Epic Australia with Privileged Access to the Sydney Opera House
An 8 Day Land Tour: Sydney & Melbourne
Experience Australia’s freshest culinary fusion, dramatic natural beauty and cultural attractions with Chef Roy Yamaguchi as your special guest chef in the “Land Down Under.”
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| One of the world's most beautiful harbour cities, Sydney will provide you with a cosmopolitan welcome. World renowned chefs and iconic panoramas set the scene for your dining delights. |
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| Behold the opportunity for a magnificent evening bridge climb on the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge. The climb provides you with an unparalleled panorama of the city skyline as you watch the sunset and the city lights come to life. |
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| Explore the hinterland hills of the Mornington Peninsula. The area's rich, fertile coastal plains produce award-winning pinot noir and chardonnay varietals as well as fresh produce, speciality cheeses, lavender, olives and other delights. |
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Price: Introductory fare is $5,350 per person, based on double occupancy. Please contact us for upgrades.
Price Details: 25% deposit is required to reserve with 25% due 6 months prior to traveling, and full payment required 3 months prior to departure. See Refund Policy below to learn how you may protetct your investment if you have to cancel for any reason.
Inclusions: Includes four nights opera view room accommodation with breakfast at Intercontinental Sydney; three nights bed and breakfast accommodation at Crown Towers; domestic flight to Melbourne and ground transportation per itinerary; meals, events, activities, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary; services of English-speaking guide throughout.
Exclusions: Does not include international air; visa fees; travel insurance; roundtrip transfers for international flights; meals and other activities not stated in itinerary; gratuities; telephone calls; individualized services and other items of a personal nature.
Disclaimer: *Fare is subject to a minimum number of 12 travelers. Activities, special guests, properties and itinerary are subject to change. We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect against injury, illness and unforeseen circumstances in the destination.
Epic Australia with Privileged Access to the Sydney Opera House: Accommodations
InterContinental Sydney
The award-winning InterContinental Sydney blends contemporary style with 19th-century architecture. Built in 1851 as a Treasury Building, the hotel is a Sydney famous landmark that offers sweeping views from Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Pacific Ocean.
A perfect base for work and play, the hotel is bordered by the city’s commercial centre, Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Steps away are the historic Rocks area, Sydney Opera House, the Art Gallery of NSW, leading shops and boutiques and some of the finest restaurants in Sydney.
The hotel features elegant and stylish accommodation. InterContinental Sydney’s 509 contemporary guest rooms and suites are specifically designed for the needs of the global traveler. Each room offers a picture frame view with a luxury window seat, high speed Internet access and spacious work zone.
A wide selection of restaurants and bars offers a broad choice of menus from light snacks to formal dining.
Crown Towers Hotel, Melbourne
Beautifully located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Crown Towers is lavishly appointed and offers an impeccable standard of customer service as well as attention to detail.
All of Crown Towers’ 482 luxuriously appointed oversized guest rooms have spectacular views to the city or Port Phillip Bay and feature a truly unique level of comfort and finish. Each room has the latest in room technology.
Hotel guests have access to the spectacular Crown Spa, the culinary delights of superb signature restaurants on property and the adjacent Crown Entertainment Complex with its cinemas, nightclubs, bars, shopping, indoor entertainment theme park and the 24 hour excitement of the world renowned Crown Casino.
Crown Towers Melbourne has recently been voted Top Hotel – Australia / Pacific at the prestigious 2007 U.S. Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in New York.
Epic Australia with Privileged Access to the Sydney Opera House: Itinerary
Day 1: Wednesday April 14 [D]
Arrive Sydney
Transfer to your hotel
The afternoon is at leisure
Welcome reception
Evening harbor cruise with dinner onboard
Overnight InterContintental Sydney
Day 2: Thursday April 15 – Sydney [B, L]
Sydney Fish Market Shopping Excursion
Breakfast at your hotel
Full day of touring in Sydney
Morning tour of The Rocks, Botanic Gardens and Inner Harbor
Embark on a short drive to Observatory Hill overlooking Darling Harbor, Bridge Street, the Financial Precint of Australia and Sydney, Macquarle Street with the Parliament House of NSW government, the Mint and Hyde Park Barracks. Traveling past St. Mary’s Cathedral, you visit the Sydney Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens. Stop for a short stroll to view Mrs. Macquarle’s Chair and enjoy and unsurpassed view of Sydney Harbor, the Opera House and Bridge.
Interactive Seafood Demonstration and Lunch at Rushcutter’s Bay, Vibe Hotel
The tour continues in the afternoon at Watsons Bay and South Head where you discover breathtaking views of Sydney Harbor, the Heads, the North Shore and the city. Stroll along the cliff tops and continue onward to Bondi Beach and Centennial Park before returning to the hotel mid-afternoon.
Dine on your own at leisure
Optional Evening Bridge Climb, Sydney Harbor Bridge
Overnight InterContintental Sydney
Day 3: Friday April 16 – Sydney [B]
Breakfast at your hotel
Morning Tour: Quarantine Station, North Head and Manly Beach
‘Meet a Lifesaver’ at Manly Beach - Surf lifesaving began on the beaches of Sydney then spread around the country, first to Western Australia and Queensland then later to the other states. This is a great opportunity to meet a real ‘Aussie’ icon and learn a little about the lifesaving movement.
Lunch on your own with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
Overnight InterContintental Sydney
Day 4: Saturday April 17 – Sydney [B,D]
Breakfast at your hotel
The day is at leisure
Gala Dinner at the Sydney Opera House prepared by Chef Roy
Overnight InterContintental Sydney
Day 5: Sunday April 18 – Melbourne [B]
Breakfast at your hotel
Domestic flight to Melbourne
Enjoy lunch on the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
"Aussie Rules" Football Game
Cocktails at the Crystal Club Lounge
Overnight Crown Towers Hotel
Day 6: Monday April 19 – Mornington Peninsula [B, L]
Breakfast at your hotel
Chef-led tour of the Mornington Peninsula
The day commences with a stunning coastal scenic drive. Visit the gothic style Heronswood Estate, established in 1864. Much of the delicious food grown in the garden is served in the slow food café, where you'll be treated to a delectable morning tea after a fascinating and informative stroll through
acres of stunning gardens.
Take in the panoramic views of the city, bay and peninsula from Arthurs Seat lookout before embarking on the next part of the journey.
The journey changes seasonally and will include a variety of experiences including:
• meeting cheese makers to discuss processes and techniques,
• pressing olives and learn about olive oil production,
• visiting Harry’s mussel farm,
• learning about chocolate making or
• getting involved in a spice blending class.
Following your morning’s explorations you head to the kitchen with your produce for an afternoon of fun with an intimate hands-on cooking class.
Learn more about using local, seasonal ingredients and then feast on your hard work made entirely from produce from the Peninsula.
You finish off with a private barrel tasting of local cool climate wines before heading back to Melbourne.
Return to the hotel with dinner at leisure.
Overnight Crown Towers Hotel
Day 7: Tuesday April 20 [B] Melbourne
Breakfast at the hotel
The day is at leisure to shop and explore Melbourne on your own.
Overnight Crown Towers Hotel
Day 8: Wednesday April 21 [B] Departures
Breakfast at the hotel
Continue to Melbourne Airport for your domestic flight to continue with your extended program or return home
Epic Australia with Privileged Access to the Sydney Opera House: FAQs
Recommended Reading
The Fatal Shore, Robert Hughes, HISTORY
In this celebrated social history, both scholarly and entertaining, Hughes traces the fate of those who were transported to the penal colonies of
Australia between 1787 and 1868.
Australia, A New History of the Great Southern Land, Frank Welsh, HISTORY
In this authoritative, balanced history Frank Welsh focuses on the political development of Australia from the European discovery of the continent
through the period of colonization.
Claiming a Continent: A New History of Australia, David Day, HISTORY
Written for a popular audience, this is an outstanding revisionist history of the country. Day tackles Australia's racial divisions, and the recent embrace
of Aboriginal culture by white Australians.
Cultural Atlas of Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific, Richard Nile & Christian Clerk, CULTURAL PORTRAIT
This handsome volume weaves together history, geography, archaeology, and the arts, covering the Australasian region from prehistory up to the
founding of the modern nations.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight, FIELD GUIDE
The authoritative, classic field guide. Range maps, illustrations, and concise descriptions are integrated on facing pages for ease of use.
Australian Wildlife, Raymond Leung & James Kavanaugh, FIELD GUIDE
This illustrated laminated fold-out guide features almost 150 species of Australian animals.
Epic Australia with Privileged Access to the Sydney Opera House: Trip Options
PRE OPTIONS
We recommend customizing your experience with the following suggested properties and activities.
The Barossa Valley
The wines of Barossa Valley and Penfold's Grange are known the world over. Don a laboratory coat and, with the assistance of Penfold's resident winemaker, create your own blend of one year-old reds, straight from the barrel, which you will take home in a personalized bottle.
The Louise Vineyard Retreat
Situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley and surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards, The Louise’s fifteen suites offer absolute luxury.
The onsite restaurant, Appellation, is widely regarded as one of Australia’s top regional dining experiences.
All suites feature large ensuite bathrooms with spa tubs and rain showers. The sleeping area includes a king bed fitted with luxury linens. A highlight of each suite is the private exterior space provided by spacious gated courtyard and a secluded rear terrace with lounging and sunning spaces with uninterrupted vistas across the adjacent vineyards.
POST OPTIONS
We recommend customizing your experience with the following suggested properties and activities.
Australian Outback Experience – Ayers Rock
Luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic, Longitude 131° lies at the gateway of the dual World Heritage listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Its fifteen tents offer 5-class luxury and private views of the sun rising and setting over Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Venture to Uluru and Kata Tjuta to experience an expansive living cultural landscape, learning the ancient cultures of traditional owners or exploring the stunning flora and fauna with expert guides. Your sensed will come alive when you are face to face with this irresistible land.
Hayman Island at The Great Barrier Reef
Hayman is Australia's most celebrated private island destination, beautifully situated in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and presenting an array of unique and memorable resort and Reef experiences.
Hayman’s stunning setting in the Great Barrier Reef presents opportunities to enjoy a range of adventures in the waters lapping the island and journey on private or scheduled tours to nearby beaches and other fabulous Reef locations.
Kangaroo Island - Southern Ocean Lodge
Imbibe the natural beauty of an ocean retreat in Australia's very own Galapagos - Kangaroo Island.
With more than one third of the island declared as Conservation or National Park, visitors readily come face-to-face with prolific bird and animal species such as New Zealand fur seals, koalas, kangaroos, Australian sea lions, ospreys, echidnas and much, much more. Flanked by the indomitable Southern Ocean, dramatic coastal vistas and sculptured landscapes lay unspoiled by development and riddled with sheer limestone cliffs, sheltered coves, rocky headlands and deserted stretches of sugar-white sand.
Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia's first true luxury lodge. Floating atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of coast, the lodge commands peerless views of the wild Southern Ocean and pristine Kangaroo Island wilderness.
Against this stunning natural backdrop rests a distinguished epicurean culture, ably supported by a profusion of fresh seafood, unique local produce and the acclaimed vignerons of South Australia's Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley regions.
A veritable feast for the senses, Kangaroo Island is a beacon for discerning travellers wishing to experience the very essence of Australia.
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