Venture ‘down under’ to the Great Barrier Reef, get under the skin of the Aboriginal culture or live it up in the gastronomic cities of Sydney and Melbourne. We can show you how to experience all this away from the crowds whilst dipping into the must-see icons of Australia with an experienced guide to bring it all to life.
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Australia is like nowhere else: a remarkable continent and a land of huge contrasts – untouched deserts, ancient rainforests, mystical Uluru, productive wine country, the mighty outback, the vast unknown interior, idyllic Barrier Reef Islands, cresting surf beaches and sophisticated cities. It is wild, vast, untouched and yet cosmopolitan, cultural and cool.
Whether you’re after tropical paradise, luxury escapism or an epic overland adventure, Australia has it all. First time travellers will be keen to experience the iconic Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. They are highlights for a reason and are truly wonderful to see: let us show you how to best experience them, away from the crowds.
However Australia is about more than just the highlights – it is a place to explore off the beaten track, to seek out hidden gems and to amble along empty beaches. Any genuine Australian experience must include time with the locals and a chance to experience the warmth of their hospitality, their ‘down to earth’ friendliness and that dry Australian sense of humour.
Wix Squared has some exceptional guides to get you under the skin of the country including:
- A specialist in contemporary art who can open doors to Sydney’s art scene
- A Kuku Yalanji guide to help you understand the Aboriginal culture
- A wine connoisseur to sip your way along the Margaret River region
- An ex. jackaroo and bull catcher in The Kimberley, now an environmental enthusiast
- A nature photographer at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
- A naturalist and birder with a degree in Tropical Plant sciences
- A former USA surfing champion and Hawaiian big wave rider in Byron Bay
- A passionate conservationist at Arkaba
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Itinerary Starting Price
From £3,000 per person, for 7 days including accommodation, private guiding, entrance fees and private transfers (not including flights).
Random Fact
The Earth’s largest living structure is the Great Barrier Reef which even has its own post box, 72km offshore.
Festival
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (26th December) is one of the top 3 offshore yacht races in the world with plenty of celebrations at both ends of the race.
What to Eat
Australia’s cuisine is incredibly diverse but one of the most popular ways to cook is family style on a ‘barbie’ (barbecue) – try adding beetroot to your hamburger.
What to Read
‘Bullo, The Next Generation’ by Marlee Ranacher. An autobiography on growing up on Bullo River station, her love of the country and the relationships within one of Australia’s better known outback families.
What to buy
A jar of Australian Vegemite to take home and drizzle on hot buttered toast. Vegemite is made from yeast extract and vegetable additives.
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Luxury Lodges
Numerous luxury boutique hotels scatter Australia, varying from the rustic style of Bamurru located in the floodplains of Kakadu National Park to the more sophisticated Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island which is the epitome of beach house chic. The Louise is surrounded by vineyards and at the One&Only Wolgan Valley Hotel every suite has private indoor/outdoor pool.
Glamping
Longitude 131˚at Uluru is hard to beat, located in the foreground of the sacred Ayres Rock (Uluru) which can be appreciated through floor to ceiling glass windows. Nightfall Camp in Queensland is completely solar powered whilst Sal Salis has a more laidback approach in the Ningaloo Reef, perfect for swimming with whales from August-October.
City Hotels
The Park Hyatt hotels in Sydney and Melbourne have spectacular views over the Sydney Opera House and Fitzroy gardens, respectively. The Langham is another favourite in Sydney and The Treasury by COMO brings fresh clean lines and an excellent spa to Perth. There are a number of other city hotels that we work with and we constantly monitor their levels of quality and service.
Exclusivity
When travelling as a family or a large group, we can point you in the right direction to exclusively takeover a luxury lodge or private guesthouse. One of our favourites is the Pretty Beach House in Bouddi National Park surrounded by 7 beaches. We also work closely with Spicers Peak Lodge in Queensland’s wilderness and Arkaba in the Flinders Ranges which has a strong focus on conservation.
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Bustling Cities
Spend time with one of our local guides in Melbourne, who will help you find your bearings far away from the tourist crowds and explore the backstreets with small designer boutiques and hidden gems. In Sydney no visit is complete without taking a chartered yacht or ferry on the harbour. Join the locals for a coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte. Browse through one of the weekend markets in Hobart or Melbourne or take in an open air movie in Sydney’s Botanical Gardens. The gourmet dining scene is incredible with wonderful fusion food unspectacular restaurants but for something a little more off the wall, we can even arrange a barbeque on top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Diverse Wildlife
Venture underwater to dive or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef, home to a myriad of species of fish, turtles, sharks, manta rays, vibrant coral and whale sharks. Or stay above water on an airboat safari with salt water crocodiles and water buffalo. Kangaroo Island can be visited year round to see koala, kangaroo, sea lion, echidnas and a huge variety of birdlife. Whilst in the north, Bamurru Plains is Australia’s version of the Okavango Delta and we can book the legendary ‘Sab Lord’ to guide you through these floodplains.
Gourmet Experiences
Australia’s wine credentials are widely known but what about hot air ballooning and cycling through the vineyards or taking the opportunity to make your own blend of wine. Match your wines to divine oysters and tuna or explore the small scale operations producing gorgeous cheeses. With three Sydney restaurants in the San Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list and inner city suburbs bustling with wine and cocktail bars you can take your pick of cuisine and the famous Australian brunches are a treat. Away from the cities, try a wallaby steak or fresh lobster grilled in front of you in the Tasmanian outback.
10,000 Beaches
Australia has over 30,000 miles of coastline and over 10,000 beaches to choose from. Let us help you decide which sandy bay will suit you best, be it white sand in the Whitsundays, a rugged western coast, a rougher surfing shore or a private beach on the Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively travel further off the beaten track to discover white-sand beaches by sea kayak in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest.
Aboriginal culture
The Aboriginals have the longest continuous cultural history of any tribe in the world. We have expert guides to teach you about bush tucker and the more modern ways of Aboriginals, living in Australia today. Their ancient stories date back more than 50,000 years which form the basis of their beliefs and traditions. We can even time your visit to witness an authentic Aboriginal ceremony.
By Air
To gain faster access to the highlights of Australia, hop into a helicopter or seaplane to experience a different perspective of this vast country. Take a heli-trip from Sydney to the majestic blue mountains or an air-safari over the Kimberley’s marine wilderness, best visited June-September. We can even arrange heli-fishing for barrumundi in the outback.
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Hong Kong is a great hub from where to access the Australian cities of Perth or Melbourne, before travelling further afield into the more remote parts of Oz.
Darwin, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney all have direct flights from Singapore. So why not break the long journey to Australia with a stopover in this cosmopolitan metropolis.
A number of Australian cities facilitate flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi where you can enjoy the water parks, shopping malls and 360˚ views from high rise buildings.
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In Australia, anything is possible… we can conjure up unique sleeping and dining experiences in the outdoors by setting up 4-poster beds on a mountain top with 360 degree views. You and your guests can also enjoy a private breakfast performance at the Sydney Opera House or go mud-crabbing with a local who will then cook your catch on a remote beach.
There are a number of properties in Australia that are ideal for an exclusive booking. From a super stylish guest house 90 minutes north of Sydney to a traditional Australian homestead in the southern outback or a rustic private Island off the Queensland coast.
Find out more about Events by Wix Squared
Weather
Australia is a year round destination – the north and south experience opposing weather patterns throughout the year.
October-March is the best time for southern Australia.
April-September is the best time for northern Australia.
- Avoid the north when the monsoon prevails. Instead take a stroll from Bronte to Bondi Beach over the striking coastal cliffs, or take a surf lesson beneath them.
- This is a great time to visit the gastronomic city of Melbourne with day trips to vineyards, golf courses, beaches and national parks. Tasmania also has some delicious foodie experiences on the Hobart waterfront.
- The first half of March sees Queensland at its lushest and greenest and the south is still nice and warm.
- April sees the rains move from north to south, hence the weather is more unpredictable, but the country is full of stunning Autumnal colours.
- Sunshine and clear blue skies prevail in the north and there are a number of music and food festivals to experience across the country.
- Explore the depths of the Great Barrier Reef when the currents are less strong and visibility is greater. Alternatively swing a club on Hamilton Island Golf Club and take advantage of the good weather in the north of the country.
- Northern Australia is best in July, so venture into the outback and witness Ayers Rock in all its glory at sunrise and sunset.
- Head to the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel with florescent fish and vibrant coral. We can arrange wonderful picnics on castaway beaches nearby when the weather is at its best in the north of Australia.
- Go in search of southern Humpback whales in Queensland, or witness the beautiful gardens and spring time in Tasmania with hundreds of different bird species that we can help you identify with an expert twitcher.
- Kangaroo island comes to life in the south with many wildlife experiences and the end of the wildflower season is in October, creating wonderful photographic opportunities. The north can experience thunderstorms and high humidity at this time of year so is best avoided.
- Time your visit with the Melbourne Cup for one of the most famous horse races in the world. Alternatively head to the Blue Mountains or the Margaret River region for some excellent hiking.
- The ocean temperature in the south is enticing, so take a dip in the waters off Sydney and see the incredible New Year’s Eve fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can also witness the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day.
