You have been dreaming of going to Australia.

You have wished, planned and saved, but you still aren’t sure exactly  what your dream trip looks like.  Like all things travel trips to Australia can take many different forms: Cruise, RV, self-guided, small group tour options are really limited only by your imagination, but to give you an idea we thought we would share one possible idea.

Day 1

Arrive in Sydney in the morning, a short bit to clear customs, pick up your luggage and then be greeted by your private driver for the short jaunt to your hotel – Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.  With stunning views of Sydney’s spectacular harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and world famous Opera House, this luxurious hotel provides welcoming hospitality.  Positioned in an elevated location overlooking the historic Rocks district between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the hotel offers spacious and inspired luxury guest rooms and suites.  Apart from a superb location and the city’s largest accommodations among Sydney hotels, the hotel offers some of the city’s finest dining, including Altitude Restaurant and Blu Bar, each offering its own spectacular views of the city from level 36.

Guests of Midwest Travel Solutions enjoy special amenities:

• Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability
• Full or buffet breakfast daily, for up to two in-room guests, served in restaurant
• A $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Fresh fruit plate
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24/7 fun.
 

Day 2

Meet your driver in the lobby and begin a unique tasting tour of Sydney’s most famous landmark.  Did you know that the Sydney Opera House was designed more than 60 years ago by Jorn Utzon.  It is still considered one of the greatest buildings of all time.   The Sydney Opera House Tour brings to life the saga behind the making of the world’s most famous house.  Using state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, your welcoming guide will take you on an emotional journey inside this modern masterpiece.  This tour puts Jorn Utzon on center stage and is a tribute to his creative genius. You will discover why Utzon was more than an architect: he was an architect of change.  And how, against a landslide of political and public criticism, he created the youngest building ever world heritage listed.  You’ll be taken inside one of the working venues to experience the magic behind the world’s most extraordinary opera, ballet, symphony and dramatic performances.

Day 3

Today you can get truly wild at Taronga Zoo! In addition to a full day exploring the zoo you will get behind the scenes access with the closest experience you can have with our Australian wildlife led by those who know them best – the Zoo keepers.  Learn as you see, touch and feed the animals during this activity-packed two-hour journey through the Zoo. An experience to remember – venture into the wilderness of the Australian bush, enter the underground burrow of the shy and reclusive wombat and explore the mysteries of the platypus in this introduction to Australia’s unusual wildlife. Your keeper will explain the special adaptations that enable these animals to live in harmony with the Australian environment.

(Insiders Tip:  Did you know you can book an overnight experience in the zoo?)

Day 4

Meet your driver in the lobby of the hotel for a transfer to the airport and you are on your way to Hobart, the capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania.  Located on the River Derwent.  City center you will find its fashionable Salamanca Place, old sandstone warehouses host galleries and cafes. Nearby is Battery Point, a historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages. The city’s backdrop is Mount Wellington, with sweeping views, hiking, outdoor exploration and cycling trails.

Hobart offers  the tranquility of a city from a bygone era coexists with the vibrancy of a pocket-sized modern metropolis.  The city’s European beginnings are evident everywhere, from quaint settlers’ cottages to the lofty porches of colonial mansions.  Once bustling with whalers and entrepreneurs, 19th-century sandstone warehouses now serve as dockside cafes, artist’s studios and restaurants, where visitors can enjoy excellent cuisine and fine wines.  The nearby Port Arthur Historic Site,  the rugged island beauty of Bruny Island, and the amazing vistas from the summit of Mount Wellington form some of the city’s key attractions.

Once you arrive in the city your will meet your driver inside the Arrivals Hall for the short drive to The Henry Jones Art Hotel.  An art deco hotel located on Hobart’s waterfront on the site of an old jam factory which dates back to 1804 and has been transformed into an enthralling first class hotel where history and art collide. The hotel is furnished with over 300 artworks and an ever changing exhibition, created to present itself as a fusion of art, heritage, tradition and nature. The hotel houses rooms and suites all uniquely different and furnished with the hotel’s history and contemporary art as the forefront of each space.  Located in the Hunter Street precinct, the hotel blends modernity with an industrial past. Decadent elliptical spas bubble underneath rough-sawn timber trusses. Blackwood-lined boardrooms have been refashioned into stately, indulgent suites with views of the bustling port below and Mount Wellington beyond.

Day 5

Today you head out to explore Bruny Island on a full day tour  including, cruise along Bruny Island’s rugged coast beneath some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs.  You will enter deep sea caves and join in the search for wildlife such as seals, dolphins and sea birds.  The custom built boat is ideal for viewing the spectacular coastline and wildlife with covered open air seating providing an excellent all round view and connection with the environment.

Day 6 

Meet your driver for today’s tour exploring the main sights in Hobart including the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Historic Site. Explore Tasmania’s famous convict settlement site with its many attractions on this small group day tour.  Visit the famous geological features of the peninsula as you explore the rugged coastline.  In the afternoon, travel to the historic village of Richmond, nestled in the Coal River Valley, with its well preserved colonial architecture before returning to Hobart.

 Day 7

Today is the day you drive like the locals – on the left side of the road.  You will pick up your car in Hobart and drive about 2 hours arriving in Saffire Freycinet –  One of Australia’s Luxury Lodges located in Saffire Freycinet National Park

Once you arrive you will check-in to your luxury suite that includes all meals, selected beverages as well as generous activities as well as $100.00 spa credit per suite with  3 days to explore you will continue your journey with a deeper understanding of true Australian hospitality and its many landscapes.  Saffire connects with its environment to generate an authentic, enriching, rejuvenating and uplifting experience. Distinct in its design, exclusive in its features and set apart by its approach to tailored, one-on-one experiences and service, Saffire’s approach is not constrained by traditional five-star ratings and standards.  Dedicated to providing quality and unforgettable experiences, indulgent and self-selected dining options, it inspires an overall sense of wellbeing and relaxation.  Saffire is a beautiful, boutique property that will not disappoint.

Complimentary Experiences

Saffire Freycinet’s complimentary range of activities gives you options for every mood and every moment. Lasting from one hour to three hours, these activities are your opportunity to engage and connect with Freycinet’s stunning natural wonders and attractions. Adventure, romance, rejuvenation or exploration, our complimentary experiences and activities add greater depth and dimension to your stay in Tasmania.

Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm
Don a pair of waders and visit a working oyster farm located in a beautiful setting within an internationally significant wetland and ornithological site. Develop an understanding for wetland and marine ecology, plus a taste for prized Pacific oysters.

Wineglass Lookout Walk
Freycinet National Park is a must see during your stay at Saffire Freycinet. Join one of our informative guides on a walk to the lookout over Wineglass Bay. Learn about the Peninsula’s rich history and acquaint yourself with one of the world’s most famous beaches on this two-hour walking adventure.

Shorter walks of Freycinet
Join one of our guides for an easy two-hour tour, which combines two of the popular shorter walks of the Freycinet Peninsula. Your first walk will be around the Cape Tourville lighthouse, with stunning views of the Tasman Sea and glimpses of Wineglass Bay. The second walk is to Sleepy Bay, where you will descend gently graded steps to the rocky shoreline, while learning about how the Hazards mountain range was formed.

Connection to Country Walk

Take a coastal stroll along the beach from Saffire with our indigenous guide Mick Quilliam. Discover the history of the Oyster Bay people, taking in the beauty of the coastal tracks and rock platforms and the wonders of the fauna and flora right on our doorstep. Sample local bush tucker, learn about tools and foraging and gain a greater understanding of time gone by and your own connection to country.

Wine and vine adventures
A wine lover’s delight! At the local Freycinet Winery, you will learn the art of winemaking and indulge in some fine Tasmanian fare – and some wine tastings of course!

Pelican Bay canoeing and bird-watching
Unwind and absorb the breathtaking beauty of the Swanport estuary on this guided canoeing adventure at the mouth of the internationally significant Moulting Lagoon wetland. Observe the flocks of pelicans and gaze into the crystal clear waters teeming with marine life.

Kite flying – Release your inner child or keep your young ones entertained with a range of kites to suit everyone, from kids through to advanced flyers. Why not challenge your family, friends or one of our guides to a bit of fun?

Mountain biking- Mountain biking offers an opportunity to observe Freycinet’s natural assets at close quarters. We’ll equip you with a bike, plus all the accessories you’ll need for a comfortable and memorable self-guided adventure.

Kayaking- Paddle in the calm and tranquil waters of Muirs Beach wetland, located directly in front of Saffire Freycinet. Sit-on-top kayaks are available to paddle at your leisure behind the windswept sand dunes amongst coastal bushland.

Fishing- Go fishing off the rocky shoreline in front of Saffire. Flathead, flounder, calamari squid and Australian salmon can be caught in Great Oyster Bay. Four fishing rods are available.

Golfing – If golf is your sport, Saffire Freycinet is blessed with several picturesque, challenging and enjoyable nine-hole courses within two to 35 minutes’ drive. Saffire will happily provide golf clubs and bags and even assist with transport on request.

 Day 10

Time to say goodbye to Saffire Freycinet; Hello Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

About a 4-hour drive slightly north, but mostly west you will arrive at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge located at the northern end of the National Park. Here is your base to explore all the beauty the area offers for the next 2 days.  Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most visited natural attractions. While there’s no actual town at Cradle Mountain, visitors can find a range of accommodation within the park in cabins, chalets and campgrounds. Part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area, the surrounding landscape is diverse and includes grassland, rainforest and ancient plants such as the long-lived King Billy pine and the native ‘fagus’ or deciduous beech. The park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna and several bird species. With a range of walks ranging from easy to difficult, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness first hand, and with all the comforts of home awaiting you at the end of your day.

Cradle Mountain Lodge is an iconic, unique wilderness experience  with private timber cabins set discreetly within the natural setting provide the perfect escape. Visit the boutique Cradle Mountain Lodge and enjoy warm hospitality and the best of Tasmanian food and wine, indulge at the award winning Waldheim Alpine Spa and experience the breathtaking scenery of this world class wilderness area.

Day 12

Head back to Hobart for your return flight to Sydney for an overnight stay before your return flight to the United States.

Want more?  #YeahWeDoThat

Kerry Mooneyham of Midwest Travel Solutions has been certified as an Aussie Specialists by the Australian Tourism Board.  At Midwest Travel Solutions we can help you pan your perfect Australian journey  from start to finish.  In addition to working with all the major tour operators, we can plan a customized itinerary that encompasses all of the Australian experiences that you have dreamed of, as well as some you didn’t even know existed.

What to tickle a duckbill platypus?

See as many stars across the land as twinkle in the sky?

Swim with wild dolphins that come into shore to play?

All these unique experiences as well as hundreds of others are available in Australia!