Australia highlights with Sydney New Year’s Eve 2025

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights Sydney
• 3 nights Red Centre
• 5 nights Port Douglas

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights 

Day 2: Arrive Sydney

On arrival in Sydney, you will be met at the airport and take a shared transfer into the city. If you aren’t too tired, why not head straight to Circular Quay, to get your first views of Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, brightly lit in the warm Australian evening.

Included: Shared transfers, 4* hotel

Days 3 & 4: Sydney 

Sydney is home to some of the most iconic architecture in the world – the harbour bridge and the unique Opera House. Wander around Circular Quay for brilliant views of both before exploring the Botanical Gardens where sulphur-crested cockatoos fly overhead, squawking as they go. Heading out of the city you could take the ferry to Manly for a stroll down the beach or even try hiking the trail from Bondi to Coogee Beach with endless views over the Pacific Ocean. Sydney is also the gateway to the Blue Mountains and the cool vines of the Hunter Valley, so if you want to add a day tour, just ask us!

Your third night in Sydney is New Year’s Eve and you are in the perfect spot to celebrate! We’ve included an evening at the Opera House, starting with a magnificent pre-performance dinner overlooking Sydney Harbour, before taking your seats for a performance. You can choose between a production of La Boheme or the Opera Gala, a concert of some of Opera’s most impressive arias, and during the interval you can enjoy the 9pm fireworks over the bridge before the second half.

After the show, you’ll have tickets to the Opera House’s exclusive Midnight Party, held in the Northern Foyers of the Opera House. Including drinks, canapés and entertainment, you’ll of course also have great vantage point for the famous New Year’s Fireworks, being some of the first people in the world to ring in the new year.

Dress up to the nines and make this your most glamorous New Year’s Eve ever!

Included: 4* hotel, Midnight Party with dinner and performance             

Day 5: Fly to Ayers Rock

Today you’ll take a scheduled transfer back to Sydney Airport in time for your flight to Ayers Rock. On arrival there, you will be taken straight to your hotel and check in for three nights.

Included: Flights, transfers, 4* hotel       

Day 6: Wintjiri Wiru 

Your day is free today and we’d recommend you spend this time learning about Aboriginal culture in the Red Centre, as well as in the country as a whole. You can join a dot painting workshop, which will show you the traditional art of this area – if you want to add this activity, just ask! This evening, you'll head out to enjoy the spectacular Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner in the heart of the desert.

Tuck into a gourmet dinner hamper with native ingredients combined with modern recipes to make some delicious snacks and a glass of Penfold wine. With the vast Uluru next to you, the dreamtime stories from thousands of years of Aboriginal history are now played out before you - choreographed drones, lasers and projections take flight, lighting up the night sky in a vast expression of the ancient Anangu story. It's a magical start your time in the Red Centre.

Included: 4* hotel, Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner        

Day 7: Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Wake before dawn today and head out towards Uluru to watch the sunrise over the iconic rock. Departing in the dark, as you drive towards Uluru, the vast rock will rise out of the sand dunes in the quiet morning light. Your guide will take you to a very special location to watch the sunrise, before enjoying a delicious outback breakfast. You will visit Mutijulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk and learn the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python). After this short walk, you will drive around the base of Uluru and hear the story of the Mala people before returning to the hotel to spend the rest of your morning at leisure.

This afternoon, you’ll head out to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to visit a unique area where unique flora and fauna thrive: Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Here, your guide will teach you about the diverse environment, as well as the significance this region has to the Aboriginals. Learn about the 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta – how they have been created over millions of years and really drink in the spirituality of this amazing location. This tour will finish in the early evening leaving you plenty of time to enjoy dinner and perhaps go stargazing on your final night in the Red Centre.

Included: 4* hotel, sunrise tour, Kata Tjuta tour               

Day 8: Fly to Cairns

Today you’ll leave the Red Centre and head to Queensland for some beach time! You’ll be transferred back to the airport for your flight to Cairns, where, on arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Port Douglas where you will check in for five nights.

Included: Transfers, flights, 4* hotel

Day 9: Great Barrier Reef  

We’ve included a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef so why don’t you take this opportunity to go and explore the world’s largest coral reef. Your day includes morning and afternoon tea, a tropical buffet lunch and all snorkelling equipment. During the trip home, it may be possible to see dolphins and whales.

Included: Snorkelling tour, 4* hotel          

Day 10: Daintree Rainforest

This immersive day tour through the Daintree region blends rainforest adventure with local flavour. Begin with morning tea at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre before a guided walk through ancient rainforest. Cruise the Daintree River to spot wildlife like crocodiles and tropical birds, then enjoy a relaxed lunch at Heritage Lodge by Cooper Creek. Explore Cape Tribulation’s iconic beach, indulge in exotic fruit ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, and finish with sweeping views from Alexandra Lookout over the rainforest and Coral Sea.

Included: Daintree tour, 4* hotel

Days 11 & 12: Port Douglas

You’ve now got two free days to enjoy Port Douglas. It’s a relaxed beach town with a stunning stretch of sand known as Four Mile Beach. Stretch out with a good book and reminisce over the last two weeks of discovering beautiful Australia.       

Included: 4* hotel                           

Day 13: Depart Port Douglas

Your time in Australia has come to an end – this morning you will be picked up and taken back to Cairns in time for your flight back to the UK.           

Included: Transfers, international flights            

Day 14: Arrive UK