Day 1: Arrival in Sydney – The Beachside Metropolis  

Welcome to Australia! Your guides will be eagerly awaiting your arrival into Sydney. After a quick  introduction and orientation, you will transfer to your accommodation in the city. After you settle in  you will head out to discover why Sydney is consistently voted one of the most livable cities in the  world. 

This afternoon, you will discover the sights and sounds of Sydney as your guides take you on an  informative walking tour around the spectacular Port Jackson and the famous Rocks District as you admire Sydney Harbour Bridge and ponder the Opera House. 

Overnight: Twin-share hotel, Sydney 

Day 2: Sydney’s Northern Beaches – Manly Scenic Coastal Walk 

After breakfast this morning we will travel to the suburb of Clontarf to begin the Manly Scenic Coastal  Walk. The Northern Beaches is one of Sydney’s most beloved areas and for good reason! Today we  will embark on the Manly Scenic Coastal Walk which is a spectacular 6-mile walk that hugs the  sandstone cliffs and turquoise waters from Clontarf to the beachside suburb of Manly. Walking through  old growth eucalypt forests and along secluded white sand beaches you will stop at Aboriginal cultural  sites, the Grotto Point Lighthouse and many scenic lookouts over the bay.  

Later this afternoon you will have some down time to explore Manly, shop for souvenirs, grab a gelato,  relax on the golden sand beaches or swim in the ocean. The group will meet for dinner at one of the  restaurants in Manly this evening then catch the short ferry ride back across the bay and into the city. 

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Day 3: The Majestic Blue Mountains 

Today we will load up the bus and drive up into the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Although only a  90-minute drive from downtown Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a spectacular mountain range that is  a local favorite. Your guides will take you on some of the best short hikes and stop at the best lookouts.  Travel by cable car down into Jamison Valley and walk along old growth eucalypt forests and marvel  at towering waterfalls. This evening, at dusk, we will take a short tour of a small free range wildlife  reserve and get up close and personal with some of Australia’s weird and wonderful creatures.  

Day 4: Cairns and the Wet Tropics 

After an early breakfast this morning, bid farewell to the Blue Mountains as we make our way back to  Sydney for our flight to Cairns. Upon arrival in North Queensland, your guides will give you a brief  orientation to life up here as you transfer to your accommodation in town. After you settle in, you will  meet your group and head across to the magnificent Botanical Gardens for lunch and a quick  introduction to the wet tropics. 

Later this afternoon you will meet with a project manager from the Marine Discoveries Research and  Training Centre. Enjoy a presentation on the Great Barrier Reef from local marine biologists. You’ll  develop a deeper understanding of critical issues such as climate impact, the roles of marine species  and the importance of our coral reefs. This evening, enjoy a dinner at the Cairns waterfront as a group  and soak up the lively atmosphere of tourists and buskers along the esplanade. 

Day 5: The Great Barrier Reef  

Today is a full-day sailing trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef. You will snorkel (add-on scuba diving  available) at two different sites during the day, giving you ample opportunity to spot fish, turtles and  reef sharks. With marine biologists on-board to teach you about the reef and put this incredible  ecosystem in a global context, this will be an experience you'll never forget! 

After a refreshing shower this evening you will meet up with the group to share stories and laughs  from the day’s adventures over dinner on the esplanade.  

Day 6: Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest  

Travel north to explore one of the oldest rainforests on the planet. Stop at Mossman Gorge where  you’ll take a Dreamtime walk with an Indigenous guide to learn about the traditional custodians of  the land, the Kuku Yalanji. Get welcomed to country in a smoking ceremony, hear stories of culture  while walking along the river, and see how ochre paint is made. 

In the afternoon, we will take a wilderness cruise through the creeks and rivers of the Daintree Rainforest. Keep an eye out for saltwater crocs basking on the riverbanks, cassowaries, colorful  parrots and tree kangaroos while learning about the ecological significance of the region. 

Overnight: Twin-share rooms, Cape Tribulation 

Day 7: Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef  

Cape Tribulation is known as where the rainforest meets the reef. Today you’ll spend half a day out  on the Great Barrier Reef! Take a 25-minute boat ride from the beach and spend two hours  snorkelling. There’s a high chance of snorkelling with turtles here if you didn’t see any on the  previous trip. This afternoon will be an opportunity to unwind and take in the surrounding World  Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest. You will have the option to add on a 2-hour zip line experience  in the rainforest canopies, take a short hike with your guides to the beach or simply relax by the  hotel pool with a book and listen to the sounds of the jungle.  

The group will meet for dinner at the hotel restaurant this evening before heading out on a night  walk through the jungle. The early bird may get the worm, but in the rainforest, night owls have all  the fun. Under the canopy, torch in hand... follow your naturalist guide into the night - when the  rainforest comes alive. A Jurassic world where snakes and sleeping birds, bats and bandicoots,  spiders, tree kangaroos (yes, you read that correctly, kangaroos that live in trees!), insects and  Boyd’s forest dragons skulk in the shadows. You may even get to see the famous bioluminescent  fungi of the Daintree!  

Day 8: The Red Centre  

After an early breakfast this morning we bid farewell to our jungle oasis and drive south back to  Cairns for our flight into the red center of Australia. Before landing into the small town of Yulara this  afternoon you will get your first glimpse of the largest monolith in the world – Uluru (Ayers Rock).  After loading up the 4x4’s we will check into our accommodation and head out for an early dinner  as tomorrow will be an early rise! 

Day 9: Sunrise Camel Ride & Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park  

This morning you will wake before sunrise and drive out to meet your new furry (and noisy) friends  that will take you on a short trek through the red sand desert. After a quick meet and greet with your  camel you will join the camel train and head out to greet the sun as it rises over Uluru. This magical  experience is not one you will forget soon!  

Later this morning you will head into town to grab a proper breakfast before heading out to discover  Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by foot. With a few different short walks along the way you will begin  to appreciate the geological processes and cultural practices that have shaped the region into what  it is today. 

Day 10: Kings Creek Station & Cultural Tour  

After a delicious cooked breakfast this morning you will begin your drive out to Kings Creek Station  – keep your eye out for dingos, emus and wild camels! Kings Creek Station (ranch) is a functioning  cattle ranch with a beautiful homestead that is set amongst the desert oaks. 

After setting up camp this afternoon we will head out and try the local food or “bush tucker”. Take  a tour with an Aboriginal Australian and learn all there is to know about Aboriginal culture in this  region! This evening we will make our way back to camp for some dinner and drinks around the  campfire. 

Day 11: Kings Canyon Rim Walk & Aboriginal Culture  

After breakfast and a hearty cup of coffee this morning, you will head out to discover Kings Canyon  by walking around the rim. The rim walk will take you on a 4-mile circuit descending down into the Garden of Eden, filled with lush tropical greenery, and back to the top to wonder  at the 360 views and escarpments.  This afternoon we will head to one of the lookouts for a champagne and charcuterie board  celebration as we watch the sun set over the outback one last time. This evening, your guides will  cook up a feast over the campfire tonight and we will reminisce about the amazing last 11 days. 

Day 12: Departure to Sydney  

We will pack up camp this morning and make our way to either Alice Springs or Uluru for your flight  back to Sydney. We hope you enjoyed your time in Australia and hope to see you again in the  future!