Lux Australia
This exclusive itinerary allows you to experience Australia’s rugged natural beauty, diverse culinary offerings and ancient tradition of storytelling in ultra-luxurious settings. As you drift along Yarra Valley in a Hot Air Balloon in Melbourne, discover mystic Uluru’s vast red outback, experience Sydney’s magical Blue Mountains, explore the allure of the Whitsundays and the unmatched beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll not only witness incredible icons, but also enjoy a deep sensory experience.
- Melbourne – Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon and Winery Tour, Great Ocean Road by Helicopter, Laneways and Arcades Tour.
- Ayers Rock – Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Kantju Gorge, Helicopter Tour, Dune Top Dining, Mutitjulu Waterhole, Walpa Gorge, Mulgara Gallery Tour, Field of Light.
- Sydney – Harbor Cruise, City Sights, Calmsley Hill, The Blue Mountains.
- Hamilton island – Whitehaven Beach Hike and Cruise, Great Barrier and Heart Reef Helicopter Tour.
Day 1
Arrival in Melbourne
Welcome to Australia! On arrival in Melbourne, after you have cleared immigration formalities and collected your luggage, you will be met by our representative and receive a private transfer to your resort. Hotel check in is from 3pm onwards. Spend the evening at leisure.
Day 2
Hot Air Ballooning in Yarra Valley & Winery Tour (B,L)
Start your day very early in the morning drifting silently aloft in your private hot air balloon over the Yarra Valley as you take in the breathtaking views of mountains and corridors of grape vines that surround the spectacular valley. Enjoy a lovely champagne breakfast at a local winery and proceed on your private tour where you will experience a wine and cheese tasting straight from a maturation room. Enjoy a two-course lunch at a family owned and operated winery and restaurant and continue to Gruyere to sample some of the wines from the Alena Collection. Return to your hotel late afternoon.
Day 3
Great Ocean Road & Laneways & Arcades Tour (B)
Great Ocean Road by Private Helicopter (3.5hrs including flying time of 75minutes each way): Transfer from your hotel to the Melbourne City Helipad where you will be whisked directly to the remote and captivating Twelve Apostles. Experience the majesty of this world-famous natural wonder from the air before landing at the visitors centre to learn about the history of the rugged coastline. Stroll the cliff top boardwalks and absorb the dramatic views. Take in the sights of the Great Ocean Road on your coastal return flight, before returning to the bustle of the Central Business District (CBD).
Laneways & Arcades Private Tour (2 hours): You never quite know what’s in store when you wander off Melbourne’s grid of city streets into the maze of gothic laneways behind them. Even the locals find surprises here, where the venues for food, fashion and art are small, quirky and sometimes hidden. Let the aroma of good coffee and gourmet outlets tempt you to Degraves Street and Centre Place. Nearby Liverpool Street is lined with good-value Asian eateries and friendly Italian restaurants. See colourful, constantly changing graffiti murals in Hosier Lane and along Union Lane. Cocker Alley features the work of grafitti artist Banksy, while Jane Bell, Rutledge and Spark lanes have been tattooed with local street culture.
Day 4
Melbourne to Ayers Rock (B,D)
Check out of your hotel and transfer by private car to Melbourne Airport for your domestic flight to Ayers Rock. On arrival in Ayers Rock, transfer by private car to your hotel. Signature experiences are included and are provided on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Private experiences can be arranged at additional cost subject to availability.
Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge – Signature Experience (2 hours): Departing Longitude 131° before sunset, guests will travel into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Journey along the Mala Walk and as day transforms into night, guests walk into Kantju Gorge to witness the gorge walls ablaze with the light of the setting sun. Sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on canapés, guests enjoy the silence and solitude of Kantju Gorge as the sun slowly disappears for the day. Return to Longitude 131° after viewing the brilliant sunset.
Table 131° – Signature Experience (2 hours): Table 131° is without doubt the perfect way to wind down after a day of discovery. Dine out on sumptuous outback fare and discover the wonders of the night sky. Arrive at the venue after dark and feast on four delicious courses complemented with the finest Australian wines. Later, Longitude’s resident astronomer regales the gathering with tales of the Southerly constellations. Return to the Dune House for after dinner drinks or float back to your luxury tent, for a deep slumber under the stars. Table 131° operates subject to weather and climatic conditions.
Day 5
Mutitjulu Waterhole, Gallery Tour & Field of Light (B)
Mutitjulu Meander – Signature Experience (2 hours): Experience the remarkable changing colours of the desert landscape and the spectacular sight of Uluru as day breaks over Australia’s heartland. A morning walk around Uluru’s base tells the Aboriginal Tjukurpa story of Kuniya Piti and reveals the swimming hole and frequently running waterfall at Mutitjulu. It’s also the home of wanampi, an ancestral watersnake. Morning tea is served in the cool shade of the trees before the tour returns to Longitude 131°.
Gallery Tour: Enjoy a visit to Mulgara Gallery to see authentic Aboriginal art and meet the artist in residence. You will also have the opportunity to stroll around the Town Centre perhaps to visit the bank, post office or news agency returning to Longitude 131° in time for lunch. Located in the foyer of Sails in the Desert Hotel at Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory, Mulgara Gallery offers a superb selection of Australian hand-crafted glassware, pottery, textiles, metal and leather work.
Field of Light – Signature Experience (45 min): Guests wander at leisure along pathways through the award-winning sculptor Bruce Munro’s incredible light installation. An outback fairyland, the celebrated open air art phenomenon is made up of some 50,000 individual stems crowned with colourful frosted glass bulbs that bloom and appear to sway as the inky night blankets Australia’s spiritual heartland. As darkness descends on the desert, guests are transported to Table 131°, to dine under a glittering canopy of stars.
Day 6
Walpa Gorge, Ayers Rock – Sydney (by flight) (B)
Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta – Signature Experience (4 hours): Departing Longitude 131° prior to sunrise, this experience heads to Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas and comprising 36 majestic domes. Continue your journey to Walpa Gorge where the natural history of Kata Tjuta is explained in great detail. Light refreshments appease the appetite before returning to Longitude 131° for a well-earned breakfast.
Check out of your hotel and transfer by private car to Ayers Rock Airport for your domestic flight to Sydney. On arrival in Sydney, transfer by private car to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure.
Day 7
Private Blue Mountains Tour (approx. 9 hours) (B,L)
The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Today your guide will take you off the beaten track to visit remote lookout locations and discuss the history, flora and fauna of this magnificent region. Stop at Calmsley Hill, a working farm also home to Kangaroo, Emu, Wombat and Koala. Enjoy lunch at Echoes Restaurant with its stunning backdrop, perched at the absolute edge of the Park. After lunch, visit Govetts Leap, one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. Stop briefly at Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens before arriving back at your hotel at approximately 4.30pm.
Day 8
City Sights and Long Lunch Harbor Cruise (B,L)
This morning, your guide will take you on a brief tour of the city of Sydney. This fast-paced city of cosmopolitan character is one of the world’s most beautiful places. Colonial history, stunning architecture, superb waterways, gracious harbourside suburbs and friendly people epitomise the vibrancy of this spectacular city. Later, join your private luxury boat on a Long Luncheon Harbor Cruise. Sail past all of Sydney Harbor’s famous icons and harborside mansions. Enjoy 4hrs of sightseeing, kayaking, swimming (if you choose to) and dining.
Day 9
Sydney (B)
Spend the day at leisure.
Day 10
Sydney – Hamilton Island (by flight) (B)
Check out of your hotel and transfer by private vehicle to Sydney Airport for your domestic flight to Hamilton Island. On arrival, enjoy a private VIP transfer to your resort in the Whitsundays. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11
Whitehaven Beach Hike and Cruise (9 hours) (B,L)
Spend the whole day experiencing all the wonders of the magnificent Whitehaven Beach area. Indulge in the ultimate experience of Whitehaven Beach; from the Northern end exploring the spectacular Hill Inlet, to the Southern – swimming, hiking, sunbathing, soaking up the sun. A delicious lunch is included for you to enjoy on the beach. Please note: To keep Whitehaven Beach pristine and untouched there are no shops, cafes and only limited toilet facilities. Snacks are available for purchase on board.
Day 12
Half Day Reef Experience (approx. 3 hours) (B)
Located in the Great Barrier Reef, the newly opened Heart Island offers a unique, James Bond experience starting with a 30-minute helicopter flight over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef. Once you have landed on the private Heart Island pontoon helipad, you have 90 minutes to explore the lagoon, or simply relax and enjoy the sea breeze. This exclusive tour is available to just six guests per visit and includes a once in a lifetime boat ride around the famous Heart Reef. Swim inside the pontoon, which features a shallow undercover pool.
Day 13
Departure Hamilton Island (B)
Check out of your resort and enjoy a VIP transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
- Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
- Entrance fees where applicable.
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
- Transfers
- Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.
