Wonders of Reef, Rock & Sydney

Today transfer from hotel to Ayers Rock airport for your flight to Cairns (not included). Upon arrival in Cairns, we will be transferred to our hotel. 

Dinner tonight is at the Ochre Restaurant at Harbour Lights, a short walk from the hotel. We enjoy a 3 course se menu dinner (beverages excluded), before walking back to our hotel.

We are collected from our hotel and taken on a Full Day Kuranda Tour. 

Kuranda is the aboriginal for 'village in the rainforest', and over the years Kuranda has taken on a distinctive character as a popular visitor destination in its own right. Take a stroll in the World Heritage Rainforest around the village, visit the world famous Kuranda Markets and enjoy amazing “street art” around every corner.

The original Kuranda Scenic Railway Heritage Class carriages offer the old-world charm of travelling in authentic timber carriages, some of which are up to 100 years old. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and numerous photographic opportunities as you wind through World Heritage-listed rainforest.

After leaving the train, we transfer by coach to Rainforestation Nature Park, boasting 40 hectares of gardens and rainforest set amidst World Heritage areas. Ride the amphibious army duck through the rainforest and visit the Koala and Wildlife Park. The Dreamtime Walk provides a comprehensive introduction to Aboriginal and Islander culture and history with practical experiences including boomerang lessons on spear throwing. Witness the dynamic performance of the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers in the natural amphitheatre where the rainforest serves as the theatre walls and the sounds of the forest and the didgeridoo create the backing music. A Barbecue lunch will be served during the day (beverages excluded).

We then return to Kuranda and the Skyrail terminal, where we board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for an amazing experience over Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. Your Skyrail experience should take approximately 1 ½ hours and includes spending time at the two rainforest mid-stations. Allow 20 minutes for each station, to enjoy Ranger guided boardwalk tours and visit the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, lookouts and historical displays. Afterwards we return to our hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Another must see of Australia is on the schedule for today - The Great Barrier Reef. 

We our hotel for Green Island and Great Barrier Reef Adventure. A fast 45 minute catamaran ride will take you to beautiful Green Island to enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. A day of adventure and discovery continues onto Great Adventures’ spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef, this is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and dive (additional cost), visit the underwater observatory and cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. On conclusion of your cruise, you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

An early start today, as we head transfer to the airport for the flight to Uluru (not included)

After arriving at Ayers Rock (Uluru), you will be transferred to the hotel, before departing in the afternoon for the Olga’s and Rock sunset tour. Enjoy drinks and nibbles as the sunsets. 

An early start this morning, but one well worth it! As we depart on a Sunrise & Base Tour.  Uluru is known for its changing colours at different times of the day, and sunrise will give a different perspective to the sunset from yesterday. Tour the base, and learn about the Rock, and …

After the tour, we return to the hotel, and the afternoon is at leisure….until dinner this evening.
The Sounds of Silence Dinner is an unforgettable evening, eating beautifully prepared food under the sparkling outback sky. The journey begins on a lone sand dune. A meandering path takes participants to an uninterrupted, 360 degree view of this vast landscape. In front is the fabled Uluru; behind are the domes of Kata Tjuta and, possibly the most spectacular sunset you have ever seen. Here enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés. As the sun sets in a blaze of reds and oranges, and well into the starlit night, feast on a gourmet barbecue buffet of authentic Australian delicacies complemented by some of Australia's finest wines. Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, as the resident astronomer takes diners on an unforgettable tour of the spectacular southern night sky. As dinner winds down, select from a choice of tea, coffee or port. In winter, guests gather around a campfire to savour a special treat of hot mulled wine.

We transfer to Uluru airport in time for the flight to Sydney (not included). Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Located close to Sydney is the Hunter Valley wine region, where today we depart to explore, and it will be more than just wine! 

Travelling via the freeway we drive directly to the Hunter Valley.  We arrive at the Hunter Valley Gardens and enjoy morning tea refreshments at the Garden Terrace. There is time to then enjoy the gardens. Spread across 14 hectares encompassing 10 internationally themed gardens to explore, including the ever-popular Storybook Garden. 8km of pathways will lead you to spectacular vistas including a 10m high waterfall, topiary displays, man-made ponds, statues, murals, beautiful architectural structures and much more.

At 180 years young, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest and best-known wine region and is soaked in history. It’s a dynamic and fascinating area that brims with over 150 top class wineries,  65 indulgent restaurants as well as gourmet produce and boutique breweries. From big name wineries to boutique beauties hidden away down country back roads, there are 150 cellar doors

We will enjoy a wine tasting at a pre selected Winery or Wineries (depending on group size), before lunch. Situated within the grounds of Leogate Estate, The Gates restaurant offers both stunning panoramic views of the Broken Back Range and a spectacular fine dining experience.Here we will enjoy a relaxing 2 course lunch (main/desert) with one glass of wine included.

Our final stop today is at Tulloch Wines. For over 122 years, the Tulloch family has been passionate about producing hand crafted, premium wines made to enjoy. Here we will enjoy a Wine & Chocolate Experience, a foray into the world of “degustation” that is easy to reproduce at home or with friends. You will experience the indulgence of Hunter Valley made artisan chocolate as you partner each one with the mouth-watering flavours of Tulloch Wines. After, we return to Sydney and out hotel.

This morning, it is time to see some of Sydneys iconic sights as we depart on a half day City Sights Tour. Drive through the historic 'Rocks' area where Australia was first founded with its maze of terrace houses, restored warehouses, pubs and restaurants. Drive under the famous ‘coat hanger', the Sydney Harbour Bridge and view Sydney's famous architectural masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House. Continue through the commercial area of the city passing the historical buildings of Macquarie Street - Parliament House, The Mint and Hyde Park Barracks. Alight at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for breathtaking views of the city and harbour. Proceed through cosmopolitan Kings Cross and exclusive garden suburbs to the Gap on the ocean headland at Watsons Bay. Return to the city via famous Bondi Beach and Paddington, a Victorian suburb of restored terrace houses richly decorated with cast-iron lace.

We have seen the Opera House from the outside, it is now time to step inside. You will be guided into theatres, given a fascinating account of the history and architecture of the House and introduced to the magic of performance. With its white, sculptural 'shells' rising from the harbour foreshore at Bennelong Point, the Opera House is Sydney's most recognisable building and, officially, one of the seven wonders of the 20th century. Joern Utzon, the Danish architect who designed the Opera House, ascribed the inspiration for his masterpiece to the sails of yachts on the harbour. As the Opera House is first and foremost a performing arts centre, some areas may be restricted for viewing due to rehearsals and performances.

This afternoon, The Rocks Walking tour (transfers included). The Rocks Walking Tours brings alive the story of the early convict settlement while entertaining you with stories of rascals, rats and restoration. See some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, shops old and new, homes of the 'well-to-do' and the quaint cottages of the working class. Still to be seen today are the pubs and hotels, once frequented by the locals and sailors alike and the haunts of larrikins and rogues. The many historic streets, narrow alleyways, cobbled lanes, sandstone steps and beautiful churches combine to weave a rich tapestry of life in the past and present times. Explore the past while enjoying the present ambience of early Sydney. This is a relaxed and leisurely way to see one of Sydney's most picturesque precincts. after the tour. transfer back to hotel, and the evening is at leisure.

Today is at leisure, for some last minute shopping or to see some of the many other sites Sydney has to offer (not included). 

This evening, meet in the hotel lobby, before departing for our farewell dinner at the Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant.

Our adventure comes to an end as we transfer to the airport in time for your flight, whether it be back home or to continue your travels (not included)