Arnhem Land, South Australia, Melbourne, and Sydney
Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel
Territory: Oceania
Region: Australia
Trip Price: $22,875
Duration: 29 days/28 nights
Trip Begins/Ends: Darwin, Northern Territory / Cairns, Queensland
National Parklands: Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP;Kakadu NP
All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.
No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities
Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration
High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun
The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process
We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.
The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.
The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!
Welcome to Australia and the beginning of an extraordinary journey! Arrive into Darwin and relax into a downtown hotel, within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and a walking path along Darwin Harbour. Consider a sunset sail to gain your bearings and celebrate that you’re here, in the Land Down Under!
Rise and shine! Four days in the heart of the Northern Territory on an outback safari is in store, with a focus on two of the most unique areas of northern Australia, Kakadu National Park with the highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art sites in the world, and Arnhem Land, the largest Aboriginal reserve in Australia. Immerse into the area’s history and culture by day, retreating to a comfortable safari camp each evening. Highlights on the safari include the Fogg Dam Reserve, jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River, Leaning Tree Lagoon, Gunlom, the South Alligator Valley, floodplains, billabongs, and the Arnhem Land Escarpments. Enjoy this immersion into the Northern Territory.
Spend one last morning in Arnhem Land, then head for Bullo River Station, a vast, remote ranch on Bamurru Plains at the edge of the Mary River Delta. This is an authentic, Australian Outback experience, and an area prolific in wildlife and birdlife. “Wild Bush Luxury” describes your accommodations, simple, stylish safari-style bungalows, and hearty and delicious meals. Days are spent fishing, cattle mustering, branding, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, quad biking, and more.
Back to “civilization” with another night in Darwin.
An early morning awaits, with a flight to Ayers Rock. Settle in to exquisite accommodations at Longitude 131, an excellent base for exploring the geologic and cultural wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – and for watching the sun set behind Uluru from the dinner table! Be fascinated and take in the beauty with guided outings to Uluru at sunset, Kantju Gorge, Walpa Gorge, Mutitjulu, and more.
Today takes you south – a mere 2,000 miles – to Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, and the launching point for your next adventures. Explore the city from centrally located accommodations in a renovated fire station. Walk to boutique shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants, and venture further to visit the Migration Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, pedestrian street mall, Adelaide Botanical Garden, and Adelaide Central market.
McLaren Vale’s early 19th century beginnings were in vineyards, and by 1850, there was a winery. Today, in this small town of 3,500, you’ll find 70! Small inns and bed and breakfasts are scattered between the Shiraz Trail, the Cheese and Wine Trail, off-trail wineries, and beaches. Cheers – and we mean it!
Follow the coastline south to Cape Jervis, then catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island, nine miles from the mainland and host to some of the country’s most spectacular wildlife and nature reserves – hence, its nickname, the “Australian Galapagos.” Wildlife you might see includes sea lions, fur seals, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, platypus, goannas, possums, bandicoots, whales, and 260 bird species. Settle in to a friendly, local inn or bed and breakfast, and explore all day long! Spend a full day on a Flinders Chase Focus Tour, with sand dunes, a fur seal colony, and a spectacular picnic lunch spot.
Savor your coffee this morning while taking in the surrounding nature and beauty. Then, return to Penneshaw Port for a ferry ride back to the mainland and one more night in Adelaide!
All aboard! Enjoy a relaxing train ride, The Overland Experience, to Melbourne, kicking back, taking in the scenery, and reflecting on your travels so far. Out the window you’ll see a range of landscapes, from rugged bushland to fields of green and gold. Spend the night in Victoria’s capital city, and the second largest city in Australia. Melbourne is oft described as youthful, livable, friendly, multi-cultural, sport-loving, and the “Arts Capital of Australia.” Stay in a downtown hotel on the splendid Southbank Promenade, with easy access to city sites on foot and by tram.
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most scenic coastal drives, featuring the iconic 12 Apostles, surf breaks, waterfalls, historic shipwrecks, and an array of wildlife. Spend two days on a guided walk along the coast, retreating to Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas at each day’s end.
Fly from Melbourne to Sydney, Australia’s most iconic city, and enjoy two days of exploring to your heart’s content. From accommodations on the famous harbor, views are extraordinary! Head out on a Sydney Highlights Tour with a seaside picnic lunch, and a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Sydney Opera House.
Going almost full circle, hop on one last flight north to Queensland, to take in the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, from the exclusive Thala Beach Nature Reserve. From your base, there will be opportunities for a number of remarkable outings. Four days, four adventures – a Snapper Island Kayaking, Low Isles Sailboat Cruise and Heritage Walk, Daintree Rainforest Cultural Tour, and one day to enjoy all that Thala Beach has to offer – nature walks, bird walks, butterfly walks, indigenous presentations, star gazing, and more.
After a lengthy, authentic, Australian encounter, the time has come to return home.
Overlooking beautiful Darwin Harbor and steps away for the vibrant Mitchell Street the Novotel Darwin Atrium is a fantastic option while exploring the Top End. Whether you decide to enjoy the coastal views, explore the vibrant shopping and entertainment street or head off to explore the bush of the Northern Territory this is perfect option. This hotel features standard, superior and two-bedroom apartement options that each offer stylish and comfortable furnishings.
Your permanent bush camps are outfitted with private canvas tents with single beds. Enjoy your evenings by the campfire under the beautiful Australian night sky.
Situated just west of Kakadu National Park, Bamurru Plains is an utterly exclusive bush camp that exudes 'Wild Bush Luxury', bringing a touch of style to a remote and beautiful wilderness region. Providing an extraordinary wilderness experience on the coastal flood plains of the Mary River delta in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. The main lodge is surrounded by beautiful smooth-bark boab trees and open to guests to come in and enjoy a refreshing beverage or sit back and enjoy a good book in the living area. Accommodations are simple yet stylish with only 9 Safari style bungalows, and 12 lodge rooms all which are built with environmentally sensitive design and set amongst the savannah bush that fringes the floodplains. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. No day on the station is the same! Your hosts will tailor your time on site to your interests. Barramundi fishing, cattle mustering and branding, horseback riding, cruise along the Bullo River Gorge, 4WD safari's and quad biking are all available to guests.
Covering over 311,000 acres, the park is abundant in Aboriginal Culture and rugged Outback beauty. Situated in the heart of the Red Centre, Longitude 131 provides guests with an unparalleled experience in the one and only Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. With only 15 luxury canvas tents, Longitude 131 is an intimate and unique camping experience in the heart of this fascinating area. Each of their 15 tents face the iconic monolith and are decorated to compliment the pristine environment in which they are situated. Experiences at the lodge are unique and intimate and are included in your stay. A few of these signature experiences are, a guided tour at the base of Uluru at sunset, full day at Walpa Gorge and Kata Tjuta and Mala Walk and Kantju Gorge. Dine out under the vast Australia sky at Table 131 where you will be immersed into the mesmerizing sounds of an ancient culture while enjoying an amazing meal paired with local Australian wines.
Originally Adelaide’s first fire station, the Fire Station Inn is located in the heart of North Adelaide and provides guests with easy access to all of the wonderful boutique shops, galleries and incredible restaurants in town. Beautifully restored this boutique hotel is a wonderful place to explore the unique landscapes in South Australia.
Approximately 40 minutes south of Adelaide and nestled in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Wine and Roses Bed and Breakfast is perfectly situated for enjoying the countryside of South Australia. Wine and Roses is a beautiful, simple and romantic setting for guests to relax at following a day of exploring the wineries and beautiful beaches in McLaren Vale. The hosts Matthew and Patrisse have lived in the area for years and can make suggestions on the best wineries, eateries and secluded beaches to visit during your stay, all while provinding some of the best service around.
Located on 60 acres of rolling hills overlooking Smiths Bay, Molly's Run is an intimate and quaint Bed and Breakfast on Kangaroo Island. The Tuscan inspired villa features 3 rooms and a sweeping porch with uninterupted views of the bay and surrounding property. Breakfasts and lunches are served either inside the dining room or on the large courtyard that faces the blue waters of Smith's Bay. Each evening, enjoy a gormet dinner prepared by your hosts with only the freshest and locally sourced ingrediants. Your hosts Paul and Charmaine will welcome you with open arms and will make your stay at Molly's Run an irreplacable expereince.
Hotel Lindrum is a unique botique hotel located in the heart of Melbourne combining modern design with the ultimate in contemporary facilities and personalized service. The 59 rooms are beautifully decorated with rich wood furnishings and classic polished floors that create the stylish interior found throughout the hotel.
Overlooking Bass Strait and set high in the Otways above the Great Ocean Road, Chris's at Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas offers stunning views and incredible hospitality. Recently undergoing a renovation the villas are contemporary and well equipped. Each villa includes modern finishing’s, floor to ceiling windows where one can take in the stunning views of the ocean!
Simpsons of Potts Point is OBP's first choice of luxury boutique hotels in Sydney! This small and exclusive boutique hotel in the historic Potts Point art deco district combines arts and crafts architectural heritage with a luxury bed and breakfast experience. Situated in leafy, tree-lined, cosmopolitan Potts Point, with its plethora of excellent restaurants, it is an easy 10 minute stroll to the Opera House, Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, the Sydney Museum, the historic Rocks area and Circular Quay – all on the foreshores of world-renowned Sydney Harbour. Simpsons of Potts Point offers a superior level of personal service that will be a treat to round-out your travels.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is perfectly situated between Cairns and Port Douglas on a 145 acre property. This hotel offers eco friendly accommodation options with unique on site experiences. Located on the northernmost headland this private, untouched coastline views offer the Far North Queensland coast from Double Island to Cape Tribulation and the crystal blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the World Heritage Forests that cover the coastal ranges. Backing up on to the rainforest provides guests with a natural setting to unwind in nature while being centrally located to all the beauties that Queensland has to offer.
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