Road Trip Through Australia's Panoramic Landscapes: Flinders Ranges & the Outback

Transfer and three-night stay in a small, simple and unassuming family hotel in the heart of Paddington. The hotel is has a laidback atmosphere. In the courtyard, there's a swimming pool. After your flight and when you return from your day trips, you can enjoy a nice, relaxing swim. The house loans bikes to guests and is also equipped with a gym. Breakfast sets you up for the day ahead.

With its terraced, Victorian houses - some are even Georgian - Paddington has a retro feel that inevitably attracts young workers in search of quality of life. So cafes, restaurants, shops and art galleries were opened here, and the neighbourhood discovered a trendy atmosphere here that now defines its inhabitants. Next door, Potts Point has the same feel. King's Cross is an area with a vibrant nightlife on its two main streets. A stroll through Rushcutters Bay Park leads to one of Sydney's most beautiful marinas.
Option - Sydney like a local.

Sydney life centres around the water - the harbour and the ocean. From Circular Quay, you'll sail through the harbour which is an incredible experience not to be missed. You can't miss a walk along the sands of Bondi and Bronte beaches, connected by a scenic path. Whether you're a beginner or experienced surfer, you must try out the waves here, or try your hand at skimboarding. The Sydney Fish Market, which is the third largest in the world, offers some of the best fish in the ocean on its beds of ice; many small restaurants come here to turn fresh fish into mouthwatering dishes. Immerse yourself in the CBD's high-rise architecture or stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, Australia's oldest scientific institution. It's a wonderful place to explore on foot; the British-style gardens, combined with its plant conservation and acclimatisation processes, have created a living national treasure. At the Museum of Contemporary Art, you can explore works by Emily Kane Kngwarreye, Fiona Foley and Peter Kennedy, among many others. As evening falls, you'll see that whether it's beer or wine, burger or Balmain bug, small coffee or big techno club, Sydney has something to offer at night.
Option - Climbing the Harbour Bridge.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Adelaide. Pick up your hire car and drive to Wilpena Pound (290 miles), located in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Spend two nights in the only lodge in the area. The accommodation is very comfortable, with a clean and pleasant appearance. Relax in the pool, eat in the Outback-style restaurant, head to the stylish bar to quench your thirst, or sit on the lawn to mingle with the kangaroos. Wilpena Pound treats water on-site and has a commitment to using solar electricity, ensuring power control, and following sustainable management practices.

The landscape is 800 million years old. Wilpena's natural amphitheatre is part of the Flinders Ranges, which stretch from Fort Pirie to Lake Callabonna. The bowl has a slight incline and is bordered by a continuous circle of mountains. It's both gentle and majestic. Because of its aridity, the site captures stray moisture, giving it a varied vegetation. The area is home to red and grey kangaroos, yellow-footed rock-wallabies and emus. Wilpena Pound has a certain cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people and remains so in various ways. It is a haven for hikers or mountain bikers, who find spectacular and well-signposted routes suitable for everyone. Wilpena Pound is one of Australia's finest bush experiences.

Drive to Marree (200 miles), a small desert town in the Far West, which was once renowned for its cattle market and is now known for horse racing. Overnight stay in a hotel in the town. The historic building, which has an old-fashioned facade with a veranda, looks good for its 100 years. The hotel is simple and has an easy-going vibe. There are three dining rooms, unless you prefer to enjoy barbecues in the beer garden, around the pool. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Nearby Marree is Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake, home to pelicans and banded stilts.

Drive to Coober Pedy (230 miles) via William Creek, a typical bush town where you can fill up on fuel and find one of the most remote pubs in the world, the William Creek Hotel. In Coober Pedy, you'll spend two nights in a modern hotel. Your bedroom is underground, giving you the unusual experience of a true dug-out. The sizeable, well-ventilated and well-appointed rooms and the reassuring layer of mother earth surrounding you will ensure you get a good night's sleep. The restaurant has a simple but delicious menu, as does the bar.

Drive to Ayers Rock (450 miles). Spend two nights at the entrance to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It's a contemporary hotel with bedrooms that overlook a garden shaded by eucalyptus trees. Outside, there's a nice pool, and the restaurant's outdoor seating allows you to eat under the vast night sky. The hotel's art collection adds some welcome touches of sophistication.

No doubt this is one of the journey's main goals. Uluru/Ayers Rock is as recognisable as the pyramids of Egypt. Isolated on the flat plains, this compact mountain island, which is nearly 1,150ft high, is a natural, iconic landmark of Australia. Whilst you're there, you'll learn about its geology, flora and fauna. At the park's cultural centre, you'll discover how significant it is to the culture of the Anangu aboriginals. Above all, you'll be enchanted by the changing colours at dawn and dusk. The Red Centre is ablaze; it's unforgettable.
Option - bush tucker adventure, flavours of the Outback.

Drive to Alice Springs (125 miles). When you arrive, why not visit Desert Park, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden, or the Reptile Centre? This is where flora and fauna from dryland areas are kept. The galleries in the town display modern Aboriginal art. Spend the night in a contemporary hotel on the Todd River. It has a garden with a beautiful swimming pool, a gym and a sauna - much needed facilities at this point in your journey! The rooms are good quality and simple, and are very well-appointed. There's a bistro and a pan-Asian restaurant.