THE ROCK & THE REEF – Red Centre & Cairns

Travel to Kings Canyon, renowned for its towering sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices and sweeping desert views. After checking in, experience Bruce Munro’s Light Towers at sunset. Enjoy native-inspired canapés and drinks before wandering among 69 two-metre towers, each containing 216 glass bottles, illuminated in changing colours to Orlando Gough’s enchanting soundscape.

Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort for 1 night

Start early for the optional Creek Walk, following a trail between soaring canyon walls to a scenic lookout. Continue to Yulara, stopping for lunch at Curtin Springs cattle station. Freshen up at our hotel before enjoying drinks and nibbles as we watch Uluru’s remarkable colours change in the setting sun.

Hotel: Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, Yulara for 2 nights

Join the ranger-guided Mala Walk at Uluru to learn about its cultural significance and how Anangu Traditional Owners and rangers care for the park. Visit the Cultural Centre, then explore Kata Tjuta, with views from the observation deck and a walk among the ancient domes to the Valley of the Winds lookout. Tonight, enjoy the Sounds of Silence Dinner, beginning with canapés, sparkling wine and didgeridoo music at sunset, followed by a bush tucker-inspired dinner featuring native ingredients.

Hotel: Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, Yulara for 2 nights

Return to Alice Springs and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to discover its history and vital role in providing health care and emergency services across remote Australia. Tonight, enjoy a bush BBQ at Earth Sanctuary, with sunset views over the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, a canopy of stars, and stories and entertainment from our host.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseter’s for 1 night

The unforgettable time in the magical Red Centre has come to an end. Today, transfer to the airport and take a short flight to Cairns, arriving mid-afternoon. Transfer to our hotel and settle in before enjoying dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns for 7 nights

Enjoy a relaxed start before a short walk to Cairns Aquarium, showcasing tropical North Queensland’s unique habitats and species. Tour the Turtle Hospital to learn about sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release, then explore over 450 ancient Egyptian artefacts at Tomb of the Pharaohs. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before walking to Ochre Restaurant on the marina for dinner.

Begin with a brief sightseeing tour of Cairns and the Esplanade before travelling through the hinterland to Kuranda. Enjoy time to browse the village’s shops and markets and purchase lunch. Mid-afternoon, board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, passing rainforest, valleys, bridges, century-old tunnels and Barron Falls. Arrive in Cairns late afternoon and transfer to our hotel. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Follow the scenic coastal road to Mossman Gorge in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Join an Indigenous guide for a gorge walk, hearing Dreamtime stories and learning about bush medicines, followed by damper and tea. Continue to Port Douglas for time to explore and purchase lunch. Visit Palm Cove on our return to Cairns, then enjoy dinner overlooking the marina at Dundee’s Restaurant.

Explore the Atherton Tablelands, beginning with a guided tour at Jaques Coffee in Mareeba. See the world’s first coffee harvester and coffee trees, with fruit tasting if in season. Ride the Jaques Coffee Bean Machine through the plantation, view the processing mills and enjoy a coffee with the opportunity to sample Jaques Coffee Liqueur. Continue past fertile farmland, sugar cane and banana plantations to Lake Barrine for a cruise and lunch in the historic tearooms. Visit the Curtain Fig Tree and Gallo Dairyland to see boutique cheeses and chocolates being made, with tastings and time to purchase. Return to Cairns via the scenic Gillies Range Road, descending through Wet Tropics rainforest.

After breakfast, travel north to Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. Cruise Hartley’s Lagoon aboard specially constructed boats, with commentary on wetland habitats and guaranteed crocodile spotting. Learn about the cassowary, then take a guided wildlife walk and snake talk, followed by lunch. Return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

Visit historic Paronella Park, created in the 1930s by José Paronella. Explore its castle ruins and European-inspired gardens, including Kauri Avenue, and discover its connection to North Queensland’s first hydroelectric scheme. After lunch take time to explore before returning to Cairns. Tonight, cruise Trinity Inlet and the Cairns waterfront, from the Cruise Liner Terminal to the Esplanade, with entertainment and a buffet dinner featuring regional produce and seafood. Return to our hotel after a memorable final evening.

After breakfast and checkout, spend most of the morning at Cairns Botanical Gardens beneath Mount Whitfield National Park. Discover ancient plant life, enjoy the garden walks and purchase a coffee at the café. Transfer to Cairns Airport for our flight to Perth, arriving home later afternoon. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to transfer you home.