10 Day Sydney, Rock & Reef Itinerary

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis offers a stunning introduction to Australia.

Sydney Opera House: Guided Tour

The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and this is your chance to truly get up-close. Uncover the stories, history and magic of the Sydney Opera House with an incredible guided tour, taking you underneath the world-famous sails. You'll explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas and ballets take place each year.

Stroll home along Circular Quay to your comfortable accommodation. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights

To help you tick everything off your Sydney bucket list today, we've included a hop-on-hop-off Ferry Pass.

See Sydney by Ferry

Sydney's ferries are an easy way to travel around, and any ferry trip is worth it for the views alone. Hop-On-Hop-Off rocket ferries depart Sydney's main tourist precincts for a 60 to 90-minute cruise around the harbour with 11 famous stopovers along the way. These include the beach town of Manly, pretty Watsons Bay, Luna Park, Taronga Zoo and bustling Darling Harbour.

Discover the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains region on a boutique day tour. Spiriting you away from the usual tourist traps, it's a chance to experience the region from an insider's perspective.

Tour the Blue Mountains

Today's Blue Mountains Tour will showcase Australia's unique landscapes, and you'll learn local stories and legends about aboriginal culture. Peaceful bushwalks enhance the experience and let you soak up the Mountains atmosphere.

Visit spectacular lookouts and waterfalls, with a flexible itinerary allowing you to take in a variety of views and walks around the area.

In the afternoon you will head down from the mountains for a hands-on Australian native wildlife encounter. This is your chance to feed Kangaroos and have a photo taken with a Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park!

Return to the city in style with a wonderful river cruise, passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge before ending at Circular Quay.

Bid farewell to Sydney and fly to Australia's Red Centre for your first glimpse of magnificent Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is also known.

Standing 348 metres above the ground (and over 700 metres underground), Uluru is part of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and is sacred to the local Aboriginal people.

The Magical "Field of Light"

The experience begins with a convenient hotel pick-up and short transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru.

You’re welcomed at an exclusive dune top just after the sun has set on the horizon. Savour a selection of outback canapes with sparkling wine or beer as your host provides insight into the light installation that awaits you. As darkness falls, 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life. Covered under a sky brilliant with stars, Field of Light beckons you to explore and lose yourself momentarily in the rhythms of coloured light. 

(Not suitable for children 4yrs and under.)

Accommodation: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – 3 Nights 

A guided tour of the domes of Kata Tjuta is the perfect introduction to this spiritually significant region.

Kata Tjuta Domes Guided Tour

Also known as the Olgas, the ochre-coloured rock formations of Kata Tjuta are steeped in ancient history. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the cultural significance of Kata Tjuta as a sacred Aboriginal men’s ceremonial site.

Walk between two of Kata Tjuta's largest domes into Walpa Gorge, a narrow creek valley. Guarded against the hot sun, it's a gorgeous haven of wildflowers, rare plants and desert-dwelling animals. Take time to listen to the wind hissing through the chasms and embrace the spirituality of this amazing location.

Today is yours to explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park however you desire. With over 101 tours and experiences on offer at Uluru and around Ayers Rock Resort, you are spoiled for choice.

Early birds can join a trek to Uluru at Sunrise and witness the remarkable changing colours as the outback awakens. Culture lovers can opt for a guided trip to see the magnificent cave paintings at Central Australia's most significant art site: Cave Hill. Take to the sky and experience the breathtaking desert landscape of Uluru and Kata Tjuta from above, or get up close to the Red Centre's reptiles at a wildlife show.

However, you choose to spend your day, expect a unique encounter with ancient Australia at its best.

With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a haven of scuba diving, snorkelling, reef cruises, fishing, rainforest walks, native bird and wildlife watching.

Palm Cove

As soon as you land in Cairns we'll transfer you to Palm Cove for a taste of tropical paradise. Perfectly situated between Cairns and Port Douglas, this quiet and relaxing village by the sea is home to a myriad of award-winning beach resorts, restaurants and spas. Nestled on the beach, the boutique Alamanda Palm Cove Aparthotel is the perfect base to unwind and settle into the laid-back Queensland lifestyle.

Accommodation: Palm Cove - 3 Nights

Cruise aboard the stylish Passions Catamaran to the incredible Great Barrier Reef.

Outer Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise

On board you can relax with morning tea, get to know the crew and learn all about the marine ecosystem beneath you. Arriving at your first amazing outer reef location, you can snorkel, dive, sunbathe, or chill out on the boat to your heart's content.

After a Tropical buffet lunch, you'll sail to another beautiful outer reef location, for more swimming, snorkelling, diving or relaxing in the sun. Wind down with a cold beverage on the sail back to Cairns for 5pm whilst enjoying afternoon tea.

Explore the stunning canopy of the oldest living rainforest on the planet: the Daintree Rainforest.

Daintree & Cape Tribulation by 4WD

Drive north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, admiring the Azure waters of the Coral Sea. After Morning Tea, enjoy a guided cruise on the Daintree River: this is nature at its best!

Your experienced guide will take you on a wonderful journey through ancient Daintree rainforest with ample time for photos and questions while you try to spot the rare and unique Southern Cassowary.

After a thrilling 4WD ride to pristine Emmagen Creek, take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of this secret Jewel in the Rainforest. Stroll along the Cape Tribulation Beach to a platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the 'Rainforest meets the Reef'.

Finally, you will cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and begin your homeward journey.

Transfer from Palm Cove to Cairns to board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 10 Day Sydney Rock & Reef Self Drive vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.