Red to White Sands

A 15 day journey from the Red Centre of Australia to Tropical North Queensland

Your journey begins with two nights at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Sydney’s laid-back outdoor lifestyle and physical allure make it one of the world’s easiest and most pleasant cities to visit. Included during your stay in Sydney is a full day of private touring.

From Sydney, fly direct to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for two nights at Longitude 131 in the heart of the Red Centre. The award-winning luxury wilderness camp is a deluxe camping experience that embraces the solitude and serenity of the sand dunes. Stay in one of only fifteen palatial, elevated tents each with its own unique and exquisite artwork throughout.

Leaving the centre of Australia you will head north to Bullo River Station, via Darwin. Bullo River Station is a top end cattle station (ranch) from the classic mould - half a million acres of grassy plains with 8000 cattle.

After experiencing life on a working cattle station you will head back up to Darwin for a night to explore the tropical city at your leisure before continuing on to Lizard Island.

Situated some 240 kilometres north of Cairns, Lizard Island is surrounded by a sea of deep aquamarine and forms part of the Great Barrier Reef near its northernmost end.

Lastly spend your final night unwinding back at the Park Hyatt Sydney, perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour under the shadow of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. A perfect end to a classic Australian adventure.

Travel Period:
We strongly recommend May to October when the weather is perfect in the Northern region of Australia.
Please note: Bullo River Station is closed from1st November to 1st March

Destinations :
Starts Sydney:
2 nights Park Hyatt Sydney
2 nights Longitude 131’, Red Centre
4 nights Bullo River Station, Northern territory
1 night Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin
4 nights Lizard Island, Tropical North Queensland
1 night Park Hyatt Sydney

Designed for :
Solo travelers/ couples/small groups and families with children over the age of 13yrs.
Lizard Island is not suited to children under this age, should the remainder of this Itinerary be of interest to you please contact one of our Travel Designers as we can substitute Lizard Island with another product to suit a young family

Inclusions :
2 Nights Park Hyatt Sydney, Sydney Airport transfers, Sydney full day private tour, 2 Nights Longitude 131 including all meals & selected beverages and private touring, 4 Nights Bullo River Station including all meals & selected beverages, 1 hour of Helicopter Hire, private return air charters between Darwin & Bullo River Station, 1 Night Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin airport transfers, 4 Nights Lizard Island including all meals & selected beverages, return scheduled flights between Cairns & Lizard Island, 1 Night Park Hyatt Sydney, Sydney Airport transfers

Retail Cost : Prices start from;
$17795.00 per person based on 2 Adults travelling together (double or twin share accommodation)
$16205.00 per person based on 4 Adults travelling together (double or twin share accommodation)
Based on low season rates (terms and conditions apply)

For a full detailed Itinerary please email our Travel Designers – info@outbackencounter.com

 

Day 1 – Day 3 Park Hyatt Sydney for 2 nights
• Met on arrival at Sydney Airport for private transfer to Park Hyatt Sydney
• 2 nights Park Hyatt Sydney –Opera Deluxe Room
• 1 full day of private touring

Seated majestically in the dress circle to one of the world’s most glittering harbours, Park Hyatt Sydney is located in the historic Rocks district, just five minutes from the central business, cultural and shopping districts of Sydney.

One of a select brand of Park Hyatt hotels known throughout the world for its exceptional design and elegant style, the Park Hyatt Sydney enjoys private balconies with views overlooking Sydney’s spectacular harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Included during your stay in Sydney is a full day of private touring. Choose between a private Sydney city tour or a private Blue Mountains tour.

On your Sydney Tour you will discover the many regions that make Sydney the world’s most beautiful city. Explore the historic Rocks Precinct, Darling Harbour and Botanical Gardens before arriving at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for an unsurpassed view of Sydney Harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Board a ferry at Circular Quay to the beautiful beach of Manly or perhaps join a vehicle for a tour along the northern beaches and into the scenic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park where you will enjoy a delicious buffet picnic lunch in the bush before discovering some of the outstanding lookouts in the park.

Highlights of the Blue Mountain Tour include a full day of private 4WD touring through the majestic Jamieson valley. The valley is densely forested, with eucalypt forest over most of its expanse and occasional pockets of semi-rainforest in gullies. Towering above are the remarkable rock formations of the ‘Three Sisters’.The formation are close to the town of Katoomba and are one of the Blue Mountains' most famous sights. Enjoy a gourmet barbecue lunch under the canopy of the Australian bush to fully appreciate this special part of Australia (conditions permitting).

 

Day 3 - Day 5 Longitude 131’, Red Centre, for 2 nights
• Private transfer from Park Hyatt Sydney to Sydney Airport
• Flight: Sydney to Ayres Rock (not included in cost)
• Met on arrival at Ayers Rock Airport and transferred to Longitude 131’
• 2 nights’ accommodation at Longitude 131' includes all meals and selected beverages
• Private touring

The award-winning luxury wilderness camp in Australia's red centre is a deluxe camping experience that embraces the solitude and serenity of the sand dunes. Stay in one of only fifteen palatial, elevated tents each with its own unique and exquisite artwork throughout. Awake to your own private view of the sun rising over Uluru. Luxurious and eco-sensitive, Longitude 131 offers immersion in the wilderness, mystery and spirituality of Uluru.

Private touring at Longitude 131’ ensures you have the most informative and authentic experience in the red centre.

Meet your guide and together begin to explore the culture, geology and environment that is Uluru. Witness a spectacular sunrise or sunset over the most profound and culturally significant monolith in Australia. Meander around the rock on either the Base Walk or any number of the short walks into waterholes and art sites, whilst your guide explains Uluru’s cultural significance to the Anangu (local Aboriginal) people. View ceremonial rock art and sacred waterholes where Aboriginal families once came to teach their children the Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories. Visit the Cultural Centre where details of traditional Aboriginal life are explained and absorb the majesty of this powerful place through the contours of this great natural monument.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a place where unique flora and fauna thrive. Whilst you make your way to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) your guide will reveal the many attributes of this diverse environment and describe the cultural significance of Kata Tjuta as a sacred Aboriginal men’s ceremonial site. Arriving at Walpa Gorge walk between the mighty conglomerate domes and hear how the 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here.

 

Day 5 - Day 9 Bullo River Station, Northern Territory for 4 nights
• Transfer from Longitude 131’ to Ayres Rock Airport
• Flight: Ayres Rock to Darwin (not included in cost)
• Private Charter flight from Darwin Airport to Bullo River Station
• 4 nights Bullo River Station in standard accommodation
• Inclusive of meals, wine and beer with meals, station activities and one hour of helicopter flying

As guests of Franz & Marlee Ranacher explore life on a truly remote outback station. Bullo River Station is a top end cattle station (ranch) from the classic mould - half a million acres of grassy plains with 8000 Brahman- cross cattle and many more wallabies, brown rivers where crocodiles lurk on the muddy banks, rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, termite mounds, boab trees, stock horses and wild buffalo.

Guest accommodation is in a separate wing near the homestead, comprising 12 double rooms with en-suite bathrooms off one central corridor. The decor is simple - cool, tiled floors and indigenous art on the walls.
Dinners are informal and the menu relies heavily on the two exceptional products of the property, namely fresh barramundi and organic prime beef.

There are a multitude of activities to enjoy on the property including fishing for Barramundi, tours of Aboriginal art sites, cruise down the Gorge by boat, bushwalks, bird and wildlife watching or travel to scenic vantage spots to perhaps sketch or paint – the choices are plentiful. Picnic lunches are enjoyed by peaceful billabongs or under the shade of the magnificent boab trees.

The best way to view Bullo River Station is from the air. Station Owner Franz Ranacher, a pilot and keen photographer, takes guests in the Station's helicopter over the massive Victoria River, the property's eastern border and the geographical edge of the Kimberley region, pointing out the features that make this part of the world unique. A one hour flight is included in your package and a highlight of a stay at Bullo River Station.

 

Day 9 - Day 10 Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin, for 1 night
• Private Charter flight from Bullo River Station to Darwin Airport
• Met on arrival for private transfer from Darwin Airport to Mantra on the Esplanade
• 1 night Mantra on the Esplanade –Apartment Harbour Room
• No activities have been included during your stay in Darwin.

Situated on The Esplanade, Mantra on the Esplanade overlooks Darwin Harbour to the Arafura Sea. This 4 star hotel offers 140 one, two and three bedroom apartments, 64 hotel rooms and has a restaurant & bar, outdoor swimming pool and spa. Apartments have large private balconies, perfect for experiencing a famous Northern Territory sunset.

Today you have the afternoon at leisure to explore Darwin.

Darwin is the capital city of Northern Territory and sits on a natural harbour twice the size of Sydney's. It is famous in Australia for its laid back lifestyle.
If you are visiting Darwin in the dry season on either a Thursday or Sunday, be sure to check out the Mindil Beach markets. Or perhaps visit Cullen Bay’s shops and restaurants, which offer you a wide range of different cuisines and the great marina atmosphere.

If you are interested in Aboriginal Art perhaps stop by a few of the galleries in the city that stock indigenous art from over the Top End, like Maningrida Arts & Culture or Karen Brown Gallery. At the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory view the collections of Australian arts and Aboriginal art and craft.

 

Day 10 - Day 14 Lizard Island, Tropical North Queensland, for 4 nights
• Private transfer from Mantra on the Esplanade to Darwin Airport
• Flight: Darwin to Cairns ( not included in cost)
• Hinterland Aviation scheduled flight between Cairns & Lizard Island
• 4 nights Lizard Island – Anchor Bay Suite includes all meals and selected beverages
• Selected activities included

Situated some 240 kilometers north of Cairns, Lizard Island is surrounded by a sea of deep aquamarine and forms part of the Great Barrier Reef near its northernmost end.

The beautiful Lizard Island Resort is balanced high above the Coral Sea and set on the point at Sunset Ridge. The range of spacious open-plan designs are luxuriously appointed, all with spectacular views.

The beaches are plentiful, 24 in all, with fine powdery white sand, undisturbed but for the occasional footprints. Your island is for snorkelling, if you choose, or deep-sea game fishing, or diving at The Cod Hole, one of the world famous dive sites just a short boat ride away. Enjoy secluded picnics on private beaches, five star cuisine and indulging spa treatments.

Naturally many of the options on Lizard Island involve the water. Snorkeling equipment and lessons are provided. You can snorkel off a secluded beach to discover a garden of giant clams, many a metre long and some reputed to be 120 years old. Or you can explore Anchor and Watson's bay on a catamaran or glass bottom paddle ski.

Fishing enthusiasts can charter the 15.5m "Fascination", or dive the famous Cod Hole, where you'll come face to face with the massive, yet curious Potato Cod.

The Azure Spa offers a range of treatments inspired by nature to nurture the mind, body and spirit. The Spa was created to enhance your health and wellbeing by embracing the powerful healing qualities of nature. Indulgent and nurturing, each signature therapy is a blend of dynamic ingredients, designed to balance the physical and emotional body.

 

Day 14 - Day 15 Park Hyatt Sydney for 1 night
• Hinterland Aviation scheduled flight between Lizard Island & Cairns
• Flight: Cairns to Sydney ( not included in cost)
• Met on arrival for transfer from Sydney Airport to accommodation
• 1 night Park Hyatt Sydney –Opera Deluxe Room
• No activities have been included during your return stay in Sydney.

You have the afternoon/evening at leisure to explore Sydney.

Perhaps experience the thrill of a ‘Bridge Climb’ and see the wonders of Sydney from above; take a walk around The Rocks; learn of its historical significance and discover the many colourful and unique characters that frequent this shopping precinct.

Why not take in a performance at the Sydney Opera House? You could enjoy lunch or dinner followed by a world-class performance.

For a full detailed Itinerary please email our Travel Designers – info@outbackencounter.com