Natural Wonders of Australia & the Secrets of Indonesia - Cruise & Land Journey

Welcome to Sydney. Upon arrival you'll check into your hotel for a four-night stay, a short stroll from the harbour. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. (D)

Discover Sydney this morning on your city tour. Hear the stories of the early settlement and see the 18th century sandstone architecture. Continue to the Eastern suburbs and pass through the neighbourhood of the rich and famous. Enjoy a short coastal walk with views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Stop at Bondi Beach with a chance to put your toes in the sand before heading back to the city for an afternoon at leisure.

Enrich: Take a guided tour of Sydney's most famous place, the Opera House, and discover the stories, history, and magic behind this iconic landmark. Then experience dinner at the Bennelong Restaurant, located in the sails of the Opera. (B/D)

Freechoice: Visit Taronga Zoo or take a day trip to the Blue Mountains, discovering some local wildlife along the way. Alternatively, enjoy a Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise. (B)

Today, Sydney is yours to discover. Stroll across the famous Harbour Bridge or get your cultural fix at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Remember, your Tour Director is on-hand to offer any advice. (B)

Fly to the centre of Australia for your two-night Special Stay, a unique retreat. Enrich: Tonight, you're invited to a dining experience set amidst an outdoor exhibit called Field of Light. The mesmerising artwork, ideated by Bruce Munro, will be created from thousands of bulbs planted in the desert surrounding Uluru in the outback. As the sun sets and the lights twinkle, you'll enjoy canapés, complimentary drinks, and authentic Australian cuisine. (B/D)

Freechoice: Watch the sun rise over Uluru, before choosing from several exciting activities. Take to the asphalt for a leisurely ride on a Harley Davidson™, in the capable hands of an experienced rider, embark on an Uluru Highlights and Cultural Tour, or trek around the rock's giant base. This afternoon is yours to discover the mysteries of Kata Tjuta and walk through Walpa Gorge. Finish the afternoon enjoying the sunset over Uluru from the viewing area. (B)

Fly to Cairns, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This afternoon visit Rainforestation and have a close encounter with some Australian animals and an Aboriginal dance performance. Travel on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and see from above the Australia's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Glide metres above the pristine jungle canopy between Kuranda and Cairns. Enjoy your three-night stay at one of the newest hotels in town. (B/D)

No trip to Australia would be complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, a 2,300km-long ecosystem comprised of thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands made of coral. Travel to Port Douglas and take a high-speed catamaran to a pontoon moored on the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel with an instructor and enjoy viewing the coral and sea life from a semi-submersible boat, taking a closer look at the underwater life. (B/L)

Freechoice: Soar over the Atherton Tablelands on a hot air balloon flight at sunrise or go for a day trip to Cape Tribulation and experience the world's oldest rainforest. (B/D)

Say goodbye to the East Coast and fly to Darwin, the cosmopolitan capital city of the North. Discover the town during an orientation tour before arriving at your hotel for your overnight stay. (B)

Embark in the Northern Territory's multicultural capital of the ‘Top End' of Australia. Despite surviving two cyclones and several air raids, Darwin is distinguished by its relaxed lifestyle. Enjoy your day at leisure. (B/D)

The landscape of this group of about 65 islands in the far south of the Maluku province ranges from beaches to swamplands and densely forested hills with unique fauna, especially bird species. It is also home to fascinating culture - visit a local village to learn about their music, dance and traditional crafts, or experience a unique folkloric show and an ikat (textile) weaving demonstration. (B/L/D)

White sand and turquoise waters surround this tropical-island village. As the hub of Maluku's boat culture, Sangliat Dol is famous for its megalithic sites and an ancient stone boat built as a tribute to the original inhabitants who arrived by sea. This visit is a great opportunity to be immersed in the daily life of the locals.

Enrich: The local chief and singing villagers will welcome you on the beach before a fascinating ritual ceremony. Be amazed by the cultural dances performed by the locals adorned in colourful bird-of-paradise head-dresses, enjoy demonstrations of local handicrafts and traditional ways of cooking. See the old Dutch colonial Catholic Church that overlooks the stone boat. Families may also invite you as honorary ‘children of the village' into their homes.

Discovery: Sail to beautiful Weluan Beach for a delightful afternoon of snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking on calm waters, surrounded by forest and native flora. (B/L/D)

Made entirely of white sand and coral, the Kei Islands are completely flat, except for the coconut trees - a true relaxing paradise framed by the pristine waters of the Banda Sea. Enjoy the unforgettable beauty of Ngurbloat Beach and feel welcomed by the friendly locals who love to meet and share their culture with visitors. Discovery: Take the day to swim and snorkel in this uninhabited tropical island known for its spectacular limestone scenery - the definition of a holiday dream. (B/L/D)

The heart of the Old World global spice trade, Banda Neira has retained a unique historic mix of culture, nature and wildlife. At the focal point of Indonesia's Spice Islands, Banda was prized by European, Arab and Chinese traders until the late 1800s. Experience a flashback to these times as you watch traditional war canoes guide us into Banda Harbour.

Freechoice: Explore well preserved Fort Belgica, providing a fascinating insight into Dutch colonisation and enjoy a traditional dance and music performance. Alternatively, explore Banda Neira on a guided tour before visiting a local nutmeg plantation and museum to learn about the spice that started it all.

Discovery: Hike a section of the still-active Gunung Banda Api volcano with your Discovery team, or snorkel and dive along its coral-encrusted lava flow. (B/L/D)

Located in the Bomberai Peninsula, Sebakor Bay is known for its network of water-filled caves, islets covered in forests and isolated beaches. Exploring this beautiful coast and its pristine waters teeming with marine life makes a perfect tropical day. Discovery: Join a Zodiac tour of the water-filled caves with your Discovery team, or kayak along the shore to spot unique Papuan native birds. Alternatively, take a guided hike to be rewarded with a swim under the Mommon Waterfall, where freshwater flows from the jungle into the ocean. (B/L/D)

This small isolated island is a hidden gem located off the north coast of the Bomberai Peninsula. Known for its limestone formations, Papuan rock art and burial caves, the area has 24 endemic species of rainbow fish. Besides enjoying the nature, take the time to be immersed in Arguni's culture: visit a stilt village on the shores of mangrove swamps, where you will be greeted by villagers, and discover the traditional music, dance, craft and food such as fresh coconut while meeting the local people.

Discovery: Take a Zodiac in search of ancient blood paintings, believed to be up to 7,000 years old, found on limestone rock around the bays. Or enjoy a refreshing swim, snorkel or kayak at a peaceful beach ensconced in this stunning scenery. (B/L/D)

Imagine getting access to the world's most biodiverse marine region. This is Indonesia's Raja Ampat, an archipelago that comprises of more than 1,500 islands, cays and shoals, including the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, known collectively as the Four Kings. Over these four days, explore this extraordinary environment blessed with turquoise waters, white sand beaches, hidden coves, limestone cliffs, and mangrove forests. Discover the underwater world of colourful coral, fish, and marine mammals beneath a sky of tropical birds and butterflies. Swim, snorkel and kayak in this unspoiled part of the West Papua province. (B/L/D)

Your memorable journey ends in Ambon, capital city of the Indonesian province of Maluku, famed for its birdlife, marine gardens, pretty beaches and colonial history. Disembark after breakfast and fly to Darwin, Australia, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience. Please book your flight to depart out of Darwin after 08:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)