Sydney, Reef & Rainforest Luxury Fly/Drive Itinerary

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches, and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis offers a stunning introduction to Australia.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights

A full day luxury guided tour of Sydney offers you an overview of Sydney's history and scenic highlights with a knowledgeable local expert.

Luxury Coach Tour of Sydney

Your friendly guide will meet you at your hotel and whisk you away to the historic Rocks Precinct to explore the convict built cottages, pubs and the first church in Australia.

Heading east, you make your way to Sydney's gorgeous Botanical Gardens in the heart of the city. Enjoy a walking tour of the harbour’s edge with magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House before rejoining your luxury vehicle.

Continue on to Rushcutters Bay for a waterfront lunch at the prestigious Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, home to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Then you'll follow the coastline to arrive at Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand: Bondi Beach.

Arriving back at your hotel you will have enjoyed a great day out seeing some of Sydney’s best kept secrets.

Enjoy some free time to discover Sydney in depth, at your own pace.

Sailing through Sydney Harbour really is a must-do. Take a ferry to Manly for a laid-back beach day, or cruise to Taronga Zoo, whose stunning location offer outstanding harbour views for visitors and animals alike.

Adventurers can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge: as well as 360 degree harbour views, you'll learn all about this engineering marvel from an expert guide. Or tackle the Bondi to Bronte walking trail along the sandstone cliffs for panoramic views of the South Pacific Ocean.

The Sydney Fish Market is the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can pile your plate with fresh mud crab, Balmain bugs, lobsters, fish n chips or freshly cut sashimi, and take your haul outside to eat on the pier.

However you choose to spend your day, Sydney is guaranteed to win your heart.

Today we transport you to the stunning Whitsunday Islands for a 3 night getaway in paradise.

Hamilton Island

On Hamilton Island you're surrounded by pristine white beaches and a whole world of coral and marine life. It's hard to believe this tranquil resort island is just 16 kilometres away from the Queensland coast. Hamilton Island is the perfect base to explore the 74 islands of the Whitsundays, or to simply disconnect from the world.

Fringed by coral reefs and secluded inlets, the 6 square kilometre island is easy to get around, with golf buggies being a popular mode of transport! 70% of the landscape is protected National Park, offering endless opportunities to reconnect with nature during your visit.

Staying at the luxurious Qualia resort on the island's northernmost tip, your every wish will be taken care of: all you need to do is relax and unwind.

Accommodation: Hamilton Island - 3 Nights

The beauty of the Whitsundays is on your doorstep, and today you are free to explore it any way you desire. Here are some of our favourite suggestions:

•    Travel to world-famous Whitehaven Beach by helicopter, with breathtaking views of the surrounding Whitsunday Islands and fringing reefs.
•    Take a relaxing sunset cruise around the sheltered waters of Hamilton Island.
•    Try a guided snorkelling safari or visit world-famous dive sites.
•    Discover the island's hidden coves on a guided Jet Ski Tour.
•    Get up close to some of the Whitsundays’ most spectacular marine life on a guided sea kayak tour.

Of course you may opt instead to snooze on the private sundeck of your luxury pavilion overlooking the Coral Sea, enjoying your time in this peaceful sanctuary from everyday life.
 

Continue to enjoy island life however you wish.

Play a round of golf on the island's 18-hole championship course, trek the island’s walking trails, hire a dinghy and discover secluded coves, or try any Whitsunday excursions you didn't fit in yesterday.

If you fancy a lazy day you don't have to leave the resort: spoil yourself with a sumptuous luxury Spa treatment, swim a few lengths of the infinity-edge pools, sip cocktails from the poolside bar and allow time to drift away.

Fly to Cairns and take a leisurely hour-long drive to tropical Port Douglas.

Port Douglas: Reef and Rainforest

Welcome to the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet: the aquamarine waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and the stunning canopy of oldest living rainforest on the planet: the Daintree Rainforest.

Port Douglas itself is a foodie haven with cafés, bars, and restaurants galore. A year-round resort destination, you can dine al fresco and swim in the warm ocean waters no matter when you visit. With three nights here you have ample time to discover the region's many delights.

Accommodation: Port Douglas - 3 Nights

Approximate Distance: 70 km | 43 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Spend today on a full day sailing trip. 

Explore the Great Barrier Reef’s Low Isles for a full day on a catamaran cruise from Port Douglas. With tropical breeze and crystal clear oceans, guided by a marine biologist, you’ll have informative commentary to accompany your beach lounging, snorkeling, or glass-bottom boat tour. Enjoy the ability to travel light, as cruises include lunch and snorkeling equipment.

Spend today enjoying Port Douglas at your leisure.

Four Mile Beach runs along the edge of Port Douglas, stretching as far as the eye can see. Take a dip in the warm Coral Sea, explore the rock pools or follow the walking trail up Flagstaff Hill to be rewarded with mountain views.

In town, funky boutiques offer major international labels, handcrafted local jewellery and everything in between. Head to the Reef Marina for Port Douglas’ top eateries: don't miss Hemingway’s Brewery where you can sample locally brewed beer made with water from nearby Mossman 

Nestled in Kuku Yalangi country, Silky Oaks Lodge sits high above the Mossman River, enveloped by the Daintree Rainforest. You'll spend the next two nights luxuriating in this unforgettable boutique hideaway.

Spectacularly located in the Mossman Gorge region right next to the Daintree National Park, it's hard to believe Port Douglas is a mere 20 minutes away.

You'll stay in warm, welcoming treehouse rooms built on stilts using local hardwoods. Wall to ceiling windows lead to spacious balconies which overlook the rainforest or river, offering privacy and isolation in a peaceful space.

We think you'll agree, there's no better base from which to explore the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest.

Accommodation: Mossman Gorge - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 30 km | 18 miles   Total Driving Time: 30 mins

To make the most of your free day in this spectacular region, we suggest a Silky Oaks Lodge Safari with an experienced guide.

Suggested Activity: Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation Safari
Crossing the Daintree River, you will embark on a journey into the ancient pristine rainforests of Cape Tribulation. Your day will include lunch, crocodile and bird spotting cruise on the Daintree River, guided walks through the Rainforest and lookouts along the way.

Around Silky Oaks Lodge
If you would prefer to stay closer to home there are extensive hiking trails from the Lodge into the Daintree National Park. The Lodge also offers canoeing, river snorkelling, goanna spotting, biking, guided walks and early morning yoga classes as well as a luxury wellness spa to nourish body and soul.

Say farewell to the rainforest and return to Cairns today to board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 12 Day Luxury Sydney, Reef and Rainforest Fly/Drive vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.

Approximate Distance: 85 km | 53 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins