Essence of Australia: Sydney, Rock and Reef

You'll always be in the centre of the action at the ParkRoyal Darling Harbour hotel, with a convenient location just minutes away from the city's top sights and attractions. The friendly, well-informed hotel associates at the ParkRoyal Darling Harbour, Sydney are always on hand to share their knowledge of the city's best-kept secrets with you. Explore the neighbourhood and feel the buzz of energy in the bustling Sydney CBD and surrounding areas. Go for a stroll and enjoy the amazing views at Cockle Bay, take in the city's history and culture at The Rocks, or enjoy some retail therapy at Harbourside and Pitt Street Mall. Once you're finished exploring, simply rest and relax in the comfort of the 340 rooms and suites at this premium Sydney hotel.

Be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth in a 90-minute leisurely walkabout with an Aboriginal guide in The Rocks, and journey into DreamTime, the culture of Aboriginal People.

The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour is 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and was developed by Aboriginal Elder, Margret Campbell, a Dunghutti - Jerrinjah woman. It is led by Aboriginal guides who have her permission to share her cultural knowledge. The tour gives you the opportunity to discover how the ancient Aboriginal DreamTime is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape and how the billion-year old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today.

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half day city sights tour. On tour you'll visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centre point.

Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte.

Travel on to famous Bondi Beach. Visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights.

Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city centre.

Passengers can join our optional harbour lunch cruises, seaplane tours or return directly to their hotels.

The designated harbour lunch cruise drop-off point is Darling Harbour (adjacent to the aquarium).

There isn't another harbour in the world to rival Sydney's beauty and vibrancy. This 2 course luncheon cruise is an exceptional 360 degree waterfront restaurant experience. The menu is premium a la carte and served on the uppermost restaurant deck with the best views in Sydney.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

A comfortable 4 star hotel at Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel is set amongst magnificent ghost gums and flowering native shrubs. Centrally located to all resort facilities, the hotel offers a range of appealing accommodation, from shaded poolside rooms to deluxe rooms with Rock views. With over 65 tours, local activities and attractions at your fingertips, your days will be action-packed or for a more relaxing experience, a visit to the new Red Ochre Spa is highly recommended.

Relax in the comfort of your private balcony or courtyard, or unwind near the pool over cocktails. It's only a short stroll to the numerous lookouts, where you can view one of the best sunsets in Australia, with the spectacular play of colours across the face of Uluru. Once the sun sets, you can try some Australian native delicacies at White Gums Restaurant, or try one of the other 13 dining experiences available throughout the Resort.

This exclusive dining experience combines the award-winning "Sounds of Silence" dinner under the outback sky with the once-in-a-lifetime Field of Light art installation. With magnificent views of Uluru at sunset, a three-course bush tucker menu, premium selection of Australian wines and beers, fascinating star talk and a self-guided walk through the Field of Light art installation, your "A Night at Field of Light" experience is complete.

The evening begins with a convenient hotel pick-up and transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru. As the sun sets on the horizon to the music of a didgeridoo, enjoy gourmet canapes and chilled sparkling wine.

As darkness falls and the coloured lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life, join your table of fellow travellers for an exceptional three-course menu infused with bush tucker flavours. As the night ignites with countless stars, settle back and listen to our resident star talker decode the southern night sky.

The host will provide insights to the art installation that awaits you, before you are invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of coloured light, beckoning you to explore. After dinner, guests are welcomed back at the dune viewing area to enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port whilst viewing the illuminated installation in the darkness.

Experience the tranquility of the pre-dawn land under a canopy of stars. Watch the amazing transformation of colours and life as the desert awakens with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. In the company of an expert guide, Desert Awakenings is designed to introduce you to the natural and cultural landscapes of this remarkable region.

Watch the distant domes of Kata Tjuta come into view and enjoy a traditional Aussie breakfast of bacon and egg rolls, tea, coffee and homemade damper with golden syrup in the open air. After breakfast, the guide will explain the natural history of the region, and as the daylight reveals the myriad of animal tracks in the sand an insight into what activity took place during the night.
Once the sun is up, enjoy a guided tour at the base of Uluru. First stop is Kuniya where you will take a short walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole. A visit here will help appreciate its cathedral like proportions and why it is such a powerful and spiritual place for visitors and Anangu (local Aboriginal people) alike. The guide will explain some of the rock paintings and stories from the creation period as told by the Anangu people. Next stop is the Cultural Centre, a vibrant and engaging place of learning where the local lore of the Anangu is explained in detail. Return to your Ayers Rock Resort hotel.

Travel to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) where your guide will reveal the many attributes of this diverse environment. Arriving at Walpa Gorge you will walk between the mighty conglomerate domes and hear how these 36 domes that makeup Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Your guide will return you to your hotel in time for those joining Sounds of Silence or Tali Wiru dinner or Field of Lights.

Meridian Port Douglas is a contemporary boutique resort that offers 33 luxury 4 star apartments in a selection of self catering Studios and One Bedroom Apartments. Meridian is ideal for couples requiring a peaceful and relaxing getaway and is suitable only for mature guests over 16 years of age.

The resorts central feature is the heated lagoon style pool with a sundeck, large BBQ area all set amongst lush tropical gardens. Meridian is a true haven for adults only looking for an escape, in the heart of vibrant Port Douglas. Rooms are not serviced daily (daily housekeeping for an additional fee is available).

Join your coach transfer to the wharf this morning and board the vessel to enjoy a full day reef and island cruise to Low Isles. Sail to and explore this protected coral cay, with white sandy beaches and coconut palms, surrounded by coral gardens and the Coral Sea. Sailaway moors in the sheltered blue lagoon for five hours. Just relax on the island, join the guided snorkel tour, take a trip on the glass bottom boat or laze on the deck after a buffet lunch. Later, enjoy sailing back to the mainland.

Your tour begins with being met by your friendly accredited guide at your accommodation. After introductions, drive north along the magnificent scenic coastal route learning about the history of the area and admiring spectacular views of the coastline and the Azure waters of the Coral Sea.

The first stop is at the Majestic Daintree River for morning tea (tea, coffee & biscuits) before enjoying an informative River Cruise. Relax and enjoy the splendour only the Daintree Rainforest can offer as you learn of Estuarine Crocodiles, mangrove forests and endemic wildlife. Next, make your way up over the Alexandra Range and pause for a panoramic view of World Heritage, Wet Tropics, and Tropical Rainforest merging with the azure colours of the Coral Sea. Your guide will take you on a journey through ancient Daintree Rainforest, whilst giving you an interpretation of flora and fauna. You will have ample time for photographs and questions as you search for the elusive, rare and totally unique Southern Cassowary and other wildlife species.

Enjoy lunch at a local cafe.

After lunch, continue along the 4WD Bloomfield Track through to pristine Emmagen Creek. Now it is time for a refreshing rainforest stream swim. Then make your way to Cape Tribulation Beach and stroll along the beach and boardwalk to the photographers' platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the 'Rainforest meets the Reef'.

Head back with a stop at the Daintree Ice-cream Company (ice cream at own expense).

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.