The highlights of Australia in 9 days

Sydney

Day 1: Welcome to Sydney

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is available for you to spend at leisure, overcoming your jet lag and finding your bearings.

Sydney is a must-visit for every Australia holiday, and for good reason: with its dazzling natural harbour, epic beachside walks, cutting-edge restaurant and bar scene, excellent live music and theatre, and unquenchable thirst for fun, it's a city you'll never get bored of. Take a walk through the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens along the harbour, and soak up views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner before exploring the local bar and pub scene - maybe even catch some live music.

Sydney

Day 2: Sydney walking tour & twilight bridge climb

Today, set out on a half-day morning walking tour. From iconic sites to local hot spots off the beaten track, uncover the best that this beautiful city has to offer, and your local guide will share uncharted knowledge to help you make the most of your time here. Highlights include the Queen Victoria Building, Hyde Park, the Art Gallery of NSW (no admission included), Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the Royal Botanic Garden, views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House (no admission included).

In the afternoon, explore Harbour Bridge and the Pylon Museum, where you can learn about the bridge's history and soak up incredible views. Alternatively, take a ferry to Milsons Point to take a scenic half-hour walk back into the city centre. You'll return to the bridge at twilight, to embark on the ever-popular climb to the summit, and enjoy 360-degree panoramas basked in an etheral glow.

Sydney - Blue Mountains - Sydney

Day 3: Epic panoramas of the Blue Mountains

Lace up your walking boots for a day immersed in the spectacular natural surroundings of the Blue Mountains National Park, one of seven parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy-blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and stunning views aplenty. Stop en-route at Calmsley Hill, a working farm that's home to kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas, to enjoy tea and some time at leisure. Continue on to the Blue Mountains, passing scenic viewpoints on the way, and arrive at the uncrowded Eaglehawk Lookout for views of the iconic Three Sisters.

Afterwards, sit down for lunch with more scenic views, then spend the afternoon exploring more lookouts - Govetts Leap isn't to be missed, with its 180m-long waterfall. Lastly, stop for a drink at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, before returning to Sydney.

Sydney - Uluru

Day 4: Marvel at the spellbinding Uluru

Today you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport, for your flight to Uluru. A shuttle transfer awaits to bring you to your hotel, where you'll have the afternoon to spend at leisure before an immersive Sounds of Silence dinner; surrounded by the desert landscape, with Uluru on one side and Kata Tjuta on the other, this authentic BBQ feast is perfected by stargazing and fine wines (or mulled wine, sipped around an open fire the winter).

A spectacular natural formation, Uluru is a World Heritage Site and holds much spiritual significance. Rising up to 348m, it's one of the world's largest monoliths that dates back 550 million years, and an impressive sight to behold. Watch as the sun changes its striking colours before your eyes, and listen to age-old tales of it as told by the local Anangu Aboriginal people.

Uluru

Day 5: Venture into the Red Centre

Today you'll venture by 4x4 to Mount Conner, 100km east of Uluru, on a quintessential Outback experience. Soak up the beauty and ambience of the Red Centre as you roam the grounds of a privately-owned cattle station, known as Curtin Springs. Here you'll find the perfect habitat for red kangaroos and a vast array of reptiles and birds, as well as an ancient inland salt lake. Sit down for a glass of wine as you learn about the area's history and enjoy the shifting colours of Mount Conner at sunset, before returning to Curtin Springs Station for a delicious local dinner.

Uluru - Port Douglas

Day 6: Spiritual Kata Tjuta & tropical Port Douglas

This morning you'll be picked up at your hotel to venture to the entrance of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. From there, it's a 40-minute journey through the desert landscape to the 36 mighty domes that make up this spiritual site, best appreciated in the morning glow of sunrise. Make your way to the western side of the park, to relax and enjoy a picnic breakfast. Visit Walpa Gorge, a sacred ceremonial site whose history and geography you will deep-dive into, before returning to your accommodation.

In the late morning, you'll be picked up for your flight from Uluru to Cairns, where on your arrival, you'll be taken to Port Douglas. A scenic hub for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, this tropical town is a coastal paradise with dreamy golden sands fringed by palm trees. Unwind here at leisure for the rest of the day.

Port Douglas - Great Barrier Reef

Day 7: Snorkel to untouched coral reefs

Today, you'll sail off by luxury catamaran to explore the stunning Mackay Coral Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Perfect for conservation-minded visitors, this northern frontier of the reef is filled with beauty and wonder, and makes for an unforgettable snorkelling experience with a sustainable focus.

Port Douglas - Daintree Rainforest

Day 8: Journey to Cape Tribulation

Today, embark on an immersive adventure tour to Cape Tribulation. Travel through Kuku Yalanji country, led by your local Aboriginal guide, and learn about the culturally-significant sights and attractions between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Hear about the unique relationships the Kuku Yalanji people still have with their land as you walk through the world’s oldest living rainforest, see the majestic Daintree River, and reach Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Sample some bush tucker and enjoy a swim in pristine freshwater streams, before heading back to your hotel for one last night's sleep.

Port Douglas

Day 9: Departure day

After a tour filled with magic and wonder, it's time to bid farewell to Australia. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight home.