Kylie Early
On a recent Australia trip, I saw firsthand how a thoughtfully paced luxury Australia itinerary can bring these different sides of the country together, from the wine country outside Melbourne to the Daintree rainforest canopy and the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Every leg was arranged with Abercrombie & Kent, whose guides and private access turned a remarkable trip into something seamless.
Melbourne Luxury Travel
Melbourne, my starting point, is a city of many identities: art lover, cricket fanatic, fine wine connoisseur, often within the same afternoon. I settled into the Park Hyatt Melbourne, one of the best luxury hotels in Melbourne, and spent my first hours on a private walking tour through the city's historic laneways. Melbourne was built on 1850s gold rush wealth, and that era's Victorian architecture still shapes a city known today for its coffee culture, independent galleries, and standout dining scene. The Park Hyatt Melbourne, steps from the city's best shopping and dining, proved the ideal base.
Yarra Valley Wine Tours
Victoria's Yarra Valley is the state's oldest wine region, with vines first planted in 1838, and is now known for cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Changes in elevation, soil, and vineyard exposure create distinct styles across a compact area, best explored through private Yarra Valley wine tastings and long vineyard lunches.
Tasmania Travel and Wildlife Experiences
Tasmania offers an entirely different Australian island experience, with fern filled forests, waterfalls, glacial lakes, and dramatic sea cliffs, along with chances to encounter native wildlife like wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. From my base at the MACq01 Hotel in Hobart, my days unfolded around the island's wildlife, starting with a behind the scenes visit to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where I hand fed kangaroos. A cider tasting at Willie Smith's Apple Shed led into an insider access visit to Raptor Refuge, where wedge tailed eagles and owls came remarkably close, a Tasmania travel experience most visitors never see, but that I can help you plan.
Great Barrier Reef Vacation: Silky Oaks Lodge and the Daintree Rainforest
The Great Barrier Reef is not one continuous formation, but a vast system of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and more than 900 islands, making it one of the world's top Great Barrier Reef vacation destinations. For this part of the journey, I stayed at Silky Oaks Lodge, a luxury Daintree Rainforest resort set on the Mossman River within the world's oldest rainforest. I spent a full day cruising the Outer Reef and snorkeling coral gardens with a marine guide, the highlight of my Australia trip. Another highlight was an Abercrombie & Kent insider access experience: a guided walk through a private Daintree property with the owner himself, who shared the area's Aboriginal history, followed by a river cruise in search of estuarine crocodiles.Travelers wanting even more reef time might also consider Lizard Island or Qualia on Hamilton Island, two of the best Great Barrier Reef luxury resorts. Staying on one of these Great Barrier Reef islands offers a richer experience than a single day trip, with some providing coral gardens just offshore and others offering easier access to outer reef sites by boat. I often suggest pairing Silky Oaks Lodge with a stay on one of these islands to see all this region has to offer.
Sydney Luxury Travel Guide
No trip to Australia is complete without time in Sydney, where the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge sit within easy reach of top restaurants and famous beaches. Bondi Beach has the classic Sydney coastal scene, while Manly offers a more laid back, village feel, reached by one of the city's most scenic ferry rides. The highlights of my time in Sydney were a private Sydney Harbour cruise and a guided tour of the Opera House, both must dos for anyone visiting. I ended the trip with a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, 440 feet above the water with 360 degree views of the city, not for the faint of heart, but well worth it. Both the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney and the Park Hyatt Sydney are excellent luxury hotels in Sydney, and I'm happy to help guide you to the right fit.From Melbourne's wine country to the reef and rainforest of Far North Queensland, this luxury Australia itinerary was a reminder of how many worlds Australia holds within its borders. If you're dreaming of your own version of this trip, I'd love to help you plan it.