Legend gives way to enchantment during your 12-day family-friendly tour of Australia, taking you through the waters of Sydney Harbour, along the sands of the Red Centre, between the dense rainforest at Daintree, and onto the remarkable white sand beaches of the Whitsunday Islands. Whether on a surfboard in Bondi, a camel overlooking the desert or on a riverboat in search of crocodiles, the kids will marvel at the natural splendor of the landscape and listen intently to the myths of Dreamtime....
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sydney – The Family Majesty of Sydney
The walkways of Sydney shimmer against the colorful turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. The iconic Sydney Opera House rises above the brick esplanade with a roof imitating illustrious sails. A replica of Captain Cook’s ship adorns Darling Harbour, representing the country’s absorbing seafaring history amidst galleries highlighting indigenous maritime culture. Your flight lands at Sydney Airport where your private transfer meets the family upon your arrival. The city bustles with culture, from art galleries in the neighborhood of Newtown to the late 19th-century arcades of the Queen Victoria Building in the Central Business District. Sydney Tower adorns the skyline, reaching a height of more than 1,000 feet above the city streets.
You settle into a luxurious hotel overlooking the passing boats of the harbor, accentuated by the steel frame of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s lavish arch. Your guide meets you at the hotel, eager to introduce the family to the remarkable history of Australia’s oldest city, beginning in the Rocks district. The aroma of freshly baked macaroons emanates from the local patisserie edging the walkway of the outdoor shopping center. Sandstone brick warehouses erected in the 19th century continue to decorate the streets. The kids marvel at the tales the guide tells of the first people who looked out over the rocky bay in the 1770s to see the soaring sails of the HMB Endeavour, Captain Cook’s famous research vessel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Sydney – Family Excitement around Sydney
Day 3
Sydney – A Family in Blue
Day 4
Uluru – Seeing Red
Day 5
Uluru – A Stand Alone Morning
Day 6
Daintree – Red Centre to Emerald Canopy
Day 7
Daintree – On the Crocodile Trail
Day 8
Hayman Island – Following the White Sands
Day 9
Hayman Island – Island Leisure and Family Grandeur
Day 10
Hayman Island – Greatness Abounds along the Reef
Day 11
Hayman Island – Relax with Familial Company
Day 12
Hayman Island – Hoo-roo Australia
Trip Highlights
- Bask in the brilliance of the Great Barrier Reef during a private snorkel tour accompanied by an experienced marine biologist
- Embrace the movement of the waves at Bondi Beach during a private family surf lesson to learn the secrets of the celebrated sport
- Witness the shifting colors of Uluru, the famous desert monolith, during a camel tour at sunrise
- Listen to the tales of Dreamtime and the legends of the stars that the entire family will enjoy while dining beneath the open night sky in the Red Centre
- Search the banks and waters of Mossman River on a crocodile safari in search of Queensland’s most notorious reptile
- Indulge in the luxury and charm of an island resort in the Whitsunday archipelago for a mixture of relaxation and adventure
- Trek the wilderness trails on a Whitsunday Island in search of local wildlife and remarkable avifauna
- Meet koalas and kangaroos in the Featherdale Wildlife Park located in the Blue Mountains National Park
- Travel the shores of Sydney Harbour on a half-day exploratory cruise of the city’s famous waterways for a spectacular view of the Sydney Opera House
- Delight in an introductory tour of Sydney for an immersive exploration of the Rocks, Australia’s oldest European settlement
Detailed Description
Let the family indulge in splendor and adventure on your Australian discovery tour, where the captivating Great Barrier Reef and endless sands of the Red Centre are as majestic as the legends telling of the continent’s creation. The rhythmic vibrations of the didgeridoo hum beneath unfettered starlight. Loggerhead turtles graze on sea grass sweeping across the ocean floor. Koalas lounge in eucalyptus trees and crocodiles linger in rivers, camouflaged amongst the rainforest underbrush. The family will find thrills and a relaxing ambiance, historic neighborhoods and newfound surf-skills while exploring the culture, landscape, and seaside splendors of the Land Down Under.
The journey begins with the family’s arrival at Sydney Airport. Your private transfer escorts you to a luxurious hotel offering remarkable views of Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay. After settling into the hotel, the family embarks on an introductory tour of Sydney, following your guide through the historical neighborhood of the Rocks and the beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The next morning, you have a private half-day tour of Sydney’s thrilling neighborhoods to view the culture, history, and architecture of Australia’s oldest city. Partake in a private surfing lesson at Bondi Beach before boarding a boat for an afternoon cruise around the harbor. Next, you take to the countryside on a private excursion to Blue Mountains National Park. The family delights in the sandstone plateaus, waterfalls, and eucalyptus trees before visiting the Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Your private transfer leads the family from the hotel to Sydney Airport. Your flight takes you into the Red Centre at Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock. The family ventures to a luxurious hotel in view of the mystical monolith of Uluru rising out of the desert landscape where you can enjoy a sunset tour. The family rises early for a camel trekking tour around Uluru to watch the sunrise. In the afternoon, you continue your discoveries of the desert at Kata Tjuta. Indulge in the myths and cuisine of a dinner beneath the immaculate starlight. You travel to the airstrip for your flight to Cairns. Upon your arrival, your private transfer escorts you north to a resort in Daintree Rainforest overlooking Mossman River.
The family traverses the rainforest trails on a guided tour before taking to the Mossman River on a crocodile-spotting cruise. Fly from Cairns to Hayman Island, located in the Whitsundays Archipelago. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for the family to indulge in the splendors of the island resort. The family can enjoy endless activities offered by the resort, from trekking to visit Blue Pearl Bay to paddle boarding near the shore. You could also sail to other Whitsunday Islands for the day.
Afterward, the family sets sail on a catamaran for a full day exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Scour the hard and soft coral to find angelfish, sea turtles, and blue tang before returning to your island resort. The day is at the family’s leisure to relax or explore at your preferred pace. Trek the trails of the island to reach Cook Lookout or you relish a massage while the kids bask in the sand. The family makes their way to the airstrip on the final day to board your flight and make your way home.
Starting Price
$15,600 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.86 stars based on 1822 reviews.
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.
Reviewed By Joyce T.
Zicasso's travel designer put together a trip that got us to the places we wanted to see, with companies that suited our abilities and desires. He offered excellent suggestions, was always available, and was a pleasure to work with.
Reviewed By Mark H.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
I would use our travel company again in a minute! Zicasso's travel consultant really “got me” and designed the perfect trip for us.
The highlights especially included picking perfect places for us to stay (close to most everything we were doing and in the heart of the cities). The tours, both private and small group, gave us not only what we asked for, but even more that we didn’t know existed.
The itinerary was as detailed as it could possibly be, describing the day, what to bring, names and phone numbers to call if there were issues, and who we needed to call to confirm future tour dates.
One of our highlights was the penguin experience. Our guide was great and our trip planner got us “plus” tickets, which I would definitely recommend. Finally, she provided us with the necessary info and guides (where necessary) for our amazing hikes.
Reviewed By Ellin A.
Zicasso's travel specialists were fantastic! They provided excellent and unique recommendations. As a traveler seeking adventure and outdoor experiences, they completely understood my needs. Additionally, all accommodations were high quality, communication was very clear, and pricing was reasonable. I would strongly recommend them to anyone traveling to Australia/New Zealand.
Reviewed By Emil S.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.