Incredible Australian Family Vacation

Koala in the Blue Mountains of Australia.

What to expect on this itinerary

From Far North Queensland to New South Wales and from the sands of the Outback to the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef, your 16-day family Australia tour will immerse you in the marvelous adventures of land and sea. Indulge in intimate encounters with Australia’s unique wildlife, partake in a luxury camping experience, explore the Great Barrier Reef, and learn to surf at Bondi Beach. Whether you spend a day at a wildlife sanctuary or bask in an evening under the stars, you will experience much of the best of Australian during this 16-day vacation.

Countries Visited

Australia

Places Visited

Sydney, Hobart, Kingscote, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Baird Bay, Lake Gairdner

Suggested Duration

16 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Sydney – Arrive in the Spectacular City of Sydney

You will land in Sydney, which is home to one of the world’s most iconic skylines. From the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge to the unforgettable sails of the Opera House, the city will feel familiar as your family travels with a private driver from the airport to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the bustling Central Business District. A multicultural metropolis unlike any other on the planet, Sydney is filled with delicious restaurants, fascinating museums, superb shopping areas, and breathtaking scenery.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to settle in to the comforts of your suite and the pace of Australia’s famous coastal setting. You can stroll through Hyde Park or engage in some retail therapy at the shops in the gorgeous Queen Victoria Building. The arcade was built in the 19th century and retains a sense of grandeur, which is embodied in the 20 small domes that frame the central dome. The original mosaic floors highlight the beauty of the architecture and the luxury goods of the-more-than-200 boutique shops inside the center.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Sydney – Explore the Unique and Unforgettable City on a Tour

Day 3

Sydney – Learn to Surf at Bondi Beach and Enjoy a Day at Leisure

Day 4

Hobart – Venture to Tasmania for a Relaxing Day in Hobart

Day 5

Hobart – Be Keeper for a Day at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 6

Hobart – Cruise the Coastline and a Visit Port Arthur

Day 7

Kingscote – Travel to South Australia with the Day at your Pace

Day 8

Kingscote – Discover Wilderness and Wildlife at Kangaroo Island

Day 9

Adelaide – Visit a Eucalyptus Distillery and Ferry to the Mainland

Day 10

Port Lincoln – Delight in the Unforgettable Outback

Day 11

Lake Gairdner – Find the Wonders of Landscape and Wildlife

Day 12

Baird Bay – Dive with Dolphins and Swim with Sea Lions

Day 13

Cairns – Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Day 14

Cairns – Explore the Incomparable Great Barrier Reef

Day 15

Cairns – Save Sea Turtles at a Local Rehab Center

Day 16

Cairns – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Be a Keeper for a Day at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will have a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the most unforgettable Australian wildlife
  • Explore the Great Barrier Reef, which is an awe-inspiring monument to the magnificent might of nature, for an entire day
  • Revel in the wildlife at Kangaroo Island, from the cute and cuddly koalas to kangaroos that graze in the wide fields
  • Go glamping in the Outback at Kangaluna, where you will sleep under the stars, enjoy an authentic bush dinner, and witness the Australian Outback wildlife
  • Spend time in the sea with bottlenose dolphins and Australian sea lions in Baird Bay
  • Volunteer at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Cairns, where you will learn about the turtles’ struggles and those who are dedicated to helping the turtles survive
  • Indulge in an in-depth look at the city with a bicycle tour and learn to surf at world-famous Bondi Beach
  • Cruise the coast of the Tasman Peninsula, where you will witness stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, before touring Port Arthur penal colony
  • Revel in the otherworldly grandeur of Lake Gairdner National Park, which is full of vibrant colors and incredible scenery
  • Stop in Adelaide, where the carefully planned streets provide a perfect contrast to the sprawling expanse of nature

Detailed Description

There is simply no country on Earth like Australia, and, during your 16-day Australia family tour, you will experience authentic Australia. From sophisticated cities like Sydney, Cairns, and Adelaide to the marvels of nature on land and sea, your trip to Australia will reveal once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With signature tours led by specialist guides, your trip will be designed to deliver an authentic Australian experience and to provide travelers with special access to Australia’s finest attractions and natural wonders. For 16 days, you will live as you have never imagined, touring splendid streets and engaging with wildlife in a way that is both memorable and meaningful.

We have carefully selected five premium activities that are sure to delight your senses and stir your passions. These activities will bring you closer to authentic Australian life as well as the world around us. You will begin with three days in Sydney, where you will explore the city with a knowledgeable guide and learn to surf at one of Australia’s most famous beaches. In Tasmania, you will have three days in Hobart, and you can serve as an honorary Keeper for a Day at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. You will cruise the Tasman Peninsula and view the tallest sea cliffs in Australia.

You will then travel to South Australia for three nights between Kingscote and Adelaide. Here, you can get a first-hand look at some of Australia’s most famous residents at Kangaroo Island and visit a eucalyptus distillery. You can also enjoy two days in the Outback during a “glamping” experience at a luxurious campsite in addition to swimming with sea lions at Baird Bay. Once in Queensland, you can revel in the tropical climate for three nights. Here, you will help save sick and injured sea turtles at the groundbreaking Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Center and enjoy a daylong exploration of the legendary Great Barrier Reef.

An entrancing country of ebullient people and insatiable charm is waiting for your family to make their memories here. You will laugh and learn together, discover new places and new people, and embark on journeys that will last a lifetime. If you have been looking for the perfect family vacation that you will talk about at the dinner table for years to come, look no further because it can all be found in Australia.

Starting Price

$6,600 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

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1828 reviews

Lee A.
Australia Tour Review: Sydney, Ayers Rock, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda Village, Blue Mountains, Uluru, Port Douglas, Historic Rocks Tour, Boat Cruise, Opera House, Camelback Ride, Snorkeling, Private Tour, 10-Day Trip

Our trip to Australia was incredible! Zicasso's tour operator put together a very thoughtful, well-paced itinerary. Our transportation always met us on time and with a good attitude. We enjoyed the diversity of experiences curated for our stay.

They took our bucket-list items and created an itinerary that allowed us to see almost every one! We were grateful to have a tour of the Historic Rocks in Sydney, a boat cruise harbor tour, watch "Carmen" at the Sydney Opera House, take a sunset camelback ride in the desert to see Ayers Rock, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and get a private tour of a wildlife habitat (this was so special because we got to interact with some of the animals and learn from their keepers directly).

The only occasion on which I wish we'd had more time to spend was at Kuranda Village! There was so much to do and see, but we had an Army Duck tour and Aboriginal experience booked, which I really enjoyed because we got to ride through the jungle and enjoy performances from the Pamagirri community. Taking the Skyrail up and the train down was also a sight to see.

We enjoyed the intimate nature of tours, allowing us to ask questions about history, architecture, and daily life, and engage with our tour guides in a meaningful way. Highly prefer this style of private/small tours to the bigger bus tours. Our accommodations were impressive--from the luxurious hotel on George Street in Sydney to the desert resort in Uluru to the lodge on Captain Cook Highway in Port Douglas! We got to experience a range of climates. There was never a dull moment.

Even though the itinerary seemed jam-packed, we had just the right amount of time to rest and reset between activities and travel. Having such a detailed and professionally done itinerary gave us real peace of mind. The coordination of hospitality was also impeccable. Our hotels always communicated seamlessly with our pre-arranged transportation and tours. The trip was fun and totally stress-free! We were constantly delighted and charmed by this country and its people.

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Lorri D.
Australia, New Zealand Tour Review: 1 Month

This was a trip of a lifetime! We had wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand for 40-plus years and this trip did not disappoint.

Zicasso's trip expert was fantastic. When first beginning to plan the trip, he spoke to us by phone and email numerous times to get to know us and find out what we liked, wanted, and were physically able and not able to do. He really listened and planned our trip accordingly.

While we were traveling, he was always instantly available for anything we needed or any questions we had.

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Jen F.
Australia Travel Review: Sydney, Port Douglas, Melbourne, Diving, Safari, Food Tour, 14 Nights

From day one, I knew this was the company for me. Zicasso's travel expert was fantastic at communicating with me and making sure I stayed in my budget while getting the perfect vacation. Every detail was planned beautifully, so I felt like I was on a first-rate vacation. He provided very detailed instructions for transportation, hotels, food, and tours. I cannot rave enough about each of the tour providers he connected us with because each was outstanding.

Our main purpose for traveling was to dive in the reef and this experience exceeded our expectations because the tour was so organized. We also did an Australian safari, which was really off the beaten track and gave us a unique look at the biodiversity in the area that we could not have had with any other tour.

This company set us up for a perfect trip and one thing that was very evident was that our travel expert and staff do their homework! They know the companies they set you up with for tours and they know them because they have experienced them firsthand. I am so glad I picked the travel company for this trip and I can't wait to use them again!

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Katy P.
Australia Trip Review: Helicopter Ride, Snorkeling, 8 Days

First of all, I want to thank the travel company and Zicasso for an amazing experience in Australia. The trip was phenomenal, and all the travel arrangements were seamlessly planned. Our travel agent was stellar and responsive.

This trip had to be planned quickly and had a short turnaround time. He made everything happen for us. I had certain travel conditions that centered around a professional meeting and he made it work perfectly. Honestly, I wish that I could use the travel company for all of my future travel. Any chance you do travel plans for Europe?

Most importantly, our travel agent made very specific recommendations about experiences, such as the helicopter ride and the choice of hotel. He highly encouraged these two things. I was a bit dubious, particularly of the helicopter ride, but it was amazing, truly amazing. I am so appreciative of the travel company and our travel agent for being so thoughtful, so responsive, and so confident in their planning and recommendations. Thank you again.

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John T.
Fiji, Australia Vacation Review: Kangaroo Island, 20 Nights

Zicasso's travel professional was very attentive in listening to what was important to us and planned a trip that exceeded our expectations. All the details of our trip were provided well ahead of time and then a couple of weeks prior to our trip, he set up a video call to review the entire itinerary in detail to make sure we knew everything we needed to. I highly recommend the travel company and would definitely use them again if planning a trip to this region.

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Joyce T.
Australia Vacation Review: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Port Douglas, Blue Mountains, Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy, Whale Watching, Bridge Climb, Snorkeling, Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 15-Day Tour

This was our first trip to Australia. Zicasso’s travel agent took time to get to know our family and how we like to travel. She gathered our interests and preferences, and carefully curated an itinerary that showcased Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns/Port Douglas, all within our budget.

This travel agent was very responsive before and during our trip, and monitored our activities to make sure we were happy. In fact, during our stay, one of our excursions (kayaking in Cairns) was canceled due to weather and she was right on top of it. She was able to book us immediately on another expedition (whale watching) of our choice. We appreciated her responsiveness.

Overall, our entire family was extremely happy with our travel agent's arrangements and had a memorable trip to Australia.

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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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