Highlights of Australia

Start your Australian Highlights tour with a three night stay at Harbour Rocks Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel overlooking Sydney Harbour. On land, our Essential Sydney Tour will take you on a whistle stop trip round the iconic Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens, as well allowing time for some retail therapy on Oxford Street.

There’s nowhere better to learn to surf than Bondi Beach. You can opt for a two hour beginner’s course and ride your first waves. Or stay dry by hopping on a ferry from Circular Quay to the coastal suburb of Manly. The ultimate way to experience Sydney is by admiring the cityscape from the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Following a busy few days in the city, take respite in the green-carpeted hills and valleys of the Blue Mountains. After driving to Spicers Sangoma Retreat you’ll be surrounded by nothing but awe-inspiring panoramas and peaceful serenity. The best panoramic views can be found at Scenic World. Take a charming cable car and snake your way through the rainforest, keeping your eye out for hidden viewpoints, like Cahills Lookout – these are where you’ll often discover the most impressive vistas.

Known as the city of arts, Blue Mountains is brimming with local galleries and exhibitions. Get a sense of the region’s rich history in the dazzling antique bazaars and emporiums, or gaze around The Gully – once the most important landmark for Aboriginal tribes.

Get a final glimpse of the Blue Mountains’ golden cliffs as you drive through them on the way to the rolling vineyards of Hunter Valley. With over 150 wineries and cellar doors to choose from, Australia’s oldest wine producing region will quench your thirst for regional favourites Shiraz, Semillon, Chardonnay and Verdelho.

Enjoy dining al fresco in a vineyard, watching the night draw in as you sup on local olives, cheeses and beef. Keep an eye out for the indigenous kangaroos who have developed a taste for grapes and are particularly lively in the late afternoons.

Do nothing but drink in the wine and dappled sunlight, or try a wine tasting or cookery class. There are plenty of local breweries to tour too.

Swap luscious vineyards for the ochre outback as you take a flight from Sydney Airport to Australia’s Red Centre. Sounds of Silence will see you watching the slow sunset over Kata Tjutu and Uluru as you dine on Australian delicacies barbequed to perfection. Bellies full, the resident astronomer will turn your attention to stargazing in the southern night sky.

Next, take flight from Ayres Rock Resort and rise above Mount Conner, Lake Amadeus, and the vast red expanse of Uluru in a helicopter. Back on land, visit the Field of Light – a hugely ambitious art installation that illuminates Ayres Rock with 50,000 stems powered by solar energy.

A flight will take you to tropical Cairns. Discover the relationship the local Kuku Yalanji people have with their land as you go on a hands-on cultural tour of the surrounding rainforest. Learn how nature provides food and medicine, and stop at a freshwater creek to sample some bush tucker. You can even try your hand at spear throwing.

Take the opportunity to experience a thrilling hot air balloon ride. See how many birds and kangaroos you can spot from high up above the Outback. Learn to pro dive on a PADI course, or head to the glittering turquoise waters of the Cairns Lagoon for a dip.

Venture far beyond short day trip territory on the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience. Hop aboard a small purpose built ship and explore the untouched areas of the UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Swim, snorkel or scuba dive within touching distance of the rainbow coloured coral and marine wildlife. If you’d rather take it all in from above water, join the marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour.

Waking up moored beside pristine Lizard Island is a particular highlight. Let your toes touch down on the golden sand and relax for the day. Each evening you’ll dine on fresh, locally sourced seafood and tropical fruits, and there’ll even be a chance for a barbeque on a deserted island.

Your Australian Signature Highlights tour comes to an end at the Shantara Resort in Port Douglas. There are still three days left, giving you plenty of time to relax and recuperate in this tropical paradise.

Take a leisurely stroll down Macrossan Street, popping into the galleries and souvenir boutiques. If you want one last thrill, take advantage of one of the many watersports on offer on Four Mile Beach. Parasail, jet ski, or paddle board on the palm fringed coastline. Decipher historic cave paintings on the Daintree Walkabout Tour, learn ancient fishing techniques on the Coastal Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour, or whizz through the rainforest on exhilarating zip lines.