THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL WONDERS OF NORWAY & ICELAND

This Australia Vacation is perfect for animal lovers. Begin your travels in Sydney, the surprising city with multi-cultural cuisine and music around every corner. Take off from the harbor and begin your wildlife journey with a whale-watching tour. What amazing sailing companions they are! Discover wildlife in the Blue Mountains, and then join a small group tour of the Rocks. You’ll find out about the area’s colonial history as well as its place as a thriving entertainment center.

Next, you’ll spend four nights in Port Douglas, a tropical seaside village in the far north of Queensland. Renew your connection to Nature with a tour of the Daintree Rainforest. This is the only place where two World Heritage sites meet, and you’ll have a local guide to take you into the miracle of the earth’s oldest rainforest. Learn to throw a spear, track, gather food, and be welcomed with a smoking ceremony. The other Heritage site here is the Great Barrier Reef. Swim with marine life in the world’s largest, absolutely alive, formation.

The following two nights are spent in Adelaide, a beautiful city with Victorian charm. Explore the famous Adelaide Central Market for breakfast, cafes, and sublime wine and food tastings—it’s a perfect time to chat and mingle. Wrap up your tour with two nights spent on Kangaroo Island. Stay in a homestead. Walk among an endangered seal colony and kangaroos on the beach. See Koala bears in their natural habitat, spot unusual birds in one of the many conservation parks, enjoy a picnic one day, and a bush barbecue the next. Experience island life at its finest. This is the natural Australia vacation of your dreams. 

PLAN AND BOOK

Included Unique Activities

  • Cruise Just Outside Sydney Harbour to Spot Some Whales As You Enjoy a Hot Breakfast!
  • Take a Locally Led Walking Tour Around the Rocks and Discover the History of Sydney
  • Head Out to the Blue Mountains, a Unesco World Heritage Site to Spot Some Native Wildlife Including Kangaroos and Koalas on a Small Group Tour
  • Immerse yourself in the Indigenous Culture with a Daintree Dreaming tour of the world's oldest rainforest 
  • Learn how to throw a spear, track and gather your own tucker (food) and be welcomes with a traditional 'smoking ceremony'
  • Join an Eco Sailing and Snorkeling Cruise of the Outer Great Barrier Reef -  the Largest Living Structure on the Planet 
  • Head to the Famous Adelaide Central Market for Breakfast, Coffee, and Local Interaction and Tastings!
  • Spend Two Full Days Exploring the Exotic Wildlife of Kangaroo Island by Small Group Tour, Enjoy a Bbq Out on the Bush, an Al Fresco Picnic Lunch and a Visit to the Wilderness of Flinders Chase National Park and a Night at a Traditional Homestead With Dinner
Whale Watching BBQ Lunch Cruise

Whale Watching BBQ Lunch Cruise

Authentic Walking Tour of The Rocks

Authentic Walking Tour of The Rocks

Luxury Blue Mountains Day Trip

Luxury Blue Mountains Day Trip

Traditional Daintree Dreaming Tour

Traditional Daintree Dreaming Tour

Outer Barrier Reef Eco Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure

Outer Barrier Reef Eco Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure

Adelaide Central Market - Breakfast Tour

Adelaide Central Market - Breakfast Tour

Kangaroo Island Life Tour

Kangaroo Island Life Tour

East End Explorer

East End Explorer

Accommodations

4 Nights

Victorian Boutique Hotel

4 Nights

Luxury Boutique Hotel

1 Night

Historic Homesread B & B

1 Night

Luxurious Boutique Hotel

Transportation and Guides

  • Transfers to/from Airports in Sydney, Port Douglas, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island

Meals Included

  • 10 Full Australian Breakfasts
  • 2 Unique Breakfast Experiences; with the Whales and at a Local Market
  • 5 Lunches including amongst your experiences
  • 1 Dinner

Points of Interest

  • Sydney Harbor Bridge
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Darling Harbor
  • The Rocks
  • UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains
  • Daintree Rainforest and National Park
  • Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Adelaide
  • Adelaide Central Market
  • Kangaroo Island
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Cape Du Couedic
  • Kelly Hill Conservation Park

Darling Harbour, Australia

Chinatown, Australia

George Street, Australia

Barangaroo Reserve, Australia

Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney Royal Botanic Garden, Australia

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

2025

Available Dates

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

From $6,298 per person

Your Price Includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 8 Nights Unique 4 Star Hotels
  • 3 Nights Historic 5 Star Hotel
  • 1 Night Traditional Homestead

TRANSPORTATION

  • Transfers to/from Airports in Sydney, Port Douglas, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island

DINING OPTIONS INCLUDED

  • 10 Full Australian Breakfasts
  • 2 Unique Breakfast Experiences; with the Whales and at a Local Market
  • 3 Lunches; out on the Reef and Two on Kangaroo Island
  • 1 Dinner

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

  • Cruise Just Outside Sydney Harbour to Spot Some Whales As You Enjoy a Hot Breakfast!
  • Take a Leisurely Walking Tour Around the Rocks and Discover the History of the Aboriginal People With Your Local Aboriginal Guide
  • Head Out to the Blue Mountains, a Unesco World Heritage Site to Spot Some Native Wildlife Including Kangaroos and Koalas on a Small Group Tour
  • Experience a Small Group Tour of the Daintree Rainforest Complete With Lunch and a River Wildlife Cruise for a Chance to Experience Crocodile Activity
  • Spend the Day Exploring the Largest Living Thing on the Planet - Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Underwater Observatories and More Are All at Your Disposal!
  • Head to the Famous Adelaide Central Market for Breakfast, Coffee, and a Guided Tour!
  • Spend Two Full Days Exploring the Exotic Wildlife of Kangaroo Island by Small Group Tour, Enjoy a Bbq Out on the Bush, an Al Fresco Picnic Lunch and a Visit to the Wilderness of Flinders Chase National Park, and a Night at a Traditional Homestead With Dinner

Please note: the days your activities fall on may vary depending on the start date of your tour as activities take place on certain days of the week

**Where possible all tours will be in small groups to ensure the most intimate, local experience**

POINTS OF INTEREST

  • Sydney Harbor Bridge
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Darling Harbor
  • The Rocks
  • UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains
  • Hunter Valley Wine Region
  • Daintree Rainforest and National Park
  • Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Adelaide
  • Art Gallery of South Australia
  • Adelaide Central Market
  • Kangaroo Island
  • Lathami Conservation Park
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Cape Du Couedic
  • Kelly Hill Conservation Park
Prices Based On
  • All Taxes & Fees Included
  • Prices are Per Person based on 2 people traveling together and sharing a room.
  • Traveling Alone? No Problem. Just Ask Us for a Single Supplement Price.

"Great trip in Ireland & Scotland"

Tena

Ireland/Scotland trip was a great trip planned with our group and Jorie. We thoroughly enjoyed each city we visited in both countries. All our hotels were very nice but as older adults, I would advise to pack light which is hard to do if your visit is extended but we had to climb stairs in several places. My favorite thing in both countries are the people. Everyone was so friendly and inviting at hotels, restaurants and local sites. We felt completely safe and comfortable. I would agree with other travelers that driving is stressful for both driver and passengers especially in Ireland where the roads are extremely narrow with rock walls on each side. Next trip will include staying in certain cities with tours out. JerPoint Park in Ireland was a favorite of our group of 4. Authentic Vacations plans, reservations and communications were first rate.

"Wonderful Scottish and Irish adventure"

James

South Carolina

Lauren, thank you for putting together a wonderful Scottish and Irish adventure. In many unexpected ways it indeed was an adventure that we will remember forever. So sincere thanks. Despite a glitch in St Andrews your team's recovery actually made St Andrews the highpoint of our trip. Staying at Rusacks overlooking the first tee and eighteenth green of the old course was awesome. All the Hotels were first rate. Experiences - awesome The Clontarf Castle is an awesome way to the trip. Well done y'all.  Big city stays - We all felt like we could have used an extra day in the larger cities. They all had a story to tell, and we just had enough time to scratch the surface. Self-drive - while less expensive alternative, the person doing the driving misses out on a lot in transit, while the passenger's white knuckle thru the driver's learning process. Also, the roads in Scotland and Ireland are no joke.  Would recommend it is worth it to hire a private chauffer driver or go Small Guided for sure.

"Scotland Birthday Trip"

Michelle

Agency

Adina, I'm following up on my client's train/whiskey tour/ birthday trip to Scotland in October. They had a wonderful time! The whiskey tour day was their favorite, made extra special by their driver Alec who was a superstar. My client's boyfriend is a real train enthusiast. They enjoyed all the train trips, and Nick was like a child on the Jacobite train. Thanks so much for your help with this trip. You clearly know Scotland and planned a very nice route with some unique requirements. I greatly appreciate your expertise and attentive service. I look forward to working with you again in the future. An early Happy Holidays!

"Memorable Trip in Italy"

Loryl

Fort Thomas, KY

Amber, I received this email from my client Mrs. R this morning - I love being able to share these with you all :).

"Loryl, WOW! What a wonderful trip we had in Italy! Thank you for helping make this trip so memorable. We have so many wonderful memories that we will cherish forever. It was a trip of a lifetime. Thank You!  I guess we need to start thinking about our next trip. "

"Trip of a lifetime in Ireland"

Cathryn

Jennifer, I want to thank you for planning and arranging our wonderful vacation in Ireland. Everything was easy Peezy as my granddaughter would say. The hotels were all beautiful, each one was uniquely different and beautiful. We enjoyed each and the food was enjoyable. We enjoyed all the extra goodies. We were not able to take either sea cruise as the weather canceled the trips. The best decision we made was to have a guide /driver. Martin was an absolute wonder. I wanted to bring him home with us. He saw to every detail and was extremely entertaining to boot. His recommendations were spot on to our interests. I think he knows everyone in Ireland. The car was super too. The back seats were massage chairs. How cool can you get? As a great extra the Owner of Screebe House bought two of my paintings and commissioned two more. Again, many thanks for the trip of a lifetime.

"Two-week trip to Ireland and Scotland"

Wanda

Our vacation was wonderful we had a great time on our two-week trip to Ireland and Scotland. Jorie helped us plan our trip, she worked hard to include all the places we wanted to see and selected some great adventures for us to enjoy along the way. We truly loved Ireland, the countryside the beautiful sights and the flowers blooming everywhere made our visit one to remember for sure. 

"Wonderful Anniversary Trip in Ireland"

Tim

Hi Jorie, Rose and I had a wonderful time in Ireland! We couldn’t believe how well everything worked out and the locations selected for our stays were excellent. We really loved the Country House and Abbyglen Castle.  The staff at Abbbyglen Castle were so nice and made our anniversary evening wonderful! We had no idea there was so much aviation and radio history in Clifden! As for the other locations they were all first-rate as well. We went to the “Man O’ War” Pub for dinner our last night in Ireland. It was a great recommendation. The atmosphere, hospitality, and food were awesome. Again, thank you for helping to set up a wonderful trip which we will never forget. 

"All of my clients had only positive feedback"

Kelly

Mesa, AZ

This was my first time using Authentic Vacations. I worked with Ellie, and she knocked it out of the park! Every detail with transfers, trains, boutique hotels, castles, private tours and fantastic client feedback will keep me coming back! I had 5 vacations with varied budgets this past month. All of my clients had only positive feedback. Emails and phone correspondence were quickly answered, which can make or break my decision to partner with someone. If you are looking for a destination expert, AV will not disappoint! Thank you for making me look like a rockstar, Ellie and AV!!

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