Best of City & Wildlife of Australia Tour

Turtles swimming along the coral of the Great Barrier Reef

What to expect on this itinerary

From the sparkle of city lights to the shimmer of the Great Barrier Reef, your 13-day custom-tailored best of Australia tour brings to life the majesty of cosmopolitan culture and untamed wilderness. The rainforest canopy will echo with stories of Dreamtime while sensational wines highlight a blend of local evolution and European tradition. Enjoy the thrill of surfing and discover kangaroos, penguins, and sea lions as you experience delightful Australia.

Countries Visited

Australia

Places Visited

Sydney, Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island

Suggested Duration

13 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Kangaroo Island - Begin in Adelaide, the Capital City of South Australia

In the morning, the Central Market in Victoria Square opens to loyal locals in search of fresh produce and artisan goods. The market was founded in the 19th century and is one of the oldest remaining indoor markets in the world. Colorful fruits radiate in the soft light. The aroma of freshly baked goods drifts down the lanes. Your guide meets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to McLaren Vale, a wine region with more than 120 wineries with 7,951 acres dedicated to the Shiraz grape, and another 3,182 acres dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, along with much more acreage devoted to Chardonnay and Grenache.

The region has a Mediterranean climate. At your first vineyard, your guide explains the unique combination of the international techniques the winery uses to produce a product that is simultaneously complex and enchanting. Rows of vines overtake the hilly landscape and shine emerald in the sunlight. The rugged and bohemian atmosphere of the vineyard is a nice twist on the often overly elegant image invoked when one thinks of winemakers. In the tasting room, your guide pours you a taste of their red blend, mixing Grenache, Shiraz, and Tempranillo. You find an aroma of stewed plums, blueberries, and spiced dark chocolate. The flavor lingers on your palate for an enticing finish. At the conclusion of the tour, you take the ferry to Kangaroo Island for the next chapter in your exciting adventure.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Kangaroo Island - Wilderness & Wildlife

Day 3

Kangaroo Island – Explore the Various Island Habitats and Wildlife

Day 4

Adelaide – Experience the Natural Beauty of the Island Wilderness

Day 5

Port Douglas – Fly to Cairns and Settle into a Lavish Resort in Port Douglas

Day 6

Port Douglas – Full Day Excursion to Visit the Great Barrier Reef

Day 7

Port Douglas – Traverse the Mossman Gorge with an Aboriginal Experience

Day 8

Port Douglas – Revel in a Day at Leisure to Discover Port Douglas’s Beauty

Day 9

Sydney – Arrive in the Charming and Bustling Seaside City of Sydney

Day 10

Sydney – Enjoy a Half-Day Tour of Sydney’s Unforgettable Sights

Day 11

Sydney – Explore the Sydney Harbour on a Morning Cruise

Day 12

Sydney – Relish a Private Surf Lesson and Wander along the Bronte Walk

Day 13

Sydney – Leaving Sydney Behind

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the famous colors and vibrant wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef off the shore of a secluded isle
  • Relish a surf lesson to experience the waves and unique panoramic view of the Bondi coastline
  • Revel in an immersive Aboriginal experience on a Dreamtime Walk through Mossman Gorge, encouraging a cultural and spiritual connection to the land
  • Indulge in the fabulous flavors of McLaren Vale, a valley outside Adelaide celebrated for its stellar wines
  • Cruise along the Pacific Ocean around the famous shoreline of Sydney for a majestic view of the skyline
  • Discover the natural splendor of Kangaroo Island and find kangaroos, koalas, and penguins lounging on distinctively shaped boulders and pristine beaches

Detailed Description

Australia maintains a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure during your 13-day Australia tour of the country’s embracing cultures and inspiring natural wonders. The capital of South Australia, Adelaide, is elegant and welcoming. You travel into McLaren Vale, a lush valley home to over 120 wineries. Revel in a wine tour of boutique vineyards and gorgeous scenery. In the late afternoon, you take the ferry to Kangaroo Island.

The next couple of days are yours to discover the majesty of Kangaroo Island on exhilarating small group Australia tours. Search for wallabies and wildflowers. Visit Seal Bay for a guided walk in the proximity of wild Australian sea lions. Find koalas and echidnas. On your final day, you return to Adelaide, where your private transfer escorts you to Adelaide Airport for your flight to Cairns in northeast Queensland. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and leads you to your fabulous accommodations in Port Douglas. The Great Barrier Reef welcomes your arrival.

You board a luxurious catamaran and travel to the Low Isles to discover the splendor of the reef and the private beaches on the islands. The following morning, you follow an Aboriginal guide along the trails of Mossman Gorge. Learn about the traditions of Dreamtime, sacred ceremonies, and the connection of an ancient people to their land. The next day is at your leisure to relish the wonders in and around Port Douglas. Visit a rainforest town by scenic rail or meet local wildlife at the Wildlife Habitat. You could even zip line across the forest canopy, soaring through the trees. Fly from Cairns to your final city of Sydney.

You arrive at Sydney Airport, where your transfer is waiting to take you into the heart of the city. The downtown area overlooks the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Beaches brim with friendly life and constant activity. You explore the treasured sights of the city on a guided tour, taking in the history of The Rocks and the elegance of the Opera House, Victorian buildings and terrace houses.

Step aboard a morning cruise on the following morning for a different perspective of the city, viewing the skyline and coast from the sea. Then, you make your way to Bondi Beach for a private morning surf lesson. Wander along the scenic Bondi to Bronte Walk to traverse the magnificent coastline between the beaches. On your final day, your private transfer escorts you to Sydney International Airport for your flight home. 

Starting Price

$6,400 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.8

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 2276 reviews

Emil S.
Australia Travel Review: Cairns, Blue Mountains, Bungee Jumping, Private Tour, 15 Days

Zicasso's travel specialists were fantastic! They provided excellent and unique recommendations. As a traveler seeking adventure and outdoor experiences, they completely understood my needs. Additionally, all accommodations were high quality, communication was very clear, and pricing was reasonable. I would strongly recommend them to anyone traveling to Australia/New Zealand.

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Sivly R.
Australia, New Zealand Trip Review: Tasmania, Rotorua, Uluru, Queenstown, Luging, Camel Ride, Wildlife, Hobbiton, Islands, Glowworm Cave, 2 Weeks

We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.

There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track. 

The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.

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Henry H.
Australia Trip Review: Sydney, Uluru, Kakadu, Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, Wildlife, Bridge Climb, Botanical Gardens, Catamaran Ride, 19 Nights

Zicasso's tour planner did a superb job for us. She collaborated with us on working out our itinerary and had useful information on how to combine our desired destinations efficiently.

While we were in Australia, she was available via the company's app, including helping us on a late evening when our flight from Sydney to Hobart was canceled because of a cyclone and we needed a short-notice hotel in Sydney.

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Travis M.
Australia Vacation Review: 2 Weeks

Zicasso's travel company and our agent's team were phenomenal and very supportive, even when certain events were out of their control. They made everything on my trip to Australia simple, with excellent accommodations and activities laid out for me. They restored my faith in travel agencies and trip advisors. I had full confidence in them while visiting another country and will continue to refer anyone who is planning a trip to contact my agent's team for booking a memorable experience. Thank you to her and her delightful team.

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Patricia B.
Australia Family Tour Review: Sydney, Safari, Hiking, Culture, 17 Nights

I would highly recommend Zicasso's trip coordinator. He planned an excellent and very enjoyable trip for us (a family of five, including two teenage boys). He was very easy and accommodating to work with. The trip went smoothly and we have many great memories.

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Sharon B.
Australia, New Zealand Travel Review: Wildlife, Hiking, Vineyards, Helicopter Trip, Plane Ride, 24 Nights

The trip was awesome; the trip of a lifetime! We saw/experienced everything we could imagine. The trip reflected all of our wish-list items. Zicasso's travel specialist was very accommodating to our ideas and was very detail-oriented. We didn't have to worry about a thing on this vacation.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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