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Australia: Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef

12 days from Sydney to Cairns: the harbour and the Blue Mountains, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon in the Red Centre, then the reef and the Daintree from Port Douglas.

12 days · Sydney to Cairns · up to 10 guests

The facts

At a glance

Length
12 days, 11 nights
Start and end
Sydney to Cairns
Group size
8 to 10 guests
Where you sleep
HotelsA real bed every night, no tents
Activity level

Moderate

You are happy with walks of 1 to 3 hours on most days, some on rocky desert trails, several starts before sunrise, a full day of snorkelling (or a reef pontoon instead), and one harder hike you can skip: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, with a steep climb at the start. No day has more than about 3.5 hours on the road.

Meals included
11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
Room of your own
+ CAD 2,085 (estimated price)
Season
May, June and August to October

Highlights

Why this trip

  • Sunset over Uluru, then the Field of Light under the desert stars
  • Kata Tjuta at sunrise and the Kings Canyon Rim Walk at first light
  • A full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef on a small snorkel boat with a marine biologist
  • Mossman Gorge with a Kuku Yalanji guide, a Daintree River crocodile cruise and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef
  • Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains and both flights within Australia included

What makes this trip different

  • Free time is part of the plan

    Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.

  • Solo without the penalty

    A room of your own is + CAD 2,085 (estimated price).

Day by day

Itinerary

QUEENSLANDNORTHERN TERRITORYSOUTH AUSTRALIACoral SeaTasman SeaGulf of Carpentaria1234SydneyDays 1 to 4Blue MountainsDay 3Uluru and Kata TjutaDays 4 to 6, Days 7 to 8Kings CanyonDays 6 to 7CairnsDays 8 and 12Port DouglasDays 8 to 12Great Barrier ReefDay 9Cape TribulationDay 10

Tap any stop on the map to open that day

Arrive in Sydney

Sydney Airport to The Rocks, Circular Quay and the Opera House

  • Dinner
  • Stay: Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks or similar
  • Drive about 30 min
The white sail roofs of the Sydney Opera House above the blue water of the harbour on a clear day
Photo: Greenpark79, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sydney_Opera_House_from_the_Rocks.jpg)

Your trip starts at Sydney Airport (SYD), about 10 km south of the city centre. We meet you in the arrivals hall and drive you to your hotel in The Rocks, the old sandstone quarter where the British colony began in 1788, and your base for three nights. The rest of the day is yours to settle in.

Evening

In the early evening your trip leader meets the group for a walk around Circular Quay, where the harbour ferries come and go beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932. We follow the water to the Sydney Opera House, designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, opened in 1973 and on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2007, and watch its white sails take on the colours of dusk. Then we sit down together for a welcome dinner, where your trip leader runs through the twelve days ahead, from the harbour to the desert and the reef.

Included

  • Pick-up at Sydney Airport (SYD)
  • Evening walk around Circular Quay to the Opera House
  • Welcome dinner

Free time: Day free until the evening walk

  1. Sydney3 nights
  2. Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara)2 nights
  3. Kings Canyon1 night
  4. Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara)1 night
  5. Port Douglas4 nights
  6. Cairnsend
  • Overnight stop
  • Day trip
  • By boat or train
Print itinerary

Wildlife and weather: We run in May, June and August to October. Sydney is mild, around 17 to 23 C by day, and humpback whales pass its headlands from May to November. The Red Centre is dry and sunny, warm by day and cold before dawn in midwinter, getting hot again by October. Port Douglas is in its dry season, about 26 to 29 C. Marine stinger season runs from about November to May, so May departures catch its tail end; on any departure, wear a full-body stinger suit when you snorkel, and the crew advise on the day. Kangaroos and wallabies are likely at dusk, and reef fish are certain on a calm day. Turtles and crocodiles are likely. Wild cassowaries are possible but rare, so we see them for sure at Wildlife Habitat.

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Get the day-by-day itinerary by email, or ask us anything about this trip. A trip planner replies the same or next business day.

Before you book

Right for you?

Good for you if you want

  • A first trip to Australia that takes in the coast, the outback and the reef
  • Travellers who would rather fly the long distances than spend days on a coach
  • Early risers: the desert is at its best at sunrise and sunset

Not for you if you want

  • Travellers looking for an outback camping or four-wheel-drive trip
  • Anyone hoping for a week on the beach: this trip keeps moving
  • Step-free access on every walk

Book flights after we confirm your seat.

11 nights

Where you'll stay

Named stays, or similar where we are still confirming.

  • 3 nights · Days 1, 2, and 3

    Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocksor similar

    Sydney · Hotel

    In The Rocks, a short walk from Circular Quay

  • 3 nights · Days 4, 5, and 7

    Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resortor similar

    Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara) · Hotel

    At Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, about 20 km from Uluru

  • 1 night · Day 6

    Kings Canyon Resort (deluxe room)or similar

    Kings Canyon · Hotel

    A short drive from the canyon; breakfast included

  • 4 nights · Days 8, 9, 10, and 11

    Mantra PortSeaor similar

    Port Douglas · Hotel

    A short walk from Four Mile Beach and Macrossan Street

One price

What's in the price

Included

Accommodation

  • 11 nights in hotels, twin share: 3 in The Rocks, Sydney, 3 at Ayers Rock Resort, 1 at Kings Canyon Resort and 4 in Port Douglas

Transport

  • Pick-up at Sydney Airport (SYD) and drop-off at Cairns Airport (CNS)
  • Flights from Sydney to Ayers Rock (AYQ) and from Ayers Rock to Cairns (CNS)
  • A vehicle with a licensed local driver in Sydney, the Red Centre and Far North Queensland
  • The Manly ferry and the Daintree River ferry

Your guide

  • A trained See Sight Tours trip leader with the group from Sydney to Port Douglas
  • A Kuku Yalanji guide on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk
  • A marine biologist on the reef day

Activities

  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass (3 days) and the Watarrka National Park pass
  • Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass in the Blue Mountains
  • Field of Light at Uluru
  • Full-day outer reef snorkel trip with Wavelength, including lunch, snorkel gear and the reef charge, or a no-cost swap to a reef pontoon
  • Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge
  • One-hour Daintree River crocodile cruise
  • Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
  • Guided walks at Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, including the Rim Walk

Meals

  • 11 breakfasts
  • 3 lunches: in Leura, on the way to Kings Canyon and on the reef boat
  • 7 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Sydney and a farewell dinner in Port Douglas

Not included

  • International flights to Sydney and from Cairns
  • Australian ETA or eVisitor visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and dinners not listed
  • Drinks
  • Optional experiences, such as the Sounds of Silence dinner and the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
  • Tips

Extras

Room of your own
CAD 2,085 (estimated price)

When you can go

Dates and prices

Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.

Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.

Before you book

Booking terms

Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.

Business addresses

See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584

Guest reviews

What guests say

Reviews from guests on our day tours.

Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
google

5/5

Parminder did a great job guiding us around, giving us tips & teaching us the history of the falls. A great experience!

Jane
October 06, 2026
gyg

5/5

Good views of the surrounding area of Halifax in a comfortable minivan

Susan
October 06, 2026
gyg

5/5

June was brilliant- made good contact beforehand and really attentive and knowledgeable. Made me feel like I was special- something only experience can do. Thank you June.

Tom L
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Our host was very knowledgeable, friendly and even provided some humor.

MandL83
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Peter was a very good guide, giving us insight into the various parts of the Park, including parking lot congestion details, trail and viewing location suggestions.

Darren O
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Excellent morning spent with my guide Nancy. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Thoroughly enjoyed my trip

4.7/5 from 38,601 guest reviews

Good to know

Questions

What does the trip include?

11 nights in hotels, the flights from Sydney to Uluru and from Uluru to Cairns, airport transfers, a vehicle with a licensed local driver in each region, a See Sight Tours trip leader throughout, the national park passes, Scenic World, the Field of Light, a full day on the outer reef, the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, the Daintree River cruise, Wildlife Habitat, 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 7 dinners.

Are the flights within Australia included?

Yes. Both domestic flights are in the price: Sydney to Ayers Rock (AYQ) on day 4 and Ayers Rock to Cairns (CNS) on day 8. Your international flights to Sydney and home from Cairns are not included.

Which airports do I fly into and out of?

Fly into Sydney (SYD), where we pick you up on day 1. Fly out of Cairns (CNS): we drive you there from Port Douglas on day 12, arriving late morning, so book a flight that leaves after noon.

When is the best time to go?

We run in May, June and from August to October. The Red Centre is warm rather than very hot, with cold mornings in midwinter. The tropical wet season is over by May, and the November to May stinger season ends with it, so May departures catch its tail end: wear a full-body stinger suit when you snorkel. Humpback whales pass Sydney from May to November.

How hard are the walks?

Most walks are 1 to 3 hours on flat or gently rough ground: the Mala walk at Uluru, Walpa Gorge or Karu Lookout at Kata Tjuta, Kings Creek and the Ngadiku walk at Mossman Gorge. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is the exception, a 6 km loop with one steep climb at the start, and you can walk Kings Creek instead.

Can we climb Uluru?

No. The climb closed permanently in October 2019, at the wish of the Anangu traditional owners, for whom Uluru is sacred. We walk part of the base instead, on the Mala walk, and watch the rock change colour at sunset.

Do I have to snorkel on the reef day?

No. If you would rather stay dry, swap at no cost to Quicksilver's larger boat and reef pontoon, with an underwater observatory and a semi-submarine. On the snorkel boat, a marine biologist briefs you, and the crew help swimmers of every level.

Which animals will we see?

Kangaroos and wallabies are likely at dusk, and reef fish are certain on a calm day. Turtles and crocodiles are likely. Wild cassowaries are possible but rare, so we also visit Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, where you see them for sure, along with koalas.

How big is the group?

The small-group trip runs with 8 to 10 guests and one See Sight Tours trip leader.

Do I need a visa for Australia?

Yes. Canadians and Americans need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), applied for in the official AustralianETA app before you fly; many European passport holders use the free eVisitor. Check the current rules for your passport well before you travel.

Can we travel privately or on our own?

Yes. Besides the small group, the trip comes as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose. If you would rather travel on your own on your own dates, ask us from the dates section: we can book the same hotels, flights, transfers and guided visits for you.

How much does it cost?

Prices are per person sharing a room, with taxes and both domestic flights, and differ by style: small group or private. The small group starts from CAD 9,785 per person, and a room of your own is from CAD 2,085 more. Pick your start date when you request to book, and we confirm your trip within 24 hours. Nothing is charged until then.

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