Discover the highlights of Australia on a tailor-made journey that combines sophisticated Sydney, the sacred sites of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary Request Itinerary or Ask Us A Question or Call 855-215-8690
 Tropical fish and coral of the Great Barrier Reef
Tropical fish and coral of the Great Barrier Reef
 Sydney skyline, early evening
Sydney skyline, early evening
 Sydney Opera House at night
Sydney Opera House at night
 The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef
 Clown fish amid the anemone, the Great Barrier Reef
Clown fish amid the anemone, the Great Barrier Reef
 Tropical fish and coral, the Great Barrier Reef
Tropical fish and coral, the Great Barrier Reef
 Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef
Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef
 Beaked Coral Fish
Beaked Coral Fish
 Sea fans, Great Barrier Reef
Sea fans, Great Barrier Reef
 Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Australia's Great Barrier Reef
 The Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest
 Daintree River and Rainforest
Daintree River and Rainforest
 Boardwalks in the Daintree Rainforest
Boardwalks in the Daintree Rainforest
 Flora in the Daintree Rainforest
Flora in the Daintree Rainforest
 A rare Southern Cassowary in the Daintree Rainforest
A rare Southern Cassowary in the Daintree Rainforest
 Australian Azure Kingfisher, Daintree Rainforest
Australian Azure Kingfisher, Daintree Rainforest
 An Olive-backed Sunbird, Daintree Rainforest
An Olive-backed Sunbird, Daintree Rainforest
 Wallabies
Wallabies
 Uluru or Ayers Rock
Uluru or Ayers Rock
 View of Uluru
View of Uluru
 The Olgas at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The Olgas at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
 Walking at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Walking at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
 Sunset over Uluru
Sunset over Uluru
 The beach at Port Douglas
The beach at Port Douglas
 Night sky in Australia
Night sky in Australia

Highlights of Australia: A Tailor-Made Journey

12 days from $6,495

Discover the highlights of Australia on a tailor-made journey that combines sophisticated Sydney, the sacred sites of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Request a Tailor-Made Itinerary

or call 855-215-8690

Tour Details

TOUR BROCHURE

brochure

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY

The tailor-made journey to Australia was excellent. I only wish I could have stayed longer and gone to the West Coast.

- Kenneth S.

Our trip to New Zealand and Australia was fabulous! We had fun planning it with our country specialist, Alison. She quickly figured out what we like to do and organized a trip that exceeded our expectations.

- Tina W.

This trip was the completion of my goal of traveling to all of the 7 continents! I could not have selected a better way to complete my quest!

- Thomas H.

JOURNEYS DISPATCHES

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Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Sydney, Australia

Luxurious amenities, modern décor and a relaxing ambience make the Shangri-La Sydney an ideal place to continue our exploration of Australia. This five-star hotel features plush beds and soundproofed windows for a tranquil atmosphere and uninterrupted views of the city skyline, the harbour and the Sydney Opera House. 

Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock Resort

Uluru, Australia

Comfortable and chic Sails in the Desert Hotel is a beautiful contrast to Uluru's raw natural beauty. The resort features the stunning Mulgara Gallery, which showcases indigenous art and style. Also onsite is a gumtree-lined heated outdoor swimming pool and a variety of modern dining, bar and lounge options. Guest rooms feature indigenous artwork and artifacts.



Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel

Port Douglas, Australia

The Port Douglas Peninsula Hotel offers a boutique style hotel experience – enjoying an unrivalled beachside location overlooking Four Mile Beach and is the only hotel in Port Douglas with beach and ocean views. 40 metres to the beach and a 2 minute stroll to the heart of Port Douglas with its cosmopolitan boutiques, restaurants and entertainment options.

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat

Atherton Tablelands, Australia

Gift Membership – Friends of Smithsonian
When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include: A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall. Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events. Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts. 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium. Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook. Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue. *Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members. 
Testimonials

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY

The tailor-made journey to Australia was excellent. I only wish I could have stayed longer and gone to the West Coast.

- Kenneth S.

Our trip to New Zealand and Australia was fabulous! We had fun planning it with our country specialist, Alison. She quickly figured out what we like to do and organized a trip that exceeded our expectations.

- Tina W.

This trip was the completion of my goal of traveling to all of the 7 continents! I could not have selected a better way to complete my quest!

- Thomas H.
Reading List

Highly Recommended

In a Sunburned Country
By: Bryson, Bill
DK Eyewitness Australia (Travel Guide)
By: DK Eyewitness
The Songlines (Penguin Classics)
By: Chatwin, Bruce
Aboriginal Australians
By: Broome, Richard

Also Recommended

A History of Australia (Macmillan Essential Histories, 27)
By: Peel, Mark, Twomey, Christina
The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding
By: Hughes, Robert
Sydney Opera House
By: Doust, Sam, Gibson, Peter
The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru: The History and Legacy of Australia's Most Famous Landmarks
By: Charles River Editors
A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Improbable Birth of Australia
By: Keneally, Thomas
The Reef: A Passionate History: The Great Barrier Reef from Captain Cook to Climate Change
By: McCalman, Iain
The Turning: Stories
By: Winton, Tim
Australia: the East (Travellers' Wildlife Guides)
By: Beletsky, Les
Chasing Kangaroos: A Continent, a Scientist, and a Search for the World's Most Extraordinary Creature
By: Flannery, Tim
24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Laminated)

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.

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