In 13 Days, experience the sunshine city of Brisbane, the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and Hamilton Island, the stunning harbor city of Sydney, and a unique wildlife experience at Taronga on this independent trip, fully inclusive of flights, 5* luxury accommodations, transfers, and hand-picked selection of private and small group touring. Experiences abound with incredible cities, wildlife encounters, natural wonders, and stunning architecture delivered by Australia's best guides. Itinerary customization and Air Upgrade options for Premium & business class are available.

• Round-trip International Economy airfare from Los Angeles
• Add-on airfares are available from other cities
• Internal Australia flights
• 2 Nights at the 5* Crystalbrook Vincent
• Half-Day Brisbane City & Lone Pine private tour
• 4 nights at 5* qualia in a Windward Pavilion with private plunge pool
• "Journey to the Heart Reef" Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour
• 3 Nights at 5* The Intercontinental Sydney
• Half-day private Sydney Tour
• Sydney Opera House Tour & Dine
• Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise
• 1 Night at 5* Taronga Retreat Sydney in an Animal View Room
• Private car service airport transfers
• All airport taxes & fuel surcharges

Day 1 - Depart the US to Brisbane
Direct flights are available from LA, San Francisco, Dallas, or New York JFK to Brisbane, with connections from all US airports. Ask about our upgrade options to Premium Economy and Business class.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive Brisbane
Welcome to Australia! On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

The river city of Brisbane is a modern and diverse sub-tropical metropolis. As Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane offers visitors a stimulating city experience in a warm, friendly, and relaxed environment. Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city, home to nearly two million culturally diverse people. Visitors can enjoy the temperate year-round climate at one of the city’s many outdoor areas, including the South Bank River Parklands, and exciting touring options in the nearby Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay Islands, Australia Zoo, and Sunshine & Gold Coasts..

Accommodation - Crystalbrook Vincent features 166 suites, a rooftop pool and bar, a gymnasium, and four food and beverage outlets with custom contemporary furnishings & original artwork. A seamless combination of art, design, and functionality, the hotel is ideally located by the new Howard St Wharves and the Brisbane River.

Day 4 - Brisbane City Tour & Lone Pine half-day private tour
Begin your 4-hour tour by hand-feeding kangaroos and seeing over 100 koalas and hundreds of other unique Aussie wildlife in the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary. Then, see why ‘Brissy’ is the best city to live in, with an energetic outdoor culture based around some of the world’s best riverside parklands, winding rivers, stunning lookouts, unique ‘Queenslander’ architecture, and ‘city beach.’ See and learn how Brisbane evolved from convict goal to the lifestyle capital of the world, approaching 2.5 million and host of the 2032 Olympics.

Day 5 - Brisbane to qualia, Hamilton Island
Transfer to Brisbane airport and fly to Hamilton Island, the heart of the Whitsundays. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to qualia for a four-night stay.

Nestled amongst the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is located amidst pristine surroundings and a gateway to Whitsunday gems, including Heart Reef, Hill Inlet, and Whitehaven Beach.

Accommodation - qualia is embedded on 30 acres of tropical garden landscape on the northernmost tip of Hamilton Island. The private individual pavilions offer state-of-the-art amenities, stunning ocean views, and a private plunge pool or sun deck. The resort features two fine-dining restaurants, a guest library, and a day spa.

Your stay at qualia includes round trip airport transfers, full breakfast daily, dinner on one evening, all non-alcoholic beverages at qualia, a Journey to the Heart Reef helicopter tour, a golf buggy for the duration of stay, a chauffeur service around Hamilton Island, and use of non-motorized watercraft.

qualia's north-facing Windward Pavilions, each complete with its private plunge pool, provide flawless design, soothing décor, and expansive Coral Sea and Whitsunday Island views. Shaded by Eucalypts, the Windward Pavilions' breezy louver windows, polished timber floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass provide a uniquely Australian hideaway. Wake to the breathtaking views of the Coral Sea outside your window, then step from the beautifully appointed living room onto the north-facing sundeck to bathe in the private infinity-edged pool. Freestanding and spacious, with expansive waterfront views, the Hamilton Island luxury accommodation provided by the Windward Pavilions at qualia has a sunny northern aspect and provides four times the living space of a standard hotel room.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 6 - Journey to the Heart Reef
Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure with a helicopter tour of the iconic Heart Reef!

Board your helicopter for your 3-hour tour. Experience the grandeur of the Great Barrier Reef and the world-famous Heart Reef from up above on this exclusive helicopter tour before landing on a private pontoon moored in Hardy Lagoon for a glass-bottom boat tour around Heart Reef and anchoring in an adjacent lagoon for optional snorkeling in its crystalline waters. Only accessible by helicopter, land on 'Heart Island' moored near Heart Reef to sail and snorkel around this naturally occurring heart-shaped reef after a glorious aerial journey over the Great Barrier Reef.

Image: Aspire Down Under Staff Member

Days 7-8 qualia
With over 55 different activities available, Hamilton Island has a wide variety of pursuits, including scenic flights, target sports, game fishing, bushwalking, waterskiing, parasailing, and more. The qualia fleet provides a range of activities designed specifically for qualia guests, including helicopter tours and private boat charters that offer access to beautiful beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and Whitsunday's Islands. The Fitness Centre has state-of-the-art equipment, including four treadmills, three cross trainers, and resistance machines. It also boasts stunning views of the Whitsundays, the perfect backdrop to any workout.

Day 9 - Hamilton Island to Sydney
Transfer to Hamilton Airport, Fly to Sydney, and transfer to the Intercontinental Sydney on arrival for your three-night stay.

Soak up Sydney's gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle, and outstanding natural beauty. Cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or the markets, boutiques, cafes, and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals, and 24/7 fun.

Accommodation - InterContinental Sydney is superbly positioned on the edge of Sydney Harbour, nestled between the historic charm of Circular Quay and the refined elegance of Macquarie Street. Housed within the beautifully restored Treasury Building, this iconic property blends heritage grandeur with contemporary luxury, offering a timeless sense of arrival in one of the city’s most coveted locations. Perfectly oriented to embrace Sydney’s world-famous waterfront, the hotel captures sweeping views across the harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Each room is thoughtfully appointed with sophisticated modern furnishings, rich textures, and understated tones that reflect the surrounding sandstone architecture and shimmering blue harbour beyond.

Day 10 – Sydney – Morning Quintessential Sydney Tour & Afternoon Sydney Opera House
This 4-hour tour allows you to discover Sydney from a truly local perspective and is the best way to absorb Sydney's big icons. Visit a tailored selection of Sydney, possibly including Circular Quay, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens, Eastern suburbs and beaches, Watson's Bay and the Gap, the North Shore, and Manly Beach.

Enjoy a one-hour guided shared tour of the Sydney Opera House this afternoon. The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks, and this is your chance to get up close truly. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, sit in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs, and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. Next, visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Finally, explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas, and ballets occur yearly.

Finish at Opera Bar, House Canteen, or Midden by Mark Olive to indulge like a local Sydneysider with a choice of an Australian, pan-Asian, or Indigenous Australian-inspired main course. The choice is yours as you savor one of the world's most beautiful harbor views.

Day 11 – Explore Sydney Harbour
This four-hour small group tour guarantees an intimate and unforgettable afternoon exploring unseen corners of Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury sports cruiser. Stop for lunch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), Sydney's most prestigious private yacht club and host to the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Visit local harbourside gems, famous landmarks, and secluded national park waterways, home to resident penguin and seal colonies.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 12 – The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo
At your leisure, take a taxi to the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga for your overnight stay in an Animal View Room.

Nestled amongst the natural landscape of Taronga Zoo Sydney, this elegant Australian eco-retreat overlooks the magnificent Sydney Harbour. Its thoughtfully curated designer rooms allow you to overlook bushland, animals, or harbor views. It's a peaceful, relaxing experience that connects guests with native Australian Wildlife. Your stay includes an Animal View Room - where else can you sleep with a Koala or Kangaroo outside your window and enjoy spectacular Sydney Harbour views from the Retreat lounge and restaurant? After checking in to the Retreat, you can access the Zoo throughout your stay.

Afternoon Sanctuary Tour: Join your guide and keeper from 3.30 pm onward and share their detailed knowledge of the animals and the extensive conservation work carried out by Taronga to preserve precious wildlife. Get close to unique Australian animals and hear fascinating stories while deepening your connection to Cammeraigal country. The Sanctuary is a thoughtfully designed habitat home to native Australian species: Koalas, Tammar Wallabies, Rufus Bettongs, Potoroos, and Pademelons.

Enjoy dinner at Me-Gal Restaurant: With sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, Me-Gal is named after the Cammeraigal word for 'tears', which evokes the saltwater surrounding the restaurant's beautiful location.

Image: Trade Resources | Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Day 13 – Depart Sydney
This morning, you will transfer by car service to Sydney International Airport. Bid farewell to Australia as you depart Sydney for your flight to the US, arriving the same day.

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$11,999.00 per person

Note: Daily departures; this package is an independent itinerary with flexible departures (not a group tour)

Before committing to a trip, please ensure you have a valid passport. Australia welcomes US travelers with an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia.

Read More about the Australian entry requirements

Fly direct from New York JFK for an additional $400 or non-stop from Dallas Fort Worth for an extra $600 to the package price.

Add-on airfares are available from most major airports; ask an Aspire consultant for a quote.

• Upgrade to premium economy from $1,100 per person each way*
• Upgrade to business class from $3,000 per person each way*
Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket

* Upgrade from pricing based on Sunday through Wednesday departures from Los Angeles/San Francisco - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee from other departure points and travel Thursday through Saturday.

Terms & Conditions:

The package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) for low-season stays for travel Sundays through Wednesdays from Los Angeles/San Francisco. A $50 air supplement applies each way for international travel from Thursday to Saturday. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Specific blackout dates apply to the accommodation and tour value offers. Seats are limited and may only be available on some flights. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect discounts for purchases made by check/wire/Zelle; please see the terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.