South East Australia Explorer

Touch down in Sydney and transfer privately to your heritage hotel in The Rocks, Sydney's historic heart. After settling into your room, the afternoon is yours to explore the cobblestone laneways, perhaps grabbing fish and chips at the harbour or browsing the weekend markets. This evening, prepare for something extraordinary – your twilight climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Led by expert guides, you'll ascend 134 metres above the harbour as the sun sets, painting the city in golden light. The 360-degree views stretch from the Opera House to the Blue Mountains, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Begin with a private tour of the Sydney Opera House, going behind the scenes of Jørn Utzon's architectural masterpiece. Your guide brings the building's dramatic creation story to life as you explore one of the working venues. Then it's time to see Sydney from the water on your private harbour cruise – a progressive three-course lunch paired with Australian wines as you glide past Watsons Bay, Middle Harbour, and beneath the Bridge. Stop at Balmoral for a waterside feast, with the possibility of a harbour swim if conditions allow. This is Sydney living at its finest.

Escape the city for the day on a luxury private tour to the Blue Mountains. Stop at Calmsley Hill Farm to meet kangaroos, wombats, and koalas over morning tea, then wind into the mountains for breathtaking valley views. The famous Three Sisters rock formation reveals different colours throughout the day from your exclusive Eaglehawk Lookout vantage point. Lunch at Echoes Restaurant perches you on the cliff edge with views that stretch forever. Visit Govetts Leap and the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, where you'll see the ancient Wollemi Pine – a tree that pre-dates the dinosaurs.

Your private transfer whisks you to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival, you're driven to 1 Hotel Melbourne at South Wharf, where sustainability meets luxury. This architectural stunner features over 2,000 living plants, reclaimed timber from old railway bridges, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Yarra River. The afternoon is yours to explore Docklands, stroll the river, or simply relax in your contemporary suite before venturing out for dinner in this food-obsessed city.

Delve into Melbourne's soul with a three-hour private tour of its famous laneways and arcades. Your passionate local guide reveals street art masterpieces, introduces you to independent designers and specialty retailers, and stops at a local chocolate salon for indulgent tastings. This is where Melbourne's creativity pulses – in the hidden corners, the tiny bars tucked down alleyways, and the Victorian-era arcades that house cutting-edge fashion. The rest of your day is free to continue exploring at your own pace.

Today you're whisked into the Yarra Valley, one of Australia's premier cool-climate wine regions. This private eight-hour tour is tailored entirely to your preferences, visiting boutique wineries like Yarra Yering and Coldstream Hills while avoiding the tourist crowds. Enjoy exclusive private tastings with carefully matched local produce, and perhaps sample gin at a local distillery or fresh cheese at Yarra Valley Dairy. A sumptuous two-course lunch at a picturesque vineyard restaurant, paired with exceptional wines, makes this a day to savour. Entry to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary lets you encounter native animals up close.

Collect your rental car and begin one of the world's great coastal drives. The route to Johanna takes about 3.5 hours of pure driving, but you'll want much longer to explore. Stop at Torquay to visit Surf World Museum and legendary Bells Beach. Detour to Anglesea's golf course where kangaroos lounge beneath the trees. Lorne offers the perfect lunch stop and waterfall walks. Continue through dramatic clifftop scenery and ancient rainforest to reach your boomerang-shaped cottage perched above the Johanna Valley. Light the wood fire, open a bottle of wine, and watch the sun set over the Great Southern Ocean from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Today is entirely yours to explore. The nearby Otway Fly Treetop Walk offers canopy-level views and zip-lining adventures. Cape Otway Lighthouse, Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse, sits 90 metres above Bass Strait with fascinating shipwreck history. Or drive to Maits Rest for an easy rainforest walk through ancient fern gullies on wooden boardwalks. The village of Lavers Hill (7 minutes away) has a café for supplies. Alternatively, simply relax at your cottage, spot wildlife from your balcony, and wander the property's three acres of gardens. This is slow travel at its best.

Continue west along the Great Ocean Road to witness the magnificent Twelve Apostles (actually eight remain) rising from the Southern Ocean. Descend the 86 Gibson Steps to walk the wild beach at their base. Explore Loch Ard Gorge with its dramatic shipwreck story, then photograph London Arch. Stop at Bay of Islands lookout before reaching Warrnambool – keep watch for southern right whales at Logans Beach (June-August). Port Fairy awaits you for the next two nights at Drift House, a strikingly modern boutique hotel with sumptuous interiors and just four ultra-private suites. The historic fishing village invites evening strolls past Norfolk pines and nineteenth-century cottages.

Port Fairy's charm unfolds at a gentle pace. Browse boutique shops and art galleries, watch fishermen unload crayfish and abalone at the harbour, or walk to the historic lighthouse. More than 50 National Trust-classified buildings tell stories of the 1800s. If you've pre-booked dinner at Drift House (available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), prepare for a memorable culinary experience. Otherwise, explore the town's excellent restaurants and cafés. This is your day to simply be, to absorb the village atmosphere, and perhaps take a sunset walk along the coast.

Cross into South Australia (remember clocks go back 30 minutes!) and drive to Mount Gambier through pastoral countryside. En route, stop at Tower Hill State Game Reserve, where koalas, emus, and kangaroos roam among extinct volcanic craters. Mount Gambier's volcanic landscape creates unique attractions – the impossibly blue Blue Lake, the sunken garden wonderland of Umpherston Sinkhole, and dramatic limestone caves. Your accommodation at The Barn sits on five acres of English-style gardens, with rooms constructed from local limestone. The award-winning Barn Steakhouse awaits if you fancy dinner on-site.

Journey north through the Limestone Coast, stopping at Tantanoola Caves to discover pink and brown dolomite formations. The historic town of Millicent offers quirky murals and a fascinating museum, while Beachport's 772-metre jetty stretches into Rivoli Bay. Follow the rugged Bowman Scenic Drive with its ocean lookouts and rocky outcrops. Arriving in Middleton on the Fleurieu Peninsula, you'll find your air-conditioned beach hut with private patio – a unique village-style accommodation just five minutes' walk from the beach. Stock up on supplies and settle in for two nights of beachside bliss.

Today is yours to explore the Fleurieu Peninsula at will. Nearby Goolwa offers river cruises and historic charm, while Victor Harbor's causeway leads to Granite Island where little penguins nest. The region's wineries produce excellent cool-climate wines. Or simply embrace beach life – surf, swim, walk the sand, read a book on your private deck. The choice is entirely yours.

Drive to Adelaide, return your rental car at the airport, then catch your flight to Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. Your guide meets you and transfers you to Providence Guest House for three nights of all-inclusive luxury. Tonight, enjoy a home-cooked dinner at your accommodation – the beginning of your immersive island experience. Tomorrow's adventures await.

Two full days of private touring reveal why Kangaroo Island is called Australia's Galapagos. The Island Life Tour takes you bushwalking with your guide, learning to identify tracks, calls, and native plants. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, walk among Australian sea lions on the beach – watching pups nurse and bulls rest after territorial battles is genuinely moving. Lunch at a private bush camp features fresh King George whiting and South Australian wines.

The Flinders Chase Focus Tour explores fire-affected landscapes (recovering beautifully) before reaching the massive granite sculptures of Remarkable Rocks. Enjoy an elegant clifftop picnic lunch, then visit Admirals Arch where long-nosed fur seals haul out through crashing waves. Both days include breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your accommodation, with all activities and park entries covered.

After breakfast, transfer to Kingscote Airport for your flight back to Adelaide. Your private driver collects you and whisks you north to the Barossa Valley, arriving at Le Mas Barossa, a Provençal-inspired boutique property nestled between vineyards and the Para River. Contemporary design meets French hospitality in your room overlooking old bush vines. Unwind by the heated mineral pool surrounded by ghost gums, or simply settle into your quarters before dinner at one of Tanunda's excellent restaurants.

Today's private six-hour wine tour showcases the Barossa's diversity, starting at a historic winery like Yalumba or Langmeil for traditional Barossa styles, then visiting somewhere pushing boundaries with new varieties and techniques. The highlight? A seasonally inspired multi-course lunch at the acclaimed restaurant FINO, where modern Australian cuisine meets exceptional wine pairings. Finish at one of the region's legendary Shiraz producers. This is wine touring done properly – intimate, educational, and utterly delicious, with all tastings, lunch, and transport included.

Your private transfer delivers you to Adelaide's most unique accommodation – the Oval Hotel, Australia's first integrated stadium hotel wrapping around the iconic Adelaide Oval. Your contemporary room offers spectacular views across parklands to the city or the Adelaide Hills. This evening, experience the Twilight RoofClimb, ascending the Oval's unique roofline 50 metres above the hallowed turf. The changing light creates magical perspectives of this supremely liveable city.

This morning's private five-hour tour combines city highlights with unforgettable wildlife experiences. At Cleland Wildlife Park in the hills above Adelaide, you'll have a private session with rangers, including the opportunity to hold a koala and hand-feed kangaroos. Visit Mount Lofty Summit for panoramic city views, then either explore Adelaide Central Markets or East End Cellars, depending on the day. A driving tour reveals the city's Victorian architecture, majestic cathedral, and parkland setting, with stops at historic monuments. Lunch with wine is included. Your final evening in Australia is free to explore Adelaide's vibrant restaurant scene.

Your private transfer takes you to Adelaide Airport for your onward journey, carrying memories of sea lions and Shiraz, coastal drives and clifftop views, and the warm embrace of Australia's southern coast.