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Swain Destinations
OFFER ID 1462864
Iconic Australia
Iconic Australia is the ideal embodiment of Australia's most unique and spectacular sights. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge highlight this internationally agreed upon premier city. Next, journey into the Outback to find Uluru - the sacred monolith of the local Aboriginals, rich in geological and cultural significance for this desert land. If you're feeling a little parched, water is on the way! Cairns, your final destination, is an aquatic heaven and home to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Fill up on this all-you-can-eat, scenic buffet!
Your Itinerary Includes:
9 nights from $6,845 per person
Swain Destinations: Iconic Australia
Day 1 Arrive in Sydney
Welcome to Sydney. Australia’s most visited state, New South Wales partly owes its popularity with tourists to the glamorous city of Sydney. With its harbor beaches and intoxicating blend of bushland and bustling city, Sydney is a perfect snapshot of Australia. Beyond the glow of Sydney, New South Wales becomes a sweeping landscape of quaint, beachside hamlets, inland opal-mining towns, and alpine hideaways. Visitors can take a surfing lesson on one of the world’s most renowned beaches or get intimate with Sydney – whether by a walking tour of the Rocks area, a visit to Sydney’s fish market or dinner at one of the city’s famed restaurants.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Day 2 Iconic Sydney Tour
Your host greets you in the lobby of your hotel then settles you in your private Mercedes van. A drive through the historic ‘Rocks’ area with stories of Australia’s Colonial past, then under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Your destination – the most famous building of the late 20th century, the Sydney Opera House. Meet your personal guide for your private tour of this iconic building.
Cruise historic Macquarie Street’s heritage buildings, Cathedral and Great Synagogue then into The Royal Botanical Gardens for Sydney’s finest camera angles. Travel through Woolloomooloo and racy Kings Cross before the trendy villages of Paddington and Woollahra – century old terrace houses, art galleries and boutiques.
Reaching the coast discover the beaches of Bronte, Tamarama and famous Bondi. Alternatively, choose a section of the Coastal Walk before lunch. Either way you dine at iconic Icebergs Bar & Grill – overlooking the most famous surfing beach in Australia. Should there be a wait then Catalina's is the very pleasing alternative.
Head back to the city via the harbour foreshore villages of Rose Bay and Double Bay. The discoveries continue with a drive through the established uptown shopping area, on the way to Sydney’s hot, new commerce and cuisine precinct at Barangaroo. Enjoy a stroll around, try a Riva Reno gelato where they fly in the milk from Italy. Deliciously ironic.
Many pictures later your host returns you to your hotel. Or, you may prefer to stay and replay your day in Barangaroo. Either way, a most iconic Sydney day.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B, L
Day 3 At leisure, Sydney
It is no surprise that when the British first arrived in Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one is still surrounded by bush land in this bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach, and Eucalyptus embrace the endless and beckoning bays of Sydney Harbour.
It is Sydney's man-made wonders, however, that draw most visitors. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the most photographed icons on the continent. Choose a Seaplane Safari experience and enjoy a bird's eye view of the Opera House's signature sails. See the Harbour Bridge up close and personal by climbing the metal monolith to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the glittering vista below with BridgeClimb as you climb to the top. Whether it is an early morning visit to the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, or your very first surfing lesson on Bondi Beach, in this vibrant metropolis you will find no lack of energetic escapes and dynamic distractions.
There are many ways to enjoy the harbor: on a small luxury motor cruiser or sailing yacht, or ferries that take you to Taronga Park Zoo or Manly and the harbor suburbs. Take the Darling Harbour Rocket that connects Circular Quay to Darling Harbour where there are many restaurants and attractions such as The Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World, The IMAX Theater and the Naval Museum. For a more leisurely afternoon, take a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park, or learn about Australia's National Gemstone, the Opal, at Altmann; Cherny or The National Opal Collection, right in the heart of the city on Pitt Street.
Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: B
Day 4 Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Uluru Sunset Tour
Takeoff to Ayers Rock and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Uluru Sunset Tour
Departing your accommodation at Yulara resort, today's excursion will travel through the landscape to the entrance of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From this point, it is only a matter of minutes before the spectre of Uluru rises from the sand dunes to demonstrate its enormity and presence - the first stop allows you a photographic opportunity of this amazing icon. With Uluru looming in front, walk with your guide to a place of tranquility at the base. The closer you wander, the more you surrender to the realization of the sheer size of this monolith. Driving around the base, immerse yourself in the area. Stops are made for a short walk into Mutitjulu Waterhole. There, you will visit rock-art sites and the local waterhole with your guide to learn of Uluru's significance to the Anangu (local Aboriginal people). As you continue the drive around the rest of the base, experience the Mala walk before adjourning to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area where you will observe a sunset from a different perspective over Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the distance. Enjoy sparkling wine and light refreshments. You will return to your accommodations at Yulara Resort.
Sails In The Desert
Meals: B
Day 5 SEIT Kata Tjuta Sunrise Tour and A Night at Field of Light
Kata Tjuta Sunrise tour
Revel in the early morning serenity of a truly spiritual place as the sunrise colors change on Kata Tjuta. Enjoy an outback picnic breakfast. Learn about this diverse environment while walking between the mighty conglomerate rock walls and into Walpa Gorge. Hear how the many domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here. Your private vehicle tour ends with the return to your accommodations.
Field of Light
A night at Field of Light combines the award-winning 'Sounds of Silence' buffet BBQ dinner under the outback sky with the once-in-a-lifetime Field of Light art installation. With magnificent views of Uluru at sunset, a special three-course bush tucker menu, premium selection of Australian wines & 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.
Your 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 lone didgeridoo, enjoy gourmet canapés and chilled sparkling wine. As darkness falls and the colored lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life, join your table of fellow travelers for an exceptional three-course menu infused with bush tucker flavors. As the night ignites with countless stars, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky.
The host will provide insights to the art installation that awaits you, before you're invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of colored light, beckoning you to explore. Take a lasting look back at Field of Light from the dune top viewing area before boarding the return transfer to accommodations.
Sails In The Desert
Meals: B, D
Day 6 Ayers Rock to Cairns
Takeoff to Cairns and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Day 7 Scenic Flight
Tropical North Queensland is the only place on earth where two natural World Heritage-listed sites meet – the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest! A seat on this deluxe flight shares unique views of this ancient partnership and photo opportunities of Green Island, Double Island, Barron Gorge, Kuranda Village and the impressive coastline home to Cairns City and the Northern Beaches, including picturesque Palm Cove.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B
Day 8 Daintree Dreaming, Art and Culture
Glimpse into the unique lives of the Kuku Yalanji people, the Indigenous people of Mossman country. Walk through the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest on a dreamtime journey, discovering Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) the stories and legends from a long time ago, after taking part in a smoking ceremony – which cleanses and wards off bad spirits. You’ll discover how bush soaps are made, learn how to identify bush-tucker, and discover how native plants have been traditionally used, skills dating more than 50,000 years. After your slow-paced walk taking in every element of the rainforest, relax to the sounds of the rainforest, as you’re served Daintree home-grown tea, paired with a damper scone (an outback foodie favorite). Lunch is hosted at Mayi Café and Restaurant, with time to explore the gift shop..
The afternoon continues with a scenic drive through the Shannonvale Valley, where your knowledgeable guide will share stories of life in the area, the twenty-six Aboriginal tribal groups of the area, the ancient ‘super-highways’, how resourceful the paper bark tree is, the six seasons of nature, and other Indigenous insights into the Tablelands – a journey where mother nature really does the talking. Arrive at the Yiki people’s protected Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery. Brian 'Binna' Swindley will have you feeling inspired, connecting you with the stories told through Aboriginal paintings, the tales of the land, wildlife, reef and rainforest, handed down through Binna’s family for generations. You’ll learn his skills and discover your own, translating a story of your own into artwork to take home, an uplifting reminder of your travels and this special experience on Kuku Yalanji country. Drive back to your accommodation with your masterpiece in your hand and the spirit of the local culture and the Daintree in your heart.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B, L
Day 9 Cairns At Leisure
Built on Trinity Inlet, the Coral Sea calls from the east while the rain-forest-clad Atherton Tablelands serenade from the west, making Cairns a nature lover's nirvana. The warmth of the tropical climate has fostered a vigorous outdoor lifestyle that's reflected in the architectural styles of open verandas and balconies, and extending to the most traditional of Australian cuisine - the barbecue. Dining is a high point of any vacation, and the cosmopolitan local restaurants, cafes and eateries offer an eclectic fare of Australian and international cuisine, the highlight of most menus being the region's mouth-watering fresh seafood and unusual tropical fruits. Head to the heart of the city, the Esplanade, and enjoy a cafe latte before contemplating an abundance of tour options.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B
Day 10 Depart Cairns
Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodations to the Cairns Airport.
The world's largest monolith, located 280 mi/450 km southwest of Alice Springs, is a truly stunning sight, especially at sunset when its burnt-orange glow seems to set the desert on fire. Called Uluru by the Aborigines, the sandstone rock is huge (1,140 ft/350 m high, 9 mi/13 km around) and reddish brown most of the time, taking its color from iron oxide, or rust. Its presence is made more powerful by the mostly barren plain that surrounds it and disappears into the horizon. In 1985, ownership of the rock was returned to its traditional owners. It is rarely referred to as Ayers Rock anymore.
Considered sacred by the Aborigines for thousands of years, the rock is now part of the expansive Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of the country's biggest tourist attractions. The park includes the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 giant domelike rock formations about 20 mi/35 km west. If you want to visit both, plan to spend at least one night. You'll want to see Uluru at both sunset and sunrise. The Olgas are equally magnificent at both times of day. (But be prepared to jockey for position at either place; tour buses disgorge hundreds of visitors laden with binoculars, cameras and video equipment.)
Start your visit to the park with a stop at the cultural center. Run by the Anangu (a local Aboriginal clan), the center is a wonderful introduction to the unusual rock formations and to the people who lived in their harsh shadows for centuries. Aboriginal artwork and artifacts are on display. You can also see re-enactments of life in the bush and watch informative videos. Most visitors explore the rock as part of a tour led by park rangers, Anangu guides or private tour companies. But you can also pick up a printed walking guide at the cultural center and set off on your own.
Only one trail leads to the top of the rock, and it's fairly steep—those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, fear of heights or the like should remain earthbound. The Anangu prefer you walk around—not on—the rock because of its spiritual importance. If you do decide to climb it, allow two to three hours and take along a snack and plenty of water. The view from the top is spectacular, but hiking around the base is more educational and less strenuous. We suggest taking one or more of the shorter walks that pass water holes and rock paintings, allowing you to observe the rock's many faces at a leisurely pace. (Walking around the entire base of the rock takes about three hours.)
Allow at least an afternoon to visit the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. A frequent debate among visitors is whether the Olgas outshine the rock. It's a close call—the Olgas are taller, reaching 1,790 ft/545 m at the highest point. Made of conglomerate (pebbles and boulders cemented together by mud and sand), they are off-limits to climbers, but you can explore some of the valleys and chasms between the rocks.
Most visitors fly to Uluru or drive from Alice Springs. About the only place to stay in the area is the Ayers Rock Resort, or Yulara, whose five hotels and a campground can accommodate visitors in all price ranges. Longitude 131 is a magnificent safari camp with 15 luxury tents. Dozens of tours leave from Ayers Rock Resort, including sunrise camel rides around the rock, sunset champagne dinners in the desert, Aboriginal culture tours and stargazing. You can also rent a car there and explore on your own.
Because of the excessive heat in summer, the best time to visit is April-November (winter in Australia). Always take along plenty of drinking water. If you are flying to the Outback, we suggest going overland one way from Alice Springs (four to five hours) but flying the other way—the desert drive is scenic, but it can be tedious the second time around. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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