Family Trip to Australia’s Wild Wonders

Touch down in Sydney and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel, Pier One Sydney Harbour, a modern retreat right on the waterfront. With the city’s iconic bridge arching across the water just outside your window and The Rocks historic district—dotted with markets, shops, and eateries—steps away, the hotel is a central yet serene homebase to kick off your family trip to Australia. 

World renowned Bondi Beach has an iconic surf scene that must be witnessed while in Sydney. Watch local surfers carve waves before diving into your own private lesson. Before you head out, fuel up with a classic Aussie bacon and egg roll for breakfast and explore the Aquabumps gallery, which showcases the country’s largest collection of Bondi Beach photography. After riding the waves, walk a coastal trail, then cool off in a rock pool before lunch overlooking the sea. 

Hop on a ferry for a scenic cruise over to Rose Bay, snapping quintessential shots of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge en route. Grab a flat white and meander along hidden coastal paths, spot local wildlife, and cool off with a dip in turquoise Parsley Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for whales while you visit the historic Hornby Lighthouse. Tonight, get ready to take in panoramic sunset views of the city with a thrilling climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Today you’ll trade in the Sydney harborfront for more tropical beach scenery. Catch your flight north to the Whitsundays, an archipelago of aquamarine water and platinum beaches studded with palm trees. Settle in at TheSundays, a beachfront retreat overlooking the Coral Sea, and spend the afternoon lounging with your toes in the sand or pick up your golf buggy (the island’s go-to mode of transport) and start exploring idyllic Hamiliton Island. 

See the iconic Great Barrier Reef from up above on a spectacular helicopter flight over the reef. Soak in the grandeur of the reef, and then land at the Heart Island pontoon, which can be accessed only by helicopter. Float around Heart Reef in a glass-bottom boat and cruise over to a nearby lagoon to snorkel in gin-clear waters before toasting this epic family day by raising a glass of bubbly. 

Spend this free day as you please, paddling out on the ocean in a kayak or on a standup paddle board, snorkeling in some of the clearest water in the world, or setting off on a short hike through tropical rainforest. You can also opt to do nothing at all, relaxing poolside with a book. However you spend the day, a sunset sail is a serene way to punctuate your time in the Whitsundays.  

Fly to Melbourne, the country’s creative heart, for an immersion in one of the world’s best food and art cities. Check in to United Places Botanic Gardens, a sleek design-forward hideaway across from the city’s most beloved gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring Melbourne’s charming cobblestone laneways, then treat your tastebuds to a guided dumpling tour through hidden enclaves, learning about the city’s architecture and its Chinese culture and history en route. 

In the Mornington Peninsula, hop on a boat tour, snorkeling and swimming with wild dolphins as they frolic in the waves. After you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in a hearty barbecue lunch at a dining hall in the Red Hill region. Spend the afternoon picking fruit at a local orchard, spotting animals and birds at a conservation park, or savoring locally made chocolate and ice cream. 

From the foodie heaven of Melbourne, depart for Tasmania, a rugged island wilderness. Land in Hobart and check in to the art-filled Henry Jones Hotel, housed in a former jam factory. That evening, get acquainted with the island’s wild residents on one of our favorite Tasmania tours: a private nighttime experience at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Hand-feed kangaroos, spot Tasmanian devils, and explore the sanctuary’s rescue hospital—a behind-the-scenes look at conservation in action. 

Sail into the wilderness of Tasman Peninsula on a boat, gliding beneath the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere, weaving through deep sea caves and under archways, and spotting wildlife including seals, dolphins, whales, and sea birds. After this nature lover’s boat tour, take time to discover the historic ruins of Port Arthur, a UNESCO-designated, 19th-century penal settlement. 

Hop on a scenic flight to reach one of the most stunning properties in Tasmania, if not the entire country: Saffire Freycinet. This modern retreat sits at the edge of Freycinet National Park with 20 luxurious suites that offer jaw-dropping views of Great Oyster Bay and the pink granite Hazards Mountains. Settle in and spend your afternoon soaking in the views or join one of the resort’s mixology or cooking classes. 

Today you’ll explore the pristine beaches and forests that surround Freycinet on foot. In the morning, gear up in waders and set out to a working oyster farm for a hands-on harvesting experience followed by an unforgettable seaside tasting. In the afternoon, hit the trail on a guided hike to reach the most iconic lookout over Wineglass Bay, a pristine aquamarine bay encircled by a strand of white sand beach.  

Walk the coastal capes and explore the intertidal zone on a walking tour that will take you around the Cape Tourville Lighthouse with views of the Tasman Sea, and along the rocky shoreline of Sleepy Bay. In the afternoon, meet with a local Aboriginal guide and learn about the original stewards of the land and their connection to the landscape. Toast two beautiful days in Tasmania with a dinner that celebrates the island’s bounty.  

Take a scenic flight back to Sydney this morning and check in to the Adina Apartment Hotel Town Hall, which is perfectly located for any last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Spend your final night strolling Darling Harbour or toasting your trip with a sunset view.  

It’s time for your family trip to Australia to come to a close. Catch a private transfer to the airport for your flight home or on to the next adventure, leaving full of stories and maybe a bit of sand in your shoes.