Australia - Escape to Luxury
A luxury escape throughout Australia. Wander the arcades of Melbourne, discovering local designers and specialty retailers while taking in street art, architecture, and historical tales. Freycinet National Park is a rarely explored, wild, unpredictable, delicate and unforgettable place both above and below the sea. Kangaroo Island is home to diverse wildlife and a swag of spectacular natural attractions. Located between Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park, Southern Ocean Lodge is a luxurious base for adventures. Located on a private island resort, Hayman Island provides guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Finish your escape discovering the fabulous city of Sydney.
Note: Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen in December 2023. If booking prior to this time an alternate accommodation will be used on Kangaroo Island.
Trip Type: Cosmopolitan, Sun & Sand
Day By Day
Day 1 – Arrive in Melbourne
Arrive in Australia from your Qantas flight from Los Angeles.
Welcome to Melbourne. Collect your luggage and clear Customs & Immigration and then proceed outside the Customs hall where you will find your driver who will take you directly to your accommodation.
Starting Accommodation: Crown Towers Melbourne
Day 2 – Lanes & Arcades Walking Tour
Have you ever been to a city and wondered what all the fuss was about? Or wasted time trying to find that cool local café you were told of, then ended up missing everything? Melbourne's arcades and laneways hide many of these answers. Join this indulgent morning walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets, and become orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover local designers and specialty retailers that often are only found in the city. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, and historical tales are found in these walkways, there is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike.
Starting Accommodation: Crown Towers Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Foodies Journey Through The Mornington Peninsula
Serious food lovers are in for a treat. Prepare to be constantly inspired and delighted by this diverse, boot-shaped region; you are now entering 'Foodie Heaven.' The hosts' own 27 acres of charming farm land with red fertile soil allows them to grow and produce premium quality olives, grapes, herbs and veggies. They also raise sheep, chickens and fish, and they turn amazing produce from local farmers into a range of delectable goodies. You'll get a whole new perspective on the concept of 'Paddock to Plate.' What you do on the day depends on the season. After lunch, take a drive down the road to sample cool climate wines with one of the regions favorite wine makers, taste freshly made goats cheese from a local dairy or savor succulent strawberries and cherries from the fruit farms in the area. What more could a foodie want? Your day includes morning tea, lunch, food, wine tasting, cooking class and produce. Please wear suitable closed shoes and remember a warm jacket in winter!
Starting Accommodation: Crown Towers Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Travel to Freycinet
Takeoff to Hobart and continue on the next stage of your adventure. Transfer from Hobart to the Coles Bay/Freycinet area by private vehicle.
Starting Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Schouten Island Half Day Tour
Step aboard the Saffire vessel to enjoy a portion of the Schouten Island Signature Experience - exclusive to guests of Saffire. Schouten Island's vast and abundant eco-system has played a part in early Aboriginal settlement and the farming, mining and fishing in the area. Now, it is part of the Freycinet National Park, a rarely explored, wild, unpredictable, delicate and unforgettable place both above and below the sea. Be engaged by close-up interactions with soaring sea birds, playful marine mammals and a diversity of life on Tasmania's temperate reefs. The adventure also includes a visit to culturally significant sites of past and present inhabitants. Behold the beauty of Freycinet Peninsula and discover Schouten Island on this memorable 3-hour adventure. Morning tea is included and prepared by the team of chefs at Saffire.
Starting Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Freycinet - At Leisure
Included in your Saffire accommodation is a broad range of activities that will offer innovative options for all styles of travelers and moods. These activities last from one to three hours and are your opportunity to engage and connect with this stunning location. From adventure to romance, rejuvenation to exploration, Saffire's activities add greater depth and dimension to your stay.
Starting Accommodation: Saffire Freycinet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Travel to the Kangaroo Island
Takeoff to Kangaroo Island and continue on the next stage of your adventure. Your driver will take you directly to your accommodations on Kangaroo Island.
Starting Accommodation: Southern Ocean Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Southern Ocean Lodge at Leisure
Southern Ocean Lodge offers guests a complete Kangaroo Island experience. With selected guided island experiences included in the tariff, all guests enjoy a personalized experiential touring itinerary of the island's unique natural attractions. A range of signature activities are offered daily allowing guests to encounter rich and varied wildlife, indulge in world-class food and wine and discover the island's unique natural attractions, often with exclusive access and always with a touch of luxe.
Starting Accommodation: Southern Ocean Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Southern Ocean Lodge at Leisure
A menu of bespoke experiences provides further opportunity for exploration. These are some of the options offered by the lodge (not all options are offered every day, information will be available at time of stay):
Wonders of Kangaroo Island is a half day experience, and a spectacular introduction to the island's wildlife, maritime heritage and stunning coastal landscapes. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a fur seal colony are just some of the trip highlights. Wander amongst the rare Cape Barren Geese and search the leafy eucalypts for a sleepy koala.
Seal Bay is home to Australia's third largest colony of Australian sea lions. Join a naturalist guide for an exclusive tour on the beach with these wild animals. Learn about their unique breeding cycle and the ongoing research programs implemented on site. After your up close and personal experience relax with morning tea at the picturesque Vivonne Bay.
The Coastal Clifftop Walk is a scenic walk starting on the Lodge's doorstep atop the limestone cliffs of Hanson Bay. This easy walk affords a bird's eye view of thundering waves crashing along the coastline. Stand on top of the cliff with the wind blowing, look out to sea and realize there is nothing but ocean between here and Antarctica. Experience and learn about local flora, fauna and coastline ecosystems. This is a photographer's dream.
Kangaroos; Kanapés. Soak up the history of the early island settlers at Grassdale, a historic island property reached by a short drive from the Lodge and where local wildlife including kangaroos and wallabies congregate to graze. Observe these creatures in their natural environment, sip premium South Australian beverages and nibble on a 'Kanapé' whilst the sun goes down on another magical day.
Discover the intriguing Natural Heritage of this wild island in the
Baudin Lounge. This informative visual presentation hosted by resident naturalist staff provides insight into the island's discovery and natural history as well as giving an overview of its many spectacular attractions. Refresh with a sunset drink at the convivial Lodge Bar.
Starting Accommodation: Southern Ocean Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Takeoff to Adelaide
Takeoff to Adelaide for the next stage of your adventure. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation in Adelaide by private vehicle.
Starting Accommodation: Mayfair Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 – Takeoff to Hamilton Island
Takeoff to Hamilton Island and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Arrive at Hamilton Island Airport and make your way through the terminal. The luxury launch will take around one hour to transfer from Hamilton to Hayman Island.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
Day 12 – Hayman Island at Leisure
Hayman Island is a private island resort in the heart of the Whitsundays. The nearest island to the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island is ideal for nature based activities and exceptional guest experiences. Featuring 160 guest rooms, suites, villas and penthouses across three main accommodation wings, Hayman Island provides guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Restaurants and bars offer an array of local and international cuisine, while the spa and water-sports facilities complete the island experience. Perfect for families, couples and honeymooners, the resort also provides an idyllic setting for a wide range of celebrations and events.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 – Hayman Island at Leisure
Hayman Island Water ActivitiesHayman Island offers a range of activities and excursions for you to do as much, or as little, as you want during your stay.
Island Escapes: An excursion not to be missed - take advantage of the many surrounding beaches and allow our staff to recommend a beach that suits your desires for an hour, or a day. Order a picnic lunch through In Room Dining, pick up snorkeling gear or just a towel, spend the day snorkeling or sun tanning and return feeling totally refreshed.
Sunset Escapes: The Whitsundays are blessed with some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Relax and sip champagne, nibble on your cheese platter and reminisce about your special holiday on Hayman. The watersports crew will advise the best beach options available on the day and then pick you up just after sunset.
Whitehaven Beach Experience: Cruise on one of Hayman's Luxury Vessels to the beautiful silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Swim, sunbathe or stroll along the 6 kilometers of pure white silica beach on uninhabited Whitsunday Island. A tantalizing buffet lunch, with beverages, will be served onboard.
Dive and Snorkel Day Tours: The Whitsunday Islands unlock easy access to the Great Barrier Reef’s stunning, colorful underwater world of coral and marine-life. With ideal water temperatures all year round, you can explore the huge biodiversity of species and habitats that make it one of the most complex natural systems on Earth.
Guided Jet Ski Adventures: Join your qualified and experienced jet ski guide on an epic 1 hour jet ski adventure, where you will drive your own jet ski around the waters of Hayman Island, seeing sea turtles and other marine life up close. This adrenaline-packed adventure combines jet skiing with a spectacular scenic tour of the north Queensland islands. With small group sizes and highly trained and qualified guides, you will receive a comprehensive safety briefing before heading out on the water.
Fishing: The charter fishing boat features an array of rods, reels and tackle. Our experienced crew are available to take you game fishing or bottom fishing for half or full day charters.
Kayaking: Join a tropical expedition among island fringing reefs. Paddle at a leisurely pace to any one of the local islands, snorkel over coral gardens teeming with fish, wander along pristine beaches, or simply relax and take it all in. This eco tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this unique world heritage Marine Park.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 – Travel to Sydney
Takeoff to Sydney and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 – Sydney In Style Tour and Harbour Cruise
Depart from your Sydney hotel to discover the fabulous city of Sydney. You will travel through the business district and shopping areas, see Darling Harbour and the vibrant China Town and drive along Oxford Street with its trendy terrace houses and boutique fashion shops. See Centennial Park, a 220-hectare urban parkland in Eastern Sydney. Reaching the coastline, see Bronte and Tamarama, then go on to explore the famous Bondi Beach. Spend 30 minutes walking the promenade or enjoying a coffee overlooking the beach.
From here, continue along the coastal drive past Macquarie Lighthouse to the Southern Headland of Sydney Harbour. Visit Watsons Bay before following the harbor foreshore towards Sydney City. You pass some of Australia's most exclusive waterfront suburbs where harbor mansions may be seen. Drive through Vaucluse, Double Bay before reaching the colorful Kings Cross. Head through Woolloomooloo and see the famous Harry's Cafe De Wheels. Visit Sydney's Botanical Gardens and enjoy some spectacular Harbour Bridge and Opera House views. Return to Sydney's CBD via Saint Mary's Cathedral, historic convict buildings, State Parliament House and the historical quarter of the 'Rocks.' Visit Sydney's Observatory Hill for amazing views over Sydney Harbour to the Blue Mountains. Drop off back at your Sydney hotel, restaurant or other city location.
Cruise on a luxury cruiser as you discover the beauty of Sydney Harbour and dine at iconic restaurants on a progressive long lunch. You will cruise past all of Sydney Harbour's famous icons and harbor-side mansions. Then, enjoy a progressive lunch at selected waterside restaurants. Beverages are included on board for the duration of the harbor cruise, and at additional cost in the restaurants. Depart from Circular Quay Eastern Pontoon for the cruise out to Watson's Bay for appetizers at Doyles on the Beach restaurant. From here, cruise around Middle Head and into the Middle Harbor to arrive at Balmoral for lunch at The Public Dining Room. After lunch, cruise back to Sydney Harbour while indulging with your cheese platter with wines to match.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 – Sydney at Leisure
It is no surprise that when the British first arrived in Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one is still surrounded by bush land in this bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach, and Eucalyptus embrace the endless and beckoning bays of Sydney Harbour.
Starting Accommodation: InterContinental Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 – Depart Sydney
Ahead of your flight you will be transferred to Sydney Airport by private vehicle.
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
Package Level: Luxury |
Please note all prices listed are approximations and subject to current rate of exchange adjustments. Each itinerary can be fully customized to your interests and needs.
|
| Twin Share |
| 12/1/2023 - 12/31/2023 | $14,925 |
| 1/1/2024 - 1/31/2024 | $14,180 |
| 2/1/2024 - 3/31/2024 | $14,335 |
| Single Traveler |
| 12/1/2023 - 12/31/2023 | $28,435 |
| 1/1/2024 - 1/31/2024 | $26,945 |
| 2/1/2024 - 3/31/2024 | $27,245 |
Terms and Conditions
Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20 See our full Terms and Conditions:
www.swaindestinations.com/terms
