Best of Australia

(17 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne & Phillip Island, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef

Experience the absolute best of Australia on this incredible private tour. It includes an ideal combination of sophisticated private touring, accommodation at the top luxury lodges in Australia’s most extraordinary natural settings, and carefully selected experiences and activities customized for each traveler.

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 Federation Square, Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building, Cooks’ Cottage and Fitzroy Gardens, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Arts Centre Melbourne and the shops at Queen Victoria Market. 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.

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 your onward flight.

 

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Sydney 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 Full-day flexible touring 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 island 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 Day 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) – Cairns – Daintree Rainforest Morning private tour. Afternoon private transfer to airport for flight to Cairns. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 12 Daintree Rainforest Full-day private tour Day 13 Daintree Rainforest – Cairns – Great Barrier Reef Morning Skyrail excursion. Private transfer to airport for flight to Lizard Island for 3 nights Day 14 Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling excursion to outer reef Day 15 Great Barrier Reef Private appointment at Lizard Island research station Day 16 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 17 Depart Sydney Private airport transfer

Hotels

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

Cost

Upon request