Rejuvenate Mind, Body & Soul in Australia

Depart from your home city to Los Angeles where you will connect to your flight across the Pacific to Melbourne, Australia.

Lose a day crossing the international date line.

G’day and welcome to Australia! On arrival in Melbourne, you will be taken on a city orientation tour. Explore famous parks and gardens including The Royal Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens. Observe modern architecture blending with charming historic buildings such as Old Customs House, Town Hall, Shrine of Remembrance, Princes Theatre and more. See world-renowned sporting arenas included the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Tennis Open. Have a look around Southgate, Melbourne’s premier waterfront shopping, dining, theatre districts which is also home to the Crown Casino and Entertainment complex.

Melbourne is often called Australia’s most “European city”. It is also known as the cultural, culinary and financial centre of the country. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, elegant public buildings and expansive gardens, Melbourne possesses an abundance of classic beauty.
This evening we have a unique welcome dinner planned onboard one of the World’s only working tramcar restaurant. The tram travels leisurely along Melbourne’s grand leafy boulevards. It is a delightful way to experience the sights and tastes of this elegant city.

Stretch your legs this morning, as we embark on walking eco-eating urban adventure through Melbourne. We start with a light breakfast at Melbourne's most sustainable cafe. It's quite an amazing story which the group will love.
Continue our walking tour through the city and stop for a snack at a Vietnamese cafe with a fantastic and passionate chef who only uses local sustainable produce. (We can probably get the chef to come out and chat with the group). Our next stop is for Coffee at a place that has direct connections with the farmers who grow the beans. We finish at an organic cafe that has lots of locally made sweet treats. Along the way we'll explore laneways and point out the shops and designers, who are both local and sustainable. We will also point out some planning features of the city from the 1840's to now that formed the way we live in the city today.

Note: The guide and contact at Walk Melbourne used to work in sustainability education so she knows the inside story on much of the eco-Melbourne story. Group will be split in smaller groups of 10 people each.

In the afternoon, depart the city via the exclusive suburbs around Brighton along Port Phillip Bay before heading inland across the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island. At Phillip Island witness the nightly ritual of the fairy penguin parade. Hundreds of little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle resolutely up the beach to their nests. The parade takes place like clockwork a few minutes after sunset each day. Enjoy a talk by a park ranger on penguins as well as an informative talk at the Koala Conservation Centre.

Dinner is included on the island before returning to Melbourne. The Shearing Shed is a beautiful vintage rustic restaurant located on the outskirts of Cowes on 20 acres surrounded by farmland. Originally a 1950’s working shearing shed, the facility has been renovated and keeps the country look and feel of its heritage. The restaurant is this elegant farm house grill & bar features premium cuts of meats & seafood from some of Australia’s best farmers. Our proud collective of beef farmers has a commitment to sustainable farming and ethical practices. Their focus is on seasonally inspired & sustainable cuisine from their own kitchen gardens & utilizing local farmers. Their menu offers an extensive range of meats including beef, veal, lamb, fresh seafood, & duck.

Transfer to the airport for your short domestic flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be taken on a city tour highlighting the Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, The Domain and a stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for the best views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Pass through Double Bay and Rose Bay en route to the famous Gap located at Watson’s Bay with its views of the Pacific Ocean. See the famous Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte Beaches. On your return to the city, journey through the quaint suburb of Paddington, home of many Sydney’s original terraced “workers cottages” which have now been transformed into much sought-after residences. It is also home to many of Sydney’s art galleries. The tour concludes at your hotel for check–in. (Note: standard check in time is 2pm). The balance of your day is at leisure.

Sydney is the "best city in the world" according to readers of Condé Naste Traveler magazine and Travel & Leisure Magazine. From its convict origins as the first European settlement in Australia, it grew up to become the country's largest and most exciting city. Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the World and the most cosmopolitan city in Australia. It is endowed with a sparkling harbour, fabulous beaches and a sunny Mediterranean climate. It is your major gateway to the State of New South Wales and the rest of Australia. Sydney is also the location of Goway's main office in Australia, which is only a phone call away to be of further service to you.

Today is a full day to explore this wonderful city at your leisure. You can climb Sydney Harbor Bridge for a thrill and some of the best views in town. For the active there are bicycle tours, enjoy a walking tour through the historic Rocks area or take a surfing lesson at famous Bondi Beach. You can take a ferry across to the seaside suburb of Manly where you will feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The Darling Harbour complex is only a short stroll from your hotel and offers lots of shopping and sightseeing options such as the Sydney Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, IMAX theatre and Chinese Gardens.

With over 7000 acres of vineyards, the Hunter Valley is credited with being one the finest wine regions in the World. Join us for a food and wine feast as we show you the carefully selected highlights of this famous area. Be treated to magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River and see remains of the convict-built roads winding into the Hunter Valley. The first stop on our tour is Margan Hunter Valley Wines.

A new generation of winemaking families are establishing quality benchmarks for the production of Hunter Valley wine. Established in 1997, the Margan brand is part of this new wave.. Margan Hunter Valley Wines has over 320 acres of its own vineyards and a state-of-the-art winery, all located in the beautiful sub-region of Broke Fordwich in the Lower Hunter Valley. Lunch will be at the Restaurant, the food style is inspired by the seasons. The one-acre Kitchen Garden and orchard produces up to 90% of vegetables and fruit for the seasonally inspired menus. In addition, Margan have free-range chickens, Black Suffolk lambs, beehives for fresh, unfiltered honey and olive groves for table olives. The Margan Restaurant continues with the business tag line of ‘Estate Grown and Estate Made’. As such, all menu items are freshly prepared on site, including pasta, gelati, soft cheeses, butter, small goods and bread. Additional to this, Margan chooses to source ingredients from local producers as much as possible.

We continue to Ascella Wines for a Vineyard Tour, talk and about organic cheese and olive tasting and pairing. Ascella's organic wine is made by the largest organic vineyard in the Hunter Valley. They care about your health and the health of our environment. They do not spray their grapes with pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. The organic wines have been laboratory tested for purity and the dinner table tested for taste and quality.

Our next vineyard is Tamburlain for a tour and wine tasting. Tamburlaine has developed an enviable reputation as one of the most innovative and quality-conscious of Hunter's boutique wineries. A relaxed and informative introduction to each new wine may be gained in the Cellar with people who have a practical understanding of the winemaking process. Tamburlaine wines are available exclusively from the winery cellar door.

We start our morning with a visit to the Purple Pear Farm, a lovely 14 acre farm on the outskirts of Maitland. Here at The Purple Farm, our life revolves around food - growing, selling, preparing, preserving and eating it. We run a sustainable farm and aim to show how permaculture, biodynamics and organic principles work equally well on apartment balconies, in backyards and on working farms like our own.

After our lunch we make our way back to Sydney, you will be dropped off at Sydney domestic airport for your flight to Cairns. On arrival, transfer by private coach to the tranquillity of your rainforest spa retreat!

Silky Oaks Lodge is one of Australia’s premier luxury lodges, offering a unique experience from which to explore Tropical North Queensland, situated within easy access from Cairns and a 15 minute drive from Port Douglas. Spectacularly situated on the Mossman Gorge River, the eco luxury lodge is the ideal location to appreciate the natural tropical environment with a choice Tree house accommodation, all with individual and personalized touches. The open-sided Tree house restaurant which perches high above the surrounding rainforest and river is an exquisite, award winning, dining experience. Sit amongst the rainforest canopy and enjoy a cool refreshing cocktail at the bar and dining on the freshest of Australian produce with innovative seasonal menus. Relax and unwind at the Healing Waters Spa with our pure Sodashi treatments which will impart a sense of wellbeing of spirit and mind.

You will be collected from your lodge this morning by a Quicksilver Connections coach and transferred to Marina Mirage to join your Quicksilver cruise. Quicksilver's friendly crew will take you to Agincourt Reef at the very edge of Australia's Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Here you can experience first hand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose to dive, snorkel, or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one metre underwater (diving is an extra cost).

Watch the fish feeding from the unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory. Complimentary morning and afternoon tea and a delicious lunch are included. There will be a Marine Biologist presentation shown on the vessel televisions as well as a snorkelling demonstration. Return to the Marina Mirage at approximately 4.30 pm and join your private coach to transfer back to Silky Oaks.

Experience the regions rich Aboriginal history and culture on this exclusive day tour adventure from Port Douglas. Travel along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives as you head north of Port Douglas to Cooya Beach. (Kuku Kuku) This special place is a traditional fishing ground of the Kuku Yalanji people. This unique coastal place has three diverse ecosystems-beach, mangroves and coastal reef. Here one of the Kubirri Warra brothers of Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours will teach you how to throw a spear and other Aboriginal hunting techniques. Walk with the brothers on their traditional lands as you learn how to track and hunt for fish, mud crabs, mussels through the mangroves. Search and try bush tucker and bush medicines. Enjoy home-made damper, tea, coffee and taste what you have caught on the balcony of their family home overlooking the ocean. The brothers demonstrate different Aboriginal artifacts and their uses. Farewell the brothers and travel further north to the Mossman Gorge Centre for a delicious lunch overlooking the Mossman Gorge and Rainforest. After lunch journey into the lush rainforest of Mossman Gorge and experience the wonders of the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest with pristine waterfalls, vivid flora and unique fauna. All the while immersing yourself in its enchanting stores and rich indigenous heritage. Connect with the lives, culture and beliefs of the local Kuku Yalanji community and experience, first hand, their connection to the natural environment. A visit to Mossman Gorge is a must on any adventurer’s trip to Tropical North Queensland. There’s time for a swim in this magical rainforest environment before heading into the township of Mossman and Janball Aboriginal Art Gallery. Meet with artist in residence Binna who is your tutor today as you share in an authentic Aboriginal Art experience. Aboriginal art and craft are on display that depicts the reef and rainforest of the Kuku Yulanji people. Your day of discovery comes to a close and you are returned to your accommodation. This exciting and interactive tour through the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest provides a great insight into Australia’s Indigenous heritage and combines culture and nature with lots of fun.

Activities are abundant. Explore the adjacent World Heritage Listed, Daintree National Park,
where fauna and flora abound. Complimentary activities include guided rainforest walks, yoga classes, kayaking, canoeing, tennis, picnics, mountain biking, swimming and snorkeling in the Mossman River.

A variety of spa treatments are available (at additional cost – see attached sheet). Set in lush tropical gardens, the Healing Waters Spa at Silky Oaks Lodge has been inspired by ancient wisdoms that celebrated water as a renewing and life‐giving force. Drawing on the spirit of the Daintree – the oldest living rainforest on Earth – the Spa is designed with renewal, vitality and well-­‐being in mind. The Healing Waters Spa is located in an area that resonates with ancient ceremonies and whispers of sacred healings. Welcomed by the serene river and lush greenery, guests are encouraged to journey tranquil garden paths to the Healing Waters Spa and its promise of rest and rejuvenation. The treatments at the spa have evolved from nature to nurture the mind, body and spirit. The Spa’s signature treatments have been designed to harness the power of nature through the use of clays from the earth, flower and plant essences, herbal extracts and hands on therapy. 
A variety of treatments are available using all Australian spa care products from Sodashi, a premium face and body care range focusing on ‘wholeness, purity and radiance’ to relax and restore.

Transfer back to Cairns airport early this morning to connect to your flights home.