BESPOKE LUXURY JOURNEY

Australia: Icons & Islands

Sacred lands, pristine shores, boundless luxury

Picture a continent where rainbow flags flutter alongside Aboriginal art in cosmopolitan laneways, where sacred stories echo through rust-red canyons, and where the world’s largest living artwork—the Great Barrier Reef—shimmers beneath crystal waters. Australia beckons with its brazen spirit of acceptance and raw natural beauty, weaving a tapestry where progressive urban culture harmonises with timeless wilderness. From Melbourne’s sophisticated lanes to the spiritual heart of Uluru, and from the ancient Daintree Rainforest to the exclusive sanctuary of Lizard Island, this is a land where luxury finds expression in both sophisticated design and untamed majesty.

Australia at a Glance

In Australia, inclusion isn’t just celebrated—it’s woven into the fabric of society as naturally as the shifting patterns of the Outback sands. Melbourne’s creative soul pulses through its street art-adorned laneways, where same-sex couples linger over perfectly crafted flat whites in hidden cafés. Sydney’s harbour sparkles with the same vitality that illuminates its legendary Mardi Gras celebration, whilst progressive values reach far beyond city limits into boutique wilderness lodges and exclusive coastal retreats.

Here, nature orchestrates grand performances: the sacred monolith of Uluru blazes copper and crimson at sunset, prehistoric rainforest canopies whisper tales of ancient creatures, and the Great Barrier Reef transforms into an underwater ballet of colour and life. Summer brings vibrant Pride celebrations to city streets, while winter offers perfect conditions for exploring the tropical north, where luxury lodges nestle between reef and rainforest. In this vast landscape, every moment presents an opportunity for discovery, whether you’re sipping natural wines in a Melbourne laneway bar or watching the sun paint Aboriginal dreamtime stories across desert skies.

12-day Travel Itinerary

Journey through a land where sophisticated urban culture meets raw natural wonder in perfect harmony. This meticulously crafted twelve-day exploration traverses Australia's most compelling landscapes, from Melbourne's creative energy to Sydney's harbour-side glamour, via the sacred spirituality of the Red Centre and the pristine beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Begin in Melbourne, where creative expression flows through hidden laneways and rooftop bars, before venturing to the heart of the continent where Uluru stands sentinel over ancient stories. The journey north reveals worlds within worlds—from the prehistoric Daintree Rainforest to the exclusive sanctuary of Lizard Island—before culminating in Sydney's sophisticated harbour-side embrace. Each day unfolds as its own chapter in this antipodean narrative, where luxury finds expression in both refined urban spaces and untamed natural majesty.

DAY 1

Melbourne | First Whispers of Urban Sophistication

Touch down in Australia's cultural capital, where street art transforms laneways into open-air galleries and creative energy pulses through hidden bars and rooftop sanctuaries. After a seamless transfer to your design-forward haven—perhaps the sophisticated Jackalope Hotel, where contemporary art meets vineyard views—surrender to Melbourne's charms with a private walking tour through its most character-filled quarters. Discover how the city's Gold Rush wealth shaped its elaborate Victorian architecture, while your local guide reveals the stories behind its evolution into Australia's most progressive urban centre. As twilight approaches, ascend to a exclusive rooftop bar where crafted cocktails complement panoramic city views.

DAY 2

Melbourne | Coastal Symphony

Embark on a private journey along one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, where the Southern Ocean sculpts limestone into dramatic forms. The Great Ocean Road unfolds like nature's own artwork, each curve revealing new marvels of geological creativity. Pause in the seaside hamlet of Apollo Bay, where your guide arranges an intimate lunch showcasing local seafood and cool-climate wines. The journey crescendos at the Twelve Apostles, where limestone sentinels rise from turbulent waters. Return to Melbourne for an evening at leisure, perhaps discovering the city's celebrated dining scene in the company of new friends.

DAY 3

Uluru | Sacred Heart of the Continent

Wing your way into Australia's spiritual centre, where the sacred monolith of Uluru commands the desert landscape. Settle into your sophisticated wilderness retreat—the innovative Longitude 131° beckons with its floating luxury tents offering uninterrupted views of the ancient rock. As the day mellows, witness one of nature's most moving performances as the setting sun transforms Uluru's surface into a canvas of shifting crimson and copper hues. Toast this magical moment with premium Australian sparkling wine, your private guide sharing dreamtime stories that have echoed through this landscape for millennia.

DAY 4

Uluru | Desert Dreams

Dawn paints the desert in soft pastels as you explore the mystical forms of Walpa Gorge, where wind and water have carved tales in stone. The afternoon unfolds at your pace before the desert stages its evening performance. Watch in wonder as British artist Bruce Munro's Field of Light awakens, 50,000 glass spheres blooming like desert flowers beneath the vast outback sky. The evening culminates with an exclusive dinner under the stars, where native ingredients tell stories of this ancient land through contemporary cuisine.

DAY 5

Daintree | Where Ancient Forest Meets Reef

Bid farewell to the Red Centre with a final visit to the sacred Mutitjulu Waterhole, where Aboriginal art tells stories of creation. Wings carry you north to tropical Queensland, where your exclusive retreat awaits—perhaps the Silky Oaks Lodge, suspended in ancient rainforest canopy above the crystalline Mossman River. Here, contemporary luxury harmonises with the world's oldest living rainforest, each suite floating amongst the treetops like a sophisticated treehouse. As evening descends, savour innovative cuisine that marries local ingredients with refined technique, the sounds of the rainforest providing nature's own symphony.

DAY 6

Daintree | Prehistoric Paradise

Let the ancient rhythms of the Daintree guide you through a day of discovery. Traverse the Jindalba boardwalk with an expert naturalist, learning how this living museum has survived for over 180 million years. Journey to Cape Tribulation, where two UNESCO World Heritage sites embrace—the only place on Earth where ancient rainforest meets living reef. After a gourmet picnic in this prehistoric paradise, immerse yourself in Indigenous culture at Janbal Gallery, where Aboriginal artists share their connection to country through contemporary expressions of traditional art.

DAY 7

Lizard Island | Ocean Dreams

Begin your day with a heart-warming encounter at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, where private access allows intimate moments with Australia's beloved koalas and wallabies. Then soar north to your exclusive island sanctuary—Lizard Island Resort, where barefoot luxury meets the Great Barrier Reef. Here, 24 powder-white beaches invite private exploration, while coral gardens teem with life just offshore. Settle into your oceanfront suite, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame endless horizons, before toasting your arrival with champagne as the sun gilds the Coral Sea.

DAY 8

Lizard Island | Reef Revelations

Awaken to endless possibilities on your private island paradise. Perhaps join a marine biologist for a guided snorkel through pristine coral gardens, where clownfish dart through anemone tentacles and giant clams display their electric-blue mantles. For those seeking adventure, game fishing beckons in the rich waters beyond the reef, while others might prefer to claim a private beach for the day, complete with gourmet picnic hamper and dedicated

DAY 9

Lizard Island | Sensory Pleasures

Your final day on this coral-fringed paradise invites gentle exploration. Glide over reef formations in a glass-bottom boat, kayak to a secluded cove, or simply surrender to the rhythms of island life beside your private plunge pool. As the day mellows, indulge in a sunset beach degustation where each course celebrates the bounty of tropical Queensland, from just-caught coral trout to exotic fruits grown in ancient rainforest soils.

DAY 10

Sydney | Harbour Light

Farewell your island sanctuary and wing your way to Sydney, where harbour waters mirror the sails of the iconic Opera House. Your home for the final nights might be the sophisticated Park Hyatt, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted views of the harbour's architectural duet. Take time to settle in before perhaps wandering through the historic Rocks district, where colonial sandstone has been reimagined into boutique galleries and intimate wine bars.

DAY 11

Sydney | Harbour's Embrace

Uncover Sydney's stories with your private guide, weaving through historic laneways where convict tales echo off sandstone walls. Watch modern life pulse through colonial architecture before arriving at the Opera House, its shells gleaming like modernist sculpture against the harbour. Later, board your private vessel for a lunch cruise that reveals Sydney's secret coves and exclusive waterfront enclaves, accompanied by premium Australian wines and the freshest local seafood.

DAY 12

Sydney | Farewell to the Southern Lands

Your final morning in Australia dawns at your pace. Perhaps rise early for a swim in the harbour pools at Bronte, followed by breakfast at a local café where baristas elevate coffee-making to an art form. As you prepare for departure, carry with you memories of a land where ancient and modern dance in perfect harmony, where nature stages grand performances, and where luxury finds expression in both sophisticated design and raw natural beauty.

Additional Recommended Experiences

Enhance your Australian sojourn with carefully curated extensions that reveal the continent's diverse character. Venture to Tasmania for three to four days of wilderness luxury at Saffire Freycinet, where the dramatic Hazards Mountains plunge into sapphire waters. Discover the sophisticated wine culture of the Barossa Valley while staying at The Louise, where suite terraces frame endless vineyard views. For those seeking deeper connection with the Outback, consider the Arkaba Walk through ancient Flinders Ranges, or explore the untamed Kimberley coast aboard the intimate True North luxury vessel. For cultural immersion, arrange private meetings with Aboriginal artists in their studios, join exclusive masterclasses with celebrated Australian chefs, or time your visit to coincide with Sydney Mardi Gras, when the harbour city erupts in the Southern Hemisphere's largest celebration of pride and diversity. Adventure seekers might choose to explore the Great Barrier Reef by private yacht, dive with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, or soar over the rugged Bungle Bungle Range by helicopter. Throughout the year, Australia offers exclusive experiences that match its natural grandeur with sophisticated service, ensuring your journey creates memories as dramatic as the landscapes themselves.

Transform Your Australia Dreams into Reality

Allow us to craft your bespoke Australia journey. Whether inspired by our curated itinerary or envisioning something entirely your own, we'll shape every moment to reflect your distinctive style and preferences.