Brisbane, The Whitsunday Islands Great Barrier Reef & Sydney from $2,999 including international flights

In 13 Days, enjoy an active Australia adventure, including the cosmopolitan cities of Brisbane & Sydney and the stunning Whitsunday Islands. This independent daily departure trip includes flights, 4.5* accommodations, transfers, and small group tours. Experiences abound with natural and man-made wonders, wildlife encounters, and indigenous culture delivered by Australia’s best guides. Itinerary customization and Air Upgrade options for Premium & business class are available.

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip International Qantas Economy Class Flights from Los Angeles (domestic US flights can be added at an additional cost)
  • Internal Australia flights
  • Two nights in Brisbane at the 4* Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane
  • Four Nights in Hamilton Island at the 4* Palm Bungalows including full breakfast daily
  • Four nights in Sydney at the 4.5* Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
  • Shuttle airport transfers in Hamilton Island
  • All airport taxes & fuel surcharges
  • Optional Sightseeing package from $849 per person including Brisbane and Sydney car service transfers, Brisbane River Cruise and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, half-day small group Great Barrier Reef snorkeling cruise, half-day small group Whitehaven Beach cruise, half-day small group Sydney city sights tour, Sydney harbor hop on hop off explorer cruise, Sydney Opera House tour & full day small group tour to the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart US nonstop to Brisbane
Qantas is the number one way to travel to Australia, and your vacation begins the second you step onboard a Qantas flight with Australia, just a movie, meal, sleep away. With over 95 years of experience in long-haul travel, Qantas strives to ensure every passenger in every cabin has the most comfortable and authentic experience. Qantas offers direct service from Los Angeles, San Francisco & Dallas Fort Worth - addon fares with American Airlines available from other cities.

The Qantas onboard experience has a class for every passenger from First suites, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins offering the best comfort, Australian food and wine, amenities, and exceptional service. In addition, all cabins experience the latest in-flight entertainment and technology, including premium content from HBO, new movie releases, TV programs, and an extensive music library with over 1500 entertainment choices.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive Brisbane
Welcome to Australia! Enjoy two nights in Brisbane, the capital of the Sunshine State, which is located on the banks of the Brisbane River and enjoys a subtropical climate year-round. The city has matured into a unique blend of historic buildings and sophisticated architecture during the last decade. To cuddle a Koala, take a cruise along the Brisbane River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Visit the South Bank development, the former site of the 1988 world expo, and the Botanical Gardens.

ACCOMMODATION - Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane sits in a grand heritage-listed building on George Street, a stone's throw from Queen Street Mall and Queen's Wharf and a 15-minute walk from the buzzing South Bank precinct. The hotel features 220 studios and apartments designed with contemporary decor comprising one, two, or three bedrooms and a beautiful ground floor restaurant, bar, gym, and pool.

Day 4 - Optional tour: Brisbane River Cruise & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The Koala and River Cruise is a memorable journey on the Brisbane River to the oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary in the world. The cruise travels through the city's most historic landscapes, iconic attractions, historical homesites and interesting wildlife habitats as you listen to an entertaining and informative commentary. Enjoy 3 hours exploring Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary then back on board for a relaxing cruise back to the city.

Day 5 – Brisbane to Hamilton Island
Depart Brisbane & Fly over The Whitsunday Islands to Hamilton Island. On arrival at Hamilton Island, you will be met and transferred to the Palm Bungalows for your four nights stay. Most of the car-free island is covered in bushland, and coral reefs fringe the coast. Tours offer up-close sightings of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras. Trails lead up to Passage Peak in the east, with views of the surrounding islands.

v2-350x200-638595-23.jpg
v2-350x200-639277-23.jpg

Image: Tourism Australia

ACCOMMODATION - The Palm Bungalows are delightful freestanding accommodation in a palm-fringed tropical garden setting, each with a private balcony and outdoor furniture. The perfect option for those who want a romantic, affordable island holiday with the added privacy that a garden bungalow provides.

Optional Upgrade: Hamilton Island adults only 5* Beach Club from $729 per person for four nights including breakfast

Surrounded by landscaped gardens on Catseye Beach, the Beach Club Hamilton Island is a boutique retreat exclusively for adults. Romantic, intimate, and perfect for couples, the luxuriously appointed rooms have a stylish and relaxed beach house vibe, tailor-made for relaxing. All rooms at the Beach Club Hotel have a private courtyard or balcony looking onto palm-fringed Catseye Beach and the Coral Sea.

Day 6 - Hamilton Island - Optional tour: Great Barrier Reef snorkeling tour
Experience a half-day snorkeling adventure to selected moorings within the Whitsunday Islands. Locations include Luncheon Bay or Manta Ray on Hook Island. Your experience will consist of approximately one hour of scenic cruising each way up the Whitsunday Passage to the best available snorkeling sites. The tour includes 2 hours on location for snorkeling and in-water activities.

Day 7 - Hamilton Island - Optional tour: Whitehaven Beach cruise

Day 8 - Hamilton Island
At your leisure

Day 9 - Hamilton Island to Sydney
This morning depart Hamilton Island for your flight to Sydney.

Blessed with a temperate climate, Sydney is Australia’s favorite city with the world’s most beautiful harbor. The harbor provides a playground for jet boating, sailing, swimming, harbor scenic flights, dining, fishing, climbing the harbor bridge and sightseeing at the Opera House.

v2-642232-23-350x200.jpg
v2-350x200-642031-3.jpg

Image: Tourism Australia

ACCOMMODATION - Stay four nights in the Heart of Sydney; The Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney features stylish accommodations, along with a contemporary restaurant & bar, day spa, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service. An easy walk to Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Queen Victoria Building, and only a few minutes from Wynyard train station make Amora one of Sydney's most desired locations.

Day 10- Sydney – Optional tour: Half Day City Sights tour
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your small group Panoramic Sydney tour. Visit the historic Rocks area and hear about early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the city's shopping heart, Queen Victoria Building, and Sydney Tower. Visit Sydney's trendy Oxford Street district and travel through Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the magnificent coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach and visit the beachfront promenade with time to enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at your own cost). See Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross, and Mrs. Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city center. Tour concludes at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Day 11- Sydney – Optional tour: Explore Sydney Harbour
This morning, explore Sydney harbor onboard the Hop on Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer. Travel aboard a 25-meter motorized Rocket Ferry vessel and enjoy a fun and easy way to explore Sydney, including commentary on selected routes. Then, sit back and relax as your vessel cruises around Sydney Harbour and stops at six harbourside attractions, including Circular Quay, Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Shark Island, and Darling Harbour. Then, hop off and reboard as many times as you wish as you explore the best of Sydney!

This afternoon enjoy a one hour guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks, and this is your chance to truly get up close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat 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 each yea

Day 12 – Optional tour: Sydney – Visit the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains
This boutique tour provides an intimate touch, traveling in the luxury of minivan. Explore the Blue Mountains and see hidden locations and beautiful views of the region. From Echo Point, the closest and best view of the Three Sisters. You will be able to witness the blue haze and the vast expanse of the Jamison Valley and experience for yourself the raw magic the Blue Mountains create. This will be our first stop in the Blue Mountains, and you will have the option of ordering morning tea (At your own expense) while enjoying the amazing views. Visit Scenic World and dare yourself to ride the steepest Railway in the World. The Scenic Cableway and Skyway offer spectacular views of the Three Sisters and the Valley. Scenic World is included in the price of our tour. The Tour Guide will take you down to the valley floor whilst explaining the area. See breathtaking views of either the Jamison Valley or Megalong Valley away from the crowds in a secluded location. Visit Leura and enjoy the quaint village with multiple lunch venues (at your own expense). The last stop on the tour is Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney's ultimate wildlife experience. See the Koalas and feed the baby wallabies before returning to Sydney.

Day 13 - Depart Sydney
This morning bid farewell to Australia as you depart Sydney for your flight to the US, arriving the same day.

 

request a quote or virtual appointment

 

Costing Per Person

Starting from $2,999

 

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

Single Supplement: From $1,199

 

Australian Entry Requirements

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

Additional departure gateways & pricing

Add on airfares are available from most major airports – please ask an Aspire consultant for a quote

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade to premium economy from $1,100 per person each way*
  • Upgrade to business class from $4,000 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 - 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. 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 add offers. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by check/wire; please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.

To guarantee the package price & purchase the airline tickets, full payment is due at the time of booking. The purchase of travel Insurance is highly recommended for travel to Australia. Aspire Down Under partners with CSA Travel Protection. Travel insurance covers cancellation penalties under the cancellation benefit should you test positive for COVID-19 immediately before traveling to Australia. In the unlikely event your scheduled travel date is impacted by Australian government entry restrictions, Aspire Down Under will permit a change of travel dates within 12 months from your original booking date without any fees or penalties (the applicable price of the new trip itinerary will apply).

 

Enquire About This Trip

Are you flexible on selected dates?
Please copy the letters you see in the image for verification.