Australia Private Expedition

TRAVELER FAVORITE

13 DAYS FROM $10,695

based on a private group of 6 people traveling together

• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and spot kangaroos and koalas in wildlife reserves. • Learn about Aboriginal culture in the Daintree Rainforest and at sacred Uluru. • Explore Sydney and Melbourne—two of Australia’s most exciting cities—on private tours.

Private Expedition Light/Moderate

DAYS 1–2 I SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel in the historic Rocks district. Set off on a guided tour of the Rocks, from the handsomely restored buildings along the waterfront to the back alleys and pubs once frequented by the convicts who were shipped to this faraway land. Next, head to the world-renowned Sydney Opera House for a private tour. Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney | Meals: 1B, 2L DAYS 3–4 I SYDNEY/WOLGAN VALLEY Travel west into the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a UNESCO World Heritage–listed wilderness of high cliffs and slot canyons, thick eucalyptus forests, and waterfalls. Settle into your private villa at a resort located within a 7,000-acre wildlife reserve, and explore the valley through a variety of activities. Set out on a wildlife drive to spot wallabies and wombats, join a field guide for a bushwalk, or go horseback riding in the surrounding eucalyptus forests. Learn how the reserve has been restored to its natural state after decades of agricultural use, and take part a conservation project such as planting trees or surveying wildlife. One&Only Wolgan Valley | Meals: 2B, 2L, 2D

DAY 5 I CAIRNS/PORT DOUGLAS Fly to Cairns on the coast of North Queensland, and transfer to your stunning timber bungalow tucked into the jungle canopy, just steps from the lodge's private beach on the Coral Sea. During a free afternoon, take a dip in rock pools, stroll the beach, or spot birds on a nature walk with a lodge guide. Thala Beach Nature Reserve | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D DAY 6 I GREAT BARRIER REEF Rise early for a full-day excursion by sailing yacht to the outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef. Skim across turquoise seas to the coral cays and snorkel the reefs with a marine biologist, keeping an eye out for for giant clams, sea turtles, and all manner of corals and tropical fish. Get another perspective on this rich marine world from a glass-bottomed boat, and enjoy time to relax on empty white sand beaches. Thala Beach Nature Reserve | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 7 I DAINTREE RAINFOREST Encounter the rich cultural heritage of the Kuku Yalanji people today. In the company of guides from this ancient Aboriginal group, explore mangroves and mudflats to learn about traditional fishing and foraging practices. Learn how the Kuku Yalanji use plants and minerals to make everything from soap and medicine to paint. In sacred Mossman Gorge, take part in a traditional ceremony, and go on an interpretive walk into the Daintree Rainforest, hearing from your guides about the history of their people and their spiritual connection to this land. Thala Beach Nature Reserve | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAY 8 I PORT DOUGLAS/CAIRNS/ KATA TJUTA Swap the sea for the desert and fly to the heart of the vast Australian outback. Set out with a guide to discover the otherworldly domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas. Learn about the unusual flora and fauna here, as well as the site’s spiritual significance to the local Anangu people. Sails in the Desert | Meals: 1B

DAY 9 I ULURU Encounter awe-inspiring Uluru this morning. Experience the site’s mysticism and beauty as you explore with a guide, hearing the creation stories of the area's traditional custodians. Visit the serene Mutitjulu Waterhole, one of the site’s only permanent water sources, and examine prehistoric rock art. As night falls, head for the Field of Light, an art installation that resembles a vast carpet of colored glass flowers that glow across the desert with Uluru as a backdrop, and enjoy a three-course bush tucker buffet. Sails in the Desert | Meals: 1B, 1D

DAYS 10–11 I MELBOURNE Fly to Melbourne and settle into your hotel, taking advantage of a free evening to explore. The next day, get a local’s perspective on this dynamic city, delving into Melbourne’s past and present with a private guide. Take a walk down the Golden Mile to learn how gold helped build the city, and look for little penguins in the beachfront suburb of St. Kilda. Discover street art and eclectic shops in the city center, and wander through bustling Queen Victoria Market. Park Hyatt Melbourne | Meals: 2B, 1L

DAY 12 I YOU YANGS REGIONAL PARK/ SERENDIP WETLANDS NATIONAL PARK Spend the morning spotting wild koalas in their natural habitat in the Aboriginal cultural landscape of You Yangs Regional Park. Observe the behavior of these beloved marsupials on a walk with a wildlife guide, and learn about the significance of these lands to the Wathaurong people. Continue to Serendip Wetlands National Park for a hike among the gum trees and a chance to encounter cockatoos, mobs of eastern grey kangaroos, and myriad water birds. Park Hyatt Melbourne | Meals: 1B, 1L

DAY 13 I MELBOURNE After breakfast, transfer to the airport and catch your flight home. Meals: 1B

YOUR EXPEDITION TEAM

Knowledgeable local guides will accompany you on your trip, and you will meet other local experts as described in the itinerary.

INFORMATION

Dates: This expedition is offered throughout the year. You may request any dates that are convenient for you. Prices are per person; based on double occupancy, group size, and selected dates; and subject to availability. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional $1,200 per person. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.

A joey hitches a ride in its mother’s pouch.

Visit website for complete details and dates.