Combine Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef in one 11-day Australia vacation package. Spend four nights in Sydney exploring the harbour, Opera House and city highlights, then fly to Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas for four nights near the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

The package includes international and domestic flights, 4-star accommodations, airport transfers, a Sydney city tour and harbour cruise, a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience, and a Daintree Rainforest cultural tour. Daily departures are available, and the itinerary can be customized to your travel dates, interests and preferred cabin class

• Roundtrip International Qantas Economy Class Flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York JFK (domestic US flights can be added at an additional cost)
• Internal Australia flights
• Four nights accommodation in Sydney at 4* Amora Jamison Sydney
• Half-day small group city sights of Sydney
• Sydney Harbour cruise
• Sydney Opera House tour
• Four nights in Port Douglas at the 4* Shantara Resort Port Douglas
• Full-Day Great Barrier Reef tour, including lunch
• Half-Day Daintree Rainforest & Aboriginal cultural tour
• Private car service transfers in Sydney
• Shuttle airport transfers in Cairns
• All airport taxes & fuel surcharges

On this itinerary, you fly from Sydney to Cairns and then transfer approximately 1.5 hours north to Port Douglas. You'll stay four nights in Port Douglas, using it as your base for a full-day Great Barrier Reef tour and a Daintree Rainforest cultural experience.

Book your trip to Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef today

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Australia

Qantas is the number one way to travel to Australia, and your vacation begins the second you step onboard. With over 95 years of experience in long-haul travel, Qantas strives to ensure every passenger in every cabin has a comfortable experience. Qantas offers direct service from Los Angeles, San Francisco & Dallas Fort Worth - addon fares with American Airlines are available from other cities.

The Qantas onboard experience has a class for every passenger from First class 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 the International Date Line

Day 3: Arrive in Sydney

Welcome to Australia! On arrival in Sydney, you will be met in the arrivals hall by your driver and transferred by car service to the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney for your four nights stay.

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, scenic harbor flights, dining, fishing, climbing the harbor bridge, and sightseeing at the Opera House.

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, Wifi, 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 4: Sydney - Half Day Sydney 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 5: Sydney - Explore Sydney Harbour

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 year.

Day 6: Free Day in Sydney or Optional Blue Mountains Tour

Consider adding an optional small group full day tour to the Blue Mountains today.

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 7: Fly From Sydney to Cairns & Transfer to Port Douglas

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your private car transfer to Sydney Airport. Board your flight to Tropical North Queensland and the city of Cairns. On arrival, meet your shuttle transfer to Port Douglas (approximately 1.5 hours - Upgrades to private car service available, ask an Aspire consultant for the additional cost)

Image: Tourism Australia

ACCOMMODATION - Stay four fabulous nights at Shantara Resort & Spa, located 400 meters from Port Douglas' famous Four Mile Beach with its palm-fringed beach; relax or swim in the warm, calm waters. Take a stroll to Macrossan Street which offers an array of trendy gourmet restaurants, cafes, and boutique shopping to suit all tastes. With a choice of spacious studio rooms or sizeable comfortable one-bedroom self-contained apartments, Shantara is an adult haven, ideal for couples looking for a tranquil, romantic, and relaxing getaway.

Day 8: Great Barrier Reef Day Tour From Port Douglas

This morning board your vessel at Crystal Brook Marina Port Douglas to commence a full-day cruise. Travel aboard Silversonic, a 29-meter luxury catamaran custom-designed for small groups of adventure-minded people to revel in the thrill of diving and snorkeling. Silversonic features a state-of-the-art ride control system for a super smooth journey, a submerged platform for easy water access, hot freshwater showers, change rooms, air-conditioned lounges, and a licensed bar. With over five hours to explore the delights of this underwater world, snorkelers can explore three different outer reef locations at Agincourt Reef, on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel briefs at each site and a guided free snorkel tour are included in your day.

Day 9: Daintree Rainforest & Kuku Yalanji Cultural Experience

Experience the wonders of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Aboriginal culture on this half-day tour.

NGANA JULAYMBA DUNGAY: “We All Going Daintree” tours are based around the Mossman, Mossman Gorge, coastal habitats & the Daintree River area. Discover the Kuku Yalanji people's environment, learn about different foods and medicines utilized from nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish, and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices. Have a go at boomerang and spear throwing and if you are lucky, catch a mud crab. Take a guided rainforest walk through the southern Daintree rainforest and visit the Mossman Gorge before being transferred back to Port Douglas.

Optional Upgrade: Extend the experience to a full-day tour with lunch for an additional $50 per person.

Day 10: Free Day in Port Douglas & Optional Tours

Explore Tropical North Queensland at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options at an additional cost. - Some of our favorites are

• Wildlife Habitat
  The award-winning Wildlife Habitat is Australia's leading immersion exhibit - an open and interactive environment for guests and animals to mingle in a spacious and natural setting. Visitors wander along elevated boardwalks, observing up close a vast range of flora and fauna as birds fly and roam freely. The original Breakfast with the Birds has been a visitor must-do for two decades; be immersed within the Wetlands environment while enjoying the cacophony of sounds and colors of Wildlife as they wander freely amongst you while enjoying a tropical breakfast.
• Kuranda Scenic Rail & Skyrail
  Enjoy a full day Kuranda, Scenic Rail, and Skyrail Tour. Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a breathtaking journey on one of the world's most scenic train routes. The trip will take you through hand-hewn tunnels and across bridges with amazing views. Stop at Barron Gorge to view the Falls before arriving at beautiful Kuranda station. Your Kuranda Boarding Pass offers discounted entry into Birdworld, Kuranda Koala Gardens, The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, and Rainforestation, as well as a detailed map of Kuranda - the Village in the rainforest. At the scheduled time, bypass the ticketing lines and go directly to the Skyrail boarding area to board Skyrail for the world's most beautiful rainforest experience. Glide over the rainforest canopy and take advantage of the two stops en route to enjoy a walk through the rainforest or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre.
• Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
  Travel north along the scenic coastal road, crossing the Daintree River onto a guided boardwalk through the rainforest before continuing to Cape Tribulation Beach, where time is allowed for a beach walk or to relax in a tranquil setting. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a rainforest setting. Next, visit the Alexandra Lookout for panoramic views out to sea and the mouth of the Daintree River, followed by a cruise to observe the fauna and flora of this region.

Day 11: Transfer to Cairns & Depart Australia

This morning you will be transferred by shuttle service to Cairns Airport. Bid farewell to Australia as you depart Cairns for your flight to the US, arriving the same day.

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This itinerary is designed to give first-time Australia travelers time in two very different destinations without changing hotels every night. Four nights in Sydney will give you enough time for the city's major sights, Sydney Harbour and an optional Blue Mountains excursion, while four nights in Port Douglas provide access to both the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Because this Sydney and Great Barrier Reef itinerary is independent rather than an escorted group tour, travelers can also customize hotels, flights, tours and free days with an Aspire Down Under travel specialist.

$3,999

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

Entering Australia is a breeze for U.S. Passport holders. All you need is a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Visa requirements can change, so travelers should confirm current requirements with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before departure.

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.

Can you visit the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?

Yes. This itinerary connects Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef with a domestic flight from Sydney to Cairns, followed by a transfer to Port Douglas. You'll then spend four nights in Port Douglas and take a full-day tour to the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Can you take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Sydney?

This itinerary does not treat the Great Barrier Reef as a day trip from Sydney. Instead, you fly to Cairns and spend four nights in Port Douglas, allowing time for a full-day reef experience as well as the Daintree Rainforest.

How long is this Sydney and Great Barrier Reef vacation?

The itinerary is 11 days and 8 nights, including 4 nights in Sydney and 4 nights in Port Douglas.

Is this an escorted group tour?

No. This is an independent itinerary with flexible departure dates. Selected sightseeing experiences are operated as small-group tours.

Can my Sydney and Great Barrier Reef itinerary be customized?

Yes. Flights, cabin class, hotels, optional tours and other itinerary components can be customized with an Aspire Down Under travel specialist.

What is the best time of year to visit Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef?

Sydney and Tropical North Queensland have different climates, so the best time to travel depends on your priorities. Aspire Down Under can help recommend travel dates based on weather, pricing, reef conditions and the experiences you want to include.

How many days should you spend in Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef?

This itinerary includes four nights in Sydney and four nights in Port Douglas. That provides time for Sydney's major highlights as well as a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience, the Daintree Rainforest and additional free time in Tropical North Queensland.

Is a Great Barrier Reef tour included in the vacation package?

Yes. The itinerary includes a full-day Great Barrier Reef experience while staying in Port Douglas. Additional reef and wildlife experiences can also be added depending on your interests.

Can I extend this trip to include Melbourne or Uluru?

Yes. The itinerary can be customized to include additional Australian destinations such as Melbourne or Uluru. Aspire Down Under also offers longer Australia vacation packages that combine these destinations with Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef.

Image: Tourism Australia

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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.

Full payment is due at the time of booking to guarantee the package price and purchase the airline tickets. Travel Insurance is highly recommended for travel to Australia.