Two of Australia's iconic regions in one trip. Five days across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Canberra and the NSW South Coast, followed by five tropical days in Cairns — including the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Mossman Gorge and the Atherton Tableland.

This 10-day signature private tour combines the architecture, beaches and culture of the south-east with the rainforest, reef and tropical wildlife of the far north. Days 1–5 are based out of Sydney with a private vehicle and expert guide. On Day 6 you fly to Cairns and continue with the same guide for five tropical days — from the Sunlover Great Barrier Reef cruise to a swim in a 10,000-year-old volcanic crater lake.

🦘 The Best of Two Climates
Hand-feed kangaroos at Featherdale, search for wild kangaroos at Yarralumla, cruise with bottlenose dolphins in Jervis Bay, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef at Moore Reef, and watch the famous "Crocodile Death Roll" at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures.

Detailed 10-Day Itinerary

PART 1 — SYDNEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS, CANBERRA & NSW SOUTH COAST

DAY 1: Sydney City Highlights & Sydney University

Key Experiences: The Rocks, QVB, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney University, Centennial Park, Sydney Fish Market, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Diamond Bay cliffs, Bondi Beach, The Gap, Point Piper, Double Bay
  • Morning: Explore the historic Rocks district, Sydney Observatory, the QVB and the magnificent St Mary's Cathedral.
  • Sydney University Tour: Visit Australia's oldest university with its famous neo-Gothic sandstone architecture.
  • Centennial Park: Stroll through one of the city's largest parks, where you can see historic Russian cannons dating from 1832.
  • Lunch: At the brand-new Sydney Fish Market building — the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere — freshest seafood served on the waterfront terrace.
  • Afternoon: Photo stop at Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Drive to Diamond Bay and walk along the boardwalk above sheer 100-metre ocean cliffs.
  • Evening: Bondi Beach, The Gap clifftop at Watsons Bay, and a drive through the elite suburbs of Point Piper and Double Bay. Overnight in Sydney.

DAY 2: The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area

Key Experiences: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Scenic World, Three Sisters, Megalong Valley, Govetts Leap waterfall, Leura village
  • Morning: Hotel pickup, then a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park (koalas, wombats, hand-feeding kangaroos).
  • Scenic World: Ride the steepest railway in the world and the cable cars suspended above the rainforest. Stop at a vintage cafe for coffee and dessert.
  • Lunch: At one of the panoramic Blue Mountains restaurants.
  • Lookouts: The Three Sisters at Eagle Hawk Lookout, Megalong Valley panorama from Cahill Lookout, and the 400-metre Govetts Leap waterfall. Visit a local opal boutique.
  • Leura: Drive to the charming village of Leura. Walk the picturesque Elysian/Olympian loop, away from the crowds.
  • Evening: Return to Sydney and overnight.

DAY 3: Sydney to Canberra (Heritage and Nature)

Key Experiences: Big Merino at Goulburn, National Arboretum, Yarralumla wild kangaroos, Royal Australian Mint, Parliament House, Embassy Row, War Memorial, Mount Ainslie sunset
  • Morning: Drive south with a stop in Goulburn to see the Big Merino monument. Panoramic views from the National Arboretum and a search for wild kangaroos at Yarralumla.
  • Day: Royal Australian Mint (watch coins being struck) and Parliament House (marble foyer and chambers).
  • Afternoon: Embassy Row with its remarkable architecture, and a visit to the Australian War Memorial.
  • Evening: Sunset on top of Mount Ainslie overlooking the city's grand grid plan. Overnight in Canberra.

DAY 4: Space, Canyon and Transfer to Huskisson

Key Experiences: National Museum of Australia, NASA Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Bungonia Canyon Lookdown, Huskisson seaside town
  • Morning: National Museum of Australia on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin.
  • NASA Deep Space Communication Complex: See the largest deep-space communication antenna in the southern hemisphere.
  • Day: Lunch and drive towards the coast. Stop at Bungonia Canyon — The Lookdown viewpoint over a 275-metre gorge.
  • Evening: Arrive in the seaside village of Huskisson on Jervis Bay. Overnight in Huskisson.

DAY 5: Dolphins, Beaches and Return to Sydney

Key Experiences: Hyams Beach (whitest sand in the world), Jervis Bay wild dolphin cruise, Minnamurra Rainforest, Kiama Blowhole, Sea Cliff Bridge, Royal National Park
  • Morning: Walk on Hyams Beach — the whitest sand in the world. Cruise in Jervis Bay to spot wild bottlenose dolphins.
  • Day: Minnamurra Rainforest — walk among ancient ferns and waterfalls. Lunch in the seaside town of Kiama.
  • Afternoon: Visit the famous Kiama Blowhole sea geyser.
  • Evening: Return to Sydney via the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge and the Royal National Park. Overnight in Sydney.
PART 2 — TROPICAL CAIRNS & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

DAY 6: Flight to Cairns, Kuranda & Botanic Gardens

Key Experiences: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda village, Birdworld, Butterfly Sanctuary, panoramic lookout, Cairns Botanic Gardens
  • Morning: Early flight to Cairns. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel.
  • Day (late start): Ascend to the village of Kuranda on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Free time in Kuranda: souvenir shopping at the local markets, Birdworld and the Butterfly Sanctuary.
  • Afternoon: Drive to a panoramic lookout. Scenic descent back to Cairns by car. Walk through the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
  • Evening: Overnight in Cairns.

DAY 7: Great Barrier Reef & Fitzroy Island

Key Experiences: Sunlover catamaran "2-in-1" cruise, Moore Reef pontoon, snorkelling, 30m water slide, glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible, underwater observatory, Fitzroy Island, buffet lunch at Zephyrs

A unique "2-in-1" cruise on the Sunlover catamaran:

  • Part 1: Outer Reef (Moore Reef) — 2.5 hours. Relax on the modern reef pontoon. Includes: snorkelling (all gear provided), the 30-metre water slide (the only one on the reef), glass-bottom boat tours, the semi-submersible, the underwater observatory, the fish-feeding show, and a safe ocean kid pool.
  • Part 2: Fitzroy Island — 1.5 hours + lunch. Transfer to a scenic island, 99% covered in tropical rainforest. Buffet lunch at the Zephyrs restaurant in the Fitzroy Island Resort, and free time on the coral beaches.

Evening: Return to Cairns marina and overnight.

DAY 8: Rainforest, Crocodiles & Port Douglas

Key Experiences: Mossman Gorge eco-walk, spring-fed river swim, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, lagoon cruise, snake show, "Crocodile Attack" Death Roll, Port Douglas
  • Morning: Eco-walk on the suspension bridges through Mossman Gorge and a swim in the pristine, spring-fed mountain river. Continue to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures.
  • Day: At the croc park: lagoon cruise with massive saltwater crocodiles, snake show, and the famous "Crocodile Attack" Death Roll demonstration.
  • Afternoon: Drive to the picturesque resort town of Port Douglas. A relaxed lunch at one of the town's restaurants and free time to walk along the main street.
  • Evening: Return and overnight in Cairns.

DAY 9: Waterfalls & Crater Lakes (Atherton Tableland)

Key Experiences: Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls natural rock slide, Atherton Tableland Waterfall Circuit (Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa, Zillie), Lake Eacham crater lake, 500-year-old Curtain Fig Tree
  • Morning: Babinda Boulders and the natural rock slide at Josephine Falls.
  • Day: The Atherton Tableland Waterfall Circuit (Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa, Zillie). Lunch on the plateau.
  • Afternoon: Swim in the ancient volcanic crater lake of Lake Eacham. Visit the giant 500-year-old Curtain Fig Tree.
  • Evening: Return and overnight in Cairns.

DAY 10: Flight to Sydney & Shopping Tour

Key Experiences: Cairns to Sydney flight, QVB / Westfield / DFO / Birkenhead Point shopping, Sydney Fish Market farewell dinner
  • Morning: Flight from Cairns back to Sydney.
  • Day: Personal shopping tour of Sydney's best: historic QVB, flagship Westfield, or designer outlets DFO / Birkenhead Point.
  • Evening: Farewell seafood dinner at the Sydney Fish Market.