Genuinely small groups
Up to 16 guests, so the Journey can move naturally without the feel of big-bus touring.
11-Day Majestic Australia
Majestic
Australia
Harbor light. Red Centre stillness. Reef in full color.
Sydney → Uluru → Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
11 Days Including Air Travel9 Land Days / 8 NightsUp to 16 GuestsTour Captain Hosted
No obligation. No pressure.
11 DaysIncluding air-travel time
9 DaysLand program
8 NightsThree hotel bases
Up to 16Intimate small-group travel
SYD → CNSSydney to Cairns
The Journey in One View
Australia, from harbor to reef.
Begin beside Sydney Harbour, move into the color and stillness of Australia's Red Centre, then finish in tropical Queensland with the Great Barrier Reef and unforgettable native wildlife.
Travel-time note: North American guests generally depart two days before Day 1 because of the International Date Line. The land itinerary itself is 9 days and 8 nights.
“Three Australian worlds, connected by one personal Journey.”Now Journey · Luxury that feels personal
Your Journey at a Glance
Across Australia
Three bases. One extraordinary continent.
A carefully paced east-and-north route, with longer stays and meaningful open time.
Air segment
Scroll through destinationsSwipe through destinations
Sydney → Uluru → Cairns
Journey Story
Australia unfolds in three acts.
An iconic harbor beginning opens into the Red Centre, then shifts north to reef, rainforest and the wildlife of tropical Queensland.
Sydney Harbour, the ancient scale of Uluru and the living color of the Great Barrier Reef. Three distinct places, held together by one Tour Captain.
Chapter one
Harbor beginnings.
Three nights in Sydney let the journey begin gently, with guided context around Circular Quay and a full day reserved for your own discoveries.
Chapter two
The living Red Centre.
Desert color, changing light and the Southern sky create a profound sense of scale around Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Chapter three
Reef and rainforest.
Tropical Queensland brings a full Great Barrier Reef day, Australian wildlife and enough open time to enjoy the warmth at your own pace.
Why Now Journey
Luxury that Feels Personal.
Australia’s extraordinary distances feel easier with a genuinely small group, one Tour Captain and thoughtful logistics holding the Journey together.
Your personal Tour Captain
One dedicated host provides continuity, practical help and thoughtful recommendations throughout the Journey.
Thoughtful hotel bases
Three well-paced hotel bases create room to settle in instead of packing every morning.
Curated guided discovery
Local experts, planned admissions and signature experiences bring context to icons and landscapes.
Open time by design
A full free day in Sydney and intentional leisure time in Uluru and Cairns leave space for your own interests and pace.
9 Days from Sydney to Cairns
The Complete Itinerary
Every day is presented in full below. Use Expand All or Collapse All to control the complete itinerary.
Chapter One
Days 1–3 · 3 Nights
Sydney
A generous harbor-city beginning, with guided context and a full day to make your own.
Harbor light, at a human pace.
Three nights create room for a hosted arrival, expert local context and a complete day shaped by your own interests.
Day 1Welcome to Sydney
Your Journey begins the moment you arrive in Sydney, where a Now Journey Meet & Greet transfer takes you directly from Sydney Airport to the hotel. The city makes an unforgettable first impression: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge frame a waterfront where urban energy, green parkland and the natural beauty of the harbor meet.
After time to settle in, join your Tour Captain for a relaxed Discovery Walk around the hotel and Circular Quay. This first orientation is designed to help you feel at home in the neighborhood before the group gathers for an included welcome dinner with premium beverages.
- Airport Meet & Greet transfer
- Discovery Walk
- Welcome dinner with premium beverages
- Tour Captain hosting
Typical stay in Sydney: InterContinental Sydney or similar. See hotel examples and collection details.
Day 2Sydney in Context
Explore Sydney with a Local Expert Guide who brings the city’s layered story to life. Begin in the historic Rocks district, where sandstone lanes and preserved facades reveal the city’s early foundations, then emerge onto Circular Quay for close views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Continue into the Royal Botanic Garden, where native Australian plantings frame expansive harbor views. Along the way, your guide provides context for the Indigenous heritage of the land and the contrasts that shape Sydney today—historic and modern, urban and coastal, bold and relaxed.
The guided program concludes in the late afternoon. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure, with dinner on your own.
- Breakfast
- Half-day expert-guided sightseeing
- Planned local transportation
- Afternoon at leisure
Day 3A Full Sydney Day, Your Way
Today is entirely open, giving you the freedom to experience Sydney at your own pace. Return to the Royal Botanic Garden, follow part of the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, browse the shops and cafes of Surry Hills or Newtown, or take the ferry across the harbor for a different view of the city.
You might spend the afternoon on one of Sydney’s beaches, choose a sailing experience, attend a performance or simply leave the day unscripted. Your Tour Captain is available with recommendations, and dinner is independent tonight.
- Breakfast
- Full day at leisure
- Tour Captain recommendations
- Freedom to opt in or slow down
Chapter Two
Days 4–5 · 2 Nights
Uluru · The Red Centre
Desert stillness, changing light and time to experience a living cultural landscape with care.
Stillness at Australia’s center.
Two nights balance a hosted arrival, resort time and the changing colors of Uluru beneath the Southern sky.
Day 4Fly to Uluru
Fly from Sydney into Australia’s Red Centre, watching the landscape open into the vast colors and textures of the outback. On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, transfer to your chosen accommodation and take time to settle into this remarkable desert setting.
Later, gather with your Tour Captain for a welcome toast marking the group’s arrival at Uluru. The evening continues with an included special dinner beneath the Southern Hemisphere sky.
- Breakfast
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Tour Captain toast
- Special dinner
Typical stay in Uluru: Deluxe at Sails in the Desert or similar; Deluxe | Elevated at Longitude 131°. See hotel examples and collection details.
Required on-tour flight: this flight is not included in the land price and is part of the separately quoted on-tour air package.
Day 5The Red Centre, Unhurried
Spend the day enjoying the resort and the extraordinary stillness of the Red Centre. There is time to use the amenities, relax by the pool or simply take in the way the desert light changes across the landscape.
Your Tour Captain may invite you on an included drive into Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park for photography and light walking, subject to the day’s program and conditions. As sunset approaches, gather for a hosted canapé while Uluru shifts through its evening colors, then enjoy the remainder of the night on your own.
- Breakfast
- Resort leisure time
- Tour Captain-hosted sunset canapé
- Possible included national-park drive
Chapter Three
Days 6–9 · 3 Nights
Cairns · Tropical Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef, Australian wildlife and warm-water days in the tropical north.
Reef, rainforest and room to breathe.
A three-night tropical base supports a complete outer-reef day, Australian wildlife and time to slow down.
Day 6North to Cairns
Leave the desert behind and fly north from Ayers Rock to tropical Cairns. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and settle into your three-night base near the waterfront, with the warm air and relaxed rhythm of Queensland setting a completely different tone.
The balance of the afternoon is open for you to unpack, explore the immediate neighborhood or simply slow down after the journey north. Rejoin the group this evening for an included dinner hosted by your Tour Captain.
- Breakfast
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Afternoon at leisure
- Included dinner
Typical stay in Cairns: Shangri-La The Marina Cairns, Crystalbrook Riley, or similar. See hotel examples and collection details.
Required on-tour flight: this flight is quoted separately from the land price.
Day 7Great Barrier Reef
Set out by catamaran for a full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. At the outer reef, choose how you would like to experience this remarkable marine environment: swim, snorkel, enjoy the watercraft or simply take in the color and scale of the reef from the vessel. Lunch is included onboard.
An introductory SCUBA lesson and beginner dive with a Divemaster are also included for guests who wish to try diving. Certified divers may ask about separately priced upgrades, while guests who prefer to remain above the water can enjoy the day at their own pace.
- Breakfast and lunch
- Full-day reef catamaran
- Swimming and snorkeling
- Onboard water activities
Choice mattersAsk about substituting a helicopter adventure or spa treatment. Substitutions, any supplement and availability are confirmed in advance.
Day 8Wildlife or a Slower Day
Choose the included visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for an up-close introduction to Australian wildlife. The experience brings together crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos and other native species through a collection of educational presentations and encounters.
If wildlife is not your preference today, ask about an alternative resort experience instead. Later, join your Tour Captain for a canapé, then keep the afternoon and evening free for relaxation or independent exploration. Dinner is at leisure.
- Breakfast
- Your choice of included experience
- Tour Captain canapé
- Afternoon at leisure
Day 9Departure Day or New Zealand
Enjoy breakfast this morning if your departure schedule allows, then prepare for your onward journey with guidance from your Tour Captain. Depart from Cairns or continue across the Tasman on the complete Australia and New Zealand Journey.
If your travels end here, leave with the memories of Sydney Harbour, the Red Centre and the Great Barrier Reef. A Journey Specialist can also help with an extended stay or the New Zealand continuation.
- Breakfast, schedule permitting
- Tour Captain departure guidance
- Extension planning available
- New Zealand continuation available
Dates & Prices
Choose the departure that feels right.
Standard journey prices are per person in US dollars: Deluxe $11,579 and Deluxe | Elevated $16,879. Selected departures carry a higher seasonal price. Please request availability before making independent air arrangements.
DELUXESignature CollectionHand-selected 4- and 5-star accommodations across Sydney, Uluru and Cairns.
DELUXE | ELEVATEDUpgraded AccommodationsThe same Journey with an elevated Red Centre stay at Longitude 131°; your proposal confirms room and dining inclusions.
2026 Departures 3 dates
There are no remaining 2026 departures. Please consider a 2027 date below.
DELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey Proposal2027 Departures 15 dates
There are no remaining 2027 departures.
DELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$13,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$18,879per person
Request availabilitySeasonal departureRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalDELUXE$11,579per personDELUXE | ELEVATED$16,879per person
Request availabilityRequest a Journey ProposalRequired On-Tour Air$1,070 per person, not included in the land prices above; amount may change based on booking time.
Solo Supplements$3,970 for Deluxe and $8,971 for Deluxe | Elevated.
Booking TermsThe initial deposit and cost of on-tour air are required at booking and are 100% non-refundable.
PricesPer person in US dollars. Hotels, room categories and availability are confirmed in your proposal.
Departure Guidance
Not sure which departure is best?
Tell us how you like to travel, the season you prefer and which hotel collection interests you. A Journey Specialist can help you compare dates without pressure.
What Your Journey Includes
The details that make distance feel effortless.
The core land journey is designed to feel complete without constant add-ons. Optional experiences and required on-tour air are priced separately so you can plan with confidence.
Arrival Welcome
Meet & Greet transfer from Sydney Airport to the hotel, whenever you arrive on Day 1.
Tour Captain Hosting
Personal orientation, recommendations and continuity across Australia.
Expert-Led Discovery
Local English-speaking guides, sightseeing, admissions and experiences shown in the itinerary.
Signature Experiences
Sydney sightseeing, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and Australian wildlife.
Selected Dining
Breakfasts and the hosted meals shown day by day, with premium beverages at selected included dinners.
Planned Transfers
On-tour road transfers and luggage portage for Deluxe and Deluxe | Elevated.
Small Group Access
Up to 16 guests, with appropriately sized transportation and no big-bus touring.
Clear Pricing
Required on-tour flights, optional experiences and independent meals are clearly priced separately.
Why This Journey Feels Different
A continent-sized story, designed to breathe.
The route connects three completely different Australian worlds without turning the Journey into a race.
01Three bases, several longer stays
Three nights in Sydney and Cairns reduce hotel churn while two nights at Uluru create time for the Red Centre.
02Nature with real depth
Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are not drive-by stops; each receives the time and included experiences shown in the itinerary.
03Open time is part of the Journey
A full Sydney day and additional leisure time make room for personal discovery, optional experiences or genuine rest.
Hotel Collections
Three bases. Two ways to stay.
Both collections share the same 9-day land itinerary, Tour Captain services, transportation and confirmed included experiences. Your Journey Proposal and final travel documents confirm the exact hotels and room categories.
Signature Collection
DELUXE
Hand-selected 4- and 5-star hotels throughout the Journey, including Sails in the Desert or similar at Uluru.
Your accommodations
Comfortable, well-located rooms selected for quality, character and the practical needs of the route. $11,579 per person.
Upgraded Accommodations
DELUXE | ELEVATED
The same complete Journey with an elevated Red Centre stay at Longitude 131°.
What Elevated includes here
Your Journey Proposal details the confirmed room and dining inclusions for the collection. $16,879 per person.
Both collections enjoy the same itinerary, Tour Captain, sightseeing, transportation and confirmed included dining. Imagery illustrates each collection’s atmosphere; your proposal confirms the selected hotels and room categories.
Destination setting · 3 nightsSydneyBoth collections
InterContinental Sydney
InterContinental Sydney or similar.
A harbor-city base for Circular Quay, guided discovery and a full independent day.
Destination setting · 2 nightsUluruTwo collections
Sails · Longitude 131°
Deluxe: Sails in the Desert or similar. Deluxe | Elevated: Longitude 131°.
Choose our signature Deluxe stay or elevate your Red Centre experience at Longitude 131°.
Destination setting · 3 nightsCairnsBoth collections
Shangri-La · Crystalbrook Riley
Shangri-La The Marina Cairns, Crystalbrook Riley, or similar.
A tropical three-night base for the reef, wildlife and time to slow down.
Now Journey Guest Reviews
The proof is in the way guests talk about it.
Across destinations, Now Journey guests consistently describe personal hosting, thoughtful pacing and the feeling of being genuinely cared for.
★★★★★
50+ Five-Star Reviews
Read verified guest feedback about Now Journey on Tripadvisor.
Read Tripadvisor reviewsWhat guests consistently mention
Thoughtful planning, seamless logistics, personal service, beautiful hotels and the feeling of being genuinely cared for.
Words from our guests: shared experiences from travelers across the Now Journey collection.
Plan & Prepare
What to know before Australia.
A long-distance Journey is most enjoyable when the practical details are clear before you go.
Required on-tour flights
The flights connecting Sydney, Uluru and Cairns are separate from the land price. Allow $1,070 per person; your final air price will be confirmed when booked.
International Date Line
North American travelers generally leave two calendar days before the arrival date. Your air itinerary will show the exact timing.
Walking, terrain and activities
Expect walking on city streets, trails and natural surfaces. Reef activities may have separate mobility, medical or weather requirements.
Transportation and luggage
Planned road transfers and luggage portage are included for both hotel collections. Confirm current luggage limits for the separately ticketed on-tour flights before booking.
Hotel collections and solo pricing
Both collections share the same itinerary. DELUXE starts at $11,579 per person; DELUXE | ELEVATED starts at $16,879 per person. The verified solo supplements are $3,970 and $8,971 respectively. See Hotel Collections and examples.
Arrival and departure
Your Sydney arrival transfer is included. The Journey ends in Cairns after breakfast on Day 9, schedule permitting.
Optional experiences and open time
Optional experiences are never required. The Journey includes a full open day in Sydney plus additional leisure time shown in the day-by-day itinerary.
Weather and nature-based changes
Reef days and other nature-based experiences can change with conditions. The team will communicate practical alternatives when needed.
Booking and payment terms
The initial deposit and required on-tour air cost are due at booking and are non-refundable. Review the current booking and payment terms before reserving.
Make the Journey Your Own
Open time is part of the Journey.
Use the optional-experience controls inside the itinerary to compare ideas, or keep those hours entirely your own.
Sydney
A full day for the harbor, neighborhoods, the coast or the optional BridgeClimb.
See Days 1–3Uluru
Use resort time to rest, enjoy the setting or ask about optional stargazing after dark.
See Days 4–5Cairns
Choose the included wildlife experience or ask about an alternative resort experience.
See Days 6–9Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers, before the Land Down Under.
Is this an 11-day or a 9-day journey?
The complete 11-day journey includes international air-travel time. Your land program begins in Sydney and continues for 9 days and 8 nights through Cairns.
How many guests travel on this tour?
Departures welcome up to 16 guests and are hosted by a Now Journey Tour Captain—a genuinely small-group experience rather than a large bus tour.
Where does the journey begin and end?
The journey begins at Sydney Airport (SYD), with an included Meet & Greet transfer to the hotel. It ends in Cairns (CNS).
Are flights within the itinerary included?
No. The required flights between Sydney, Uluru and Cairns are separate from the land price. Allow $1,070 per person, subject to change when flights are booked.
What is the difference between Deluxe and Deluxe | Elevated?
Both collections follow the same core journey. Standard pricing is $11,579 per person for Deluxe and $16,879 for Deluxe | Elevated, which features an elevated stay at Longitude 131° in Uluru. Your Journey Proposal details the room category and dining inclusions for your collection.
How active is the Journey?
The sightseeing pace is leisurely, with about 45 to 90 minutes of walking on an average touring day. Natural surfaces, city streets and water activities vary; you may opt out of many activities when you prefer a slower pace.
Are optional experiences required?
No. Your journey is complete without them. Optional experiences simply personalize your open time and are priced separately.
When will my hotels be confirmed?
Your Journey Proposal outlines the planned hotels and room categories. Final travel documents confirm each property, with a comparable alternative arranged whenever necessary.
Extend Your Journey
More of Australia—or cross the Tasman.
Optional additions remain separate from the 9-day core journey. Dates, services and current availability are confirmed in your proposal.
3 Days / 3 Nights
Melbourne
Begin with a Melbourne welcome, locally guided city discovery and the option to experience the Great Ocean Road. Deluxe is $4,573 per person; Deluxe | Elevated is $8,873 per person.
View the Melbourne extensionContinue to New Zealand
Australia + New Zealand
Keep the Journey moving from the Great Barrier Reef to Queenstown, Rotorua, Hobbiton and Auckland on the complete two-country adventure.
View the complete JourneyYour Australia Journey
Can you picture yourself here?
Tell a Journey Specialist which departure and hotel collection interests you. We’ll help with the required air package, room choices and any extension you are considering.
No obligation. No pressure.