100% customisable travel idea
Active Australia with your teens Sydney, Red Centre & the Sunshine State
Australia - Sydney - Red Centre - Queensland
100% customisable travel idea
Australia - Sydney - Red Centre - Queensland
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you from the airport to your accommodation, where you will stay for three nights. Your hotel is at a slight distance from the CBD, the central business district. Behind the building’s slender façade lies a former business centre that has been converted into a hotel, which explains its size. Located near Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Chinatown, it is an ideal base for exploring the city’s different neighbourhoods and atmospheres. Hyde Park is also nearby, and you can walk through it to reach Circular Quay. Inside, the decor is stylish and contemporary, and it always looks impeccable. When it comes to dining, the bar serves authentic Australian cuisine. However, the jewel in the crown is the long, slender swimming pool on the roof. The whole family can enjoy a few laps while taking in the stunning views of Sydney.
No sooner have you touched down in Sydney than you are instantly immersed in the Australian way of life. Get some fresh air at the Royal Botanic Gardens, experience culture (both mainstream and Aboriginal) at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and feel yourself being drawn towards the bay - a pull that is almost impossible to resist. The bay is peaceful, unique and neither too big nor too small. An abundance of ferries moor at Circular Quay and release a stream of workers into the central business district. This is the daily boat (or bicycle)-office-pub commute for many Sydneysiders. Tourists happily embark to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Harbour Bridge and, of course, the Opera House, before heading to one of the beaches in Manly and perhaps trying their hand at surfing. Tempted by a private cruise? Explore the coves aboard a small trimaran at your leisure. Stop for a family lunch at the Bathers Pavilion on Balmoral Beach, or at Doyles on the beach at Watson’s Bay, where you can eat with your feet dipped in the water. Back on land, there are several options for the evening, including the renovated docks of Woolloomooloo, the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Potts Point, or the stylish Surry Hills. That's the advantage of being a grown-up: you don't have to go to bed when the sun goes down.
On your itinerary - A local shows you around Sydney. Take a stroll with our on-site contact to experience the city like one of its residents. As an expat living in Sydney, this person knows it like the back of their hand, having become a true Sydneysider themselves. They will take you on a surprise trip through the streets, parks and beaches to share a slice of life. You’ll discuss the Australian way of life and glean lots of advice for the rest of your trip. There is no fuss. Don’t worry, our contact adjusts the tour to suit the preferences and wishes of your group - they are used to keeping everyone happy. The tour lasts for four hours, or longer if you get on well - in Australia, we’re flexible.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Uluru in the Red Centre. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to Kings Canyon National Park, which is also known by its Aboriginal name, Watarrka. This is a stunning 190-mile (300 km) road trip through desert and savannah. When you arrive, you will immediately see the canyon, a huge open-air gorge carved into the mountain. Stubborn vegetation has fought its way through the scarlet-coloured rocks and has burst out into green bouquets. This brings a striking contrast and a welcome freshness to this place that is every bit as impressive as Uluru, despite being less popular with visitors.
Settle in for two nights in a long, motel-style building. The accommodation is located in the middle of the endless bush, meaning the whole family finds the peace and quiet they need to recharge their batteries, admire the landscape or gaze at the starry sky. The bungalows are spaced far enough apart to preserve the natural atmosphere of the place and to give everyone some peace and quiet. Despite the rooms being decorated in a simple way, they seem to be comfortable. However, the suites with furnished terraces take the prize: their hot tubs, located just behind a large bay window, overlook the red rocks.
Our suggestion for the day - the Rim Walk, on your own. In the heart of the national park, the crimson peaks of Kings Canyon tower above a breathtaking palm forest. A nature reserve that is home to more than 600 species of flora and fauna, the site is definitely worth a visit. To get a closer look at the crimson rocks, choose the stunning Rim Walk from among the trails available to you. It takes three to four hours, depending on your pace (and the number of times you stop to take photos), to complete this four-mile (six-kilometre) walk. The bird's-eye view of the gorges below and the surrounding landscape will leave a lasting impression on the whole family. 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 flourish thanks to the water reserves trapped in the chasm.
Optional - Dinner under the stars at the Red Centre.
Return to the great outdoors to reach Uluru. Settle in for two nights at the only place offering apartments in the area. The accommodation is set among the region's native shrubs and eucalyptus trees and was designed and built to blend into the landscape. It gets lost among the dunes and cannot even be seen from a distance. The buildings have double roofs and are positioned so that they shade one other. They house spacious, well laid out and comfortable apartments. In terms of communal areas, multiple swimming pools and restaurants ensure there is something for everyone.
Already planned for the evening - Field of Light, an ephemeral art installation in the desert. Australian artist Bruce Munro has chosen the red desert as the gallery for his work: 50,000 thin rods, topped with frosted glass spheres. They cover the landscape as darkness descends on the Outback, with the gigantic monolith of Uluru as a backdrop. A unique opportunity to see the desert illuminated at night and an image that will remain etched in your mind for a long time to come. Departure at nightfall, with an aperitif planned on site.
Uluru is a huge sandstone rock that sits in the middle of a golden savannah. It is 1141 feet (348 metres) high, justifying the sacred status given to it by Aboriginal Australians. Like Kings Canyon, the site sparks your imagination as much as it uplifts your spirit.
On your itinerary - Uluru by bike. You won't leave without seeing every angle of this legendary rock. It is about a nine-mile (15-kilometre) cycle ride to get all the way around Uluru. You'll have the bikes for three hours, giving you plenty of time to take several breaks to appreciate the geological and sacred significance of the site and marvel at it again and again.
You leave the Red Centre behind and fly to Queensland, the Sunshine State. The second largest Australian state, it radiates in every direction. You will land in Cairns, a tropical city on the east coast. Pick up your rental car and take a short drive (one hour) along the coast to Port Douglas. On the way, it's hard to resist stopping at one of the sandy beaches. When you arrive in Port Douglas, you'll discover a small seaside town that combines the upmarket and elegant character of beautiful modern villas with a bohemian atmosphere. Settle in for three nights away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The three-storey building has a tropical feel and look. The spacious, airy and comfortable apartments make you feel right at home. The lovely swimming pool is perfect for cooling off. Those who prefer the sea can take a small path from the hotel that leads straight to the famous Four Mile Beach.
Port Douglas is an ideal base for exploring two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. In both places, visitors can marvel at the abundant flora and fauna and fascinating ecosystems.
On your itinerary - A day in the land of the Kuku Yalanji people. The Kuku Yalanji are an Aboriginal Australian people originating from Queensland. They were forced to regroup when European settlers arrived. They chose to regroup around Mossman Gorge, specifically Manjal Dimbi, which means “mountain holding back”. According to legend, the site represents Kubirri, a superior being and protector who helped the people when they were persecuted by the evil spirit Wurrumbu. Led by an Aboriginal guide, you will visit important sites scattered between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation. One of these sites is the Daintree Forest, the oldest living rainforest in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a lesson on medicinal plants, you won't be able to resist a dip in the natural pools.
Optional - Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.
Set off for Cape Tribulation. As you drive along the Captain Cook Highway towards the northern coast of Queensland, you will see agricultural plains, slopes covered with vegetation and inlets one after the other. The route seems to play cat and mouse with the Coral Sea. The last few miles are marked by the appearance of the Cape Tribulation mangrove swamps. Night in a wooden chalet nestled in seven hectares of rainforest. There is no television or Wi-Fi: it's time to disconnect for this stop of the trip among palm trees, vines and ponds. After experiencing the richness of the rainforest, head to the resort's private beach, located just a few steps away.
On your itinerary - zip-lining in the rainforest. As you can imagine, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef are the star attractions of the area. After having explored it the day before on foot with an Aboriginal guide, you’ll now admire it in a more athletic way: from the air. A few zip lines lead to an observation tower perched several feet above the ground. From there, you'll enjoy a 360° view of this preserved habitat. Then, continue on your way. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the double zip line, which is 425 feet long (130 metres). Thrills and laughter guaranteed!
Cape Tribulation disappears in the rear-view mirror as you drive south, winding your way between the dense Daintree Forest and the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea. You take a small ferry across the Daintree River, then continue along the Captain Cook Highway to Cairns. Flight to Brisbane (two hours). When you arrive, a private transfer will take you to the city centre, not far from the Brisbane River. Night in a hotel that used to be a bank back in the early 20th century. It is now topped with a modern black and grey addition, making it a 13-storey building. This is where your apartment is located, with two bedrooms and a well-equipped kitchenette. The indoor/outdoor swimming pool, set in a cosy area dotted with sun loungers, is another delight for teenagers.
On your itinerary - River cruise and koala encounter. You board the boat at South Bank, the neighbourhood opposite your hotel. From there, enjoy a leisurely cruise to the world's largest koala sanctuary. Along the way, you'll pass the city's historic sites, from skyscrapers to leafy riverside suburbs. Platypuses, sea eagles and kangaroos live alongside the sanctuary’s 130 koalas. The visit will last for a few hours, and afterwards, you can return to your apartment, which is available right up until your departure. In the evening, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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