Australia: Reef, Rock & Rainforest

9 Nights 8 Days

Day 1: Sydney (L)

Disembark your ship and take a short transfer to the Sydney Botanical Gardens for a guided Aboriginal Heritage Tour. Designed with respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol, the tour is a unique opportunity to learn about traditional Aboriginal uses for the Garden’s variety of native trees and plants with demonstrations of plants used for bush food, medicines and shelter, as well as a range of Aboriginal artefacts and tools.

A short walk to the Sydney Opera House for a private guided tour before enjoying lunch at the Opera Bar. Check into your hotel where you will have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight at The Langham Hotel Sydney or similar.

Day 2: Sydney to Uluru (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Sydney Airport for your flight to Uluru. Upon arrival, check in at Sails in the Desert Hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before lunch. Please note that your room will not be available until standard check in time at 3pm.

Enjoy the afternoon Kata Tjuta tour.

Treasured as Australia’s spiritual heart, the dual World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an ancient desert landscape widely known as the ‘Red Centre’. Spanning a vast expanse of the Northern Territory, the outback’s rugged beauty is heightened by the living presence of one of the world’s largest monoliths, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the sacred red domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which stand nearby. It’s a land of stark contrasts, playing spiritual home to the world’s oldest living culture, the indigenous Australians, whilst revealing a more modern history with the folklore of the early western explorers.

Travel to the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Your experienced guide will deliver an historical overview of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. The Aboriginal people have lived in this region for 22,000 years. Kata Tjuta is one of the most sacred of sites through-out the region, used to perform many of the traditional men’s ceremonies.

Walk into the Walpa Gorge toward the heart of the site, where the trail follows the natural creek bed between two of the tallest domes. The walk includes commentary on local stories, flora, fauna and geology. Tonight, enjoy Sounds of Silence – Outback dinner and drinks served under the stars, with the opportunity to see the night sky like never before. Sounds of Silence experience begins with canapés and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and join your table of fellow travelers for an unforgettable dining experience. As the night sky twinkles to life, delight in a bush tucker inspired buffet that incorporates native bush ingredients.

Settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky and witness the beauty and sheer volume of stars that can be seen in this iconic location. The absence of city lights creates an opportunity for the brilliance of the night sky to be revealed in all its glory.

Here you will embark on a culinary adventure with a gourmet dinner hamper.

Overnight at Sails in the Desert Superior Room (or similar).

Day 3: Uluru (B/D)

As you travel towards Uluru, its vast shape rises from the sand dunes while the early dawn light highlights its presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location with uninterrupted views to watch the sunrise over this amazing monolith. Enjoy a picnic breakfast before you experience the highlights of Uluru.

Your guide will walk you to Mutitjulu Waterhole where you will learn the creation stories of Liru (venomous snake) and Kuniya (woma python). You will drive around the base of Uluru before returning to the resort for some time at leisure.

Later this morning you will be treated to a 50-minute helicopter flight. See the beauty of the desert as you take in the vast splendor of Lake Amadeus whilst looking for camels roaming where the salt lake meets the sand. Then fly to the majestic Uluru and Kata Tjuta, realising their powerful presence amongst the ancient sand dunes cover the Red Centre.

Your guide will return you to your hotel in time for the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner.

Wintjiri Wiru, meaning ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ is a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience that brings to life a chapter of the ancestral Mala story through choreographed drones, lasers and projections that illuminate the night sky. A story passed on for thousands of generations.

Overnight at Sails in the Desert Superior Room (or similar).

Day 4: Uluru to Cairns (B/D)

Enjoy breakfast in the morning before departing for your flight to Cairns.

Upon arrival, transfer to Thala Beach Resort. After checking in, head to Port Douglas where you will have a brief drive through the area before dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Thala Beach Nature Reserve - Eucalypt Bungalow (or similar).

Day 5: Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation (B/L/D)

Rise early today, and after breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a scenic drive up north to the oldest rainforest in the world. From the Kulki Lookout in Cape Tribulation, view scenic mountain peaks and pristine white beaches. Witness the rare sight of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites together: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef -- the only place in the

world where the rainforest meets the reef.

Board the Daintree River Cruise to learn about the wildlife environment of one of the most diverse river systems in the world -- the bird habitat, tree snakes, and unique plants, as well as the estuarine crocodile, who you may spot during the cruise.

After lunch, visit the Mossman Gorge Centre, an important cultural hub of the Kuku Yalanji. Learn about the indigenous people, who have lived here for 50,000 years -- using the local flora and fauna of the wild jungle to survive and thrive.

Return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight at Thala Beach Nature Reserve - Eucalypt Bungalow (or similar).

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Swim (B/L)

After breakfast, transfer to Port Douglas Marina for a full day Great Barrier Reef experience.

Here’s your chance to visit the world’s richest marine habitat -- Australia’s magnificent Great Barrier Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reef is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The many reefs and atolls that make up the reef are rich with coral, fish, molluscs, and visiting sharks, dolphins, and turtles.

Don your snorkel equipment and jump into the water for an active Barrier Reef experience with plenty of time to swim and snorkel in the Outer Reef environment. Witness the majestic panoramas of colourful tropical fish and intricate coral gardens. Explore rich, diverse coral gardens that help form these protective ocean walls, filled with hard and soft corals as well as the reef’s most iconic species such as sharks, stingrays, turtles, groupers and cods, maori wrasse and parrotfish.

Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, served in air-conditioned comfort aboard the vessel. The more adventurous may wish to try an introductory or certified scuba experience (at your own expense). After spending breathtaking few hours out at the mooring, you will return back to the pier.

Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight at Thala Beach Nature Reserve - Eucalypt Bungalow (or similar).

Day 7: Cairns to Sydney (B/L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from Port Douglas to Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight at The Langham Hotel Sydney or similar.

Day 8: Depart Sydney (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey

Please note: A minimum number of participants are required to operate this tour. Final hotel/flight manifests must be provided well in advance of the tour, therefore we recommend booking no later than 90 days prior to the Journey. The tour is non-refundable unless cancelled 60 days prior to the Journey. It is each guest's sole responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in Seabourn Journeys, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your Journey, and for the country in which you will join or disembark from the ship. Participants must negotiate stairs and/or uneven surfaces and is therefore not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or with mobility limitations, and with pre-existing medical conditions that may be exacerbated by high temperatures. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a hat. Tour sequence may vary.