Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef
Trip highlights
- Cruise Sydney's stunning harbour
- Explore the breathtaking Blue Mountains
- Experience the wild beauty of the Outback
- Marvel at the incredible Field of Light art installation
- Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef
- Witness this wonder from above during a helicopter tour
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–4 Sydney
- Days 4–6 Uluru and the Outback
- Days 6–9 Daintree Rainforest
- Days 1–4 Sydney
- Days 4–6 Uluru and the Outback
- Days 6–9 Daintree Rainforest
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Welcome to Sydney
The city of Sydney on the east coast of Australia is as idyllic is it appears from its instantly recognisable cityscape. It boasts a rich and intriguing history, famous beaches and iconic landmarks, with a diverse and friendly population, all spread around an elaborate shoreline of Port Jackson’s yacht-filled inlets, bays and rivers. Pubs, markets, modern restaurants, theatres and galleries old and new add an exciting, sophisticated cultural air, while the fine weather and surrounding natural wonders of New South Wales make it a very outdoorsy place, and a great base from which to explore nearby beaches, mountains and national parks.
Where you could stay
Sydney
Overview
With its perfect location in the heart of the city, the Four Seasons offers fantastic panoramas and proximity to landmark attractions such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Rooms and suites are decorated in contemporary grand-luxe style, with big windows that look out over the Sydney skyline. In the larger suites, guests are treated to full harbour views that show the city in all its glory.
Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine at Mode Kitchen and Bar where locally-sourced produce is served in a relaxed bistro-style environment. Head to the Grain for craft beers, organic wine and a selection of expertly mixed cocktails.
After a day of exploring, relax and unwind at the hotel spa or take a dip in the outdoor pool. For those who like to stay active on holiday, there is a fitness centre with the latest equipment while the sauna and Jacuzzi act as soothing tonics.
The Four Seasons is close to Sydney’s vibrant shopping districts as well as operating as the ideal spot from which to begin your adventures in the surrounding Port Jackson region.
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Overview
The Park Hyatt is found in the historic district of The Rocks with views of the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Interiors are modern with a contemporary and clean design. Rooms have a neutral colour scheme of chocolate and cream, naturally-textured fabrics and soft lighting ensures rooms are bright and calm. Specially commissioned paintings and artwork from prominent Australian artists adorn the walls.
At the Dining Room, the hotel’s signature restaurant, diners are treated to spectacular vistas of the harbour while enjoying a French-inspired menu. The Living Room has a more relaxed atmosphere while The Bar is a stylish location in which to enjoy fine wine, cocktails and live music.
For those looking to relax and let go, indulge in a treatment at the spa or take a dip in the waters of the rooftop pool after working out at the fitness centre.
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Overview
The beautiful port city of Sydney plays host to the luxury Shangri-La Hotel located in the historic Rocks district.
The rooms are both contemporary in design and spacious in size, soundproof windows ensuring you get the perfect night’s sleep. Guests are treated to breathtaking panoramas, views covering both the iconic Sydney Opera House as well as the vast expanse of the Harbour Bridge.
After a day of exploring the city, nothing beats coming back and sitting down for a bite to eat at the world-class Altitude Restaurant. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a beautiful backdrop as you enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine and world-class wines.
The Café Mix offers all-day dining with a menu of Asian classics with a twist. For some of best views of the city, head to Blu Bar on 36 where the sparkling lights of Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are laid out before you.
The health and wellness centre provides you with everything you need to unwind. Sink into the Jacuzzi, indulge in a treatment at the spa, take a dip in the indoor pool or stick to your usual routine in the full-equipped gym.
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Overview
Located in the historic district of The Rocks, Pier One is right at the heart of what makes the city so special. Built on, and over, the harbour it allows guests to experience the very best of the bustling waterfront.
The 189 rooms at the Pier One carry a contemporary aesthetic, tastefully complemented by early 20th-century Federation elements. Some look out over landmark sites including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, while others offer views of Walsh Bay. All rooms and suites are bright and spacious, large windows flooding the spaces with natural light.
The Gantry enjoys a reputation as one of the most popular waterside restaurants and here you can relax and enjoy views of Walsh Bay and the harbour while sampling a menu of fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
To sooth sore muscles after a day of exploring, Pier One offers spa treatments in the comfort of your room. Massages, scrubs and facials await while the gym lets you carry on with your fitness routine.
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Overview
Spicers Potts Point is an intimate boutique hotel on a picturesque avenue in the affluent central suburb of Potts Point. Created from three handsome Victorian terrace houses, airy, light-filled interiors and artworks by Australian artists Martine Emdur and Keith Burt create a calm, welcoming space.
The 16 rooms and four suits are all luxuriously appointed, some featuring their own terrace areas, with rain showers, Bose sound systems and modern fittings.
Breakfast can be taken in the garden room and while there’s no restaurant here, after evening cocktail and canapés at the bar, you can head out into Potts Point to discover some of Sydney’s best restaurants and cafés. The Royal Botanical Gardens, The Art Gallery of NSW, Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House are all also close by. The hotel has also partnered with several local restaurants if you are after in-room dining, and complimentary gym and yoga facilities are just a 50 metre walk away.
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With its beautiful golden sandstone façade Sydney’s heritage-listed Department of Education building has reawakened as the luxurious Capella Sydney. The hotel boasts 192 rooms and suites spanning eight levels, and balances storied architectural features with modern design, celebrating Australia in both its aesthetic and ethos. In the rooms and public areas you’ll find carefully curated artworks, elegant furnishings and intriguing objet d’art.
When it comes to dining, take a table at Brasserie 1930 where the menu highlights small-batch growers and farmers and age-old cooking methods like curing, smoking and fermenting take centre stage. Named for the building’s original architect George McRae, McRae Bar invites you to enjoy the glamour of days gone by as you sip on refined cocktails looking out on Loftus Street.
Highlights
- 192 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants and a bar
- Swimming and vitality pools
- Fitness centre
- Yoga platform
- Spa
Overview
With its beautiful golden sandstone façade Sydney’s heritage-listed Department of Education building has reawakened as the luxurious Capella Sydney. The hotel boasts 192 rooms and suites spanning eight levels, and balances storied architectural features with modern design, celebrating Australia in both its aesthetic and ethos. In the rooms and public areas you’ll find carefully curated artworks, elegant furnishings and intriguing objet d’art.
When it comes to dining, take a table at Brasserie 1930 where the menu highlights small-batch growers and farmers and age-old cooking methods like curing, smoking and fermenting take centre stage. Named for the building’s original architect George McRae, McRae Bar invites you to enjoy the glamour of days gone by as you sip on refined cocktails looking out on Loftus Street.
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On the water
Head for the hills
Sydney Harbour Cruise on the Emma Mei
Enjoy sailing through one of the most beautiful harbours in the world aboard the Emma Mei yacht. Your skipper will guide you through Sydney’s intriguing history, explaining all about the city’s waters, luxury homes, leafy parks, beaches and iconic landmarks.
Private Blue Mountains tour
After leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Sydney, stop at a wildlife park to meet some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife, arriving early to beat the crowds. Continue your journey into the Blue Mountains and walk through spectacular scenery. See the famous ‘three sisters’, take a stroll around Katoomba and visit our pick of the best remote lookouts before lunch.
Into the Outback
Explore this vast wilderness filled with stories, myths and legends. Golden sunsets illuminate rivers that course through great canyons, arrow-straight road vanish into the heat haze on the horizon, with the immense landscape dotted with national parks and spiritual landmarks, none more recognisable than Uluru, a towering red monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory.
Where you could stay
Uluru and the Outback
Overview
Sails in the Desert is a luxury sanctuary of hospitality found near the iconic and sacred greatness of Uluru. The great sandstone dome rises in the distance from the arid beauty of what many refer to as the Red Centre.
The 228 rooms are all excellent examples of modern luxury with patterned décor influenced by the natural surroundings and Aboriginal culture. A few open onto shaded outdoor spaces beneath the iconic sails of the resort while others enjoy their own private balconies
The menu of Ilkari means you will begin or end your day with a gourmet treat to delight the taste buds. The kitchen is well-versed in providing a myriad of culinary options, from fish barbeques to cured meats to sumptuous soups. The Pira Pool Bar is lovely for a relaxing drink while the Walpa Lobby Bar has a varied and comprehensive gastronomic offering.
There is a huge focus on the cultural and spiritual significance of the world-famous nearby landmark. The Mulgara Gallery is dedicated to displaying its amazing collection of artworks and craft pieces while there are a couple of examples of cave art at Uluru.
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Desert experience
Spiritual morning
'Sounds of Silence' dinner in the desert
The ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner under the stars is a magical desert experience. Your journey begins on a lone sand dune where a meandering path takes you to an uninterrupted view of this vast landscape. In front of you is the fabled Uluru; behind you are the domes of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of canapés as the sun sets. As the stars appear, dine on a barbecue buffet of Australian flavours including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile and bush salads complemented by some of Australia’s finest wines. Attention then turns to some of the world’s best stargazing, as the resident astronomer takes you on a tour of the spectacular southern night sky.
Kata Tjuta sunrise
Revel in the early morning serenity of a truly spiritual place as the sunrise colours change on Kata Tjuta. Learn about this diverse environment whilst walking between the mighty conglomerate rock walls into Walpa Gorge and hearing 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 you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here.
Explore the forest
Explore the beautiful surroundings of the Daintree rainforest from the comfort of your riverside lodge. Take a relaxing stroll along the lush riverbank, explore the local area by bike, paddle a canoe or snorkel the Mossman River, join a guided rainforest walk or play tennis. Whichever pursuit you choose, indulge at the end with a relaxing treatment at the spa.
Where you could stay
Great Barrier Reef and Northern Queensland
Highlights
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Award-winning restaurant
- Spa
- Guided hikes
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef
- Canoeing
Overview
Silky Oaks is one of Australia’s most stunning riverside lodges, nestled in tropical North Queensland rainforest with a collection of treehouse suites immersing guests in the lush surroundings.
The eco-retreat invites you to escape from everyday life and get back in touch with nature amongst the Daintree rainforest setting. The treehouses and suites blend organic wooden furnishings with contemporary design. Each room has a wide verandah with hammocks, breakfast with a view and deep baths to sink into at the end of the day.
Dining at Silky Oaks is a memorable experience, with gourmet Australian cuisine served in the award-winning open-sided Treehouse Restaurant which is perched high above the rainforest and Mossman River. Guests can soak up the tranquil environment from the comfort of the spacious open lounge areas, bar, reading rooms or enter a state of dreamy bliss at the Healing Waters Spa.
Guests can explore this diverse and dense rainforest by its many hiking trails, cruise down the river in a canoe, take out a bicycle to venture further afield, go goanna spotting, get zen with morning yoga or cool off in the scenic river. Alternatively, you can simply soak up the tranquil environment from the comfort of the spacious open lounge areas, bar, reading rooms or enter a state of dreamy bliss at the Healing Waters Spa.
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Explore the forest
Beneath the surface
View from the top
View from the top
Daintree Safari
On this full-day tour you’ll visit a variety of different environments including estuary, mangroves, rainforest and beach. The first stop is Mill Walk in Cape Tribulation National Park. Away from the crowds, marvel at the ancient rainforest surrounds and learn about the ecology and fauna from your expert naturalist guide. After a short drive, you will arrive at Myall Beach where a relaxing stroll offers spectacular views of the Cape Tribulation and the Great Dividing Range. Then travel to a private bush camp for a traditional Australian BBQ lunch followed by a revitalising swim in a freshwater swimming hole.
Calypso Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour
Depart Port Douglas Marina for a day on the Great Barrier Reef. Your skipper will select threes sites according to tidal and weather conditions and during the course of the day you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel on the reef – one of the richest habitats on the planet in terms of its diversity.
Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour
This helicopter flight will let you appreciate its beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from above. Your pilot and guide knows this region well and will share their stories along the way. Highlights include Fitzroy Island, Outer Great Barrier Reef, Michaelmas and Upolo Cay, Palm Cove, Kuranda and Cairns.
Everything about our trip to Australia from start to finish was perfect! I can’t thank Jacada, and specifically, Leanne, enough! She planned an absolutely amazing 2 week itinerary for us and customized the trip based on our preferences. Being able to just enjoy all of the experiences, and not having to worry about the logistics was priceless. I honestly have…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.