Australian Outback Vacation: Luxury Outback and Sydney

This Australian Outback Vacation was created for 2 sisters who wanted to get off the beaten path and experience the natural beauty of the Australian Outback, but still see highlights in Sydney.

They began their Australian Outback Vacation in Darwin in the Top End for an overnight, before embarking on their 5 day/4 Nights Luxury Safari Experience with Lords Safaris. The journey started at their hotel room in Darwin. From there they made their way toward UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Then on to Arnhem Land, Aboriginal lands where access is restricted to a select group of tour operators. This special Luxury Safari included an 2 nights at Davidsons Safaris and 2 nights at Bamurru Plains.

Continuing their Australian Outback Vacation, they flew back to Darwin to catch the Ghan, a legendary Australian train journey. Traveling through the heart of the Outback from Darwin to Alice Springs, they had stunning views from their premium cabin and enjoyed delicious gourmet meals on the train.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast on board, they made the long journey from Alice Springs to their next luxury accommodations, Longitude 131°. Here, in Australia’s Red Centre, the landscape is dominated by Uluru, or Ayers Rock, with its magnificent ever-changing colors. While there, they had a truly spectacular dining experience as they watched Uluru change colors at sunset and then enjoyed a gourmet meal under the starry night sky.

They finished their Australian Outback Vacation in cosmopolitan Sydney. From their luxury room at The Langham Sydney.  They enjoyed a full-day, privately guided tour of the nearby Blue Mountains. This stunning and dramatic landscape is home to wild kangaroos, emus, and even koalas. They returned to Sydney via helicopter to catch unbelievable aerial views of the mountains and the Sydney skyline.  On their last day, they boarded a luxury yacht for sailing on Sydney Harbour.

Having seen the highlights of the Australian Outback and Sydney, they brought their Australian Outback Vacation to an end and headed to the airport for their flight home.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Australia! Fly to the Northern Territory’s capital, Darwin. Arrive in Darwin in time for dinner and a sunset stroll along the beach.
Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Day 2
The journey begins when your guide, Dean or Sab, meets you at your Darwin accommodation at 8am. From there we make our way toward UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Then on to Arnhem Land, Aboriginal lands where access is restricted to a select group of tour operators. Arnhem Land is perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant, despite a long history of interaction with other cultures – for example, the Macassans, Indonesian people who visited the shores of Arnhem Land for more than five hundred years to harvest sea cucumbers. They came by sailing boats from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and left their legacy with the Aboriginal people. Later, Europeans arrived, and their impact on Aboriginal people was more far-reaching and profound. Yet today, Arnhem Land has weathered all the storms of history and has managed to survive as a last frontier and homeland of around 20,000 indigenous people. Here you visit the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre. Visitors to Injalak will experience the traditional culture of the Kunwinjku people. Here you have the opportunity to experience traditional art in an intimate setting where you can get to know the artist and see firsthand how artworks are created. After leaving Injalak you head on to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris. Davidson’s is situated in the northwest corner of Arnhem Land and adjacent to Kakadu National Park and the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia’s Northern Territory. This landscape is a vast subtropical savannah that has been described as a national treasure trove of artifacts of ancient human occupation, and a pristine wilderness area hosting myriad ecosystems and wildlife. Access to the Davidson’s safari lodge is by 4WD vehicle or flight. The camp is fully licensed and has a wide selection of wines, spirits and beer. The facilities are situated in a natural bush setting. The heart of the lodge is a new and tastefully furnished communal space including a dining area, lounge, bar, library, internet area and a large outdoor deck for alfresco dining, all overlooking the sandstone-paved pool.
Davidsons Arnhemland Safaris

Day 3
Today is spent exploring and enjoying the incredible unique environment around Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris. This location at Mt Borradaile is a registered aboriginal sacred site in an exclusively-leased 700-square-kilometre area nestled against the Arnhem Land escarpment. Its rugged ranges, fringed by idyllic billabongs, floodplains, paper bark swamps and monsoonal rain forests, form an amazingly beautiful wilderness. Mt Borradaile is still owned and managed by its traditional custodians, the Amurdak people, whose inhabitation of the area dates back for 50,000 years. The story of their ancestry is evident in the many tools, ceremonial grounds and rock art paintings visible – and still being uncovered – today. Valleys, overhangs and caves offer magnificent galleries of rock art as well as occupation and burial sites. While at Davidson’s we enjoy a range of activities and attractions, such as fishing, viewing Aboriginal art, and a billabong cruise.
Davidsons Arnhemland Safaris

Day 4
After leaving Davidson’s you head on to Bamurru Plains, an exclusive lodge and wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds. The accommodation is comfortable freestanding bungalows that are spacious and screened to let in the sounds of the floodplains. The camp also boasts a large dining area with commanding views across the vast wetlands, a 10-metre infinity pool and a library. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is the environment around you and the wildlife and bird life for which it is home. Each individual safari bungalow is designed to blend with the surroundings and immerse guests in the sights and sounds of the bush around you, whether it is the haunting call of a Whistling kite, the raucous cacophony from the Blue-winged kookaburras as dawn breaks or the sound of a full grown buffalo splashing its way through the floodplains just a short distance from your bed. The morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie geese, after which the camp is named, is an experience in itself. The Mary River catchments are home to some 236 species of birds, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: Black soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of bird life. You end the day with a dramatic sunset over the floodplains while enjoying a glass of wine.
Bamurru Plains

Day 5
A morning airboat adventure on the floodplains is an exhilarating and perfect start to the day, and the only way to truly experience the amazing environment around Bamurru Plains. While at the camp you enjoy a variety of activities. The floodplains of the Mary River region form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia. Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park harbor an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. This place is home to thousands of Magpie geese, Plumed whistling ducks, egrets, ibis and a host of other birds, not to mention wild buffalo and wallabies.
Bamurru Plains

Day 6
you continue to enjoy the sights and experiences of Bamurru Plains this morning, and then after lunch make your return journey to Darwin.  Where you will again overnight before you continue your journey.
Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Day 7
Today, transfer to the train depot for Australia’s favorite train experience, the Ghan. Traveling from Darwin to Alice Springs, the Ghan takes you through the heart of the Australian Outback. Enjoy the comfort and solitude of your private cabin with a panoramic window, lose yourself in conversation with newfound traveling companions, or simply gaze out of the window taking inspiration from the ever changing landscape.
The Ghan – Great Southern Rail

Day 8
Enjoy a hearty breakfast on the train before you arrive in Alice Springs and then fly to Ayers Rock for your stay at Longitude 131°. Here, you’ll find a luxurious wilderness camp at the gateway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After settling in, catch your first glimpse of Uluru/Ayers Rock as you learn about the importance of this sacred place to the Aboriginal inhabitants.
Longitude 131°

Day 9
This morning, you have the opportunity to explore Kata Tjuta at your leisure. Perhaps take the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour, such as a camel ride, Harley ride, or helicopter tour over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. This evening, you will head out an hour before sunset to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Watch as the colors of the rock change in front of your very eyes. You will then be transferred to an outdoor dining venue, where you’ll have an unforgettable dining experience under the star-filled night sky.
Longitude 131°

Day 10
After breakfast, say goodbye to the Red Centre. You will be transferred by shuttle to the airport to catch a flight to Sydney. Cosmopolitan and aesthetically appealing, Sydney is a feast for the eyes with plenty to offer any type of traveler. Sydney is iconic in every way—the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, the lively neighborhoods, Darling Harbour—all of it is delightful and worth thorough exploration.
Langham Sydney

Day 11
This morning, your private guide will pick you up for a full day of exploring the remarkable Blue Mountains.This region offers an authentic taste of the Aussie country lifestyle. Visit the Three Sisters and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings. The Blue Mountains are rich in beauty, with vast hidden gorges and valleys with cascading waterfalls. Return via helicopter for spectacular views of the mountains and Sydney Harbour.
Langham Sydney

Day 12
Without a doubt the absolute best way to soak up sparkling Sydney Harbour is on board a luxury private yacht. Board your exclusive sailing yacht for an incredible 4-hour charter taking in the very best of Sydney Harbour in a safe and comfortably distanced way, a perfect way to spend the day! Your charismatic and ultra-knowledgeable skipper will point out the sights while cruising the harbour.
Langham Sydney

Day 13
Head to the airport today to catch your flight back home. Leave with memories to last a lifetime knowing that you have experienced the highlights of Australia.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Does not include the cost of airfare


Based on
13 day stay
2 travelers

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