100% customisable travel idea
The best of Oz Sydney, the Red Centre, the Top End and the Great Barrier Reef
Australia - Top End - Great Barrier Reef - Red Centre - Sydney
100% customisable travel idea
Australia - Top End - Great Barrier Reef - Red Centre - Sydney
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the following day.
Upon arrival, collect your rental car and drive to the vibrant heart of Darwin, the largest city of the Northern Territory. Overnight stay overlooking the sea, very close to the city's highlights. The contemporary hotel features stylish and comfortable rooms. Above all, it is ideally located for reaching the various attractions: the beaches, the lagoon, the city centre and the shops. If you prefer to relax after your flight just stay put and enjoy the hotel pool and restaurant.
Things to see and do - Visit Crocosaurus Cove, a wildlife park and aquarium where crocodiles are the star attraction; spend some time at MAGNT, a museum with the finest collection of Aboriginal art in Australia; shop at Mindil Beach Sunset Market, which as it name suggests is also an ideal spot to watch the sunset.
Drive to Kakadu (2.5 hours). The sparse savannah of the first few miles, dotted with a few wandering dingoes, transforms into an almost jungle-like landscape as you enter the park. Kakadu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and jointly managed by the Aboriginal community. It protects the country’s most important collections of rock paintings, including Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, moving evidence that these places have been inhabited since prehistory. A succession of cliffs, forests and marshes, the park is also home to exceptional wildlife and plants, and you can explore on foot or by boat.
Stay for two nights amid the park’s lush vegetation, in a campsite featuring spacious tents or cabins with real beds. It’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the nature of the Top End and enjoy the sounds of the park, at a comfortable remove from the wildlife.
On your schedule - Cruise on the Yellow Water River, a tributary of the South Alligator River. This area of Kakadu National Park is home to vast wetlands, featuring riverbeds, floodplains and marshes. All of this is very attractive for birds. Nearly a third of all Australian species are found in the park, with no fewer than 60 different species in the wetlands. The crocodiles, with their yellow pupils trained on the visitors, are never far away. This cruise is an opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscapes of Kakadu and encounter its rich wildlife too.
Drive to Katherine (4 hours), the fourth largest town in the Northern Territory. Far from the major urban centres of the South, Katherine grew up when the overland telegraph line reached here and saw unprecedented growth with the opening of the region’s gold mines at the end of the 19th century. This history, inevitably unique due to its isolation, unfolds at the Katherine Museum in the former airport terminal or at the School of the Air, an inspired initiative bringing education to children in the Outback. Nitmiluk National Park is another reason for coming here, especially for Leliyn (Edith Falls), where, after a short walk, you can swim in natural pools.
Stay in a pleasant setting, ideal for a one-night stopover in this part of the Top End. The bungalows are fully equipped and located near the Katherine River gorges and the departure point for cruises. After a wonderful day of driving and sightseeing, the pool feels like an oasis in the desert, a true blessing.
Optional extra - Sunset dinner cruise.
Head back to Darwin (4.5-5 hours). There is a world of difference between the pleasant small town of 10,000 people and the vibrant metropolis of 130,000. This is reflected in the landscapes. The vast expanses of open savannah give way to the coast and the Timor Sea.
Our suggestion along the way - Litchfield National Park. The park is in the heart of a landscape shaped by water, full of breathtaking waterfalls and crystal-clear pools. Around a bend in the path, wallabies and wallaroos appear. Pause to admire the termite mounds, the park's star attraction. Some of these gigantic mounds are two metres high, while others are over a hundred years old.
Back in the city, stay just steps from the airport. The comfortable hotel will charm you with its surprisingly pleasant setting and its large swimming pool. The quality of the on site restaurant and the thoughtful service are an added bonus. The most important thing is being so close to the airport to catch the early morning flight the next day.
Leave the Top End behind and fly to Queensland, aptly named the Sunshine State. The second largest state in Australia radiates in all directions. Land in Cairns, a truly tropical city on the east coast. Pick up your rental car and take a short drive (1 hour) along the coast to reach Port Douglas. Along the way, it’s hard to resist stopping at one of the fine sandy beaches. Upon arrival, you find a small seaside town that blends the upscale, elegant character of beautiful modern villas with a bohemian atmosphere.
Stay for three nights in the heart of Port Douglas in a 45 m² (484 sq ft) studio. Greenery features heavily in the design here, echoing the lush plants outside and wood has been used to bring it all together perfectly. Guests can prepare delicious meals in the kitchenette or make use of the barbecue provided. Don't worry if you don’t feel like cooking. Macrossan Street, with its wide range of dining options, is just 5 minutes away. If you walk a little further, you’ll find the marina in one direction and Four Mile Beach in the other. Some guests never actually make it to the beach. Your accommodation has a spacious pool area with not one but two pools, surrounded by palm trees.
Port Douglas is an ideal base for exploring two UNESCO World Heritage wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. In both places, marvel at the abundant wildlife, lush vegetation and fascinating ecosystems.
On your schedule - Coral reef day cruise. The only living organism visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef was a natural choice for the UNESCO World Heritage list. Behind the shimmering colours of the intricate coral colonies is a dizzying array of numbers: 2,500 reefs made up of 400 species of colourful corals, 1,500 fish and 4,000 different molluscs The catamaran you board for the cruise is operated by an experienced crew, and a biologist supervises everyone every time they go in the water. There are several stops with breaks for snorkelling and relaxing on the sands of Coral Cays, a small sandy island in the middle of the ocean.
Optional extra - Get to know the Kuku Yalanji people.
Drive to Cairns. As you leave Port Douglas, you join the Captain Cook Highway. This beautiful road winds peacefully towards the region’s main city, tracing its path along the coast and forming a symbolic boundary between the edge of the untouched Daintree rainforest and the vibrant waters of the Coral Sea. The gradual appearance of residential areas signals your arrival at your destination.
Stay for the night on the Esplanade, just a few steps from Trinity Bay. With only ten rooms, this is an intimate experience and the staff are exceptionally warm and welcoming. The interiors are in a neo-colonial style. The common areas proudly display their mouldings, a beautiful staircase spirals up to the upper floor, and the polished wooden banister glides beneath your fingers. Spread across the ground floor and the upper floor, the rooms feature the mainly light tones of white paired with blue, a nod to their beautiful setting. As for the restaurant, it’s not just convenient, it’s well worth a visit, with the quality of the food further enhanced by the setting. The cocktails at the bar also merit your attention.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Uluru, in the Red Centre. Pick up your rental car and drive to Kings Canyon (in Watarrka National Park as it is known in the Aboriginal language), a breathtaking 300 km (186 mile) road trip through desert and savannah. The canyon, an immense open-air chasm carved into the mountain, is a breathtaking sight. Between the scarlet rocks, stubborn vegetation pushes through before bursting into lush green clusters. A striking contrast and a welcome freshness in this landscape, which, though less visited than Uluru, is no less impressive.
Stay for two nights in your accommodation with its motel style feel. Lost in the midst of the endless stretches of bush, it provides the peace you need to recharge, take in the landscape or gaze at the starry sky. The bungalows are spaced far enough apart to maintain the feeling of living in nature and ensure you're not disturbed. The rooms, although simply decorated, provide well-deserved comfort.
Our suggestion for the day - Hike the Rim Walk by yourself. In the heart of the national park, the crimson cliffs of Kings Canyon rise above a breathtaking palm forest. A nature reserve where more than 600 species of wildlife and plants have found refuge, this site is well worth a visit. To truly get to know the crimson rocks, hike along breathtaking Rim Walk, the most dramatic of the many trails available. It takes three to four hours, depending on your pace (and the number of photo stops), to complete this 6 km (4 mile) walk. The breathtaking views over the gorges below and the surrounding landscape will leave you with fond memories. You can then descend into the canyon by following the Kings Creek Walk to reach the Garden of Eden, where eucalyptus, cycads and other palms thrive thanks to water reserves held in the chasm.
Back to the great outdoors to drive to Uluru. Stay for two nights in the heart of the Red Centre. The accommodation is a typical Outback hotel, functional, unpretentious and welcoming. Experience Australian hospitality and share stories of the day’s adventures with other guests around the fire, sipping a cold beer or enjoying some grilled meat.
On your schedule for the evening - Field of Light, a monumental art installation in the desert. Australian artist Bruce Munro chose the red desert as the gallery for his work. The installations consists of 50,000 slender stems, each crowned with a frosted glass sphere. As darkness falls over the Outback, they form a dazzling blanket over the landscape, with the gigantic Uluru in the background. A unique opportunity to see the desert illuminated and an image that will stay with you for a long time. Set off at nightfall, with a drink on site.
The massive sandstone rock stands in the middle of a golden savannah. Uluru rises 348 metres (1,142 feet) above the surrounding desert and fully justifies the sacred status given it by Aboriginal people. Like Kings Canyon, the site fires your imagination as much as it lifts your spirit. The air is thick with heat and the scent of native plants. Here, you delve into the very soul and history of Australia’s first inhabitants. Given the sacred nature of the site, it is essential to behave respectfully.
Optional extras - Uluru by bike; getting to know the Aboriginal community.
Drive to the airport and flight to Sydney (3 hours). Upon arrival, private transfer and stay for three nights just outside CBD, the business district. Behind the property’s sleek façade, a former business centre has been converted into a hotel, which explains its size. Close to Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Chinatown, it’s an ideal base for exploring the various neighbourhoods (and vibes) of the city. Hyde Park is also not far away, and you cross it to reach Circular Quay. Inside, the look is more design-led and contemporary, and always immaculate. In terms of dining, the pub serves authentic Australian cuisine. The crown jewel of the property is the lap pool that stretches across the rooftop. With just a few strokes, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney.
Sydney instantly plunges you into the heart of the Australian experience. Take a breath of fresh air at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a dose of classical or Aboriginal culture at the Art Gallery, and inevitably, the city’s gentle slope draws you irresistibly towards the harbour. Harmonious and unique, neither too big nor too small, it bustles with cheerful ferries docking at Circular Quay and releasing a stream of workers heading to the CBD. This is the daily boat (or bike)-office-pub routine for many Sydneysiders. Travellers are keen to board for a panoramic view of the city, Harbour Bridge, and of course the Opera House, before heading to one of Manly’s beaches and perhaps even trying their hand at surfing. Are you tempted by a private cruise? Explore the harbour from cove to cove aboard a small trimaran, at your own pace. Be sure to have lunch at Bathers’ Pavilion on Balmoral Beach, or on the beach at Doyles in Watsons Bay. Back at the quay, there are several options for the evening. Take your pick of the renovated Woolloomooloo Wharf, cosmopolitan Potts Point or the more eclectic Surry Hills.
On your schedule - The Rocks walking tour with a guide. A patchwork of neighbourhoods with distinct personalities, Sydney has something to offer everyone. Today, after seeing Circular Quay and the Opera House, it's all about The Rocks, this time with plenty of interesting facts. Once a ramshackle settlement for convicts, The Rocks has transformed into a charming area dotted with small blue cottages and lined with houses of various architectural styles. The guide leads you through the most intriguing hidden corners, bringing its history to life along the way.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flight. Night on board, arrival the following day.
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