Western Australia, the Top End & Queensland

(19 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Perth & Pinnacles, Ningaloo Reef, Broome & the Kimberley, Bamurru Plains & Kakadu, Daintree Rainforest, Lizard Island & Great Barrier Reef

On this private luxury tour of Australia, visit all-time favorites such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, as well as spectacular destinations in remote Western Australia and the Top End. This tour is ideal for repeat visitors and intrepid travelers wanting unique landscapes and the best accommodation in each location. It can easily be extended with time in Sydney and other destinations.

Begin in Perth, the sunny capital of Western Australia. Visit highlights such as Kings Park & Botanic Museum and Cottesloe Beach. Also visit Fremantle, a historic port town at the mouth of the Swan River, to see Victorian-era neighborhoods and the Western Australian Maritime Museum. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Nambung National Park, a beautiful coastal region. Explore the fascinating Pinnacles Desert, an eerie landscape of limestone pillars emerging from the sand dunes. Return to Perth via a scenic helicopter flight.

Continue along the coast to Ningaloo Reef and stay at a wilderness camp among the sand dunes of Cape Range National Park. One day, enjoy a private boat excursion to Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an unforgettable experience of swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks. Another day, opt for lodge-based activities such as kayaking above the reef, snorkeling in lagoons, catch-and-release fishing, stargazing in the dark skies, and nature walks through Mandu Mandu Gorge to spot native wildlife such as emus, wallabies and perenties (giant lizards).

Continue to Broome, a historic seaside town where the red earth of the remote Kimberley region meets the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Stay at a resort overlooking beautiful Cable Beach and enjoy activities such as seeing fossilized dinosaur footprints, walking through local mangroves with an Aboriginal guide, taking a sunset camel ride on Cable Beach, visiting a working pearl farm, seeing red rock sea cliffs at Gantheaume Point, and learning about local history in Broome’s Chinatown and Japanese Cemetery. Additional activities in the region include sea kayaking, watching movies at a historic outdoor cinema and a scenic helicopter flight to Horizontal Falls.

Next, fly to the Top End and transfer to Bamurru Plains, a remote bush lodge in a rugged region in the northern reaches of Australia. One day, enjoy an excursion to the dramatic landscapes of Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including hiking through a 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, experience the best of the unique ecosystem of the ancient tropical rainforest and UNESCO World Heritage Site. During touring, learn about the unique local flora and fauna, visit Mossman Gorge, and enjoy activities such as swimming in sinkholes surrounded by the spectacular rainforest.

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

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Perth Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Perth & Fremantle Full-day private tour Day 3 Perth & Pinnacles Full-day private excursion, including return scenic helicopter flight Day 4 Perth – Ningaloo Reef Private transfer to airport for flight and transfer to wilderness camp for 3 nights Day 5 Ningaloo Reef Full-day private boat charter for whale shark experience Day 6 Ningaloo Reef Lodge-based activities Day 7 Ningaloo Reef – Perth – Broome & Cable Beach         Private transfer to airport for flight and transfer to resort for 3 nights Day 8 Broome & Cable Beach Full-day private tour, option for sunset camel ride on the beach Day 9 Broome & Cable Beach Full-day private tour Day 10 Broome – Darwin – Bamurru Plains Private transfer to airport for flights to Darwin, connecting with flight to bush lodge for 3 nights Day 11 Bamurru Plains Lodge-based touring activities Day 12 Bamurru Plains & Kakadu National Park Full-day private charter excursion to Kakadu National Park Day 13 Bamurru Plains – Darwin – Cairns & Daintree Rainforest Transfer to airstrip for flight to Darwin, connecting with flight to Cairns. Private arrival transfer to luxury lodge for 3 nights Day 14 Daintree Rainforest Full-day private tour Day 15 Daintree Rainforest Half-day private tour Day 16 Daintree Rainforest – Great Barrier Reef & Lizard Island Private transfer to airport for flight to luxury resort for 3 nights Day 17 Great Barrier Reef Boat excursion to outer reef Day 18 Great Barrier Reef Private appointment at Lizard Island Research Station. Afternoon at leisure at resort Day 19 Great Barrier Reef – Depart Cairns or continue to Sydney Transfer to airstrip for flight to Cairns

Hotels

Perth: COMO the Treasury Ningaloo Reef: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Broome & Cable Beach: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa Kakadu National Park: Bamurru Plains Daintree Rainforest: Silky Oaks Lodge Great Barrier Reef: Lizard Island

Cost

Upon request