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Home/Australia Holidays/Australia Fly Drive Holidays/Reef Rainforest And Outback Adventure

Reef, Rainforest and Outback Adventure

  • Port Douglas
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Kakadu National Park
  • Alice Springs
  • Kings Canyon
  • Uluru (Ayers Rock)
  • Blue Mountains
  • Hunter Valley
  • Sydney
  • 23 nights from
  • £5,975 per person
  • Trip Code: SD-1412

Holiday Overview

This itinerary will guide you through Australia’s iconic landmarks and breathtaking natural wonders. Begin your journey in Cairns and Port Douglas with a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, where you'll witness vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Continue with a visit to the Daintree Rainforest—the world’s oldest, dating back 10 million years—home to an incredible variety of wildlife and scenery.

Your adventure then takes you to the Northern Territory, where you’ll explore Kakadu National Park, featuring lush rainforests, ancient Aboriginal rock galleries, and towering waterfalls. Next, visit the magnificent Uluru and experience the Sound of Silence Dinner, enjoying an authentic Australian feast as the sun sets over this majestic monolith.

Conclude your trip in New South Wales with a visit to the awe-inspiring Blue Mountains and wine tastings in the Hunter Valley. Your final stop is Sydney, where you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Days: 24 / Nights: 23

Start: Port Douglas Finish: Sydney

States Visited: Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales

Reef, Rainforest and Outback Adventure includes:

  • Return flights from the UK
  • Internal flights
  • 23 Nights accomodation
  • Car hire
  • Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman Tour
  • Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
  • Kundra Railway
  • Sounds of Silence Dinner
  • Kata Tjuta Domes & Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Syndey Harbour Lunch Cruise
1

Day 1 - UK to Port Douglas

Arrive in Cairns airport and transfer to your Port Douglas hotel for your 2-night stay.   

Featured accommodation

Meridian Port Douglas

Enhance your experience

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

2

Day 2 - Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman Tour

Explore the ancient rainforests of World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park. Discover the secrets of the rainforest at Mossman Gorge and spot wildlife along the Daintree River Cruise. Enjoy a BBQ lunch in the rainforest before stepping foot on the world-renowned Cape Tribulation Beach. Also included is a delicious afternoon refreshment at the Daintree Ice Cream Company.

Featured accommodation

Meridian Port Douglas

Enhance your experience

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

3

Day 3 - Great Barrier Reef Cruise

This morning enjoy a spectacular Great Barrier Reef cruise out to the Agincourt Reef, at the very outer edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as ‘ribbons' run parallel to the Continental Shelf.  Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these ribbon reefs are recognised as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef's environment.   Clear water provides the best possible underwater visibility, encourages rich coral growth and supports spectacular marine life. As the region's outer reef pioneer, we chose the best location available to show you nature's finest.

In the afternoon transfer to Cairns for your 3-night stay.

Featured accommodation

Mantra Esplanade

Enhance your experience

Shangri La Hotel

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4

Day 4 - Kundra Scenic Railway

The original Kuranda Scenic Railway is a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls. This famous railway winds its way on a journey of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Cairns to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. Rising from sea level to 328m, the journey to Kuranda passes through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, past beautiful and spectacular waterfalls and into the awesome Barron Gorge. Upon reaching the village of Kuranda a rich assortment of interesting attractions and unique shopping experiences awaits you.The Kuranda Scenic Railway can be joined at Cairns Railway Station or Freshwater Connection for morning departures to Kuranda. Journeys from Kuranda Station to Cairns run in the afternoon. The journey includes an English commentary and all passengers receive a commentary companion which includes information on the history of the railways construction, a trip map and a map of Kuranda. Cairns Station, with its dedicated themed platform, is centrally located and within easy walking distance of most city accommodations.

Featured accommodation

Mantra Esplanade

Enhance your experience

Shangri La Hotel

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

5

Day 5 - Explore Cairns

A day at leisure to explore Cairns.

Featured accommodation

Mantra Esplanade

Enhance your experience

Shangri La Hotel

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Unmissable Experiences

Cairns Experiences

6

Day 6 - Cairns to Darwin

Today check out of your Cairns hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Darwin. Upon arrival in Darwin make your way to your chosen hotel spending the remainder of your day at leisure. 

Featured accommodation

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront

7

Day 7 - Darwin to Kakadu

Cruise on the Adelaide River, home to over 1,600 crocodiles, on the Jumping Crocodile cruise. See these prehistoric creatures up-close as your local guide entices the crocodiles to leap out of the water. Then you'll travel into Kakadu National Park. Covering more than 20,000 square kilometres, World Heritage listed Kakadu. It's home to a myriad of animals, hundreds of bird species and thousands of different insects and plants. Enjoy lunch in Kakadu National Park before a stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre. Continue to Ubirr, where you'll climb up through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old. 

Featured accommodation

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

8

Day 8 - Kakadu to Katherine

Take a guided walk at Nourlangie Rock where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre. After lunch, join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. Travel to Katherine.

Hotel: Ibis Styles, Katherine

9

Day 9 - Katherine to Darwin

Enjoy a cruise through Katherine Gorge and watch for crocodiles basking in the sun before stopping for breakfast (included). Visit the informative National Park Information Centre then continue to Edith Falls. The paperbark and pandanas fringed natural pool at the base of the falls is safe for swimming throughout most of the year (conditions permitting) Stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery, en route to Darwin. 

Hotel: The Hilton, Darwin.

10

Day 10 - Litchfield National Park

Litchfield National Park contains several types of typical Top End habitats including lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cascades. During the green season four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs to tropical rock pools many metres below. During the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes the perfect spot for a cool dip. We follow the Stuart Highway via the township of Batchelor to Litchfield National Park where we will visit the main falls, Florence Falls. Take the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk or take a swim by making your way down the stairs to the plunge pool below. Travel on to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Finally, we visit Wangi Falls, with its large crystal-clear pool, another relaxing spot for a swim. On the way back to Darwin we make a stop in at Howard Spring Nature Park, where you will have the chance to feed the Barramundi & Turtles. A great day for taking many fascinating photos, including the amazing stand of termite mounds. 

 

Featured accommodation

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront

11

Day 11 - Darwin to Alice Springs

Today transfer from your Darwin hotel to the airport for your onward flight to Alice Springs. Upon arrival in Alice Springs pick up your car hire before checking into your hotel. 

Featured accommodation

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

12

Day 12 - Alice Springs to Kings Canyon

Early risers can take advantage of an optional Ballooning sunrise excursion, a unique way to appreciate the epic vastness of the red centre. Drive on to Kings Canyon through the iconic unworldly red dust.

Featured accommodation

Kings Canyon Resort & Holiday Park

13

Day 13 - Kings Canyon

Enjoy a full day to enjoy the scenic delights of Kings Canyon, the energetic will be rewarded by a hike to the top of the Rim Walk for a panoramic view.

Featured accommodation

Kings Canyon Resort & Holiday Park

14

Day 14 - Kings Canyon to Curtin Springs

Continue to Curtin Springs and spend the night in a working cattle station, that covers over 1,000,000 acres, a truly authentic outback experience.

15

Day 15 - Curtin Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Today travel onwards to Uluru and marvel at one of Australia’s most idiosyncratic sights. In the evening enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner experience. 

Dine under a million stars at the award winning Sounds of Silence restaurant. Travel out to a private dining setting in the middle of the desert. Sip on a glass of champagne with the sound of a lone didgeridoo filling the air as the sun slowly sets over the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and Ayers Rock (Uluru). Dine on a gourmet BBQ of Australian delicacies and then sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as an astronomer takes you on a tour of the clear Southern night skies.

Featured accommodation

The Lost Camel Hotel - Ayers Rock Resort

Enhance your experience

Sails in the Desert

Unmissable Experiences

Sounds of Silence Dinner

16

Day 16 - Kata Tjuta Domes including Walpa Gorge Walk

Walk through the windy Walpa Gorge where thirty-six giant domes (The Olgas) tower above. Covered by sea 500 million years ago, soft rock eroded away as Kata Tjuta remained. Kata Tjuta means ‘many heads' in local Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal language, and is a sacred site to the male Anangu Aboriginal people. Your tour ends back at your hotel, leaving time to freshen up for any dinner experiences you may have planned.

Featured accommodation

The Lost Camel Hotel - Ayers Rock Resort

Enhance your experience

Longitude 131°

Unmissable Experiences

Uluru (Ayres Rocks) Experiences

17

Day 17 - Uluru to Blue Mountains

Make your way to Uluru airport and return your car hire before your onward flight to Sydney. Upon arrival in Sydney pick up your car hire and make the drive to the Blue Mountains for your 2-night stay. 

Featured accommodation

Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort & Spa

Enhance your experience

Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains

18

Day 18 - Blue Mountains

Spend a full day exploring the beautiful Blue Mountains, visit Echo Point, for a fantastic view of the Three Sisters and a chance to enjoy one of the many nearby bushwalking trails.

Featured accommodation

Lilianfels Blue Mountain Resort & Spa

Enhance your experience

Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains

19

Day 19 - Blue Mountains to Hunter Valley

Continue to the Hunter Valley, with more than 150 Wineries and a plethora of restaurants, it’s a must-see destination for any foodie.

Featured accommodation

Hunter Valley Resort

Enhance your experience

Spicers Vineyards Estate

20

Day 20 - Hunter Valley

Spend a full day exploring the cellar doors and restaurants of the Hunter Valley.

Featured accommodation

Hunter Valley Resort

Enhance your experience

Spicers Vineyards Estate

21

Day 21 - Hunter Valley to Sydney

Your drive today takes you back to Sydney, return your car hire before checking into your choosen hotel. 

Featured accommodation

Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel

Enhance your experience

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Hyatt Regency Sydney

22

Day 22 - Sydney Harbour Cruise

Spend your morning at leisure, explore Sydney's Rock area and Circular Key before embarking on your lunch cruise of Sydney Harbour. Discover the secrets of one of the world's most famous and spectacular natural harbours including icons such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Sydney Botanical Gardens and more. We give you a chance to see the city from a new perspective and marvel at the sights that decorate its coastline. Owing to our educated live commentator, you will get to learn something new about Sydney, its history and about each of the sights that you can see from the deck.

Featured accommodation

Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel

Enhance your experience

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Unmissable Experiences

Sydney Experiences

23

Day 23 - Explore Sydney

A day at leisure to explore Sydney or you may wish to add one of our Sydney experiences including a tour of Sydney Opera House or Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Speak to you consultant about which experiences are available. 

Featured accommodation

Parkroyal Darling Harbour Hotel

Enhance your experience

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Unmissable Experiences

Sydney Experiences

24

Day 24 - Sydney to UK

Your Australian adventure ends today as your transfer to the airport for your onward flight home. Alternatively you may wish to extend your holiday with a cruise to New Zealand. 

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