Compare Sydney, Rock & Reef by Artisans of Leisure vs Discover Australia by G Adventures

Day 1: Arrive Sydney

Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights, including guaranteed early check in. Private afternoon city tour

Days 2: Sydney

Half-day private city tour and private Opera House tour

Day 3: Sydney

Private harbor sail

Day 4: Sydney - Ayers Rock

Private transfer to flight to Ayers Rock for 2 nights

Day 5: Ayers Rock

Private half-day tour of local scenic, natural and cultural attractions of Ayers Rock (Uluru) and/or the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). Afternoon lodge-based activities. Dinner under the stars this evening

Day 6: Ayers Rock – Cairns & Tropical North Queensland

Transfer and flight to Cairns & Tropical North Queensland for 3 nights

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef

Full-day boat excursion to Outer Reef for snorkeling or scuba diving

Day 8: Cairns & Tropical North Queensland

Private rainforest tour or Kuranda Skyrail

Day 9: Depart Cairns

Private airport transfer

Day 1 Melbourne

Arrive at any time.

Make your way to the hotel to check in. There are no planned activities during the day, so enjoy some time to explore the city before joining our CEO for a welcome briefing at 8pm.

Please note that while day 1 is an arrival day with no major activities planned there will still be a welcome meeting at 8pm. We recommend arriving a few hours before to ensure you have enough time to make it from the airport to the starting hotel where the welcome meeting will take place.

Day 2 Melbourne

Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll experience a range of flavors and cuisines over lunch at three popular venues. Start with an Asian entree with wine; move on to an Italian restaurant for a main dish accompanied with more wine, and finish off the tour with a gelato dessert at our third stop. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Occasionally Monique Bayer may not be available for the Melbourne Foodie Walk. In the event this happens, an equally qualified guide will lead the walk.

Day 3 Melbourne

Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, following spectacular sea cliffs along the windswept Southern Ocean. Visit some of the region’s top wineries or wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colorful murals.

Due to exceptional demand, if you are interested in participating in the 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road optional activity, it must be pre-booked in order to secure a spot during your tour.

Day 4 Melbourne/Uluru

Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional Indigenous owners. Cap off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over this fabled monolith.

Accommodations in Uluru are limited and of varying amenities. We do our best to secure a mid-range hotel, but on occasion a more simple accommodation with fewer amenities may be used.

Airline schedules and flight availability are outside of our control and are always subject to change without notice. While we do our best to book direct flights, on occasion we may have to connect though another city. The Mala Walk at Uluru is not permitted if temperatures exceed 36°C (98°F). During these hot months, we try to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the midday sun. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day's walk due to extreme heat.

Day 5 Uluru

Awaken at dawn to witness the sunrise over Uluru and see the famous Field of Light installation. Then delve into a full-day exploration of the ancient, red-hued landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After breakfast, make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighboring natural wonder for a morning of exploration. Later set out on a guided walk around the base of the monolith, gaining insight into its sacred significance to the Anangu.

Between November and March, there is extreme heat with temperatures averaging between 43-46°C (109-115°F) in the middle of Australia, especially around Uluru. This can lead to heat exhaustion and potentially become very dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, coconut water or water mixed with electrolyte powder packets.

Day 6 Uluru/Sydney

Enjoy free time on our final morning in the Red Centre. Then pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney. Check in to our hotel and opt to join our CEO for a dinner out on the town in one of Sydney's famous neighbourhoods.

Day 7 Sydney

Take it slow with a leisurely morning, or get up early and join your CEO for a walk around the Rocks area, a waterfront neighborhood that marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia. It also holds a spiritual significance for the area’s indigenous people. Around midmorning, circle back and meet for a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. This afternoon, step aboard a private catamaran for a sunset sail around Sydney's famous harbor. Tuck into a delicious Australian Barbecue dinner as the sun sets in the background.

Day 8 Sydney

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of Sydney. Walk the Rocks and stop by Maybe Sammy for a drink, which happens to be one of the best bars in Sydney. Take the ferry to Manly Beach or walk the Bondi Coastal walk and snap some photos. Or, spend a full day exploring the Blue Mountains on an optional excursion.

Day 9 Sydney/Port Douglas

Fly to Cairns today and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next three nights.

We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.

Please note that the max luggage allowance on domestic flights within Australia is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person. Any additional luggage is subject to airline fees and is not included.

Day 10 Port Douglas

Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef. Immerse yourself in the largest coral reef system in the world, which teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Hop into the warm waters off Australia's east coast and experience this marine wonderland for yourself. Lunch will be served onboard. Back in Port Douglas the evening is yours to do as you please.

Day 11 Port Douglas

Enjoy a free morning in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches or head to the Sunday markets to browse the stalls. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach. Meet Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony, and get acquainted with members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Our CEO will organize an optional farewell dinner to toast your adventures down under.

Day 12 Port Douglas/Cairns

After one last breakfast in Port Douglas, transfer back to Cairns where our tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, extend your stay in Port Douglas.

Please book your departing flights no earlier than 1pm out of Cairns. The tour will end at the airport in Cairns. If you have booked extra nights you will be staying at the final hotel in Port Douglas about an hour north from the airport. Please note that should you book extra nights you will be responsible for getting yourself to the airport in Cairns from Port Douglas.