Day 1 – Sydney, Australia

Arrive in Sydney and meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free so that you can recuperate after your long flight. If you wish, take a walk in the lively Rocks District, the site of Australia’s first European settlement, now full of art galleries, historic buildings, and cafes. (B)

Day 2 – Sydney

Board a catamaran with a small group this morning for a cruise of Sydney Harbour. Hear about the city’s history and enjoy a buffet lunch as you sail past the Rocks, bustling Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the magnificent Sydney Opera House. The rest of the day is at leisure. We recommend climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge—a fun way to appreciate its ingenious engineering and take in sweeping views of the city and its bay. If you would like to see a performance at the Opera House tonight, we can make the arrangements for you. (B)

Day 3 – Sydney

Enjoy a full day to explore Sydney and its environs as you wish. Take a stroll along the waterfront, tour one of the city’s museums, or visit the Botanic Garden. Or travel farther afield with an excursion to the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage-listed wilderness of canyons, waterfalls, and eucalyptus forests about an hour and a half from the city. Go bushwalking on the lookout for kangaroos and other marsupials, and admire the trio of sandstone pinnacles known as Three Sisters. (B)

Day 4 – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Red Centre, and meet a private driver for the transfer to your hotel. The park is home to the sacred monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the cluster of domed boulders known as Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas. During a free afternoon, consider visiting the park’s excellent Cultural Centre, which offers a glimpse into the culture of the local Anangu people, from their creation stories of Uluru to their artistic traditions. This evening, enjoy an outback dining experience under the stars featuring champagne and canapés, Australian bush tucker, and stargazing with a local astronomer. (B, D)

Day 5 – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Rise early to catch the sunrise over the Kata Tjuta—a magical sight you'll experience from a viewing platform on a small group tour. After time at leisure back at your hotel, join a small group for a guided visit to Uluru, learning the history and Aboriginal significance of this iconic site as you walk among the folds of the rock.  Watch the colors of Uluru transform with the changing light, and cap off the day witnessing the sunset on this mystical place. (B)

Day 6 – Cairns / Port Douglas

Enjoy a free morning to further explore the desert or relax at your hotel. Then fly to Cairns, on the coast of tropical North Queensland, where you’ll be picked up for the drive to your hotel in Port Douglas. This is your beachfront base for the next four nights as you explore two World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. (B)

Day 7 – Port Douglas / Great Barrier Reef

Board a reef cruiser and set out on a full-day snorkel or dive trip on the Great Barrier Reef. Explore some of its 2,900 reefs, encountering silvery schools and vividly colored marine species. With luck, you might spot a giant clam or a reef shark, or swim with a manta ray. Gain insights into this natural wonder from a marine biologist and enjoy lunch with fellow passengers on board. (B)

Day 8 – Port Douglas / Daintree Rainforest

Venture into the Daintree Rainforest on a full-day small-group tour. Learn about the ecology of this ancient rainforest, and hear about the unique, symbiotic relationship between the Daintree and the local indigenous people that goes back tens of thousands of years. End the tour at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. (B)

Day 9 – Port Douglas

Enjoy a full day at leisure in this tropical paradise. Spend it with your feet in the sand at one of the area’s beaches, explore galleries and boutiques in the village, or go for a walk in the surrounding parks. (B)

Day 10-11 – Atherton Tablelands

Pick up your rental car and drive to the Atherton Tablelands, an undulating plateau southwest of Cairns that offers much to explore, including World Heritage-listed rainforests, old mining towns, and serene lakes. Settle into your treehouse in the jungle and enjoy two days to discover the treasures of this unspoiled area. Follow trails to stunning waterfalls and enormous trees, examine luminous minerals in the Crystal Caves, visit historic villages, and look for some 160 species on a birding excursion. (B)

Day 12 – Cairns / Depart for Home

Return to the airport in Cairns to catch your flight home.