ICONS, OCEAN AND OUTBACK

Day 1 Arrive Sydney

You will be greeted on arrival in Sydney and driven to The Park Hyatt, which looks across Circular Quay towards Sydney Opera House. Located in The Rocks, Sydney's oldest district, the hotel is close to fine restaurants, colourful weekend markets and the lively heart of the city.

Overnight: The Park Hyatt

Day 2 Sydney

Spend a half day with an experienced, passionate guide keen to introduce you to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are photo opportunities at every turn as you explore Sydney's colourful, colonial and aboriginal history, discovering the historic Rocks area, the stunning Harbour quarter around Circular Quay, the Botanical Gardens and the Opera House.

Overnight: The Park Hyatt

Day 3 Sydney

After breakfast, you'll be met in front of your hotel for a half day sailing tour of Sydney Harbour. Your host and skipper, Joe, has been introducing travellers to the waters, luxury homes, leafy parks, beaches and landmarks of Sydney Harbour for over 13 years and would agree that he has one of the best jobs in the world! Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Park Hyatt

Day 4 Kangaroo Island

Today you'll be taken to Sydney's domestic airport for a flight via Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. One of Australia's flagship lodges, Southern Ocean Lodge was completely destroyed in the 2019-20 bush fires, but has since undergone a heroic rebuild to restore it to its unparalleled splendour. The lodge sits atop a wildly beautiful cliff top and commands superb ocean views. Enjoy the excellent location with the Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase National Park, beaches for swimming, surfing and kayaking all close by, along with incredible bird life and wildlife.

Overnight: Southern Ocean Lodge

Day 5 - 6 At Leisure

You have two full days to enjoy this wonderful lodge - whether relaxing and admiring the views or exploring Kangaroo Island. Guides are on hand to introduce you to the maritime heritage, active wildlife and natural landscape. Seal Bay is home to Australia's third largest colony of Australia sea lions and there are lots of opportunities for scenic walks, especially along the limestone cliffs of Hanson Bay.

Overnight: Southern Ocean Lodge

Day 7 Adelaide

A short flight from Kangaroo Island will take you to Adelaide, where you'll be met and driven for around an hour into the Barossa Valley. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy this legendary wine region; your base, The Louise, is ideally located on the hilltop in Marananga, close to wineries and vineyards. Each of the fifteen suites offers a private terrace and superb sunrise or sunset views.

Overnight: The Louise

Day 8 At Leisure

After breakfast, enjoy a full day exploring the Barossa Valley vineyards with a local guide. Arguably the best-known 'new-world' wine region in the world, challenged only by California's Napa Valley, Barossa is home to world-renowned producers including Penfolds, Henschke and Jacob's Creek.

Overnight: The Louise

Day 9 Ayers Rock

Following two fabulous days in the Barossa Valley, it's time to head back to Adelaide Airport for your flight to Ayers Rock. Longitude 131 is the ultimate tented camp, deep in the central desert country near Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Each of the 15 tents is elevated and lavishly decorated with uninterrupted views of Uluru - yours to enjoy at leisure today. Don't miss the spectacular sunset.

Overnight: Longitude 131

Day 10 Uluru

We recommend rising early and leaving with your guide to experience the remarkable changing colours of The Red Centre at dawn. Your guide will explain the history of the region, including the arrival of early explorers and their interactions with the aboriginal Anangu people. Walking around the base of Uluru, you'll discover secret sites and caves, before a light breakfast at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku and a visit to the Cultural Centre. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the camp, before a delicious dinner served under the southern night sky and accompanied by aboriginal dance.

Overnight: Longitude 131

Day 11 Darwin

Following a sumptuous breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for your flight to Darwin and private charter flight to Bamurru Plains - an exclusive safari camp built on the edge of the Mary River floodplain only a short distance from Kakadu National Park. Just nine spacious and cool safari bungalows overlook the wilderness of Australia's wild and beautiful 'Top End'.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Day 12 Darwin

Enjoy an early morning breakfast before setting off for an adventure with your guide. This area is known for its wildlife: wallabies, dingoes, brumbies, buffalo and goannas make regular appearances, as do a large variety of colourful birds. Climb aboard the airboats for an excursion across the flood plains, spotting crocodiles and startling the Magpie Geese into flight, before a stop for tea in a quiet lagoon, shaded by paperbark trees and surrounded by lillies. During the heat of the day, retreat to the lodge to relax or cool down in the pool, or alternatively opt for a gentle cruise down the Sampan River.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Day 13 Arnhem Land

Enjoy a full day with your guide exploring the interesting aboriginal heritage of Arnhem Land - perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant. Access to Arnhem Land is restricted to a select group of guides who know the people and country intimately, and their knowledge really brings the region to life.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Day 14 Darwin

This morning, it's back to Bamurru airstrip for your flight back to Darwin, where you'll be met and driven to your hotel for the evening. Be sure to visit the Mindil Beach sunset market and join the locals as they watch the sunset and enjoy delicious food from the international street sellers (open Thursdays and Sundays).

Overnight: Adina Apartment Hotel

Day 15 Daintree Rainforest

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairns. You will be met on arrival and taken to Silky Oaks Lodge on the edge of the Daintree - the oldest living rainforest on earth. The rest of the day will be at leisure. The lodge itself is modern and comfortable, yet the sights and sounds of the Daintree are right on the doorstep: take a relaxing stroll along the riverbank, explore the local area by bike, paddle a canoe, snorkel the Mossman River, or join a guided rainforest walk.

Overnight: Silky Oaks

Day 16 Cape Tribulation - Daintree Rainforest

After a wonderful night's sleep in your Treehouse, spend the day discovering the World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. During the course of the day your guide will introduce you to ice-cream made of rainforest fruits, the thrill of jungle surfing, and crocodiles, birds and butterflies on a lazy Daintree River Cruise.

Overnight: Silky Oaks

Day 17 Great Barrier Reef

Leaving Silky Oaks and all its wonderful wildlife behind, you will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your flight to Lizard Island. The island is undoubtedly one of Australia's most stylish and luxurious retreats, and lies on the northerly section of the Great Barrier Reef, fringed with white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs. Your Sunset Point Villa will provide a great base for exploring, not to mention fabulous views of the Coral Sea and beyond - best enjoyed from the hammock on your private deck.

Overnight: Lizard Island

Day 18 - 20 Great Barrier Reef

Over the next three days, you can do as much or as little as you please. Activities are focused around the Great Barrier Reef, Australia's renowned World Heritage Site that stretches 2,000 kilometres along the coast. This is the world's most extensive coral reef system and is one of the richest areas in terms of faunal diversity. The kitchen will happily provide you with a picnic hamper and you can head off to find a private beach for a day lazing and swimming. Out of the water you may like to play tennis, climb the craggy peak of Cook's Look Out, walk a guided nature trail or treat yourself to pampering treatments at Azure Spa.

Overnight: Lizard Island

Day 21 Depart

Transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Cairns, where you can connect with your flight home.