After reviewing multiple Australia travel packages, a retired couple came to us looking to fulfill a dream. They wanted to see Australia, hit the must-sees, and experience a really authentic wildlife adventure with great photograph opportunities. Australia is a continent of diverse landscapes: the Great Barrier Reef, the Blue Mountains, Tasmania, and even cosmopolitan Sydney’s beautiful coasts.
We started their Australia Travel Package at the Great Barrier Reef in the sunny town of Port Douglas, where they did a boat cruise to the one and only Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling and toured the oldest living rainforest in the world, the Daintree Rainforest.
Then the couple traveled to Sydney. Here, they enjoyed a small group lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour on a private yacht, enjoying a unique view of the Sydney skyline and stopping at leisure to explore secluded beaches. They also journeyed to the nearby Blue Mountains to see some aboriginal rock art and catch a glimpse of kangaroos in the wild.
Their Australia Travel Package then took them to the beautiful island of Tasmania. This is a unique and authentic Australia destination; the locals here practically consider themselves to be in their own country. In Tasmania, they met up with a local guide who took them through the Tassie bush, a world away from city life, and cooked them a delicious campfire meal while they watched the nocturnal wildlife awaken around them.
Continuing their Australia Travel Package, they spent a lot of time seeing the famed Tasmanian countryside, from Cradle Mountain to Freyincet National Park, where they did twilight kayak trip. Finally, they journeyed to Hobart, where they had 2 days at their leisure to explore Tasmania’s capital.
Welcome to Australia! Arriving in Cairns around the middle of the day, let your private transfer meander 90 minutes up the coast to the charming seaside town of Port Douglas, a haven for romantics, cafe and restaurant lovers, and those who wish to visit the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest away from the hordes of tourists. Port Douglas and its lovely beaches will be your home for the next 4 nights. Spend today napping and getting over jet lag, because adventure awaits tomorrow!
Enjoy a full day out on the Great Barrier Reef with a small group for reef interpretation and a guided snorkel tour. You’ll be transported to 3 spectacular sites on the edge of the Outer Great Barrier Reef at the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. Learn about the biology and history of the reef from an expert guide. A dedicated snorkel crew provides personal in-water assistance for beginners, while the more experienced snorkeler or diver can enjoy unrestricted exploration of spectacular drop-offs and coral pinnacles.
Today is a full day out with your highly qualified and knowledgeable guide from Australian Wild Escapes to travel into the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seek out wildlife and birdlife unique to the region, and cruise along the Daintree River before seeking out the deepest part of the rainforest. You’ll also visit where the rainforest meets the sea, feeling like Robinson Crusoe as you step onto the lonely sand with rainforest canopy overhead.
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the beaches of Port Douglas and the luxury of your resort. We can arrange a private dinner along the beach or in the canopy of the rainforest if this is a special romantic trip just for 2.
Transfer back to the airport for a flight to Sydney, a world completely apart from the Great Barrier Reef. Cosmopolitan and well landscaped, Sydney is a feast for the eyes with plenty to offer every traveler.
Take a small group cruise on the famous Sydney Harbour with our local guide, Shawn of Sensational Sydney Cruises. Your 4-hour cruise includes a gourmet lunch, wines, and ample time for a swim at one of Sydney’s beautiful beaches. You can also drop a line over the side of the boat to go fishing, or try kayaking the calm waters.
This morning, your knowledgeable local guide from AEA Luxury Tours will pick you up for a full day of exploring the remarkable Blue Mountains in the comfort of a small group. This region offers an authentic taste of the Aussie country lifestyle. Visit the Three Sisters and view ancient aboriginal rock paintings. The Blue Mountains are rich in beauty, with vast hidden gorges and valleys with cascading waterfalls. It is not uncommon to spot some kangaroos in the wild, or if you are really lucky, a koala.
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Sydney however you choose. Perhaps climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge (if you’re not afraid of heights!) or join a bike tour to some of the city’s best pubs. Optional additional activities include wildlife tours through the hinterlands and nearby national parks, visiting the Hunter Valley wine region, diving with sharks in an aquarium, swimming on one of Sydney’s many beautiful beaches, taking a surf lesson, or enjoying the 360-degree Skywalk atop the Sydney Tower Eye.
Today, it’s a short flight down to Tasmania and a night in Launceston to enjoy a nocturnal tour of Tasmania’s unique wildlife. Known for having some of the purest air, water, and wilderness in the world, Tasmania is an outdoor lover’s dream. Our mates at Pepper Bush Adventures will share their expert knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna, and you’ll get the chance to see iconic Australian animals in their natural setting while you dine under the stars. A photographic safari will give you the chance to capture the elusive platypus or Tasmanian Devil in the wild.
Today, pick up your rental car and enjoy a 2.5-hour scenic journey to the spectacular Cradle Mountain National Park. Try hiking, canoeing, fishing, or a number of other outdoor pursuits in this beautiful western corner of Tasmania.
Today is at your leisure to enjoy all that Cradle Mountain National Park has to offer. Optional additional activities include a quad bike adventure tour; gourmet cooking class and meeting the local suppliers; helicopter to a golf or fly fishing excursion; mountain biking, hiking, and exploring; morning yoga and mediation; secluded picnic lunches; star gazing; wildlife viewing; or simply relaxing in a hammock with a good book.
Drive across Tasmania a few hours to the next national park on your itinerary, Freycinet. Stay in a charming resort along the sea where you can view little blue penguins coming ashore each night to roost.
Your daytime is at leisure to explore the park, but save your energy for twilight, when a special Freycinet Adventures kayak trip on the famous Wineglass Bay will get your heart pumping and your eyes full with a spectacular sunset.
A shorter drive today will take you to the southernmost town in Tasmania, Hobart. Here, you have 2 nights to enjoy the markets, historic sites (such as Port Arthur Penal Colony), and wilderness this region has to offer.
Explore Hobart at your leisure today. On Saturdays, enjoy a stroll through Hobart’s legendary and colorful Salamanca Market, taking in the fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, preserves, wines, and arts and crafts on offer. For an up close encounter with Tasmanian Devils, a stop at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. You can also enjoy the delicious oysters and other seafood available here (paired with local wines, of course).
Today, it’s a flight back to Sydney and then home, having experienced the best outdoor activities Australia has to offer.
When at Cradle Mountain, make sure to head downstairs and check out their wine cellar, where you can hand pick your own bottle of wine!
Enjoy a little bit of everything Australia has to offer, including quirky cities, beautiful beaches, gourmet food and wine, unique wildlife, and stunning luxury hotels.