Summary
Short description
Combine three Australian icons and much more on this luxury, tailor-made holiday
Highlights
- Explore the delights of New South Wales including Sydney, the Hunter Valley and magical Blue Mountains
- Spend time in Australia's cultural heart - the Red Centre
- Combine the lush rainforest with a relaxed beach stay in Tropical North Queensland
In Brief
- 4 Nights Sydney
- 2 Nights Hunter Valley
- 2 Nights Blue Mountains
- 3 Nights Ayers Rock
- 4 Nights Palm Cove
- 3 Nights Tablelands
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Beach | City | Food & wine | History & culture | Natural world | Self-drive
This tailor-made driving holiday blends a hugely popular mix of Australian highlights, beginning in Sydney, where you'll enjoy a cruise on the city's iconic harbour before embracing the surrounding countryside with stays in the Hunter Valley and stunning Blue Mountains. Next up is the colossal red rock of Uluru, which you'll explore in depth on a regional mini tour before flying to tropical north Queensland, where you'll visit the beautiful landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands and the beachfront town of Palm Cove in a wonderful introduction to the delights of the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Region complete with a Great Barrier Reef cruise.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-3
UK/Sydney
Days
4-7
Sydney
On arrival in Sydney you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. It's hard not to fall in love with Sydney. Fine weather, world-class restaurants, sandy bays and fashionable nightspots are just a few of its many charms. Many of the most iconic attractions lie around the magnificent harbour, which is why we've included a cruise on day two aboard a luxury 52-foot motor yacht, giving you unrivalled views of the Opera House from the water.
Stay: Ovolo 1888, Darling Harbour (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
8-9
Hunter Valley
Collect your hire car and wind your way north to the beautiful Hunter Valley, which dates back to 1828, making it Australia's oldest wine region. Your accommodation is the beautiful Spicers Vineyard Estate which overlooks the valley's many vineyards, and has 80 or so wineries nearby that you can visit.
Stay: The Convent Hunter Valley Resort (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
10-11
Blue Mountains
Leave the Hunter Valley behind as you head next to the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains, where bushwalking trails lead through eucalyptus forests, gorges and valleys to spectacular views like the one at Echo Point.
Stay: Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
12-14
Ayers Rock
Return your hire car in Sydney and fly north to Uluru in the heart of Australia's Red Centre. We've included a number of excursions to help you make the most of your time in this sun-scorched region of red and orange soils. Drive into the desert with an Aboriginal guide to hear how the land was created in the Dreamtime, enjoy the Sounds of Silence unique dining experiences under starry outback skies; listen to tales of Aboriginal folklore, and catch sunset at sacred Uluru, the world's largest freestanding rock.
Stay: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
15-18
Palm Cove
Fly north to Cairns, gateway to the wet tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. On arrival collect your rental car and make the short drive to Palm Cove, you'll spend the next four nights at the Reef House Resort & Spa, a boutique, beachfront hotel. We've also included a catamaran cruise to the Low Isles, you can snorkel from the beach or the boat, which is moored in the island's calm lagoon.
Stay: Reef House Resort & Spa, Palm Cove (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
19-21
Atherton Tablelands
Today its time to head inland to the cool hills of the Atherton Tablelands, this is the Cairns Hinterland where you'll find quaint country towns, roadside stalls over flowing with local produce, artisan chocolate makers and coffee guru's. Your base for the next couple of nights is Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, set high on a hill overlooking the rainforest. Accommodation is in timber treehouses with spa baths, private balconies and breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding rainforest.
Stay: Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Atherton Tablelands (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
22
Departure
Return to Cairns and board your overnight flight back to the UK.
Day
23
Arrival UK
On arrival in the UK continue with your onward journey.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
23-day tailor-made self-drive from £4,455 incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £4,455 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £5,260 pp. incl. flights
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return international flights between the UK and Australia with Emirates, domestic flights with Virgin Australia
- Private arrival transfers in Sydney and 13 days compact auto car hire including maximum cover
- 18 nights accommodation in 4-4.5* (Superior) hotels on a B&B basis
- Cruises in Sydney Harbour and the Low Isles
- Full day Cave Hill tour in Uluru & Sounds of Silence Dinner
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634
Meet the team
Adjust your itinerary with our recommended extensions
Tali Wiru means ‘beautiful dune’ in the local Anangu language; a fitting name for this intimate gourmet dining experience, which takes place at sunset on an isolated dune overlooking Uluru.
Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a tropical sunset on this twilight sailing trip over the Coral Sea. This hour-and-a-half excursion includes a welcome drink, hot and cold canapés and a fully licenced bar on board.