Journey Through Australia

(20 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Uluru, Bamurru Plains & Kakadu, Daintree Rainforest, Lizard Island

This once-in-a-lifetime luxury tour of Australia is for travelers eager to sample the country’s diverse highlights: cultural touring in the most sophisticated cities, spotting endemic wildlife, seeing ancient rock art in the Outback, exploring lush wetlands and rainforests, learning about Aboriginal culture and snorkeling or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

Begin in Sydney, Australia's most beautiful city. Enjoy a private insider tour of the city highlights, including the historic Rocks district, vibrant markets, favorite neighborhoods such as Paddington, the Royal Botanic Garden, Aboriginal art galleries and iconic Bondi Beach. One day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange a private tour of the Sydney Opera House and tickets to a performance. Also enjoy another activity according to your interests. Options include a private surfing lesson, a behind-the-scenes wildlife experience, a private tasting tour and an exhilarating Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb experience. During free time, enjoy the city’s sophisticated restaurants, shops and harborside attractions. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange a boat ride on Sydney Harbour and other special interest activities.

Next, venture to unforgettable Kangaroo Island, a haven of natural beauty and native animals. Stay at award-winning Southern Ocean Lodge, a luxurious modern lodge with clifftop views of the water. During private touring with your own naturalist guide, look for some of Australia’s most charismatic animals in their natural habitats, such as koalas in gum trees, wallabies and kangaroos in the bush, and fur seal and sea lion colonies along the beautiful coast. Also explore unusual rock formations, learn about the history of the island, meet interesting local people or opt for scenic hikes.

Continue to lively Melbourne. During flexible private touring, visit historic neighborhoods, walk the city’s distinctive laneways, and see highlights such as Cooks’ Cottage, Fitzroy Gardens, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Arts Centre Melbourne and the shops at Queen Victoria Market. Also, explore favorite neighborhoods and the wonderful food and culture scene throughout the city. One day, enjoy a private, naturalist-led wildlife excursion to Phillip Island to see koalas and fur seals, and watch the evening penguin parade from an exclusive location. Additional excursions can be arranged upon request, such as a scenic flight over the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles.

Next, fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), the iconic sandstone monolith in Australia’s rugged Red Centre. Stay at Longitude 131, a luxurious tented lodge with views of Uluru against the expansive red earth and vast blue sky. During comprehensive private touring in the region with your own expert guide, walk along the base of beautiful Uluru to see Aboriginal rock art and waterholes, and hear about legends of the Dreamtime. Also hike among the 36 stone domes of the impressive Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) formation, and learn about the Outback’s unique flora and fauna and Aboriginal bush tucker cuisine. One night, dine under the stars while an astronomer points out the southern constellations in the clear desert night sky and a didgeridoo musician plays in the background.

Next, fly to Australia’s Northern Territory (Top End), and transfer to a bush lodge in a rugged region in the remote northern reaches of the continent. One day, enjoy an excursion to the dramatic landscapes of Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including hiking through the monsoon rainforest, cruising on a wilderness river to spot crocodiles and other native wildlife, learning about Aboriginal culture and seeing Aboriginal rock art. Around the lodge, enjoy shared activities such as airboat tours through scenic wetlands, wildlife touring, 4WD safaris, fishing, birding and wilderness walks.

Continue to Tropical North Queensland, and stay at Silky Oaks, a luxury lodge in the Daintree Rainforest. During private touring, learn about the unique ecosystem of the ancient tropical rainforest and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a private boat ride on the Daintree River. Also visit Mossman Gorge, and if desired, enjoy drift snorkeling on the Mossman River. Another day, visit Kuranda and ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Upon request, we can arrange additional activities in the area, such as hot-air balloon rides, Aboriginal crafts lessons, sea kayaking along the coast, “breakfast with the birds” at a local wildlife reserve and other family activities, and in-depth tours of the rainforest with a local Aboriginal guide.

Next, spend several days at spectacular Lizard Island, the best luxury resort in the Great Barrier Reef. One day, enjoy a snorkeling excursion to the outer reef. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a private tour of the island’s coral reef research station. During free time at the resort, enjoy superb cuisine and activities such as snorkeling, swimming, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, beach picnics, tennis, motorized dinghy rides, glass-bottom boat rides, nature walks and hikes. Upon request, we can also arrange scuba diving, scuba lessons, sunset cruises, private fishing excursions and more.

Return to Sydney for a final night before departing Australia.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Sydney, Australia  Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Sydney Full-day private city tour, including private Sydney Opera House tour. Evening dinner and performance at Opera House Day 3 Sydney Flexible touring or activity such as private behind-the-scenes zoo tour, private surfing lesson, private food and wine touring or Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb Day 4 Sydney – Adelaide – Kangaroo Island Private transfer to airport for flight to Adelaide, connecting to Kangaroo Island. Private arrival transfer to resort for 3 nights Day 5 Kangaroo Island Full-day private tour with a naturalist guide, including spotting native animals and exploring the bush and coast Day 6 Kangaroo Island Half-day private tour Day 7 Kangaroo Island – Adelaide – Melbourne Private transfer to airport for flight to Adelaide, connecting to Melbourne. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 8 Melbourne & Phillip Island Morning private city tour. Afternoon and evening private wildlife excursion to Phillip Island with a naturalist guide, including penguin parade Days 9 Melbourne – Uluru (Ayers Rock) Private transfer to airport for flight. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Private sunset tour Day 10 Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) Morning and afternoon private tours of scenic and cultural highlights. Dinner under the stars Day 11 Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Darwin – Bamurru Plains Private transfer to airport for flights to Darwin, connecting with flight to Bamurru Plains for 3 nights Day 12 Bamurru Plains  Lodge-based touring activities Day 13 Bamurru Plains & Kakadu Full-day private charter excursion to Kakadu National Park Day 14 Bamurru Plains – Darwin – Daintree Rainforest Transfer to airstrip for flight to Darwin, connecting with flight to Cairns. Private arrival transfer to Daintree Rainforest for 2 nights Day 15 Daintree Rainforest Full-day private tour Days 16 Daintree Rainforest – Great Barrier Reef Private transfer to airport for flight to Lizard Island for 3 nights Day 17 Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling excursion to outer reef Day 18 Great Barrier Reef Private appointment at island research station Day 19 Great Barrier Reef – Cairns – Sydney Transfer to airstrip for flight to Cairns. Private airport connection assistance to flight to Sydney. Private airport transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 20 Depart Sydney Private airport transfer

Hotels

Sydney: Park Hyatt Sydney Kangaroo Island: Southern Ocean Lodge Melbourne: Park Hyatt Melbourne Uluru (Ayers Rock): Longitude 131 Kakadu: Bamurru Plains Daintree Rainforest: Silky Oaks Lodge Great Barrier Reef: Lizard Island

Cost

Upon request