Name: Perfect 14-Day Australia Family Vacation
Brand: Zicasso
Price: 407 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (462 reviews)

The Blue Mountains are full of shrubs and incredible wildlife, Australia

What to expect on this itinerary

Koalas and kangaroos return your gaze, and tropical islands provide space to drift off as a family. Camels take you into the outback and beside the silhouette of Uluru and an Australian bush experience awaits in the Blue Mountains. The city of Sydney provides a beautiful introduction to urban Australia, and there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy. This two-week tour is handcrafted for families of all ages, mixing five famous sides to the Australian experience with the city, bush, outback, and incredible wildlife.

Countries Visited

Australia

Places Visited

Sydney, Blue Mountains, Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata, Brisbane

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Day 1

Sydney – Stop, Rest, and Relax

Australia is far from everywhere, so you will touch down and then take some time to relax. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel close to Circular Quay as this is the best location for transport connections, and for walking in the old city center. Sails shine white at Sydney Opera House just 400 meters away, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge appears majestic, arcing over the Parramatta. Many local ferries can provide a relaxed afternoon on the river, while the streets around Circular Quay are packed full of cafes and restaurants. Nothing is planned for today as it is hard to predict the mood after a long flight, so rest, relax, hang around the pool, or create some first impressions of this famous city.

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Day 2

Sydney – Family Experiences in the Opera House and Botanical Gardens

Everybody knows the famous sails, but not many get to experience the building itself. Theatrical programs run throughout the day in Sydney Opera House, with those in the morning aimed at kids. There is everything from puppet-making workshops to Babies Proms, musical programs, and theater shows geared for teens. After taking in a show, you can go behind the scenes through this majestic venue before following a path from Sydney Opera House to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Out here there are green spaces and a celebration of indigenous plants, along with some strange prehistoric-looking birds. Your kids can run around, and the ambiance remains relaxed, helping everyone come round from the jet lag. With a Circular Quays hotel as your base, you will be ticking off beautiful city sights on the way to cafes or restaurants, so you will not need to worry about missing out on all the Victorian splendor.

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Day 3

Sydney – Cruising the River and Discovering the Eastern Beaches

Sydney unfolds from the Parramatta as skyscrapers rise at Darling Harbour and parks stretch out on the northern bank as rocks and islands narrate early colonial history. Cruise under the bridge and past the sails, heading out to the Pacific Ocean. Manly is your destination although the journey is just as memorable as the beach as you casually cruise the city’s length before an afternoon spent on the sand. Manly is broad and has safe places for young kids to swim, but if your children are older, or your family is more active, you can spend the afternoon at Bondi instead. Here, introductory surfing lessons are complemented by a coastal walk to Coogee, the city’s natural grandeur unfolding in waves of the rugged cliffs and the calm bays.

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Day 4

Sydney – Free Day With Various Potential Excursions

By today you should be settled into the Australian experience, completely over any jet lag, and confident about getting around the country. This day is left free, and there are many potential options, from taking the ferry to Taronga Zoo to climbing upon Sydney Harbour Bridge. Centennial Park is studded with ibises and cockatoos, an excellent place for a family picnic, or just beyond the city you will find an animal conservation center, a good choice if the kids can’t wait to meet kangaroos and koalas. Evenings in Sydney can be spent at one of the open-air cinemas or strolling a promenade with ice cream in hand.

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Day 5 - 6

Blue Mountains – An Australian Bush Experience

Jagged peaks stand like sentinels above a misty, forested valley as haze floats through the air, blue in hue and surreal to behold. You will be just an hour outside of the city and nature has taken hold, the landscape oscillating between drama and charm. This is the Australian bush, a rural and often wild area that is interspersed with civilization. Here the rainforest is accessible by taking the world’s steepest train down into the valley. Mountain slopes can be reached by vehicle, bringing excellent views over the blue haze. You can spot a variety of birds and marsupials, as well as small farm stores and villages.

The Blue Mountains ease you into wild Australia, barely 90 minutes outside the city. Check into a wooden cabin in the forest, and there will be a great choice of self-guided trails you can explore. The Scenic Railway is easily reached from here, and on the first day in this region, you will be left to your own devices. The next day will be guided, incorporating more of the Blue Mountains area and ending with a spectacular glass-bottomed sky tram across the peaks. Over these two days, you will visit the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley, Wentworth Valley, and the Jenolan Caves, all of it very accessible regardless of the age of your kids. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains offer options that can be geared around your family’s sense of adventure and energy, with most stops providing a variety of trails and activities, including some forest mountain biking.

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Day 7

Uluru – A Camel Ride Through the Desert

First the bush, and now the outback as you catch a plane into wild and remote Australia. Uluru is almost 500 miles from the nearest town, and there are not any apparent settlements in between. It is a raw, red desert, and wilderness on a baffling scale. And while that might not immediately sound conducive to a family vacation, you will have space and time together as a family in the midst of an incredible adventure. Touch down beside the famous red rock, check into your family outback camp, and then head out on camels this afternoon. Riding through the wild you will be backdropped by Uluru while gazing towards the sunset before a starry sky appears and you complete the journey with Uluru in silhouette.

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Day 8 - 9

Uluru – Connecting With Nature in the Bright Red Outback

Wake up in the outback, and there is silence. Not even the wind stirs, and peering out into the landscape is an endless view, yet nuance can be found with clusters of larger rocks, changing hues, a gnarled tree suggesting refuge. It might be a landscape you expect of Australia, but it is on a scale that is unfathomable until you arrive here. Making it all comfortable is the outback camp, a family-focused accommodation that helps you all connect with this special landscape. Daily activities help you learn about life out here, from foraging for food to throwing boomerangs, plus making paint and painting from the dusty, ochre ground. Every night there is guided stargazing, the sky bright beyond imagination.

And, of course, there is the big rock itself. Included in your stay is a half-day tour of Uluru around the base to see Aboriginal paintings and then to a quiet shaded spot to watch the world’s largest monolith change color at sunset. It will not be only the impressive rock though, as the next day you will be at Kata Tjuta, 26 red domes coming in an equally surreal shade of red. A helicopter ride will break the silence but also help you to appreciate the true scale of this land, an included activity that is good to keep in reserve for later on day nine. By spending three nights here, you will find that this region is not just a big red rock as it is a magical desert that is changing every hour and helps everyone escape from the impulses and over-stimulation of life back home.

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Day 10

Brisbane – Getting Intimate With Kangaroos and Koalas

Flying back east you will land in Brisbane, a good gateway city between Uluru and the Whitsundays. From the airport, your guide will take you directly to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Injured and orphaned marsupials are cared for here, most being extremely playful with human interaction. Kangaroos hop and chomp on grass, standing high above children and adults. Wallabies are much smaller and safer to approach for smaller kids, and everyone can watch a platypus wade in a swamp while echidna impresses with their long snouts. The koalas are such cute and cuddly characters when seen from any angle, and your children will not tire of observing them. All of the famous Australian animals are here, and you can get very close to most, including the iconic koala and child photo. From here, you will cruise into Brisbane by the river, spending the night at a large family hotel just outside the center.

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Day 11

Hamilton Island - A Whitsundays Family Getaway

Beaches shimmer white from the window as you fly into the Whitsundays, a group of 74 islands made from coral and sand. You will be at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, specks of land surrounded by rich waters and calm, turquoise waters. Hamilton is the largest of the islands and best set up for families, offering the largest choice of restaurants and activities, along with the peace and tranquility that all the islands provide. Check into the resort and today is left free. You will be right on a beach that has safe, shallow water for young swimmers, as well as a whole swimming pool complex and kids club among the amenities.

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Day 12

Hamilton Island - Cruising Around the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach

Set sail across the clear waters, cruising on wind power through the tropics. Islands are studded green by indigenous forest, almost all of them uninhabited. The beaches are so white they are almost blinding to look at as beautiful bays provide a quiet place to anchor and swim before you sail onwards to Whitehaven, the most famous of the beaches. The sand is so fine it squeaks beneath your feet alongside waters so blue they seem a trick of nature. This half-day boat tour will include a barbecue lunch on the beach and a variety of stops, as well as just the joy of sailing. You can also go for a snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, with flotation aids available should you need them.

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Day 13

Hamilton Island – Great Barrier Reef Family Adventure

It will be on the Outer Great Barrier Reef that you will find the great abundance of marine life, along with the incredible diversity of coral. Sponges flutter in a dozen colors as fields of purple and green extend just two meters below the surface. Hundreds of small fish species swim past your mask while a small ray or reef shark might glide past. After a 90-minute boat journey, you will be at Hardy Reef to spend four hours at a pontoon above the coral. The pontoon is a dry space to drink and dine in between different underwater activities. Snorkeling is superb, both guided and unguided, with lifeguards watching over the snorkeling area. A semi-submersible showcases the marine world without you needing to get wet. The pontoon’s underwater chambers feel like being in an aquarium, except all this is wild, not captive. And after all the adventure the kids should be fast asleep as you cruise back to Hamilton Island and your final night in Australia.

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Day 14

Brisbane – Departure

Depart Australia from Brisbane, after first taking a domestic flight away from the islands. Your two weeks will have flown by, yet it may seem as though you have been here for a month, such is the diversity of experience and destinations. It might feel almost impossible to think you were in the outback only a week ago, and that is the beauty of seeing the country’s alternative sides. Rather than a family vacation that blurs into a single memory, with Australia, you will clearly remember it all.

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Trip Highlights

Escape to white beaches and tropical islands with three days on the Whitsundays, staying on the idyllic Hamilton Island
Explore the very best of Sydney with four days in the iconic city with beaches, gardens, a river cruise and a kids performance in the opera house
Experience the Australian bush with two days in the Blue Mountains, a mystical destination just 90 minutes outside of Sydney
Immerse yourself in the Australian outback with a kid-focused three-day stay close to Uluru with Aboriginal culture and camel rides part of the experience
Get close to kangaroos, koalas, and various other Australian favorites during your one day in Brisbane
Discover the Great Barrier Reef with a range of activities dependent on the age of your kids
Sleep beneath the Southern Sky, cruise the Parramatta River and wander the white sand of Whitehaven Beach

Detailed Description

Whether you have two weeks in Australia or two months, there are five sides to the country’s allure, and all five can capture you from first glance. There is the city, a convenient place to begin and settle into any Australian adventure, but beyond the city, you can find the bush and beautiful rural areas still connected to civilization. Beyond that, there is the outback, a remote wilderness on a breathtaking scale, made it easy to explore if you have the right help. Wildlife plays its part as well, as can you imagine an Australian vacation without kangaroos and koalas? And then there is the coast with powdery white sand, tropical islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

It is possible to get a taste of it all with two weeks as this handcrafted tour connects these distinct and iconic travel experiences. There are four days in Sydney to settle into the country, and then two days in the nearby Blue Mountains as a stepping stone on the way to three fabulous days in the Outback besides Uluru. Connect with wildlife during your single day in Brisbane, and then escape to the Whitsundays, using Hamilton Island as a base for playing around white beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. You will have five different overnight destinations in two weeks with easy travel connections between them all, most with direct flights, but there will also be some short road and water transfers.

Sydney is packed with family experiences, and yours will begin in the Opera House, where you can watch a kid-focused theater performance rather than simply take a tour of the building. There are beaches to the east of the city, where older kids can try surfing, and younger ones can splash in safe, tidal pools. With four days you can customize the city stay to all of your interests, from climbing on Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo. Move next to the Blue Mountains to discover the bush as spectacular landscapes meet convenient local trains and easy walking routes. You will be getting out into nature without reaching the end of your comfort zone, including a glass-bottomed tram above the Three Sisters.

While the Outback may not initially seem family friendly, it is a very safe and hugely inspiring place to be – as long as you are in safe hands. Stay at a stunning family lodge close to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Ride camels in the desert, discover the stars, explore Aboriginal culture, and escape into the silence of it all. The Outback is a magical place that provides a real connection with a misunderstood world. Fly next from Uluru to Brisbane, and you have one day in the city dedicated to an animal outreach project that offers close-up encounters with Australian wildlife. Conclude with three days on Hamilton Island, including excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, plus lots of downtime after the adventure. For the best Australian family travel ideas, explore additional family tours and vacations available on Zicasso.

Starting Price

$5,700 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.

4.7

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 462 reviews

Travel Agent Review: Luxury Tahiti, Australia & New Zealand Vacation, Mo'orea, Papeete, Port Douglas, Various Tours & Activities

We were 3 couples from New York looking to plan a trip of alifetime visiting French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Welooked at cruises, land tours offered by tour companies and couldn't find anitinerary that captured all of the bucket list items each of us had. Icompleted a Zicasso travel questionnaire and they connected us with a travel plannerfrom this travel company. Our travel planner was phenomenal from the start - responsive, attentive,understood our travel objectives and immediately began putting together anitinerary for us. With us in New York and our travel planner based in New Zealand you mightthink the time difference would complicate the planning process - not at all.We worked collaboratively over the phone, text, and email planning our trip (aU.S. number was provided so there was no international communication charges).Our planner drafted an itinerary (including destinations and air flights); offeredtour options, suggestions and recommendations; and wherever possible providedsmall personal tours. With our travel plan nearly complete we decided to dropone of our destinations (Melbourne) and add a new destination (AyersRock/Uluru). In order to make this work the Australia part of our itinerary hadto be reworked. No problem at all - our travel planner quickly had all of the hotel, flight,tour and transport arrangements made and the pricing finalized. Our finalvacation plan had us traveling almost 4 weeks visiting Moorea, Auckland,Rotorua, Queenstown (NZ), Cairns/Port Douglas, Ayers Rock, and Sydney - allwith amazing tours to enrich and highlight our destinations.

About 2-3 weeks before our trip we received our detailed electronicitinerary complete with flight, hotel, tour, and transport (to/fromhotel & airport) information. Also provided was travel tips for each of thecountries being visited and local contact information should we have any issuesat all during our journey.

Our trip started in Moorea where we stayed at a Resort and Spa. The pool was closed due to renovation - something we and our travel planner did not know when the reservation was made and found out about 3 weeks prior to arrival - but the hotel provided us a room credit and upgraded our accommodations to an OTW bungalow. The hotel beach was beautiful, accommodations amazing, staff warm & friendly and our stay in Moorea incredible - would highly recommend this island and hotel. While in Moorea we did two tours - Private Sailing Cruise on the Taboo - Half Day, and Private 4WD Safari Tour - Half Day. I would recommend both tours but the Sailing Cruise on the Taboo was exceptional and highly recommended.

From Moorea our next destination was New Zealand - we spent an evening in Papeete, Tahiti to catch an early morning flight to Auckland. The hotel in Papeete we stayed at - we would not recommend this hotel at all. It was dated, very low level exterior nighttime lighting, and a host of other problems and issues. I strongly suggest staying at a better hotel on the outskirts of town.

Our New Zealand itinerary was magnificent. In Auckland we stayed at a Hotel (highly recommend) and took the Auckland Luxury Day Tour. We enjoyed the tour and our guides (our primary guide and driver and our Maori guide) - Our primary guide was excellent (knowledgeable, informative and fun) and our Maori guide flavored the tour with Maori history, culture and traditions. Our next tour was a coach tour taking us from Auckland to Rotorua stopping along the way at Hobbiton and Waitomo. Hobbiton was beautiful and although the six of us did not read the books or see the movies we all loved the tour, the beautiful landscape, and the stories provided by our guide. The Waitomo caves and glowworms is something you should see but we found the tour groups large and clustered to close together making it difficult to hear the guides. Our day ended in Rotorua where we stayed at a lakeside hotel - a nice hotel located on Lake Rotorua. In Rotorua we did a Geothermal Hotspots and Boat Cruise. This was a small personal tour and our tour guide was excellent providing the history, insight and science to this geothermal park. That evening we attended a tour of a Tamaki Maori Village, dinner, and a cultural show - a fun time had by all. Our last stop in New Zealand was Queenstown where we stayed at a beautiful and charming hotel - located on a hill top overlooking the lake and walking distance to town - we loved our stay here and highly recommend this hotel. From Queenstown we did the Milford Sound Nature Cruise - this is a long day with a lot of hours riding the coach bus but the cruise and beautiful landscapes are well worth it. Our last tour out of Queenstown was the Dart River Jet Safari. Our tour bus driver to the start station and river was fun, knowledgeable, and very passionate about the beautiful natural resources and landscapes of this wonderful country. The jet boat part of the tour was exhilarating with scenic stops coupled with jet spins and zooming down the scenic river. From Queenstown we left New Zealand for Cairns/Port Douglas Australia.

Australia was incredible. Our first stop was Port Douglas. Here we stayed at a Resort and Spa – a boutique type hotel that was just a few minute walk to the town and restaurants. We loved our poolside rooms and enjoyed the pool after a day of touring – definitely recommend this hotel. Our first tour here was where we explored Daintree National Park. As we cruised the river, hiked in the rain forest, walked the beaches, and toured the park, our tour guide was terrific providing information and insight into the cultural history, the ecosystem, wildlife, and plant life. From the rain forest one day to the Great Barrier Reef the next - here we experienced the reef - Outer Reef and Snorkel Tour. Our tour group of 10 boarded the beautiful catamaran and was greeted by the captain and two mates. It was the crew that made this day fun and special. There were some that were apprehensive about swimming/snorkeling the reef - they took the time and patience to make sure everyone was comfortable and had the opportunity to enjoy this magnificent experience. The next morning was a very early start to catch our 6:25am flight to Ayers Rock. At Ayers Rock where we stayed had a beautiful room with a view of Uluru. Given the early start, we had a chance to relax and enjoy the pools our first day here. Two of our friends did the helicopter tour of Uluru in the early evening and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular views from the air. The next morning we did the Desert Tour Including Breakfast with our guide. We enjoyed a pre-dawn breakfast and witnessed the beautiful sunrise over the desert and Uluru, and then toured Uluru where our guide told us about the history, culture, people, and geology of this incredible landmark. That night we enjoyed the A Night at the Field of Light with the Dinner tour. Here we were able to see the breathtaking views of Uluru across the desert at dusk and the sunsetting on Kata Tjuta, enjoyed an outdoor buffet dinner, and walked the pathways through the Field of Light - a wonderful way to cap the end of our last night at Uluru. Our last destination - the beautiful city of Sydney. Here we stayed at a Sydney Harbour hotel - a beautiful boutique hotel with friendly attentive staff, delicious food, and is walking distance to many restaurants and city attractions. Our first tour, was a full day tour that took us to the Featherdale Wildlife Park (where we were able to feed kangaroos and pet koalas) and tour Blue Mountains National Park. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and due to the cloud cover we were only able to get a glimpse of this beautiful park. We did get to see kangaroos in the wild and our tour guide made the outing fun and informative. Our last tour of this incredible journey was the Full Day Sydney Including Harbour Sailing tour. The tour included all the key city points of interest, and a pretty drive through the suburbs to Bondi Beach, all insightfully narrated by our guide. Our tour continued with a sailboat cruise around Sydney harbor. We had some on and off rain during the cruise but the captain made the trip enjoyable with his knowledge, tidbits of information, and stories about the surrounding harbor sites and homes. From the tropical Port Douglas; the deserts of Uluru; to the harbor, sites and mountains of Sydney - this was an amazing Australian adventure.

There were many moving parts to this trip of a lifetime, and everything executed like precision clock work. I have to complement our travel planner and her attention to detail for the seamless execution that allowed us to fully enjoy this amazing journey. What also made this special were the tours - most of our tours were small personal tours of 6-10 in very comfortable luxury vehicles with guides that were engaging, knowledgeable, friendly and made the experience both informative and fun.

Travel Review: Custom Australia Family Vacation, Sydney, Adelaide, Barossa Valley, Darwin, Ayers Rock, Bonza Bike Tour

Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the great work you did for us in organizing our Australian vacation. I truly appreciate it. I also want to take a minute to give you some feedback on a couple of items on the trip – so you can fold them into future trips – I hope this is useful. 1. I wouldn’t use the AOT transport services again – or at least – warn people that this is a ‘group’ transit service – I would particularly not use it for people’s arrival in Sydney. When we arrived, we were exhausted and in need of a shower, a change of clothes and a stretch. The van service was not on time – and then after he arrived (late) he informed us that we needed to wait for the arrival of another group of travelers on another flight. This was not good. 2. The Four Seasons in Sydney (I know you didn’t organize this but just FYI) was comfortable but oh my heavens all the extras were expensive. 3. The bike tour with Bonza was TERRIFIC. Interesting, just the right amount of exercise and just long enough. Also run by really nice and helpful young people. It also gave us a great overview of a couple of places we wanted to go back to on another day. 4. The Medina in Adelaide had huge, very well provisioned hotel rooms – these were more like apartments, including full kitchens, living rooms and eating areas. Similar (although larger) than an Embassy suites room in the US. I would strongly recommend this. But the breakfast service was TERRIBLE. Took forever. And every day the same orders resulted in slightly different meals! 5. Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide is a great way for people with a short amount of time to directly experience Aussie wildlife. We petted a koala. We hand fed Kangaroos etc. 6. Jacob’s Creek Winery has a nice Napa-style tasting room of the old style – they will let you taste pretty much anything for no cost. 7. The Barossa Valley is beautiful and a great way to spend a day wine tasting – only about an hour out of Adelaide. 8. Darwin isn’t worth going to – my husband and his brother did the WW2 stuff but my son and I were totally bored. 9. The hotel we were in in Darwin (I’m sorry, I”ve forgotten the name – was it a Sofitel?) had that kind of oldy-moldy-airconditioner under the window feel about it that didn’t make me want to ever go back. I would not recommend it again. And the concierge (when asked for a recommendation for a fish restaurant) sent us to a Chinese all you can eat buffet restaurant. Not sure where the fish was supposed to be. UGH. Net net – not very nice all around. 10. We really enjoyed our 1 ½ days at Ayers Rock – especially the Sounds of Silence and the Kata Tjuta walking tour (where we ran into one of our neighbors!!!) The location and layout of the hotel was quite nice but WARNING – The ENTIRE PUBLIC AREA of SAILS ON THE DESERT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION – no restaurants, no lobby etc.. This was not a problem for US – we walked over to the Desert Garden for dinner (where dinner was one of the best meals we had in Australia) but probably would be for most people – I wouldn’t send anybody else there until the construction is done. Also – if people want to play tennis, tell them to take their own tennis balls – the hotel will ‘loan’ you a couple of aged ones but they won’t sell you a fresh can! 11. Hamilton Island Reef View was OUTSTANDING. I don’t know what you and AOT did, but our room, on the top floor of the hotel, was extensive, comfortable and had a terrific view. We also had absolutely personal service from a concierge, from picking us up at the airport – to giving us special recommendations for recreation options – to making our dinner reservations every night. She reached out to US as opposed to us chasing her. I would recommend this hotel to any of my friends or colleagues. 12. In terms of activities, though, I would suggest – if people can afford it – that they not use the big ‘group’ trip out the reef. The platform they have attached to the reef has clearly been there for quite some time. The reef is worn out there – it does NOT represent the beauty and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef. If there’s another more ‘private’ option, I would take it – or put a reef visit elsewhere in my trip. This was kind of sad, honestly. 13. The guys took the helicopter back from the reef to the hotel (there wasn’t enough seats for all of us ) and really enjoyed it – this trip went over the white silicon sand beach and the ‘heart’ reef. It was beautiful, apparently. 14. The Holiday Inn in Sydney is in a great location and fine for the basics (pretty good breakfast buffet) but after the Reef View………..sigh. It was a return to reality. That’s it – hope the feedback is useful.

Travel Review: Luxury Australia Vacation, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Port Douglas, Outback Safari, Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling

A am giving this travel company a 5 star rating - here's why.

I wanted to go to Australia to experience it as an adventure, NOT from a cabana as a lounge lizard numbed by boat drinks like other holidays we've taken. This travel agency made it so and exceed my every expectation.

Booking Experience

I used Zicasso and received responses for my 21 day trip that covered the Eastern portion of the Country South to North as well as the Australian Outback. I discussed what I wanted with the agents and received two quotes for nearly identical itineraries. Our travel agency's quote was a FULL 50% less than the competitor, needless to say I was happy and nervous at the same time. I really researched the reviews and looked around other sources and from what I could see this company's rating was among the highest of all the competitors. I was in constant communication with our agent, who was a native Aussie and in the end went with her as I felt she knew Australia much better than I could ever know it.

I WAS GLAD I DID!

The Trip

The experience was nothing short of Awesome from the moment we left LAX until we returned. We had drivers waiting for us at every airport. The hotels we stayed in where 4 star or better and were situated in the center of town so getting around by subway, trolley or walking was a breeze. There was not one problem with check-in anywhere. We really didn't have to pay any extra costs for the stuff we had pre-booked.

Every tour or excursion we took they picked us up where we were staying and were waiting for us. We got VIP treatment at each; and I don't mean the service was VIP. I mean we got extra rights and amenities such as special pictures, better food, and the best seats for things that offered more than one class. Others where shelling out extra, but all that extra stuff was included.

In the end we definitely had the adventure of a life time. From seeing Kangaroos in the wild (on the side of the road) to Koalas, ferry penguins, wild parrots just flying around camels, crocs and more. We went on an Outback Safari and saw once in a life time sunrises at Uluru (Ayers Rock) where the sky filled with bright yellow and red to Kata Tjutu and Kings Canyon. We saw wild Dingos, poisonous brown and taipan snakes and stars that filled the sky like I only ever saw in high-school science books.

We didn't rough it either. One night in the middle of the Outback we were treated to an amazing 4 star dinner that started with kangaroo and crocodile horderves with fine champagne and wine. A didgeridoo and aboriginal dance was provided for entertainment. We were served filet minoin cooked to order, local vegetables, fish and chicken if you wanted it. All served on open air tables with white table clothes and silver; simply amazing. Afterward, we got the see the "Field of Lights". [side note: I wish I did the Astronomy Event they had - people who did said it was amazing].

We also stayed in Port Douglas, an amazing up scale town in the North where we visited The Great Barrier Reef on a private island and saw sharks from the boat. We snorkeled and saw incredible sea life and met so many very cool people. We had access to two marine biologists who were on the trip with us and gave us tours and answered all our questions with passion. The next day we got to go with a local Aboriginal guide, who was a real local. I mean this guys and his family just drove up in their van and took us for a nature tour like they would for some relative they knew and wanted to show around. It was not some commercial deal - it was really cool. We even went to his house and had lunch. He showed us all kinds of secluded places he hung out as a kid and took us to a beach where no one (other than us) could be seen for 10 miles North and South. We walked out in the low tide and spear fished barefoot from the sand. If you go you will love Port Douglas.

Besides the Outback we did the eastern cities, first Melbourne and lastly Sydney. Both amazing places where we went wine tasting and surfing, drove to animal sanctuaries and art centers (I love street art). If you go to Sydney you must see the "New Town" district. It is an art community and very interesting as it is going through its gentrification and is loaded with very unique shops and restaurants; I would liken it to Echo Park in LA. We did tour the Sydney Opera House which was cool, but the best thing was during the tour the guide mentioned that sometimes in the afternoon the promoters release the tickets they didn't give away. As it so happened Josh Groban had 4 sold out shows that week. I walked up to the box office and asked if they had any released tickets. The lady said, you are in luck they just got released for tonight - long story short my wife and I sat 5th row center for box office price at a concert that had been sold out 9 months earlier. If you can see a concert in the Sydney Opera House do it! it is incredible.

There was a ton more things we did but I included some of the main ones. I took over 2000 pictures and videos. Be warned we often were up at 5:30 am each day and didn't get back until 8p at night lots of time, but we also had leisure days which we used to do our own thing. My wife tracked our travels on her fitbit and we walked 5-12 miles a day. But if I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

All that said, that is why I Booked with this company and why I love our agent.

Fred

Australia, New Zealand & Fiji Solo Tour Review: Matagi Island, Australia Zoo, Snorkeling & Helicopter View of Great Barrier Reef

Susan P. Trip of a lifetime by the travel planner at this travel company. Arrangements down to the last detail. Flew into Sydney. Did a harbor tour. Walked thru "the Rocks". Toured the Opera house-wonderful tour. Into the blue mountains-unable to hike due to wildfires. Flew to Uluru: Rode a camel to the field of lights and enjoyed a buffet dinner under the stars. Did a Segway tour around the base of uluru. Flew to Cairns and onto Port Douglas: Major highlight of the tour. The lodge was tranquil-right on the Mossman river-terrific spa.. Snorkled the Great Barrier Reef-Amazing! Helicopter into the rain forest stopping at a waterfal for lunch and then over the Great Barrier Reef. Private tour by 4x4 into areas of the rainforest. Flew to Brisbane and spent a day on a private tour of the Australia Zoo-best day evah. New Zealand was beautiful. Toured toured the south island with a small tour group. Flew to Fiji staying on a private island with its private resort Matangi. Most beautiful, tranquil, kind people. Great service, food. Snorkled and spent time in the spa. I fleww to Australia business class via an Australian airline. Comfortable seats, layed down flat for sleep. provided pad for the seat, pillow and blanket-actually got some sleep. Coming home out of Fiji it was American Airlines business class-Seats did not lay down-foot piece remained dowm. I purchased business class to be able to lay down because my legs swell and I have arthritis so the trip home was miserable. Didn't anticipate that.All in all the trip was quite amazing and well put together.Thank you!!

Australia Review, 2-Week Father & Son Celebration, Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

A LONG OVER DUE REVIEW.

A year ago the trip planner was finalizing the final touches on my trip to Australia for New Years Eve. The trip was organized for my father and I to visit various regions of the country. Because of my father's age, and it being summer, the trip planner provided some amazing ideas for the trip. Plans actually changed twice, once due to a cyclone hitting Hobart Island and the other just due to logistics. In any event, the trip was absolutely amazing and was exactly what my father wanted for his "bucket list" trip.

The trip planner's knowledge of the region was imperative to us building the right agenda. We were able to spend New Years in Sydney for the most amazing fireworks display in the world. Then we visited Hamilton Island which in Whitsundays to visit the Great Barrier Reef. The privacy and scenery of this island was breathtaking and not to mention, this is one of the few places where you can actually hold a koala, which I did.

After departing Hamilton Island, we spent a night in Cairns for a stopover on our way to Uluru (Ayers Rock) which is in the desert region....and yes, its hot. Although it was extremely hot, the experiences were totally worth it.

If you are looking for a knowledgable guide to build out a custom trip, look no further. I can assure you that your questions and concerns will be noted and addressed by the trip planner. We (my father and I) spent hours communicating with the trip planner before actually booking and the attention to detail was obvious during the trip. I would totally recommend the trip planner to anyone and he created the greatest experience for my father and I.

I will always be grateful.

Eddie G

South Pacific Vacation Review: Australia & New Zealand, Aukland, Sydney, Wellington, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Doubtful Sound

~~I retired and my wife and I decided it was time to take the trip to New Zealand and Australia that we had been talking about for quite some time. I discovered Zicasso while doing my initial research for the trip and decided to give it a try, in addition to the many standard tours we were looking into. I had many different firms provide proposals and after doing my due diligence I settled on this firm.

Our agent listened and consistently provided options and insights that resulted in a month long itinerary that promised to deliver the experiences we were looking for. She was a pleasure to deal with.

We spent two weeks in New Zealand beginning in Auckland, moving south through Hobbiton and Rotorua where we gained a deep appreciation for the Maori people and their culture. Then on to Wellington the capital. The ferry to Picton and the train to Christchurch were inspiring. Then we drove from Christchurch to Mt. Cook and then on to Queenstown. The night we spent on Doubtful Sound was the all-around highlight of the trip. All throughout the tour guides, drivers and accommodations exceeded expectations. Then we were on to Australia where our first stop was Sydney. Alongside the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge a highlight was a half day guided tour of the city in a 1964 Holden. Then we were on to Cairns and Port Douglas where the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest awaited. Our day on the Reef was extraordinary. Snorkeling off the beach at Low Isle was an experience to remember. Our day on the Daintree River and in the rainforest was unforgettable. While driving we stopped as a male cassowary and four chicks crossed the road and disappeared into to the bush. Now we were on to Ayers Rock where the magic of Uluru awaited. The Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert as the sun set with Uluru in the distance and didgeridoo in the background was magical. As our time was growing short we were off to Melbourne where we joined a tour on the Great Ocean Road. Wow, the Twelve Apostles and the coast exceeded our expectations. What a great place. Only matched, maybe outdone by the hosts of the B&B’s we stayed at. We’re not big B&B folks, but the Lock Ard and Little River B&Bs were perfect and we will try more in the future.

Our agent had truly delivered a trip of a lifetime.

Zicasso in the News

Perfect 14-Day Australia Family Vacation

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Sydney – Stop, Rest, and Relax

Sydney – Family Experiences in the Opera House and Botanical Gardens

Sydney – Cruising the River and Discovering the Eastern Beaches

Sydney – Free Day With Various Potential Excursions

Blue Mountains – An Australian Bush Experience

Uluru – A Camel Ride Through the Desert

Uluru – Connecting With Nature in the Bright Red Outback

Brisbane – Getting Intimate With Kangaroos and Koalas

Hamilton Island - A Whitsundays Family Getaway

Hamilton Island - Cruising Around the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach

Hamilton Island – Great Barrier Reef Family Adventure

Brisbane – Departure

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

Customizable Itinerary

Perfect Two-Week Australia Family Vacation

Australian Wildlife & Wine Tour: Sydney, Adelaide, Uluru & Melbourne

Ten-Day Highlights of Australia: City to Desert

Wonders of Sydney, Ayers Rock & The Great Barrier Reef Tour

Highlights of Iconic Australia and Tropical Bora Bora Vacation

Experience the Essentials of Australia for 14 Days