Sydney, Rock & Reef

5 nights 5* central hotel

Arrive at the magnificent city of Sydney. Sitting on a natural harbour framed by the world-famous sails of the Sydney opera house and iron-grey struts of Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Here you will enjoy five nights at in a 5* central hotel.

2 nights 5* Hotel – All Tours Included

Uluru, the true Aboriginal name for what many people know as Ayers Rock, rises from the broad desert plain in the deep centre of Australia and it’s one of the country’s most recognisable natural icons. The famous “Rock” stands 348 metres high and is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Forty kilometres to the west of Uluru is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. This massive pile of rock domes dates back 500 million years. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great Aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners.

Your red centre experience starts on your first afternoon where you will visit Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park for an afternoon of discovery. Experience the Cultural Centre where you’ll have time to explore the galleries and you may be lucky enough to see local Aboriginal Artists at work.

Travel to the base of Uluru where you’ll be amazed as your local guide shares the Aboriginal Tjukurpa (creation) stories that breathe life into this giant formation. Feel the spirit of the land as your guide takes you on a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, interpreting the meaning of the ancient Rock Art and sacred sites you’ll see along the way.

With plenty of time, travel to the Uluru Sunset Viewing Area where you can relax with a sparkling wine or two while you enjoy a famous Uluru sunset. Witness the incredible changing colours as the sun sets below the horizon. You’ll arrive back at Ayers Rock Resort 30 minutes after sunset

Day 7

Travel to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) where your Driver Guide will explain the geological history of the area. Enjoy a light breakfast with a tea or coffee as you watch the spectacular sunrise. Not only do you have incredible views of Kata Tjuta’s domes, you will also see Uluru in the distance as the sun lights up the desert. After breakfast you’ll commence the Valley of the Winds walk. First stop is Karu Lookout. Along the way your guide will talk about the significance of the area to the Anangu people and show you how they’ve used the natural landscape for all their needs for thousands of years. Return to Ayers Rock Resort in time for lunch.

This evening dine under a million stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner. Enjoy a gourmet buffet of Australian delicacies accompanied by fine Australian wines, then sit back and relax as an astronomer takes you on a tour of the southern night skies.

Day 8

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation to be taken the short distance to the exclusive Field of Light location. With just enough time for some background commentary on the internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro, you will arrive very excited to see his artistic endeavour.

Arriving in complete darkness, in the quiet of pre-dawn, this once in a lifetime experience will be etched in your mind forever. Enjoy walking through the field of 50,000 globes of light at your own pace, where Desert Oaks seemingly appear from nowhere as the dawn light creeps above the horizon, then make your way up to the top of a large sand dune to the Field of Light sunrise viewing area.

Once at the viewing area you can enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate as the sun starts to rise and lights up the surrounding desert. Watch in awe as it pops up behind Uluru, flooding the landscape with light. From the viewing area you can see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta while the desert comes to life.

After sunrise you will be transferred to Ayers Rock Airport where you will depart for your flight to Cairns.

Day 8 – Day 15

Where Reef Meets Rainforest

5* Port Douglas Apartment Hotel with return transfers from Cairns

Located just north of Cairns, Port Douglas offers a sophisticated and low-key escape for travellers in an unpretentious and relaxed tropical environment.

Shop in the boutique clothing stores, dine in the exquisite alfresco restaurants and enjoy the islands and coral cays of the nearby Great Barrier Reef. A visit to Four Mile Beach is essential where you can laze away the day on the pristine sand.

Port Douglas is also a popular base from which to explore the rainforests of the Wet Tropics, Daintree and Cape Tribulation.