Australia Island Family Vacation: Reef, Wildlife, and Sydney

Hit the highlights of Australia in style. A local lunch cruise in Sydney, an exclusive retreat on the Great Barrier Reef, and an expertly guided wildlife tour on Kangaroo Island will make your Australia Island Family Vacation one to remember!

From $4,199
per person
13 days
Airfare additional cost
Based on
4 travelers

This special Australia Island Family Vacation was planned for a family from Atlanta. This was their first time in Australia and they wanted to see all the highlights: Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and iconic wildlife like koalas and kangaroos. We designed this vacation to give them all this and more.

They began their Australia Island Family Vacation in sunny Sydney. Here, they went on a tour of Sydney’s cultural highlights and scenic surroundings. Then they returned to the city for a fabulous and uniquely Sydney experience: a gourmet lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour, where they took in a special view of the city skyline and swam at secluded beaches.

After 4 nights in Sydney, the next stop on their Australia Island Vacation was Hamilton Island. Part of the Whitsundays near the most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is one of the most spectacular and sought-after holiday destinations on the planet. Our clients were avid divers, so the Great Barrier Reef was a truly unforgettable highlight of their trip. They stayed at the luxurious Beach Club Hotel, where they were surrounded by pristine white beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life. They enjoyed exceptional diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and took a day trip to the exclusive Whitehaven Beach.

Continuing their Australia Island Family Vacation, they flew to Adelaide, the cosmopolitan capital of South Australia. From here, they were able to explore one of Australia’s most unique destinations, Kangaroo Island. Beautiful landscapes and iconic Australian wildlife abound on this small island. They discovered stunning beaches and were able to see animals like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and sea lions up close in their natural habitats.

For their final day, they were dropped off at their Adelaide hotel in the evening. The next morning, they said goodbye to beautiful Australia and caught their returning flight home.

Day 1
Welcome to Sydney! Blessed with a temperate climate, Sydney is Australia’s favorite city with the world’s most beautiful harbor. Discover Sydney’s colorful colonial past, miles of beautiful beaches, historic buildings and landmarks, award-winning restaurants, easygoing lifestyle, and vibrant culture.
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Day 2
This morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and learn about Sydney’s colonial past on a panoramic highlights tour. Then, travel through several exclusive eastern suburbs to Watsons Bay at South Head. There’s time for a short scenic walk before arriving at Bondi Beach. See other beautiful surf beaches before a drive through Centennial Park and Paddington. Return to Sydney for a leisurely lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour. Your personal captain and host will share the rich history of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore as you take in the sights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a gourmet, 3-course BBQ lunch with regional wines, local beers, and 5-star service.
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Day 3 – 4
Explore Sydney at your leisure today. Visit beautiful beaches, go shopping at exclusive boutiques, or consider adding some additional touring. The beautiful Blue Mountains or nearby Hunter Valley wine region make perfect day trips. We can also arrange a seaplane ride over Sydney Harbour and lunch at an exclusive waterfront restaurant.
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Day 5
Today, fly to Hamilton Island, an idyllic escape nestled among the Whitsunday Islands on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by pristine white beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, it’s your perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and world-famous Whitehaven Beach. During your stay, you’ll enjoy an impressive selection of dining, entertainment, water sports, sailing, cruising, and wildlife encounters.
Reef View Hotel

Day 6 – 8
Spend your days on Hamilton Island at your leisure. Explore the vibrant Great Barrier Reef from below with snorkeling and scuba diving, and from above on a glamorous helicopter, plane, or hot air balloon ride. There’s also plenty of time for relaxation in the heated infinity pool, vast stretches of pristine beach, and indulgent spa.
Reef View Hotel 

Day 9 – 10
You’re off to explore South Australia! Fly to Adelaide, South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital. Nestled between the hills and the ocean, this elegant city is undergoing a rapid transformation with a lively small-bar scene, world-class festivals, and amazing eco-adventures. Soak up Adelaide’s colonial elegance in the spacious city squares, join the locals at the bustling Adelaide Central Markets, or take the short tram ride to Glenelg Beach.
Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury 

Day 11
A Kangaroo Island Odysseys coach will pick you up from your hotel for your transfer to the ferry port. From here, you can ferry or fly to the mystical Kangaroo Island. Here, you’ll walk along the beach among a wild colony of rare and endangered sea lions. Travel to Vivonne Bay for lunch, then journey to Flinders Chase National Park, home to numerous native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. The tour of the park will take you to the rugged southern coastline for a walk on the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch. Make your final stop at Hanson Bay Sanctuary to walk among the eucalypt trees and look for koalas. Travel back to Kingscote for your overnight stay.
Overnight on Kangaroo Island

Day 12
Explore Kangaroo Island at your leisure today, or enjoy more touring at an additional cost. Return to Penneshaw to board the Sealink ferry to Cape Jervis, then connect with your coach transfer back to Adelaide. Your coach will drop you back at your hotel in the evening.
Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury 

Day 13
It’s time to say goodbye to beautiful Australia today. After breakfast, make your way to the airport and begin your journey home.

  • 4 nights Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
  • 4 nights Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island – includes breakfast, chauffer service, and selected activities
  • 3 nights Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury
  • 1 night Kangaroo Island – Cruise Excursion
  • AEA Luxury Tours – Panoramic Sydney tour
  • Sensational Sydney Cruises – Lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
  • Full-day wildlife tour of Kangaroo Island – includes coach and ferry transfers

 

If you like a little adrenaline, a jet ski tour around Hamilton Island is a must. Gorgeous scenery and so much fun!
–Candice, Down Under Endeavours

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

Partner Information

  • Location: Sydney
  • Type of Accommodation: Hotel
  • Comfort Level: First Class
  • Harbour Views
  • 4 Restaurants and Bars
  • CHI Spa and Health Club

Things To Do

  • Sydney Bike Tour
  • Tour, Dinner, and Performance at Sydney Opera House
  • Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbour
  • Excursions to Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains
  • Visits to Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Many More

AEA Luxury Tours

Partner Information

  • Location: Sydney
  • Panoramic Sydney Tours
  • Wildlife and Nature Tours in the Blue Mountains
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tours
  • Private Charters
  • Friendly, Expert Local Guides
  • Luxurious, Small-Group Vehicles

Sensational Sydney Cruises

Partner Information

  • Location: Sydney
  • Small-Group or Private Tours of Sydney Harbour
  • Tours Held on Private Yacht
  • Local Knowledge of Popular and Offbeat Attractions
  • Friendly Atmosphere

Exceptional Kangaroo Island

Partner Information

  • Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
  • Small Group or Private Touring with Local Guides
  • See Australian Wildlife in the Wild
  • Tours Include Delicious Lunch of Local Produce and Wine
  • Private Touring Options: Family, Art, Food, History, Photography, and More