13-Nights Essential Australia: Sydney, Rock, Reef & Melbourne
Available Dates
10/22/2026
–
12/31/2028
:
Call for pricing
Trip Overview:
This 14-day Australian vacation showcases some of the country’s greatest highlights, including Sydney, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, and Melbourne. It features first-class accommodations and small group tours.
Your journey across Australia begins in Sydney, the nation’s largest city and home to one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. A panoramic city sights tour will introduce you to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point. Afterwards, board a luxury yacht for a cruise of the beautiful harbour. Feast on a three-course BBQ lunch as you enjoy views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the water. While based in Syndey, you’ll take a day to explore the Blue Mountains, exploring the landscape of sandstone mountains, deep ravines, and thick eucalypt forests and seeing landmarks such as the Tree Sisters and Calmsley Hill.
Fly to Australia’s Red Centre, where you’ll discover the mystical sandstone configurations of Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta/The Olgas. Start with a tour of Walpa Gorge and exploration of the 36 sandstone domes of Kata Tjuta. A Sounds of Silence dinner that evening transforms the desert into a magical landscape. Sip on sparkling wine as the sun sets over the desert and allow the sound of didgeridoo to transform the landscape. Then feast on a delicious meal with the changing colours of Uluru as your backdrop. Spend the rest of your time in the Red Centre exploring the Pitjantjatjara Lands and learning about Aboriginal culture and stories of the Dreamtime. You’ll also experience the desert before dawn and watch the light of dawn transform Kata Tjuta and Uluru into brilliant shades of red and orange.
Connect to Cairns in northern Queensland and onwards to Port Douglas, where you’ll explore the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living structure. Cruise through the Low Isles and snorkel through protected coral gardens. You’ll also have the chance to ride in a glass bottom boat for intimate views of the undersea life and plenty of time to swim off white-sand beaches. Back on the mainland, explore the Daintree Rainforest from Mossman to Cape Tribulation. Spot Estuarine Crocodiles during a Daintree River cruise, admire views of the Coral Sea from Alexandra Range, search for cassowaries along the jungle boardwalk, and go for a rainforest swim in Emmagen Creek before reaching famous Cape Tribulation beach.
The final stop on your journey through Australia is Melbourne, one of the most livable cities on the planet. A private tour showcases the iconic laneways and arcades of the downtown. Outside the city, explore the Australian bush and meet wild koalas and kangaroos in the company of an expert guide and researcher. Drive the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most remarkable coastal drives, and spot the iconic rock monuments, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Hike through Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park to spot echidnas and lizards, before closing out your time in Victoria by exploring the grasslands of the Western Plains.
At the end of your vacation, you’ll connect back to Melbourne for onward travels.
Highlights:
- Discover Sydney’s iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach before cruising Sydney Harbour.
- Explore Australia’s Blue Mountains, admiring the Three Sisters, sweeping valleys and native wildlife.
- Experience Uluru’s ancient Aboriginal heritage, Kata Tjuta’s towering domes and a spectacular desert sunset.
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest near Port Douglas.
- Wander Melbourne’s vibrant laneways, discover the Great Ocean Road and witness Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade.
Included Services:
- Private arrival & departure airport transfers in Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne
- Shared arrival & departure transfers in Ayers Rock
- 3 nights premium accommodation in Sydney
- 2 nights premium accommodation in Ayers Rock
- 3 nights premium accommodation in Port Douglas
- 4 nights premium accommodation in Melbourne
- Small group Panoramic Sydney Sights
- Shared Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise
- Small group Blue Mountains Deluxe Experience
- Small group Kata Tjuta Domes tour
- Small group SEIT Uluru Tour
- Shared Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
- Shared Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Cruises
- Shared 4WD Cape Tribulation Tour from Port Douglas
- Small group Lanes and Arcades Walking tour
- Small Group French Island & Phillip Island Tour
- Small group tour along the Great Ocean Road
- 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner
Excluded Services:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Passport & Visa fees, if applicable