Inspiring Australia

Day 1: Welcome to Palm Cove

Welcome to Tropical North Queensland! This afternoon join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception followed by a Welcome Dinner at Reef House Restaurant. Nestled under Melaleuca trees with views across the Coral Sea, you will dine on modern Australian cuisine using fresh North Queensland produce.

Hotel: The Reef House, 3 nights

Day 2: Daintree & Indigenous Culture

Today will be an incredible day to remember. Join your Indigenous Guide on an exclusive journey to discover the Daintree and gain rich insight into the deep relationship the local Kuku Yalanji people have with their land. Learn about cultural traditions, bush foods and traditional medicine; experience traditional hunting techniques, have a go at spear throwing and if you are lucky, see a mud crab. Enjoy lunch in the quaint township of Daintree Village, a community perched on the banks of the Daintree River. Enjoy the opportunity to relax and dine at your leisure this evening.

Day 3: Cairns – Included Choice, Reef or Rainforest

Today you can explore tropical Cairns in your own style with an Included Choice option. Choose to board a Quicksilver wave piercing catamaran for your cruise to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The friendly professional crew will take you to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Choose to snorkel (equipment provided) or you can stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible. A hot and cold tropical buffet is served before you return to Palm Cove this afternoon. If breathtaking rainforest views and exploring quaint a village calls to you, select a day in Kuranda on the Skyrail & Scenic Rail. Nestled in the mountaintop rainforest west of Cairns, is the charming “Village in the Rainforest” Kuranda. Your day begins with the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail journey. Sit back, relax and take in the spectacular views as you wind your way up to quaint village of Kuranda. There is plenty of time to explore, including the Heritage Markets which operate daily. Then it’s time to board Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for your return journey, gliding silently over and through the rainforest, enjoying beautiful views along the way.

Day 4: Cairns – Uluru

Today we fly from Cairns to the heart of the Red Centre, Uluru. This afternoon you’re off to the domes of Kata Tjuta where you’ll join your Travel Director for a guided-walk through Walpa Gorge. The large, steep dome-like formations of Kata Tjuta are amazing to walk through and have great cultural significance for the Aṉangu people. Later this afternoon you will witness a spectacular Uluru sunset. Enjoy nibbles and sparkling wine while you watch Uluru change colour as the sun sets below the horizon.

Hotel: Sails in the Desert Hotel, 2 nights

Day 5: Uluru

Rise early to experience the renowned Field of Light, where 50,000 glass spheres in colours of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white, have been installed within sight of Uluru. Wander through the paths and then, from the dune-top, watch as the dawn creeps across the desert plain and lights up the Red Centre. After breakfast you will have the opportunity to take a walk around part of the base of Uluru and hear timeless stories, see rock art, and visit Mutitjulu Waterhole. Then it’s off to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre for an insight into the history of the local Anangu people. This evening a Local Dining Experience at the award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner under the sparkling outback sky will leave you delighted.

Day 6: Uluru - Kings Canyon

This morning experience the changing colours and magic of the sunrise over Uluru before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. From here you will travel towards Kings Canyon. Your first stop is Curtin Springs which has been home to the Severin family since 1956 when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle! Sit down to a BBQ lunch and meet one of the locals as you hear about the Severin family and the logistics of running a million acre cattle property. After lunch the journey continues to Kings Canyon Resort.  Later that evening you will enjoy a delicious dinner at Carmichael’s Restaurant.

Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort

Day 7: Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

Perfect for observing the changing colours of the landscape, today you’re off on a sunrise 6km Rim Walk exploration of the spectacular Kings Canyon. As you venture around the rim, highlights include the domed ‘Lost City’, and the luscious ‘Garden of Eden’. If you’d prefer a more relaxed walk you can opt for a walk along the Creek Bed. Afterwards we’re travelling through more of the outback past the West MacDonnell Ranges and then continue to Alice Springs. This evening be entertained with stories of the outback as you enjoy a Bush BBQ dinner under the stars.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Day 8: Alice Springs – Sydney

This morning you can explore Alice Spring in your own style with an Included Choice option. Choose to visit the School of the Air to learn about outback schooling and the technology used to teach children in these remote areas. Or you may wish to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn about how this organisation is saving lives in the outback. Later you will take your flight to Sydney where you will have a free evening to explore the vibrant city.

Hotel: The Langham Hotel Sydney

Day 9: Sydney – Blue Mountains

Head off on a day of discovery to the expansive UNESCO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park. Breathe in the pristine air and discover the icons such as the Three Sisters at Echo Point and Govett’s Leap Lookout to see spectacular Bridal Veil Falls before you delve deeper, travelling off the well-worn track to secluded lookouts and peaceful short bushwalks where we may be the only ones around. You’ll be awarded views across the valleys as far as the eye can see and picture-perfect memories to take away. This afternoon you arrive at your hotel and after taking the time to relax, enjoy a delicious meal featuring produce sourced from local Blue Mountains suppliers.

Hotel: Lillianfels Blue Mountain

Day 10: Blue Mountains – Hunter Valley

Travel to the Hunter Valley for a day of good food, great wine and beautiful scenery. You’ll indulge with exclusive private wine tastings at boutique vineyards and sit down to an exceptional tasting lunch before spending the afternoon doing as you wish at your hotel. You may like to sit on your balcony with a good book and bottle of wine or treat yourself to one of their many day spa options.  Tonight, enjoy dinner at the resort.

Hotel: voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley

Day 11: Hunter Valley - Sydney

Return to Sydney in time to cruise magical Sydney Harbour on an all-inclusive lunch cruise. Sail around the glistening harbour while you savour a delicious lunch with a strong focus on local produce and wines. Relax on the spacious deck as you sail past the harbour’s iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and small secluded coves surrounded by multi-million-dollar waterfront homes. This evening is free for you to explore and discover one of Sydney’s incredible local restaurants.

Hotel: The Langham Hotel Sydney, 2 nights

Day 12: Sydney – plus Included Choice; Walking Tour of The Rocks, your way

Enjoy a morning of Sydney sightseeing and take a stroll along the coastal walk for incredible views over the Pacific Ocean and wild coastal cliffs. Mid-morning brings you an Included Choice activity so you can see more of the Harbour City at your own pace. Escape to a world long ago, before colonial settlement and be touched by the most ancient human culture on earth. Join an Aboriginal guide for a 90 minute leisurely walkabout through The Rocks and hear dreamtime stories passed down from the Elders and discover how the Aboriginal people existed by the harbour. You will be surprised to see ancient practises living amongst this modern city. For a different pace, say cheers to your local guide from Dave’s Tours on a historic walking tour of some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Tread in the footsteps of the convicts, larrikin gangs & locals of the past as you share a drink in four of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Between watering holes, your guide will take you through the alleys & cobbled streets of The Rocks as they share the gossip, shouts and stories of Australia’s first European settlement. In the late afternoon join a VIP guided tour of the famous Sydney Opera House before a memorable dinner at Peter Gilmore’s iconic Bennelong restaurant in the sails of the Sydney Opera House itself, the perfect location for one last meal together before your holiday draws to an end.

Day 13: Farewell from Sydney

Your Inspiring Journey concludes after breakfast when you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.