Sunny, sexy and sophisticated, Sydney is the shining star of the southern hemisphere. The white-sailed Sydney Opera House over the waters of Sydney Cove, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge are the pride and joy, but there's far more on offer. Discover the harbor, the city's historic enclaves, restaurants and cafes, beaches, museums and art galleries. One thing’s for certain - you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to see and do in Sydney.

Heron Island is a true coral cay right on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Here you can swim straight off the beach to an endless garden of coral where the waters are literally teeming with beautifully colored fish and marine life. It's what you don't see around Heron that makes the resort so special. You won't see any buildings above the tree line. And you won't bump into any day trippers either. The reef experience on Heron is exclusively for guests, a unique experience few other resorts in the world can offer

• Round-trip International Economy airfare from Los Angeles
• Add-on airfares available from other cities
• Internal Australia flights
• Private car transfers in Sydney & Brisbane
• 4 nights at the 4* Star Parkroyal Darling Harbour Sydney
• 4 nights at the 4* Heron Island, Reef Room
  (Inclusions: All Meals. Guided birdlife walks, guided island ecology walks, guided reef walks, nature slideshow presentations, marine documentary viewing, snorkelling lessons in the swimming pool, stargazing, table tennis, tennis, trivia nights and wildlife presentations.
• Boat Transfer Round trip Gladstone - Heron Island - Gladstone (Helicopter upgrade available)
• 1 night at the 4* Voco Brisbane
• ** Sightseeing options and packages are available **

Day 1 - Depart US
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class airfare.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line 

Day 3 - Arrive Sydney
On arrival you will be met by your driver for a private car transfer to the Parkroyal Darling Harbour.

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.

ACCOMMODATION - Stay four nights in the Heart of Sydney. The Parkroyal Darling Harbour is located on the city side of Darling Harbour, a short distance from the restaurants and bars of the Darling Quarter and 2 kilometers from Circular Quay. The spacious guest rooms and suites have a contemporary design and offer views of the cityscape or Darling Harbour.

Image: Tourism Australia

Days 4 - 6 - Sydney
Explore Sydney at your leisure or consider adding one of our boutique tour options:

Half Day City Sights 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 Circular Quay.

Sydney Opera House tour

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.

Explore Sydney Harbour & Wildlife experience at Taronga Zoo

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!

Hop off at Taronga Zoo for the closest experience you can have with Australian wildlife led by those who know them best – the Zookeepers. Learn as you see, touch and feed the animals during this activity-packed two-hour journey through the Zoo. As part of a small, exclusive group this is an experience to remember. You will have the chance to meet an Australian Icon during your personal Koala Encounter. Go behind the scenes and venture into the wilderness of the Australian bush, enter the underground burrow of the shy and reclusive wombat and explore the mysteries of the platypus in this introduction to Australia’s unusual wildlife. Your keeper will explain the special adaptations that enable these animals to live in harmony with the Australian environment. Reboard the Hop on Hop off boat back to Circular Quay at your leisure

Visit the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains

Enjoy a small group tour of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains. Stop en route for morning tea at Calmsley Hill, a working farm home to Kangaroos, Emus, Wombats, and Koalas. Visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley, and visit Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout point away from the crowds for views of the famous Three Sisters. Stop at Blackheath for lunch and later experience the view of Govetts Leap and the majestic waterfall. Stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, where you will enjoy sweeping views across Sydney before traveling down the Bells Line of Road to Sydney.

Day 7 - Sydney to Gladstone and transfer to Heron Island
You will be transferred by private car to Sydney airport and fly to Gladstone. On arrival, you will take the transfer launch to Heron Island (or ask about upgrading to seaplane transfer).

ACCOMMODATION - This property is located on the World-Heritage-listed Heron Island. Swim straight off the beach to an endless garden of coral, where the waters are teeming with beautifully coloured fish and marine life. The resort also offers an array of activity options for those who like to relax, explore and laze on beaches far from crowds, with no reef “day-trippers” to spoil the peace and quiet. Living areas open onto balconies or terraces with forest or sea views.

Image: Heron Island Resort

Days 8 - 10 - Heron Island
At Leisure to relax, explore and indulge on Heron Island.Full breakfast daily. Guided birdlife walks, guided island ecology walks, guided reef walks, nature slideshow presentations, marine documentary viewing, snorkelling lessons in the swimming pool, stargazing, table tennis, tennis, trivia nights and wildlife presentations.

Day 11 - Depart Heron Island connect Gladstone to Brisbane
Depart Heron Island by launch transfer and fly from Gladstone to Brisbane. On arrival in Brisbane, you will be transferred by private car to the Voco Brisbane.

The river city of Brisbane/Meeanjin 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.

ACCOMMODATION - Situated on the banks of the Brisbane River with panoramic views over Southbank Parklands and the Performing Arts Complex, this is a perfect base when staying in Brisbane. Just a few minutes walk to Queen Street Mall and the excitement of the Treasury Casino. This property interiors  are heavily influenced by its riverside location, as seen in the bed head mural, to create an upscale, laidback look and feel. Each of the hotel’s artfully designed premium guestrooms have a warm, neutral palette features dark blue hues and bright pops of the signature voco yellow as seen in the hand-picked artworks and furniture which is artfully placed to create zones within the room. The have an abundance of natural light, plush sustainable bedding, vibrant artworks, smart in-room technology, modern bathrooms and some rooms have sweeping views over the city or river.

Image: Tourism Australia

Day 12 - Depart Brisbane
You will be transferred by private car to Brisbane Airport for your flight back to the U.S.

request a quote or virtual appointment

$8,049 per person

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

Entering Australia is a breeze. All you need is a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

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.

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.