Australia: Luxury Down Under

Discover the best of Sydney on this private guided tour. After a hearty breakfast, drive through the historic Rocks precinct and learn about the origins of this great city. Explore old cottages and pubs, as well as Australia’s very first church, all built by convicts ages ago. Drive past Macquarie Street, named after the fifth Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, before reaching the Botanical Gardens in the heart of the city. Visit the country’s first Parliament House, the mint, the Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary’s Cathedral. Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair on the waterfront area and take a walking tour around the scenic harbor with its great views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Make a pit stop for lunch at the posh Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and afterward, drive through the tony neighborhood of Darling Point. You’ll pass by scenic bays before reaching the famous Bondi Beach, where you can enjoy ice creams and stroll down the esplanade like locals do. Return to the city past Oxford Street and Paddington, admiring the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the neighborhoods. (Private Activity & Transfer).

This is your chance to get a peek inside the world’s most recognizable sails and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. Understand how this work of art came into existence against impossible odds and went on to become one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building, experienced guides will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story that will rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. You will visit at least one of the venues, where live performances are held every day. Around 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million. (Duration: 1 hrs; Private Activity)

Experience the dramatic landscape of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Set out in the morning to Calmsley Hill, a working farm where you can interact with farmyard animals and see kangaroos, emus, wombats and koalas up close. Enjoy a hearty breakfast here, before getting back on the road. Learn about the region’s history and geology from your local guide and admire the beautiful scenery of Jamison Valley, along the way. Continue to the Eaglehawk Lookout, a secluded point that offers a panoramic view of the ‘3 Sisters’ rock formation, which changes color through the day in response to the sunlight. Stop for lunch at the Echoes Restaurant, perched on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, and afterward, head to the Govetts Leap, another famous lookout point that features a breathtaking 180m waterfall. Finish the tour with a visit to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, where you can stroll around and observe a variety of local flora including the ancient Wollemi Pines (Wollemia Nobilis). (Duration: full day; Early morning departure; Private activity & transfers; Private guide; Entrance fees, breakfast, sparkling wine, 2-course lunch with 1 glass of beer, wine, or soft drink included; Fitness level: easy to moderate)

Set out at your own pace to discover the numerous natural wonders that the UNESCO-listed Lord Howe Island is famous for. Take your pick of well-marked walking trails that run across the island giving you the chance to capture stunning images of unique geological formations. Chance upon endemic bird and insect species as you saunter across the scenic landscape that has existed for millions of years! Or, uncover the secrets of the marine world with a spot of snorkeling and scuba diving among exotic coral reefs. You could also get an adrenaline rush with water sports such as kayaking, kiteboarding, and surfing. Take along a packed picnic lunch to savor in a secluded spot or make use of the communal barbecue facilities to whip up a feast. Alternatively, relish home-style delicacies at one of the cozy restaurants in town. Afterward, soak up the sun on one of the pristine beaches and cool off with a refreshing swim in the sea before you head back to your hotel. (Full Day; Self-exploring Activity; No guide & no transfers; entrance fees and meals are not included)

When staying at Longitude 131 guests will benefit from included ’Signature Experiences’ on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Experience times are seasonal and subject to sunrise and sunset times which vary throughout the year, weather permitting. Touring rotates on a daily basis in order for guests to enjoy the full range of experiences on offer depending on the time and day of arrival. * Uluru Sunset: Immerse in the landscape with a scenic drive through the National Park, concluding at the Cultural Centre* before witnessing the sun set over Uluru with a glass in hand. (In the summer months, the Cultural Centre is visited as part of the Mutitjulu Meander morning experience) * Field of Light Experience * Table 131° Longitude’s unforgettable dining experience under the stars. Dine out on sumptuous fare and be mesmerised by the movement and songs of an ancient culture. (Table 131° operates subject to weather and climatic conditions) * Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta Admire the mystical red domes of Kata Tjuta from afar then navigate the gorge track, sheer rock walls rising on either side, whilst the Longitude guide explains the natural history of the geological phenomenon * Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge Tread along a gentle path, pausing to stop at rock art sites and sources of bush tucker and learn the history of the ancestral Mala people. Once ‘inside’, enjoy evening drinks and canapés as the sun sets and the glorious colours of Uluru are revealed. * Mutitjulu Meander Venture to Uluru as the sun lights up the ancient monolith and walk along the pathway to the peaceful Mutitjulu Waterhole and the sacred site of Kuniya Piti as our guide shares an Anangu creation story. Furthermore in the accommodation price all dining, open bar with French Champagne, premium wines and spirits, in-suite bar and return Ayers Rock Airport transfers are included. (Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Moderate; Please note the hotel activities are included in the room rate and are subject to weather and seasons.)

Explore the verdant landscape of Cape Tribulation! Located in Daintree National Park, the World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation is famous for its ancient rainforests meeting the Great Barrier Reef. Led by a private guide, travel through the rugged terrain of Daintree National Park and learn about its geology and folklore. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Daintree River that snakes through the landscape. Afterward, head to the Alexandra Lookout to enjoy a panoramic view of Cape Tribulation, the Daintree Rainforest, Snapper Island and Cape Kimberley. Tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch before you continue your drive, finally emerging from the rainforest onto the miles of secluded white-sand beaches that fringe the Great Barrier Reef. Refresh yourself with ice cream before setting out on the last leg of the tour to Mossman Gorge. Guarding the entrance to the Daintree Rainforest, the gorge offers a glimpse into the culture, stories and lives of Australia’s indigenous communities and their connection to the natural environment. (Duration: full day; Early morning departure; Private activity & transfers included; Private guide)

Explore the city by yourself and at your own pace! You could marvel at one of the largest showcases of tropical plants in Australia while traversing the lush surrounds of Cairns Flecker Botanical Gardens, home to myriad bird species. There’s more native flora and fauna to see at the Mount Whitfield Conservation Park next door. If you are an art lover, visit the Cairns Art Gallery housed in a heritage building, and the contemporary Tanks Art Center spread across three converted WWII oil storage tanks within a rainforest. You could also browse through indigenous art at Doongal Aboriginal Art Gallery, and immerse yourself in local culture at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, nestled amid Kuranda’s rainforest. A trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway is ideal for views overlooking the forest. You could spend time splashing about in the natural swimming pools at Crystal Cascades or go fishing and crabbing on Trinity Inlet. End your day at the Cairns marina for Aboriginal inspired cuisine at Ochre, or drop by the bustling night markets to soak up the pulse of Cairns! (Full Day; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included).

Uncover wonders of the picturesque Lizard Island National Park on several nature trails on your own. Admire the variety of flora and fauna, including the yellow-spotted monitor that call this island home. Hiking up to Cook’s Look, enjoy panoramic vistas of Watson’s Bay and the beautiful seascape around fringed by coral reefs and turquoise blue lagoons. Take time to visit the ruins of the heritage-listed Mrs. Watson’s Cottage. Keep an eye on the island’s natural calendar to experience seasonal happenings. You could even visit any of the 24 secluded beaches dotted around the island. Embark on diving, snorkeling, and fishing excursions in the picturesque Great Barrier Reef. Drop by the Lizard Island Research Station to know more about marine life here. (Full Day; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included).