshine Coast and enjoy a delicious lunch and shopping on Hastings Street, Noosa. Staying at Hotel X Brisbane
Day 12 Orpheus Island
Orpheus Island
After a two-hour flight from Brisbane to Townsville, transfer to a scenic 30-minute helicopter flight over the coral-studded sea to Orpheus Island. Settle into your laid-back luxe room, with views of swaying palms and the Coral Sea. On your first day, relax and drift away during an indulgent spa journey at Gwandalan Spa, or join in with one of the inclusive Signature Experiences. All meals and selected drinks are included in your stay at Orpheus Island.
Day 13 Orpheus Island
Orpheus Island
An Orpheus Island Signature Experience is included in each day of your stay; choose from water-based experiences including snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing or a pre-dinner cruise with Australian cuisine. Alternatively, you can enjoy a chef-prepared picnic to take to one of the neighbouring island beaches. For a special romantic dining experience, reserve the ‘Dining with the Tides’, an intimate six-course degustation dinner for two served on the resort’s starlit pier.
Staying at
Orpheus Island Lodge
Day 14 Orpheus Island
Orpheus Island
Sustainability is at the heart of Orpheus Island, and you can be part of one of their projects. Visit the Research Station for an educational tour of the facility. Or, partake in their DIY Research Volunteer programme and collect data from studying mangroves, reefs, and coastal habitats to produce real tangible results used by professional scientists. Bespoke experiences can be booked for an additional fee, like scuba diving, tours to the rugged and rainforest-clad Hinchinbrook Island, or snorkelling the World Heritage-listed Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville.
Staying at
Orpheus Island Lodge
Day 15 Mt Mulligan Outback Experience
Mount Mulligan
Transfer to Townsville by helicopter for your flight to Cairns. From here, you’ll head to Mt Mulligan Lodge by 4WD. Sit back and enjoy this two and a half-hour adventure through spectacular landscapes, or upgrade to a 35-minute helicopter flight over the 135-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest and Atherton Tablelands. Settle into your accommodation set on this 28,000-hectare luxury outback lodge and indulge in a dinner, served in the main pavilion dining room.
Day 16 Mt Mulligan
Mount Mulligan
Enjoy a daily Mt Mulligan Signature Experience included in your stay here. Learn about the region’s history on a tour of Mount Mulligan Old Township, Coal Mine and Cemetery, and visit the abandoned township, a former coal mining town originally laid out in 1912. Sadly, 75 workers’ lives were taken here in Queensland’s worst mining disaster in 1921. The Tyrconnell Gold Mine Tour takes you to the most famous mine of the Hodgkinson goldfield where much of the infrastructure remains untouched. Other experiences include ATV and Farm Tours, Barramundi fishing and paddleboarding.
Staying at
Mt Mulligan Lodge
Day 17 Mt Mulligan Outback Experience
Mount Mulligan
Another day to enjoy luxury outback living. For early risers, traverse the rolling hills by ATV and witness sunrise over the Hodgkinson Valley, watching the landscape light up in flamboyant red and orange colours. Immerse yourself in the outstanding natural beauty of this 28,000-hectare property on a self-guided hiking trail or float on Mount Mulligan Weir in a Barrayak. Enjoy a romantic evening and reserve the exclusive ‘Dining Under the Stars’ experience, including a seven-course degustation menu on the edge of the weir under a blanket of stars.
Staying at
Mt Mulligan Lodge
Day 18 Daintree Rainforest
Transfer by 4WD back to Cairns to connect with your scenic road transfer north. You’ll be passing through Palm Cove that hugs the palm-fringed coastline on one side, and sugar cane fields and mountains on the other. Set on the edge of the Daintree Rainforest; UNESCO-World Heritage-listed and the world’s oldest rainforest is Silky Oaks Lodge. Settle into your rainforest retreat and join other guests for the Signature sunset drinks followed by dinner in the Treehouse Restaurant.
Day 19 Daintree Rainforest
Start your day with open air morning yoga, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest followed by tropical breakfast at the Treehouse. Enjoy your surroundings and resort amenities including the lagoon pool, mountain bikes, kayaks or take one of the self-guided Fig Tree Rapids walking trails. Each day a complimentary shuttle takes guest to Port Douglas where you can enjoy shopping or lunch in one of the gorgeous restaurants on Macrossan Street. Back at the lodge, why not indulge in luxurious and restorative treatments at the Healing Waters Spa.
Staying at
Silky Oaks Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
Day 20 Daintree Forest
Silky Oaks offers a host of pre-bookable, bespoke experiences including half-and-full day tours to Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation; keep a lookout for crocodiles and the endangered Cassowary. A favourite experience is the River Drift Snorkel along the Mossman River, a snorkel eco sailing adventure to the Barrier Reefs low isles or private helicopter charter to the Coral Sea’s Undine Cay for an idyllic private picnic.
Staying at
Silky Oaks Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
Day 21 Depart Australia
After a tropical breakfast at Silky Oaks, check-out and transfer to Cairns for your departure flight.
Kelsey
Travel Specialist
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Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
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Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
20 nights from £11,269 per person
