9 Day Sydney, Rock and Reef Tour
The perfect premium itinerary for first-timers with limited time wanting to visit Australia’s East Coast only.
PREMIUM SYDNEY, ROCK AND REEF
9 days from Sydney to Port Douglas
Enjoy a 3-night stay in Sydney, Ayers Rock/Uluru and Cairns we’ve included enough time to see all the highlights each city has to offer. Cruise on the harbour and visit the Opera House in Sydney; enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, arguably the food, fashion and sports capital of Australia; and visit Cairns, gateway to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Sydney BridgeClimb
• Sydney Opera House Tour
• Sydney Harbour Long Lunch Cruise
• Full Day Blue Mountains Luxury Private Tour
• Uluru Highlights Private Tour
• Kata Tjuta Domes Private Tour
• Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay Shared Cruise
• Full Day Ngana Julaymba Dungay Cultural Tour
ACCOMMODATIONS AND OTHER INCLUSIONS
• 3 Nights in Sydney at the Four Season Hotel Sydney - Deluxe Full Harbour King Room including Full Breakfast
• 2 Nights in Ayers Rock at the Sails in the Desert Hotel - Terrace Room including Full Breakfast
• 3 Nights in Port Douglas at the Peninsula Boutique Hotel - Ocean View Suite including Continental Breakfast
• Private Car and Driver transportation between hotels and airports
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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Sydney (Warrane)
Arrive SydneyHotel: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney in a Deluxe Full Harbour King Room
Includes: Private Car/Driver Transfer from Sydney International Airport to City Hotel. Sydney BridgeClimb with group photo, Certificate of Achievement & Cap
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24/7 fun.
Your 3 hour BridgeClibme Sydney tour commences with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration, before you are led by one of BridgeClimb’s Climb Leaders, on a guided journey (including preparation and briefing), to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The tour takes you along the top arch of the Bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. The steady incline to the summit leaves you free to focus your attention on the surroundings, with the opportunity to witness 360 degree views of Sydney including east to the Sydney Opera House, west to the Blue Mountains and the Harbour City surrounds.
Day 2: Sydney (Warrane)
Sydney Opera House Tour & Sydney Harbour CruiseHotel: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney in a Deluxe Full Harbour King Room
Includes: Full breakfast, Sydney Opera House private tour and Sydney Harbour Long Luch private cruise with Progressive 3 course lunch and beverages
More than 60 years ago, Jorn Utzon designed what is now considered one of the greatest buildings of all time. But for Utzon, the Sydney Opera House story was no fairy tale. The 1 hour tour brings to life the saga behind the making of the world’s most famous house. Your guide will take you on an emotional journey inside this modern masterpiece, putting Jorn Utzon on centre stage and is a tribute to his creative genius. You will discover why Utzon was more than an architect: he was an architect of change. And how, against a landslide of political and public criticism, he created the youngest building ever to be World Heritage listed. An immersive digital sight and sound experience provides unforgettable moments from past Concert Hall performances and guides you through the history and future of this performance space. You will be taken inside one of the working venues to experience the magic behind the world’s most extraordinary opera, ballet, symphony and dramatic performances.
Enjoy a 4 hour cruise on iconic Sydney harbour on board a luxury cruiser. Cruise past the world famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as your crew will be on hand to tell you about the past and modern day history of the harbour. Start with entree at Watsons Bay and then cruise onto Middle Head and into Middle Harbour. Discover the beauty of the harbour and then stop at Balmoral for lunch at a world famous iconic harbour side restaurant. Depart Balmoral and cruise past the Spit Bridge while you indulge on your dessert and cheese platter & wines to match before the return to the main harbour where you will have an opportunity to stop for a swim if you choose (time & weather permitting).
Day 3: Blue Mountains
Full Day Blue Mountains Luxury Private TourHotel: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney in a Deluxe Full Harbour King Room
Includes: Full breakfast, hotel pick up and drop off, Blue Mountains tour with Calmsley Hill admission, morning tea, 2 course Lunch at Echoes Restaurant with 1 glass of beer, wine or soft drink per person, national park fee and bottled water on board.
This 9 hour tour travels to the Blue Mountains. Stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm also home to Kangaroo, Emu, Wombat and Koala. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure. Visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas and enjoy a stress and hurry free environment. Arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout point away from the crowds for views of the famous Three Sisters. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. Enjoy lunch at Echoes Restaurant, perched at the absolute edge of the Blue Mountains, with views of mountains, cliff edges and lush rainforest valleys. After lunch, visit Govetts Leap, one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. Your last stop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens where there is time for a short inspection of the flora including the ancient Wollemi Pine. Return to Sydney, where you will be transferred to your Sydney city accommodation.
Day 4: Sydney to Ayers Rock/Uluru
Hotel: Sails in the Desert Hotel in a Terrace RoomIncludes: Full breakfast, Private Car/Driver Transfer from Sydney hotel to Domestic Airport, Private Car/Driver Transfer from Domestic Airport to Ayers Rock/Uluru Hotel
Your flight today is not included in your arrangementsUluru, the true Aboriginal name for what many people know as Ayers Rock, rises from the broad desert plain in the deep centre of Australia and it’s one of the country’s most recognisable natural icons. The famous “Rock” stands 348 metres high and is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Forty kilometres to the west of Uluru is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. This massive pile of rock domes dates back 500 million years. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great Aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners. Learn about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area.
Sails in the Desert Hotel is named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof, this is Ayers Rock Resort’s premium hotel. The hotel’s interior decor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture, with a gallery in the lobby and significant artworks featured throughout the public areas and private rooms. The property also features an expansive gumtree lined swimming pool and a range of dining options.
Day 5: Ayers Rock/Uluru
Uluru Highlights Tour & Kata Tjuta Domes TourHotel: Sails in the Desert Hotel in a Terrace Room
Inclusions: Full breakfast, hotel pick up and drop off from Ayers Rock Resort, National Park Entry Tickets and Outback picnic breakfast
Your 3 hour tour commences with a transfer from your hotel, where you will travel towards Uluru. Its vast shape rises from the sand dunes in the early dawn light highlighting its presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location to watch the sun rise over this amazing monolith. You will learn the creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) and hear about the Mala people. After breakfast you will visit Mutitjulu Waterhole and then drive around the base of the Uluru.
This 3 hour afternoon tour travels to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, to a place where unique flora and fauna thrive – Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Your guide will reveal the many attributes of this diverse environment and describe the cultural significance of Kata Tjuta as a sacred Aboriginal men’s ceremonial site. Arriving at Walpa Gorge, walk between the mighty conglomerate domes and hear how these 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here. Your guide will return you to your hotel in time for those people joining the Sounds of Silence dinner, Tali Wiru dinner or Field of Light.
Day 6: Ayers Rock/Uluru to Port Douglas (via Cairns)
Hotel: Peninsula Boutique Hotel in an Ocean View SuiteInclusions: Full breakfast, Private Car/Driver from Ayers Rock/Uluru hotel to Domestic Airport and from Domestic Airport to Port Douglas
Your flight today is not included in your arrangementsLocated just north of Cairns, Port Douglas offers a sophisticated and low-key escape for travellers in an unpretentious and relaxed tropical environment. Shop in the boutique clothing stores, dine in the exquisite alfresco restaurants and enjoy the islands and coral cays of the nearby Great Barrier Reef. A visit to Four Mile Beach is essential where you can laze away the day on the pristine sand. Port Douglas is also a popular base from which to explore the rainforests of the Wet Tropics, Daintree and Cape Tribulation
Day 7: Port Douglas
Full Day Outer Reef Mackay Coral Cay Shared CruiseHotel: Peninsula Boutique Hotel in an Ocean View Suite
Inclusions: Continental breakfast, hotel pick up and drop off, morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, snorkelling equipment, wet suites & floating devices, instruction and in-water assistance, guided snorkel tour, glass bottom boat viewing
Your day commences with a transfer from your hotel to the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, where you will board your vessel. You can sit back and relax on the beautiful yacht and set sail to the Coral Cays of Mackay or Undine Reefs. You will enjoy an authentic sailing experience, following the coastline and views of the Daintree mountains. Once at the protected sites at the Coral Cays, nature activities will include snorkelling over the pristine coral reef with a qualified marine biologist offering reef interpretation on a guided snorkel tour. A glass bottom boat coral viewing tour is also on offer. Premium reef sites showcase abundant marine life, including encounters with turtles and an amazing display of giant clam gardens, beautiful corals and a wide variety of fish. Exploring the white sands of the coral cays will relax the mind. Soak up the sun, peace and tranquility and swim in turquoise clear waters. Small numbers of guests ensure personal interactive communication with our experienced guides. A tropical buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas & coffees, supplied by local plantations, will complement a day of adventure and relaxation. Expert guiding and 1st class services are all included from helpful, friendly crew.
Day 8: Port Douglas
Full Day Ngana Julaymba Dungay Cultural TourHotel: Peninsula Boutique Hotel in an Ocean View Suite
Inclusions: Continental breakast, hotel pick up and drop off, Professional Aboriginal Guide, Bush Tucker Tasting (seasonal & tidal), lunch
On this 7.5 hour tour you will spend the day with a local Aboriginal tour guide, learning about culturally significant areas and the relationships the Kuku Yalanji still have with their land. Learn the history, culture and traditions of the local Aboriginal people and the area. Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest and coastal habitats learning about the environment, different foods and medicines utilized from nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices, have a go at spear throwing and if you are lucky, catch a mud crab. To complete the adventure cool off in a pristine freshwater stream. At the completion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your Port Douglas accommodation.
Day 9: Port Douglas
End of TourInclusions: Continental breakfast, Private Car/Driver Transfers from Port Douglas Hotel to Cairns International Airport
Today ends your Sydney, Rock and Reef tour.
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Terms & Conditions
All rates will be quoted in the applicable currency and will be valid for travel during the seasonality dates booked. Should existing Government charges change or new charges be introduced prior to travel, we reserve the right to requote. International airfares may be subject to fuel surcharges at the time of booking. Rates are not valid over special event periods when surcharged rates and/or minimum stays may apply. All tours must be started and completed within the validity dates of the rates shown for the specific rate to be applicable. Travel that crosses between rate validity, or where there is a seasonality note, will be subject to a special quotation. All prices are subject to the availability of the specified services and contracted rates at the time of booking. COST EXCLUDES • Internal Australian flights (unless otherwise specified) • Internation flights • Supplier surcharges when date/time of service required occurs on a public holiday or outside of standard hours • Optional tours and services • Meals other than those specified above • Beverages • Gratuities • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone calls, mini bar, laundry, etc.) • Travel insurance (cancellations, loss of deposits, delays, etc.)