Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After a sell-out success in 2016, the award-winning Field of Light, a global phenomenon by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, has been extended for another season, until 31 December 2020.

As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, field of light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert. The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara is Munro’s largest work to date, with more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of seven football fields. Pathways draw viewers into the installation, which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars.

Explore the beautiful surroundings of the Daintree rainforest from the comfort of Silky Oaks. 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 Healing Waters Spa.

The journey to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation features incredible coastal and rainforest scenery. The Silky Oaks Lodge safari is a full-day tour that visits a variety of different environments including estuary, mangroves, rainforest and beach. The first stop is Mill Walk in Cape Tribulation National Park, a private track accessed exclusively by Silky Oaks Lodge. 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. In the afternoon enjoy a crocodile and wildlife spotting tour on the picturesque Daintree River and return to Silky Oaks Lodge for afternoon tea in the open sided treehouse restaurant.

Depart Port Douglas Marina for a day on the Great Barrier Reef. The skipper selects threes sites according to tidal and weather conditions and during the course of the day you have the opportunity to snorkel on the reef - one of the richest habitats on the planet in terms of its diversity. To date more than 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish and 4000 mollusc species have been recorded. A marine naturalist gives an informative talk and leads the guided snorkel tour.

The Great Barrier Reef is a wonder of the world and this helicopter flight lets you appreciate its beauty from above. Your pilot and guide knows this region well and will share stories on the major landmarks throughout your journey. Highlights include Fitzroy Island, Outer Great Barrier Reef, Michaelmas and Upolo Cay, Palm Cove, Kuranda and Cairns.

Taking off from Cairns you will head south-west over Trinity Inlet and the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah, to fly over Fitzroy Island. The protected island itself is 339 hectares, with some towering mountain peaks. Its vegetation is mixture of coastal mangroves and open woodlands. From Fitzroy head north-west, towards the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Depending on the time of year, you may see some Humpback Whales which migrate to the waters below during the winter months. Beneath you the Coral Sea is interspersed with just some of the Great Barrier’s over 2,700 individual reefs. The water depth varies from 30m to 5m and you can often see right through to the ocean floor.