Reef, Rainforest and Sydney

Highlights

• International coach class air from Los Angeles on V Australia
• Internal coach class air in Australia
• Private round trip airport transfers
• Round trip launch from Hamilton Island to Hayman (Deluxe option only)
• 4 nights Whitsunday Islands
• 3 nights Daintree Rainforest
• Daintree Rainforest full day tour
• 3 nights Sydney
• Sydney half day city tour
• 11 breakfasts 2 lunches 1 dinner

Day-By-Day Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully customized to your specific requirements.

Day 1 Fly USA to Sydney

Day 2 Cross the International Dateline

Day 3 Arrive Sydney
On arrival into Sydney you will need to clear customs and make your way to the domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Hamilton Island.

Imagine over 70 tropical islands dotted around the Coral Sea, on the edge of the South Pacific.  Lying in crystal clear blue water are hundreds of deserted beaches with sparkling white sand and safe, secluded anchorages. These are Australia's fabulous Whitsunday Islands and at their heart is Hamilton Island.

Days 4-6 At leisure, Whitsunday Islands
Discover the wonder that is Heart Reef. Sink your feet into the white, silica sands of world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Or simply sail at sunset across our crystal-clear waters and take in the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Pack a picnic lunch, find a deserted beach and live it up! Hayman can arrange day trips by catamaran, seaplane or helicopter to the Outer Reef. If you don't wish to get wet, there are glass bottom boat excursions available over the reef. Highly recommended is a heli or plane flight over the islands of the Whitsunday Group. Let your pilot take you to see the stunningly beautiful Whitehaven Beach with its brilliant silicon sands. You may just wish to sit by one of the pools with a book, enjoy a cocktail at the pool bar or fall asleep under a palm tree.

Day 7 Fly Whitsunday Islands to Cairns
Upon arrival into Cairns you will be transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation in the Daintree Rainforest.

The dense rainforest reaches all the way down to the coast from rugged mountains rising in the west, with ancient, exotic plant life bordering the waterfalls and clear jungle streams. The area is home to some of the oldest species of ferns, including the renowned Angiopteris, the largest in the world.

Day 8 Australian Wilderness Safari
Head to the Daintree River where much of the rainforests have remained undisturbed since they evolved 130 million years ago.  The rainforest droops down over the river – wildlife and birdlife abound here. You cross the river by cable ferry and continue the drive to beautiful Cape Tribulation Beach.

Lunch is a small site next to a billabong.  Remember to bring your togs (swimsuits) as you have a chance to swim at a local billabong. 

Day 9 At leisure, Daintree Rainforest
Named in 1770 by Captain Cook, for the trouble he ran into before grounding his ship on a nearby reef, Cape Tribulation is anything but that for visitors today. The experience now is incomparable relaxation. A genuinely delightful holiday is in store for you. You can bushwalk, horse-ride, kayak, snorkel, fish in the estuaries or simply let go in one of Australia's most beautiful settings.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.

Day 10 Fly Cairns to Sydney
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Sydney. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.

Sydney - Australia's premier city is the oldest settlement in Australia, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country's capital in everything but name. Built on the shores of the stunning Port Jackson, you would have to die and go to heaven before you see a more spectacular setting for a city. It's a vital, self-regarding metropolis, exuding both a devil-may-care urbanity and a slavish obsession with global fads. The Sydney area was the ancestral home of the Daruk tribe, whose territory extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater.

Day 11 Spectacular Sydney
You will be collected late morning from your hotel to see the highlights of downtown Sydney before venturing into some of the exclusive harbor-side residential areas where we stop for a 2-course lunch at the Vaucluse House Tea Rooms (alternative venue will be used on Mondays when Vaucluse is closed). Vaucluse House is one of Australia’s most historic houses and was home to the father of the Australian Constitution. From lunch we continue our sightseeing including the famous areas of Bondi Beach and Paddington before returning to the city and your hotel.

Day 12 ‘Sea’ City Lights Sunset Dinner Cruise
Be engulfed by the beauty and magic of Sydney as you ‘sea city lights’ for three hours aboard Calypso, a 52-foot Motor Yacht.  Departing Circular Quay at 6.00pm you will cruise the foreshores of Sydney Harbour past the world famous, iconic landmarks including The Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House before dropping anchor in a secluded cove, where you'll enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner. You will then have the opportunity to cruise along the north shore of Sydney back to Darling Harbour before returning to Circular Quay.

Day 13 At leisure, Sydney
At your leisure to explore Sydney. Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your accommodation – Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks etc.

Day 14 Fly Sydney to USA
Transfer to the airport by private vehicle for your departure flight.