Sydney, Uluru & Great Barrier Reef

On-board your international outbound flight to Sydney.

Walk down to the harbour today in time to meet your skipper and take in the sights of Sydney on board a catamaran cruise. It's a great, relaxed introduction to this city. On this two hour meander around Port Jackson Harbour, you'll get views of the Rocks, Darling Harbour, the striking Opera House and the Botanic Gardens. A buffet lunch of local seafood, salads, hot and cold dishes and desserts is included in the cruise. You have the rest of the day at leisure. We suggest climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge (affectionately nicknamed 'the coathanger', and not as strenuous as it looks). In the evening, we can arrange for you to see a performance at the Opera House should you wish.

You have another day at leisure to enjoy Sydney today. Take a stroll along the waterfront and through the Botanic Gardens, or you may like to explore further afield, taking a trip out to the Blue Mountains to go bushwalking or admire the striking Three Sisters sandstone rock formation. Located about an hour and a half from the city, you can take the train there and back or hire a car for the day.

This morning you will make your way to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Red Centre. The flight time is 3 hours and 40 minutes. On arriving you're met by an Audley representative and transferred to your nearby hotel. You have the rest of the day to relax by your hotel pool, or, if you're keen to get out exploring, we recommend a visit to the Cultural Centre within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park as it gives you a glimpse into the cultural significance of Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the local Anangu people. This evening you will enjoy an Outback dining experience under a night sky you'll never forget, complete with champagne and canapés, Australian bush tucker and a stargazing session with a local astronomer.

You wake early this morning in time for the spectacle that is sunrise over the Kata Tjuta (Olgas) ranges. You'll enjoy this from a viewing platform, with a small group tour of only 12 to 16 passengers. Afterwards you'll be dropped off back at your hotel to relax for a few hours before being collected again for another desert experience: a guided visit to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Here your guide will explain the history and aboriginal significance of this iconic site as you walk among the folds of the rock. Notice how its reddish hue changes or deepens with the light. Later you'll watch sunset over Uluru, before being returned to your hotel.

Your morning is spent at leisure. For those still keen to explore the desert, we can arrange a Harley-Davidson ride. You're transferred back to the airport this afternoon in time for your onward flight to Cairns in tropical north Queensland. Flight time is about two and a half hours. On arriving, you'll collect your hire car and make your way to the wonderful beach town of Port Douglas, just north of Cairns where two world heritage sites meet — the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Spend the day aboard your Reef Cruiser to snorkel the majestic Great Barrier Reef. Get lost in a vast underwater ecosystem, exploring the fragile reef and swimming alongside the many fish it houses. You may even see a giant clam, manta ray, or reef shark prowling the waters! Lunch is included aboard the ship.

Today you will be collected from your accommodation for a full day tour of the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Through your guide, you will learn of the ecological history of the rainforest, and how the local indigenous peoples of the area have lived symbiotically with the rainforests for tens of thousands of years. The tour will continue on to the famed Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. You will head back to your hotel in Port Douglas later this afternoon.

Today is a day at leisure to explore Port Douglas. You might want to wander along Macrossan Street and explore the many boutique galleries and shops, or just relax on Four Mile Beach.

Today drive southwest to the Atherton Tablelands where you can enjoy two nights in the rainforest to spot birdlife and go hiking.

Spend today at leisure exploring the region and perhaps taking in some of the area's waterfalls and walking trails, such as the routes around Lake Tinaroo. Alternatively, explore the Crystal Caves, a network of subterranean chambers filled with crystals, fossils and fluorescent minerals.

This morning, return to Cairns Airport and drop off your hire car before boarding your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.