Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Australia – Sydney – Mossman – Mount Mulligan – Palm Cove
100% customisable for you
Your Australian adventure begins today, so head to the airport, breeze through security, pick up a good read and then settle into the airport lounge for a drink and something to eat before boarding.
Your first flight will either be to a Middle East or South Asian hub, where you’ll have a short stopover to stretch your legs and perhaps indulge in a little duty-free browsing. Then you’ll board the second leg of you journey to Sydney. Cosy up in your seats, stick on a good film and toast to the start of your journey somewhere high in the clouds.
When you touchdown in Sydney (the day after leaving the UK), you’ll be met at the airport and whisked away on a private transfer to your hotel in the Circular Quay, your home for the next four nights.
After a long journey, you’ll be ready to unwind. Depending on the time you land, you may have time to take a dip in the pool, bask in the sunshine or enjoy a soothing massage, or simply head straight to bed for an early night.
In true Aussie fashion, rise early this morning raring to go (and ready to beat the jet lag). Meet your local guide, who knows the city like the back of their hand, then set off on a private walking tour designed entirely around you.
Stroll through the shaded paths of the Royal Botanic Gardens, where glimpses of the harbour shimmer through the trees, before dipping into the nearby Art Gallery of New South Wales for a dose of culture. From here, wander down towards Circular Quay, where ferries glide in and out against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House – Sydney at its most iconic.
Your guide will shape the day around your pace and interests, whether that means lingering over a flat white at a cafe, popping into a laid-back pub or pausing at the best viewpoints to snap a few photos. Craving the beach already? Cross the water to Manly for golden sands, salty air and perhaps even your first taste of surfing. Along the way, soak up stories of local life?and pick up some insider tips for the rest of your trip.
By the end of the day, you’ll be smitten with Sydney’s easygoing charm – and perhaps fantasising about a permanent postcode...
Nothing sparks inspiration quite like great art, so today it’s time to dive into the vibrant world of Aboriginal masterpieces in Sydney. Aboriginal communities have been creating art for thousands of years – each offering a glimpse into their culture and deep connection to the land.
Spend the day hopping from gallery to gallery, starting with the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, a brilliant museum championing contemporary Indigenous work. Then head to APY Gallery, where works arrive straight from remote regions across Australia, offering a window into creativity far beyond the city. Finish at Art Leven in Redfern, a gallery with a strong focus on ethical practice and long-term sustainability – all pieces that leave a lasting impression. Break things up with plenty of gelato or even a glass of wine along the way – you are on holiday, after all.
Round off the day with an unforgettable evening at the Sydney Opera House. With its sail-like silhouette, it’s one of the world’s most iconic venues and the perfect setting for a night out. Depending on what’s on, take your pick from live music, ballet or a theatre performance. Settle into your seats and be swept up in the magic of it all, the kind of pinch-me moment you’ll be talking about long after the curtain falls.
Afterwards, take a slow stroll along the twinkling harbour as you wander back to your hotel.
Today is all about soaking up Sydney’s laid-back beach lifestyle – think salt in your hair, sun on your skin and not a care in the world. Lace up your trainers and set off on the famous coastal trail from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. Starting in Coogee, follow the clifftop path as it winds its way along the coastline, serving up uninterrupted ocean views at every turn. Pause at Gordon's Bay for a cooling dip, stop by Clovelly Beach for some snorkelling, take a breather at Bronte Beach with a picnic on the grass before burning a little energy at Tamarama Beach with a game of volleyball.
Finally, arrive at Bondi Beach, the ultimate pitstop to stretch out on the sand, immerse yourself in a good book and work on your tan. Watch the waves roll in, sip something cold and lean into that effortlessly cool Aussie beach culture. Feeling inspired? Try your hand at surfing, go for a jog along the shore or find your inner zen with some yoga, before rewarding yourself with a well-deserved acai bowl.
By the time evening rolls around, you’ll leave sun-kissed and very much in holiday mode. For your last night in Sydney, ask our Concierge for another restaurant recommendation – after all, this multicultural city offers a dazzling mix of cuisines and flavours just waiting to be savoured.
Rise and shine early this morning – today you’re off to the rainforest. After your private transfer to the airport, board your three-hour flight to Cairns, enough time for a quick nap.
When you touchdown in Cairns, it’s a one-hour drive to the charming town of Mossman, tucked between the reef, the river and the legendary Daintree National Park. Your home for the next two nights is a cosy cabin on stilts, nestled in the heart of the rainforest, next to crystal-clear pools. The only soundtrack is rustling leaves, the trickling of the river and joyful birdsong. Does it get any better than this?
As evening falls and the sky turns tropical pink, venture out to one of Mossman’s local restaurants and afterwards head back to your cabin for an early night, ready for another day of adventure tomorrow.
Mossman’s birdlife makes for a very lively alarm clock, with calls from Australian brush-turkeys, orange-footed scrubfowl and kingfishers greeting you this morning. Roll out of bed and start the day with a rejuvenating yoga session, wander through a local vegetable garden or head deep into the tropical rainforest to spot ash trees, strangler figs, flourishing cycads and epiphytes clinging to the trunks. Feeling adventurous? Follow the rapids as they tumble over the rocks and keep your eyes peeled for turtles, frogs and lizards along the way.
Alternatively, hop on an electric bike and spin through the countryside, exploring at your own pace.
As the day winds down, treat yourself to some serious R&R, perhaps with a soothing spa treatment inspired by the forest’s natural rhythms, before heading out for another delicious dinner.
This morning, your Aussie adventure is getting a little wilder. After a private transfer by car back to Cairns, you’ll swap wheels for rotors and hop aboard a helicopter for a 35-minute flight to Mount Mulligan. As you lift off, watch the landscape shift from lush rainforest to rugged outback. Sprawling an impressive 69,000 acres, this region is all about remote beauty, with that wonderful sense of being completely off grid.
Fancy a different perspective? Opt for a scenic flight to Cairns instead, soaring out over the coastline and across the iconic Great Barrier Reef – the largest (and most famous) barrier reef in the world. From above, you’ll see a patchwork of coral cays and shifting shades of turquoise. Not a bad detour…
When you arrive, settle into your lodge for the next two nights and get your bearings. Surrounded by dramatic escarpments and open bushland, you might spot wallabies, birds of prey or the odd lizard basking on a sun-warmed rock – even the wildlife seems to take things slow out here.
The rest of the day is entirely yours. Make the most of the peace and quiet that comes with being so far removed from the everyday, whether that’s a gentle wander, a drink with a view or simply doing very little at all.
Set in the heart of the Hodgkinson Basin, Mount Mulligan is full of history – from ancient Aboriginal sites like Ngarrabullgan Mountain to its mining heyday in the early 1900s. Today, wander past old buildings, the former hospital, a century-old generator and the nearby Tyrconnell gold mine, once one of the most significant in the region.
If you’re keen to cover some ground, rev your engine on an ATV and tackle the outback trails, or switch to two wheels on a mountain bike. Prefer to slow things down? Venture out on the Lodge Loop Track where you’ll likely come across Braham cattle grazing nearby – the laid-back locals of the plains. To cool off, take to the waters in a kayak or try your hand at barramundi fishing. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop on a paddleboard and keep your eyes peeled for a platypus gliding by.
All that activity is bound to work up an appetite, so enjoy an outback-style picnic served out in the open with nothing but wide skies and rust-red landscapes around you, with the occasional kangaroo hopping by or a tiny joey peeking out from its mum’s pouch. As night falls, step outside your lodge and take in the stars – out here, far from city lights; the sky puts on a spectacular show.
This morning, take to the skies again with a helicopter ride back to Cairns, before hopping into your private transfer along the Captain Cook Highway to Palm Cove. Over the next few miles, watch the scenery shift from the Coral Sea to the lush greenery of Smithfield Conservation Park, a perfect snapshot of just how varied North Queensland can be.
When you arrive, it’s time to settle into beachside life for the next four nights, with golden sands, swaying palms and that relaxed Aussie vibe. Spend the afternoon strolling along the shore, dipping your toes in the surf or sampling the local cafes and beach bars for a cheeky cocktail or late lunch.
Today is all about diving headfirst into one of the world’s most famous natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Step aboard your catamaran and meet the crew, including a marine biologist who’s essentially a walking, talking reef encyclopaedia. They’ll point out everything from darting tropical fish weaving through the coral to molluscs showing off their jewel-toned shells.
You’ll make several stops along the way, each offering a chance to slip into crystal-clear waters and snorkel in an underwater kaleidoscope of colour. When it’s time for a breather, hop ashore at coral cays – idyllic islands that feel like your own slice of paradise in the middle of the ocean. Paddle in the shallows or simply stretch out on the sand and soak up the sunshine.
After a full day out on the water, head back for a heavenly out-in-the-sun-all-day nap. And when you’re feeling refreshed, round off the day with a sunset dinner on the beach in Palm Cove.
Stretch your legs, kick off your shoes and let Palm Cove do its thing – sun, sand and sea all in perfect harmony. Start at Clifton Beach, a shimmering crescent of soft shores framed by lush greenery. When you’re ready to mingle with the locals, nothing says Australia quite like a barbecue under the shade of swaying palms. Grab a ‘snag’ (or sausage, for us Brits) or two, pair it with some fresh salad and soak up the casual buzz of the beachfront.
On the hunt for the perfect keepsake? Head inland to the village of Kuranda, where artisan markets and handcrafted treasures await. For a splash of turquoise, set sail to the Low Isles and glide through vibrant reefs or stake out a sun-drenched spot on the sand, making the most of that blissful vitamin D.
If you want to learn more about the area’s rich history and traditions, we can also organise an interactive experience with the Kubirriwarra community, featuring a javelin demonstration and a stroll along the beach with insights into local plants and a tasting of dishes.
And for your final night in Palm Cove, let our Concierge point you to the very best local restaurant. Raise a glass, celebrate your adventure and savour one last night in the Land Down Under.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Australia. This morning you’ll be privately transferred to Cairns Airport, a scenic drive of about 40 minutes. Once checked in, stock up on plenty of Aussie snacks and settle into your seats for the first flight of your long journey back. You’ll fly via a larger Australian airport, followed by a stopover in either the Middle East or South Asia along the way.
On the journey, you’ll have plenty of time to start plotting your next adventure and snack on your stash of Tim Tams before touching down in the UK the following day.
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 fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
