Australia’s Natural Wonders Australia

Sample Itinerary

9 Nights/ 10 Days

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

AUSTRALIA

9 NIGHTS/ 10 DAYS

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia - 9 Nights Itinerary Outline

Regions

Park Hyatt, Sydney 2 nights

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island 2 nights

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman 3 nights

Wolgan Valley, Blue Mountains 2 nights

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia Itinerary Outline

Day 1 Arrive Sydney, Australia

Transfer to Accommodation

Park Hyatt Hotel, Sydney

www.sydney.park.hyatt.com

Day 2 Walking Guided Introductory Tour of

Sydney’s Waterfront and Sydney

Opera House

Afternoon – at leisure

Park Hyatt Hotel, Sydney

Day 3 Transfer to Airport

Fly Sydney / Adelaide/ Kangaroo

Island

Transfer to accommodation

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo

Island

www.southernoceanlodge.com

Day 4 Guided Activities as scheduled by your

hosts

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo

Island

Day 5 Transfer to airport

Charter flight from Kangaroo Island /

Adelaide

Fly Adelaide/ Cairns (commercial

flight)

Transfer to accommodation.

Afternoon at leisure

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman

www.silkyoakslodge.com.au

Day 6 Morning – Private Aboriginal Cultural

Experience at Cooya Beach

Afternoon at leisure on property

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman

Day 7 Full Day Private Sailing Charter

Experience in the Great Barrier Reef.

Includes Marine Biologist Services and

lunch onboard.

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman

Day 8 Transfer to Cairns Airport

Fly Cairns to Sydney

Road transfer to Wolgan Valley

Wolgan Valley

www.wolganvalley.com

Day 9 Day at leisure for inclusive onsite

activities at the Lodge

Wolgan Valley

Day 10 Helicopter transfer to Sydney Airport

Sydney Depart

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 1

Australia

ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive Sydney International Airport

Clear Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity, transfer to Private Charter

Private transfer to accommodation

Remainder of day at leisure

Park Hyatt, Sydney

Sitting majestically on one of the world’s more beautiful harbours, Park Hyatt Sydney showcases a new

level of contemporary luxury on the edge of Sydney Harbour. With a coveted location between the

iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and nestled in the historic The Rocks area, the

harbourside residence offers an intimate, residential-style hotel with architecture, art and design that

reflect the Australian landscape, complemented with private boat access and a dedicated 24-hour

butler service.

Architecturally designed guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass that open onto private balconies,

honouring Park Hyatt Sydney's coveted harbourfront location. Renowned Australian artists including

sculptors, painters and a photographer have been commissioned to create artwork especially for the

hotel. The Park Hyatt flows in a gracious curve around Sydney Harbour and looks out to the Opera

House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Behind the hotel is The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest district, while the main business district and Circular Quay

are just a 5 minute stroll away. A true five star hotel, all guest rooms are spacious and beautifully

appointed with the necessities as well as the luxury touches. Guests can enjoy time at leisure at the

Spa’ relaxation room, steam room and gym, or by the panoramic rooftop pool with private cabanas.

Inclusions:

Accommodation Park Hyatt, Sydney

Room Type Opera King Room

Meals Breakfast

Activities None

Transfers Sydney airport to hotel

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 2

Australia

SYDNEY CITY

Enjoy an introduction to Sydney’s Waterfront and Botanic Gardens this morning as you depart with your

guide on a walking tour departing from your hotel.

Explore The Rocks and Circular Quay; making your way to the Sydney Opera House where we include

a 1 hour tour of Australia’s most iconic building before proceeding to the Botanic Gardens.

The Sydney Opera House is not only the most recognisable building in Australia, but it is also one of the

world's great performing arts centres. Venture inside on a guided tour for a journey through the

extraordinary history, breathtaking architecture and unseen workings in the daily life of this remarkable

and fascinating building.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon where the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure.

Inclusions:

Accommodation Park Hyatt, Sydney

Room Type Opera King Room

Meals Breakfast

Activities Walking Tour of the Waterfront and Opera House

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 3

Australia

SYDNEY TO KANGAROO ISLAND

Transfer to Sydney airport

Fly Sydney to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide (not included in itinerary cost)

Scheduled transfer to Southern Ocean Lodge

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island

Southern Ocean Lodge provides more than an accommodation experience – expect serenely

beautiful guest rooms, captivating coastal views, a sanctuary of comfort, exceptional cuisine based on

the islands fresh and innovative produce as well as a high level of intimate and professional service.

Located at Hanson bay on the Island’s south west coast, the Lodge site adjoins the Flinders Chase and

Cape Bouguer / Kelly Hill National Parks. Set back from a cliff above the pounding surf the design

showcases a full frontal panorama and is within easy reach of the Island's major attractions.

The lodge has been designed so that from your living spaces, your shower and your bed you will have

stunning ocean views. The ‘little touches include’ complimentary room bar, twice daily housekeeping,

heated floors and music system.

Inclusions

Accommodation Southern Ocean Lodge

Room Type Flinders Suite

Meals All meals and beverages

Activities By own arrangement – none included

Transfers Scheduled transfer included in tariff

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 4

Australia

GUIDED DAY EXPLORING KANGAROO ISLAND (SCHEDULED NOT PRIVATE)

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island and has several nature reserves to protect the

remnants of its natural vegetation and native animals, with the largest and best-known being Flinders

Chase National Park at the western end. Some of the island's best known highlights include that you

may like to include:

Visit to Seal Bay

Home to Australia’s third largest colony of Australia Sea-Lions

Flinders Chase National Park

A vast wilderness covering the entire west end of the Island, visit a Fur Seal colony, Cape du Couedic

lighthouse, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and the endless bush which provides habitat for a host of

Australian wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas, echidnas, koalas and platypus.

Epicurean Adventure

A full day tour to the Island’s best produce farms encompassing wineries, a sheep dairy and seafood

farms

The Wonders of Kangaroo Island

Explore some Kangaroo Island’s stunning coastal landscapes - Cape du Couedic lighthouse,

Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch are just some of the trip highlights.

Inclusions

Accommodation Southern Ocean Lodge

Room Type Flinders Suite

Meals All meals and beverages

Activities Scheduled Guided Activities

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 5

Australia

KANGAROO ISLAND TO CAIRNS / MOSSMAN

Transfer to Kangaroo Island airport

Fly Kangaroo Island to Cairns via Adelaide (not included in itinerary cost)

Private transfer to Silky Oaks Lodge

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman

Spectacularly situated on the Mossman River, Silky Oaks Lodge is the region’s premier destination from

which to explore Tropical North Queensland. This luxury boutique hotel lodge and Healing Waters Spa

consists of elegant spacious lounges and living areas adjoining the stunningly located open sided Tree

House restaurant which overlooks the surrounding rainforest and river.

There are 50 contemporarily designed River and Treehouses that connect with the natural environs

each featuring wide verandahs and luxurious spa baths. From the comfort of this award winning iconic

eco Lodge experience the adjoining Daintree National Park and explore the nearby Great Barrier Reef

as well as the many other attractions and activities the region has to offer.

"Silky Oaks Lodge is located just downstream from the Mossman Gorge and offers complete privacy

within a stunning location yet only a short drive from the centre of Port Douglas Marina and Port

Douglas Accommodation."

Inclusions: Accommodation Silky Oaks Lodge

Room Type Riverhouse

Meals Full Breakfast

Transfers Scheduled transfer to Kangaroo Island Airport

Private transfer to Silky Oaks Lodge

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 6

Australia

PRIVATE ABORIGINAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Transfer by private vehicle to Cooya Beach this morning, where you are met by your Kuku Yalanji

Cultural Habitat guide – Linc or Brandon Walker. The brothers delight in showing visitors their traditional

hunting areas within the mudflats, mangroves and beach habitats. As well, they’ll teach you their

hunting & gathering methods including spear fishing & mud crabbing techniques. Afternoon tea is

served giving the chance for informal question time and artefact viewing.

Return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure to relax in the beautiful rainforest surroundings of your

accommodation. You might like to take a walk to Mossman Gorge, paddle on the river, relax by the

billabong or indulge in a sumptuous spa treatment.

Inclusions: Accommodation Silky Oaks Lodge

Room Type Riverhouse

Meals Full Breakfast

Activities Private Aboriginal Cultural Experience

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 7

Australia

EXPLORING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Board 'Escape' your 58' sailing vessel for the day as you depart Port Douglas to the Low Isles in the Great

Barrier Reef.

Low Isles was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and was scribed in his log as a ‘small low island’.

This idyllic tropical island is situated approximately 11 kilometres from Port Douglas. Low Isles is home to

spectacular coral gardens and marine life anda plethora of spectacular migratory bird life including

mangrove kingfishers, sea eagles and ospreys. Surrounded by 55 acres of coral reef, much of it close to

the shore, snorkelling from the boat allows guests to enjoy the many different coral species with minimal

effort. Guests enjoy swimming and snorkelling amongst spectacular marine life including green turtles,

parrotfish and fusiliers in the tranquil waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The lighthouse on Low Isles was built in 1878 and has long become a base for scientific research and

weather data collection.

Join your onboard Marine Biologist, as you explore the Low Isles and Great Barrier Reef. The Great

Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse and remarkable ecosystems in the world and was inscribed on

the World Heritage list in October 1981.

Inclusions: Accommodation Silky Oaks Lodge

Room Type Riverhouse

Meals Full Breakfast and lunch

Transfers Return private transfers from Silky Oaks to Port Douglas Marina

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 8

Australia

MOSSMAN/ CAIRNS TO WOLGAN VALLEY IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Private transfer to Cairns airport

Fly Cairns to Sydney – option of scheduled or charter

Road transfer to Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains

Remainder of day at leisure

Emirates’ Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is a luxury conservation-based resort located in Australia's Greater

Blue Mountains World Heritage area; about 3 hours drive from Sydney. Modelled on the acclaimed Al

Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, but with Australian style, the resort is set within its own private

conservation and wildlife reserve where guests can enjoy absolute luxury, tranquillity and connection

with nature. Spread out at the foot of towering sandstone cliffs, the homestead-style resort occupies

just 2% of the resorts 4,000 acres; the remainder is dedicated to restoring & preserving all manner of

native species.

Up to 90 guests are catered for in 40 free-standing suites each with private swimming pool and a main

homestead with luxury facilities and stand-alone Timeless Spa. The Wolgan and Wollemi Suites are

perfect as family retreats, and each presents as a private lodge, with a large living room, separate

lounge and dining areas and two (and three in the case of the Wolgan Suite) spacious bedroom suites

each with their own en-suite bathrooms. The suites are thoughtfully arranged to provide families with

sufficient space as well as separate areas, to be together, or find a peaceful nook to curl up and enjoy

a good book. The Heritage Suites are a luxury hide-away just for two but with all the same features and

luxury touches.

Each has a small private, temperature controlled swimming pool with separate pool deck and

courtyard garden. Amenities include a double sided fireplace, LCD TV, DVD player & sound system,

international TV channels, high-speed internet access, iPod docking station, binoculars for wildlife

viewing, two mountain bikes and all the conveniences you would expect in an exceptional luxury

resort.

Inclusions:

Accommodation Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa

Room Type Heritage Suite

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, non-alcoholic beverages, a

selected range of premium local wines and beer with meals

Activities None

Transfers Transfer from Silky Oaks to Cairns airport

Sydney airport to Wolgan Valley

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 9

Australia

AT LEISURE - WOLGAN VALLEY RESORT AND SPA – SOME SUGGESTIONS….

Nature Walks in Australia’s Wolgan Valley Reserve

Hiking in the reserve is a fantastic way to fully appreciate the rich diversity of Australia’s plant life, as well

as encountering some of the animals. Creeks and rivers pass through the reserve, and some have

swimming holes.

Wildlife Safaris

For those with an inquisitive mind, Wolgan Valley's activities offer a chance for botanists, bird watchers

and naturalists to discover the area is still abundant with the same intriguing species that so fascinated

Charles Darwin

Wolgan Sundowner and Wildlife Tour

An all-encompassing tour of the Wolgan Valley reserve, the journey includes wildlife spotting and

possibly a trip to the Wollemi Pine Grove; home to the world’s oldest and rarest tree, endemic to the

Greater Blue Mountains Area.

Nocturnal Spotlighting and Start Gazing

Guests are invited to explore the nocturnal world of the Australian bush when the wildlife is at its most

active

Horse Riding in the Blue Mountains (additional cost applies)

Horse riding in Australia's Blue Mountains is the ideal way to become familiar with the land and is

tailored for all levels from beginner to advanced.

Historical Tours

The contribution to the history of Wolgan Valley is told through two very different perspectives, firstly by

the Aboriginal people and their culture, and most recently, with two centuries of colonial settlers.

Few indigenous cultures in the world are more closely linked with nature than Australia's Aboriginal

people.

Guided Field Walks

There is a wealth of land to explore on the resort and in the immediate vicinity as well as further afield.

In order to introduce guests to the diversity of nature in the region, Field Guides are available to lead

walking and hiking tours of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Inclusions: Accommodation Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa

Room Type Heritage Suite

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, non-alcoholic beverages, a

selected range of premium local wines and beer with meals

Activities Two on-site nature based activities per person per day.

Joanna Heathcote Hotels

Australia’s Natural Wonders Day 10

Depart Australia

DEPART

Transfer by helicopter from Wolgan Valley to Sydney Airport

International departure flight

Inclusions:

Meals Breakfast

Transfers

Activities

Wolgan Valley Resort to Sydney Airport

None

Kua tae mai he hoa,

E haere atu he whanaunga mau tonu ki nga maharatanga,

Me nga whakaaro pai o to nohonga,

Me hoki mai koe

You arrived as a friend and now leave as family – treasure the memories

and we hope that you may return one day