Highlights of Australia

Highlights of Australia

Highlights of Australia

Highlights of Australia

See Australia's Wonders: Sydney, Uluru, Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Brisbane

Days: 10 | From: $7,470/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.
  • Experience the best of what Australia has to offer.

This curated itinerary takes you to some of Australia's most magnificent wonders. The trip begins in Sydney, where you'll explore this sun-drenched city and nearby Blue Mountains. You'll then head to the Outback to learn about the cultural heritage and significance of Uluru and the Red Center. After, journey north to Cairns - your jumping off point for the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef - before ending in Brisbane to get up-close-and-personal with koalas.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Sydney
    3 nights: cosmopolitan culture, a picturesque harbor, and the Blue Mountains
  • Uluru
    2 nights: stand in the shadow of the magnificent Uluru, all while learning about its Aboriginal significance
  • Cairns
    4 nights: use this funky city as your base to explore the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef
  • Brisbane
    1 night: end your trip with a visit to a koala sanctuary

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! After transferring to the hotel and having time to settle in, you’ll dive into the city’s rich past with a private walking tour of The Rocks, where you’ll explore cobblestone lanes, sandstone buildings, and some of Sydney’s oldest dwellings. Learn about colonial life, convicts, and sailors as you pass historic pubs, the gothic Garrison Church, and landmarks like Cadman’s Cottage, the Argyle Cut, and Campbell’s Cove, all set against sweeping views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

In the evening, board a vessel for a Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise. As the city lights reflect off the water, cruise to Balmoral for a relaxed, multi-course dinner at a harborside restaurant. Return to the boat for dessert and a cheese platter while taking in the illuminated skyline—a perfect end to your first day in Sydney.

Accommodations: Spicers Potts Point , 3 nights

Spicers Potts Point is a boutique hotel set within a trio of beautifully restored 19th-century terrace houses in one of Sydney’s most charming inner-city neighborhoods. Combining heritage architecture with contemporary interiors, the hotel offers just 20 stylish rooms and suites, all featuring modern amenities, luxury linens, and thoughtful local touches. Guests can enjoy a relaxed lounge and bar area, personalized service, and a peaceful atmosphere just steps from vibrant cafes, restaurants, and galleries.

*Includes: Dinner

Alternative lodging options:
Capella Sydney , Pier One Sydney Harbour

Day 2: Free Day in Sydney

Today is yours to explore Sydney at your own pace. You might relax on the sands of Bondi or Coogee Beach, take a ferry to Manly, or browse the boutique shops and cafés in Paddington. For something more active, speak to us about climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, touring the Opera House, or joining a local food or art tour.

Accommodations: Spicers Potts Point , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3: Blue Mountains

Venture beyond the city on a full-day guided tour to the Blue Mountains, known for their dramatic landscapes and eucalyptus-clad valleys. Begin with a visit to Calmsley Hill, a working farm where you can enjoy morning tea and encounter native wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, and koalas. Continue to a series of scenic lookouts over the Jamison Valley, including the quieter Eaglehawk Lookout, offering spectacular views of the Three Sisters rock formation as it changes with the shifting light.

Enjoy lunch at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel, perched on a cliff edge with panoramic views. In the afternoon, visit Govetts Leap, one of Australia’s most iconic lookouts, before a final stop at Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens for sweeping views toward Sydney. Return to the city in the early evening.

Accommodations: Spicers Potts Point , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Fly to Uluru in the Australian Outback

Fly from Sydney to Uluru, the spiritual heart of Australia and one of its most iconic natural landmarks. Rising 348 meters above the desert plain, Uluru – along with nearby Kata Tjuta – holds deep cultural significance for the Aṉangu, the traditional custodians of the land. As you arrive in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you’ll begin to immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions, Dreamtime stories, and unique desert landscapes of this ancient land.

In the evening, experience the unforgettable Sounds of Silence Dinner. Begin with sparkling wine and canapés on a remote dune as you take in panoramic views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta at sunset. Then enjoy a gourmet bush tucker-inspired buffet under a canopy of stars, followed by a stargazing session led by a local expert. Surrounded by the stillness of the outback, this is one of Australia’s most magical dining experiences.

Accommodations: Sails in the Desert Hotel , 2 nights

Sails in the Desert is a premium hotel located at Ayers Rock Resort near Uluru, blending contemporary comfort with Aboriginal-inspired design. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites with modern amenities and Indigenous art accents. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, spa services, restaurant and bar, and lounge spaces. Its location provides a stylish and convenient base for exploring the landscapes and cultural heritage of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Exploring the Red Center

Embark on an all-day exclusive private tour to Mt Conner, a striking flat-topped mountain located 100 km east of Uluru on Curtin Springs Station, a working cattle property. Often mistaken for Uluru by first-time visitors, Mt Conner offers a more remote and intimate glimpse into the Red Centre’s natural and cultural history.

Explore the station’s unique landscapes, including inland salt lakes, and spot native wildlife such as red kangaroos, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat. Learn about the region’s European settlement history before enjoying sparkling wine at sunset, as the colors of Mt Conner shift dramatically in the fading light. Cap off the day with a hearty outback dinner prepared at Curtin Springs Station, then return to Ayers Rock Resort for the evening.

Accommodations: Sails in the Desert Hotel , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Sunrise at Uluru and Fly to Cairns

Begin your day with a private sunrise tour of Uluru, departing your hotel before dawn. As the sun rises, watch the light gradually reveal the majesty of the rock’s vast form. Your guide will share the creation stories of the Liru (poisonous snake), Kuniya (python), and the Mala people, offering insight into the spiritual significance of this land. After a light breakfast, visit the peaceful Mutitjulu Waterhole and take a scenic drive around the base of Uluru.

This afternoon, fly from Uluru to Cairns, the tropical gateway to some of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders. Set on the shores of Trinity Bay, Cairns is the launching point for adventures to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, with a lively dining scene and relaxed, coastal energy welcoming you upon arrival.

Accommodations: Crystalbrook Riley , 3 nights

Crystalbrook Riley is a five-star resort located on Cairns’ waterfront Esplanade, offering a modern take on tropical luxury. The hotel features stylish rooms and suites, many with Coral Sea views, along with a rooftop bar, lagoon-style pool with private cabanas, a day spa, and several dining options showcasing local produce. Emphasizing environmental responsibility with a contemporary edge, Riley combines relaxed elegance with easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and the vibrant heart of Cairns.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Silky Oakes Lodge

Day 7: Daintree National Park

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Daintree Rainforest. Begin at the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, where you’ll be welcomed by members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Participate in a traditional smoking ceremony and rainforest body painting, followed by morning tea featuring freshly baked damper.

Ride the Eco-Shuttle to the start of your 1.5-hour guided rainforest walk, where you’ll explore ancient ecosystems, learn about native flora and fauna, and take the opportunity to swim in tranquil waterholes or the main gorge. After lunch, continue to the Mossman River for a unique River Drift experience, combining gentle hiking and floating through lush rainforest waterways. In the late afternoon, return to Cairns and transfer back to your accommodation.

Accommodations: Crystalbrook Riley , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef

Today, enjoy an immersive full-day exploration of the Great Barrier Reef with exclusive Gold Class Lounge access for a more personalized and comfortable experience. After a transfer from your hotel to the Reef Fleet Terminal, board your premium vessel for an 8.5-hour journey that includes five hours at two stunning reef sites.

Relax in the private lounge with a dedicated concierge, complimentary snacks and drinks, and a freshly cooked BBQ lunch. Dive into the reef with snorkeling equipment, prescription masks, and personalized guidance from your snorkeling guide, or take in the vibrant marine life from a semi-submersible coral viewing tour (weather permitting). Enjoy time to sunbathe or simply take in the views across the vessel’s three deck levels. On the return journey to Cairns, unwind with afternoon tea or a glass of wine before being transferred back to your hotel.

Accommodations: Crystalbrook Riley , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Fly to Brisbane and Visit Koala Sanctuary

This morning, fly from Cairns to Brisbane, Queensland’s capital and Australia’s third-largest city. Set along the Brisbane River, this modern subtropical metropolis offers a vibrant mix of cultural precincts, outdoor spaces, and relaxed urban charm. Upon arrival, enjoy time to explore the city’s laid-back neighborhoods, river walks, and bustling areas like South Bank Parklands or Queen Street Mall.

In the afternoon, head to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest sanctuary of its kind. Located in the peaceful suburb of Fig Tree Pocket, Lone Pine is home to over 100 koalas and 75 native Australian species, including kangaroos, wombats, and echidnas. Enjoy interactive wildlife presentations, feed kangaroos in open paddocks, and learn about conservation efforts in a serene natural setting.

Accommodations: Spicers Balfour Hotel

Spicers Balfour Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the leafy inner-city suburb of New Farm, Brisbane, offering a blend of heritage charm and contemporary design. Housed in a restored Queenslander and a modern adjacent wing, the hotel features stylish rooms with luxury amenities, thoughtful touches, and a relaxed, residential feel. Guests can enjoy the on-site Balfour Kitchen & Bar, known for its modern Vietnamese-inspired cuisine, as well as a rooftop bar with views of the Story Bridge.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Emporium Hotel Brisbane

Day 10: Departure

Say goodbye to Brisbane and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Spend a few days on a Great Train journey along Australia’s Eastern coastline

  • Go wine tasting in the stunning wine regions surrounding Adelaide

  • Fly down to Tasmania to explore some of the island’s 19 national parks

  • Enjoy a few days of tropical sunshine at the end of your Australia itinerary on a trip extension to Fiji.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Contact Us +1 (800) 342-1796

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