Australia Private Tour
Local Time
Why You Should Go
As the largest country in Oceania, Australia offers sweeping geographical contrasts ranging from rainforests to deserts to The Great Barrier Reef. Among our favorite private tour stopovers are picturesque Sydney with the nearby Blue Mountains and a memorable personal koala experience, ultra-luxurious Lizard Island in The Great Barrier Reef, and Kangaroo Island in the south (known as Australia’s Galapagos!). A stay at the Southern Ocean Lodge is the ideal way to experience the island’s striking ocean views and natural flora and fauna.
View of Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and Ferry Terminus from Harbour Bridge
Sample Itinerary
13 Days
Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.
1
Day 1
Fly to Sydney
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.
Koala mother with her baby
2
Day 2
Arrive Sydney
Upon arrival in Sydney, you will be privately transferred to the Park Hyatt Sydney.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Sydney
Park Hyatt Sydney
3
Day 3
Sydney Private Tour
You will start your morning climbing the famous Sydney Bridge (440 feet at its highest point!). Thereafter, you will take to Sydney’s old cobblestone streets and courtyards, visiting such places like Sydney’s Opera House and the historic Rock precinct featuring street markets, cafes, and art galleries! You may also opt to board a boat for a tour of Sydney’s harbor shoreline.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Sydney
The Rocks in Circular Quay, Sydney
4
Day 4
Koala Encounter + Blue Mountain Excursion
Your first stop this morning will be the Featherdale Wildlife Park where an animal handler allows guests to get up close and personal with koalas and other animals! You are allowed to touch and pet the koala’s lower body, and of course have a photo taken by the park’s photographer. This afternoon, you will continue on to the Blue Mountains, where you will witness the majesty of this unique environment encompassing steep waterfalls, dramatic cliff drops, and lush forests.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Sydney
Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains
5
Day 5
Fly Sydney/Cairns + Fly to Cairns/Lizard Island
Today you will fly from Syndey to Cairns and then onward to Lizard Island. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the amenities of the Lizard Island Resort.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Lizard Island Resort
Lizard Island Resort
6-7
Days 6 – 7
Lizard Island
Over the following two days, enjoy all that Lizard Island Resort has to offer, including private beach picnics, access to explore local beaches, stand-up paddle boarding, clearview sea kayaking, and snorkling.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Lizard Island Resort
Lizard Island Beach
8
Day 8
Fly Lizard Island/Cairns
Upon arrival in Cairns, you will be privately transferred to the Shangri-La Hotel Cairns. Lying at the center of a tropical paradise on the shores of Trinity Bay, Cairns is the gateway to some of Australia’s greatest natural attractions. Sitting offshore is the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Shangri-La Hotel Cairns
Green turtle swimming among coral in the Great Barrier Reef
9
Day 9
Fly Cairns/Adelaide/Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
Major parts of the western end of Kangaroo Island suffered immensely from the January 2020 bushfires, resulting in the closure of a number of attractions and businesses in an around Flinders Chase National Park. However, visitors are encouraged as part of a “Don’t delay your stay” campaign as tourism is a huge part of the recovery efforts. The East end of the island from Cygnet River to Penneshaw was entirely unaffected by the fire and you’ll find wildlife and beaches in abundance here.
Widely acclaimed as Australia’s Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is home to an abundance of native wildlife and spectacular natural attractions. With more than one-third of the island declared as Conservation or National Park, visitors readily come face-to-face with wedge-tailed eagles, playful dolphins (that you can swim with), koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goannas and more.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hamilton & Dune
Sea lions resting on the beach in Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island
10 - 11
Days 10-11
Kangaroo Island
The island offers various activities for all including hikes, biking, and wildlife excursions. On the eastern side of the island, you can opt to visit Cape Willoughby Conservation Park, Penneshaw or Emu Bay (swimming with dolphins!), Seal Bay, and Kangaroo Wildlife Park among others.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hamilton & Dune
View of Emu Bay from Dune House
12
Day 12
Fly Kingscote/Adelaide/Sydney
Upon arrival in Sydney, you will be met by our representative and assisted in checking in to the Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel
Sydney Bridge spanning the Sydney Harbour, Australia
13
Day 13
Fly Sydney/Home
Sydney Town Hall
Hotels
Though we have been big fans of the Four Seasons Sydney in the past, we freely admit the contemporarily designed 155-room, 5-Star Park Hyatt is our new favorite luxury property in Sydney. Set on the edge of Sydney Harbor, the hotel offers striking views facing the Sydney Opera House. Although most of the property’s rooms include private balconies with Opera views, please note that “standard” rooms do not offer this perk. Among the amenities here are 24-hour butler service, a very nice full-service spa, and a fitness center. We particularly like the hotel’s picturesque rooftop heated pool/sundeck – among the most amazing views in Sydney!
Park Hyatt Sydney
Though we have been big fans of the Four Seasons Sydney in the past, we freely admit the contemporarily designed 155-room, 5-Star Park Hyatt is our new favorite luxury property in Sydney. Set on the edge of Sydney Harbor, the hotel offers striking views facing the Sydney Opera House. Although most of the property’s rooms include private balconies with Opera views, please note that “standard” rooms do not offer this perk. Among the amenities here are 24-hour butler service, a very nice full-service spa, and a fitness center. We particularly like the hotel’s picturesque rooftop heated pool/sundeck – among the most amazing views in Sydney!
Set on its own 2500 acre island (accessible only by private plane), there are several nice accommodations to choose from here. Lizard Island has 24 private beaches! The many high-touch amenities and activities here include a freshwater pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, a saltwater restaurant (mixed Asian and Mediterranean), snorkeling, and scuba on the island!
Lizard Island Resort
Set on its own 2500 acre island (accessible only by private plane), there are several nice accommodations to choose from here. Lizard Island has 24 private beaches! The many high-touch amenities and activities here include a freshwater pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, a saltwater restaurant (mixed Asian and Mediterranean), snorkeling, and scuba on the island!
Though we feel several of the Asia-based, 5-star, Shangri-La properties to be a bit over-the-top/pretentious, the Shangri-La Cairns is a nice, understated contrast. The 5-star Shangri-La Hotel sits on the edge of the Marlin Marina, looking out to the Coral Sea. The 255 rooms/suites, decorated with local artwork, feature sweeping views of the Marina/Trinity Bay, the surrounding city, and the hotel’s botanic garden. Amenities at the Shangri-La include an outdoor pool, fitness center, and the North Bar & Kitchen, which offers authentic Australian cuisine.
Shangri-La Hotel Cairns
Though we feel several of the Asia-based, 5-star, Shangri-La properties to be a bit over-the-top/pretentious, the Shangri-La Cairns is a nice, understated contrast. The 5-star Shangri-La Hotel sits on the edge of the Marlin Marina, looking out to the Coral Sea. The 255 rooms/suites, decorated with local artwork, feature sweeping views of the Marina/Trinity Bay, the surrounding city, and the hotel’s botanic garden. Amenities at the Shangri-La include an outdoor pool, fitness center, and the North Bar & Kitchen, which offers authentic Australian cuisine.
We were saddened to hear that Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed in the bushfires that spread with speed and ferocity across the western end of Kangaroo Island in January 2020. James and Hayley Baillie, proprietors of Southern Ocean Lodge have made great progress on the path to rebuilding. One year later, the lodge site has been cleared, vegetation and wildlife beginning to regenerate. The Baillie’s are working with architect Max Pritchard to rebuild the lodge maintaining many aspects of its original design and adding elements to enhance the guest experience. Standing throughout the fires and now restored to his former glory is ‘Sunshine’ the lodge’s kangaroo sculpture who is eager to greet guests again once reinstalled in the future lodge’s reception area. Click here to view a preview of the recreation.
Southern Ocean Lodge
We were saddened to hear that Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed in the bushfires that spread with speed and ferocity across the western end of Kangaroo Island in January 2020. James and Hayley Baillie, proprietors of Southern Ocean Lodge have made great progress on the path to rebuilding. One year later, the lodge site has been cleared, vegetation and wildlife beginning to regenerate. The Baillie’s are working with architect Max Pritchard to rebuild the lodge maintaining many aspects of its original design and adding elements to enhance the guest experience. Standing throughout the fires and now restored to his former glory is ‘Sunshine’ the lodge’s kangaroo sculpture who is eager to greet guests again once reinstalled in the future lodge’s reception area. Click here to view a preview of the recreation.
Located in Emu Bay, on the eastern coast of Kangaroo Island, Hamilton & Dune is a boutique, luxury property with only two houses (Hamilton House & Dune House). Holding up to 6 and 5 guests respectively, larger family groups can opt for booking both houses for an even more exclusive experience. There is a full-board option for dining as well as additional services available on request such as house massages or yoga sessions. During your stay here, you will have a personal concierge to arrange various excursions around the island. Hamilton House was completely renovated in 2018 and both houses are located just steps away from Emu Bay’s turquoise water and white sandy beach as well as private jetty and boat ramp. These eclectic beach house style properties, accompanied by a picturesque setting are ideal for a wonderful family experience on Kangaroo Island.
Hamilton & Dune
Located in Emu Bay, on the eastern coast of Kangaroo Island, Hamilton & Dune is a boutique, luxury property with only two houses (Hamilton House & Dune House). Holding up to 6 and 5 guests respectively, larger family groups can opt for booking both houses for an even more exclusive experience. There is a full-board option for dining as well as additional services available on request such as house massages or yoga sessions. During your stay here, you will have a personal concierge to arrange various excursions around the island. Hamilton House was completely renovated in 2018 and both houses are located just steps away from Emu Bay’s turquoise water, white sandy beach, jetty, and boat ramp. These eclectic beach house style properties, accompanied by a picturesque setting is ideal for a family trip to Kangaroo Island.
Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel is the newest 5-star hotel at Sydney Airport, including all the features you would expect from a Pullman branded hotel. This upscale hotel offers 229 luxurious rooms and suites with extensive meeting facilities. Each room features an open design, contemporary furnishing, double glazed windows and blackout curtains to ensure you are well rested.
Pullman Sydney Airport Hotel
Pullman Sydney Airport is the newest 5-star hotel at Sydney Airport, including all the features you would expect from a Pullman branded hotel. This upscale hotel offers 229 luxurious rooms and suites with extensive meeting facilities. Each room features an open design, contemporary furnishing, double glazed windows and blackout curtains to ensure you are well rested.
Request Custom Itinerary
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Location
Overview
| Temperature |
|---|
| Highs: High 70’s |
| Lows: Mid 50’s |
| Area |
|---|
| 7.69 MILLION SQ KM |
| 2.97 MILLION SQ MILES |
| Capital |
|---|
| Canberra |
| Population |
|---|
| 25.6 Million |
| Language |
|---|
| English, Tamil |
| Currency |
|---|
| Australian Dollar |
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