Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Australia – Sydney – Ayers Rock – Port Douglas – Darwin – Kakudu National Park – Arnhem Land – Katherine
100% customisable for you
After lots of daydreaming, counting down the days and checking the weather forecast, your Australia adventure officially starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security, pick up a good read and settle into the lounge for some fizz and nibbles before boarding.
Your first flight will take you to a Middle Eastern or South Asian hub, where you’ll have a short stopover before boarding your second flight to Sydney. It’s a long journey, so queue up the films, fluff up the neck pillow and try to catch some Z’s before arriving the next day.
When you touch down in Sydney, you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city – your base for the next two nights.
Keen to unwind after all that travelling? Depending on your arrival time, you could take a dip in the pool, bask in your first dose of Aussie sunshine or simply crawl to bed and call it a day.
Nothing sparks inspiration quite like great art, and what better introduction to Aboriginal culture than through its extraordinary creations?
Grab a flat white (to fend off any lingering jet lag), then spend the day gallery hopping around Sydney, where Aboriginal heritage is woven into the city’s cultural fabric. Some of our favourite spots are: Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Kate Owen Gallery in Paddington and Art Leven in Woolloomooloo, all celebrating the richness, diversity and enduring legacy of Aboriginal creativity. By the end of the day, you’ll be feeling like a true art aficionado.
For dinner, ask our Concierge for a restaurant recommendation. This multicultural city offers a dazzling mix of cuisines and flavours just waiting to be savoured. Afterwards, take the scenic route back to your hotel, following the harbour’s waterfront as Sydney begins to sparkle after dark.
In true Aussie fashion, rise early this morning raring to go. Tuck into some breakfast before being privately transferred back to Sydney Airport for your four-hour flight to Ayers Rock.
When you arrive, make your way to your cosy guesthouse. Your home for the next three nights is set among the vast horizons of the Red Centre, a region that has been at the heart of Aboriginal culture for tens of thousands of years. All the Aussie icons are here too; we’re talking kangaroos bounding through the bush and emus strutting across the plains – a sign you’re well and truly in the Outback now.
Still on an art high from yesterday? Well, you’re in for a real treat this evening. As darkness descends, head out to Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation, where more than 50,000 glass spheres transform the desert floor into a kaleidoscope of colour, with the silhouette of Uluru (a sandstone monolith) providing a striking backdrop. Let the oohing and aahing commence...
Early morning alarms are much easier when there’s a special day of sightseeing ahead. At dawn, meet your guide and head to Kata Tjuta to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate its 36 ochre-hued domes, setting the landscape aglow in a Mars-like shade of red. Sunrise views complete, stretch your legs with a walk through the mighty Walpa Gorge, where ancient rock formations rise high above the desert floor. And at the finish line, there’s an Aussie coffee and breakfast waiting for you, best enjoyed while soaking up the scenery. Then it’s back to your guesthouse for a well-earned siesta.
The magic continues at dusk. Accompanied by an expert guide, follow the trails from Mala to Mutitjulu as you learn all about the geology of the area and the site’s spiritual significance for Aboriginal peoples. Arriving just in time for sunset, watch Ayers Rock shift through a spectrum of fiery colours beneath the fading desert sky, a glass of regional wine in hand – cheers to that.
Fancy taking to the skies instead? We can also arrange a helicopter tour over Kata Tjuta and Uluru.
The last few days have been wonderfully jam-packed, so today is all about embracing a slower pace.
Sleep in, roll out of bed, immerse yourself in a good book and while away the hours in a shaded hammock before cooling off in the pool or treating yourself to a massage – very well deserved after all that outback explorin’.
Still raring to go? We can also arrange a 4x4 expedition to Mount Conner, where you’ll bounce across the sunbaked landscapes of Curtin Springs and discover what life is really like on an Outback cattle ranch.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast today – you've got quite the adventure ahead.
Make your way back to Connellan Airport and board your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Cairns (try to nab a window seat for views of the shimmering Coral Sea below).
Upon landing, pick up the keys to your hire car and hit the road for the one-hour drive to Port Douglas. It’s an easy breezy journey along the coast, so roll down the windows, tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the singalong commence (expect plenty of tropical vibes and songs you’ll be humming for the rest of the trip).
When you arrive, check in to your beachfront villa – your home away from home for the next three nights. Slip straight into sandals and take your pick between a lounger in a sun-drenched spot or a palm-shaded patch of sand, perhaps with a cocktail to celebrate your arrival?
Pack the sunscreen and charge the camera: today you’re heading out on a cruise along the Daintree River. Step aboard a hybrid vessel and set sail into one of the world’s oldest rainforests, gliding through a world of tangled mangroves, towering trees and lush emerald canopies. With 150 million years of history woven into its landscapes, it's easy to see why this remarkable corner of Australia has earned its UNESCO World Heritage status.
The Daintree is also home to an abundance of wildlife, and today you’ll have front-row seats. The biggest stars of the show are undoubtedly the saltwater crocodiles – measuring a jaw-dropping 20ft long. If you can tear your eyes away, scan the greenery for exotic birds, sunbathing lizards and even the occasional python coiled in the branches.
After an afternoon out on the water, return to your villa sun-kissed, salt-speckled and satisfied. Sink your teeth into a seafood dinner on the beach and watch the sky glow golden over the ocean – pure bliss.
If you’re happiest in the great outdoors, today is bound to be a highlight.
Meet a local Aboriginal guide from the Kuku Yalanji tribe, whose ancestors have called this corner of Queensland home for tens of thousands of years. Together, venture deep into the Daintree rainforest as they share stories of their culture, rituals and enduring connection to the land.
This isn’t a day on the sidelines either. Try your hand at traditional mangrove fishing and mud crab spear hunting, methods that have been passed down through generations – lunch doesn't get much fresher than this. Spot a splash of turquoise amid the canopy? Dive right in and cool off in one of these refreshing natural pools.
Jungle survival skills acquired, it’s time to head back to your villa. This evening, tuck into traditional bush tucker (Aboriginal cuisine), which often includes native plants, fruits, nuts and seeds foraged from the wild.
Bid dreamy Port Douglas a fond farewell this morning before gearing up for the one-hour drive to Cairns Airport, following the scenic Captain Cook Highway as it traces the coastline – rainforest-clad views on one side and glimmering ocean views on the other. Return your trusty hire car and board your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Darwin, the tropical capital of Australia’s north.
When you touchdown, you'll be privately transferred to your hotel for the night. The rest of the day is yours, so drop your bags and spend some time soaking up Darwin’s laid-back atmosphere or have a look around one of the city’s local museums.
As evening falls, make a beeline for Darwin’s buzzing street food markets, where sizzling pans, mouth-watering aromas and flavours from across the globe await. You may even catch the sound of a didgeridoo (a traditional wind instrument) drifting through the air – the perfect soundtrack to a night in Darwin.
This morning, kick off the next chapter of your trip: an adventure through Australia’s so called Top End.
Meet your private driver and sit back for the scenic three-hour journey to Kakadu National Park, one of the country’s most extraordinary natural wonders. When you arrive, explore the Ubirr rock art site, where vivid ochre paintings bring thousands of years of Aboriginal history to life, depicting everything from native animals to Dreamtime stories (Aboriginal tales that explain the world’s creation).
Suitably wowed, it’s then all aboard for a private boat cruise along the East Alligator River. Despite its name, there are no alligators here; early explorers mistook the local crocodiles for their distant cousins, and the name stuck. As you drift along, keep your eyes peeled for these prehistoric-looking residents while your guide gives you the lowdown on life along the river.
Afterwards, continue to your waterfront lodge, then settle in for a peaceful evening in the heart of the wilderness.
Another day, another adventure.
Bundle into the back of a 4x4 with your private guide and set off in search of the hidden Nanguluwur rock art sites. Tucked away among Kakadu’s sandstone escarpments, dynamic figures seem to dance across the rock face, while fascinating X-ray-style paintings reveal what lies beneath the scales, feathers and fur of local wildlife. There are even examples of contact period art, capturing the first encounters between Aboriginal peoples and European settlers.
Next, step inside the Warradjan Cultural Centre for a deeper dive into the culture, traditions and history of the Bininj people, who have called Kakadu home for thousands of years.
In the afternoon, set sail on a sunset cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong, a wildlife-rich waterway teeming with more than 280 different species, from crocodiles basking on the banks to exotic birdlife soaring overhead.
Afterwards, head back to your riverside lodge and swap wildlife sightings over dinner.
Ready to venture even further off the beaten track? Today, cross into West Arnhem Land, a remote region imbued with deep cultural significance for the Yolngu peoples. Set sail along the East Alligator River, soaking up views of the Arnhem Escarpment, while your guide brings the landscape to life through an Indigenous lens.
Then explore the remote township of Gunbalanya, where market stalls are brimming with authentic Aboriginal artworks and handcrafted treasures. Have a browse, admire the craftmanship and perhaps even leave with a meaningful memento of your time in Australia’s Top End.
Round off the day with another taste of bush tucker cuisine, perhaps trying a few native ingredients that haven’t yet made it onto your plate, before retiring to your waterfront guesthouse for the night.
Climb into the 4x4 this morning and watch the lush landscapes roll by as you journey south through Kakadu. Along the way, keep an eye out for the regions towering termite mounds, some standing taller than the average person and built by millions of tiny insects working together. Then, lace up your best walking shoes for a short hike to Bukbukluk Lookout. The reward? Sweeping views across the surrounding wilderness and lunch waiting at the top.
Picnic devoured, it’s back on the road for the two-hour drive south to Katherine, where you’ll check in to your guesthouse for the night.
As the day begins to cool, embark on a sunset cruise through Nitmiluk (also known as Katherine Gorge), gliding between towering sandstone cliffs as they take on shades of gold, orange and amber in the evening light. Make sure to snap plenty of photos as you drift along the river – these are the kind of views that deserve a starring role in your holiday album.
Unleash your inner artist at Katherine’s Top Didj Art Gallery this morning, where you’ll gain an insight into Indigenous culture. Here, you’ll roll up your sleeves and try your hand at traditional painting, carving and weaving techniques. A few creative flourishes later and voila – your masterpiece is complete.
Next up are the Katherine Hot Springs, where crystal-clear pools shimmer beneath a canopy of tropical greenery. Dive right in for a refreshing dip – well deserved after many days of Top End explorin’. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Art and Culture Centre, where Indigenous performances and engaging exhibitions await.
Then it’s time to hit the road once more, travelling through the Adelaide River district as vast floodplains and Outback horizons unfurl on the three-and-a-half-hour journey back to Darwin. On arrival, check in to your hotel for the night.
After several unforgettable days in Australia’s most remote corners, it’s back to civilisation – and all its little luxuries. Whether that’s a spa treatment or room service with a film, the evening is yours to enjoy.
For your final night, leave dinner plans in the hands of your Concierge who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and sadly, your journey across the Land Down Under has come to an end. Today, you’ll be privately transferred to Darwin Airport, just a short 15-minute drive away. Once you’ve checked in, stock up on your favourite Aussie snacks and settle in for the long journey home, with a stopover in the Middle East or Asia along the way.
As you soar through the clouds, take some time to reflect on all you’ve experienced: the stories you’ve heard, the perspectives you’ve gained and all the lessons passed down through the world’s oldest living culture. Just don’t forget them by the time your next adventure rolls around...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
