Stay : From Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, via the Red Centre
This trip is divided into 3 parts. First, discover Sydney, a magnificent city that's great to stroll around. Then set off to cross the desert, and discover extraordinary landscapes with their orange and glowing colors. Finally, return to the coast to enjoy the beaches and crystal-clear waters, but above all to explore the seabed and discover the coral reef.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
8 days
€€€ - Luxury
Where to stay - Sydney ?
The map of your stay - Australie
Detail of the stay : From Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, via the Red Centre - 8 days
Day 1: Sydney Essentials
Steps: Sydney
Start your tour of Sydney on the harbour and admire theOpera House. Then make your way to The Rocks, wander the streets, discover the old settlers' homes and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). In the afternoon, take the steps up to the Harbour Bridge. If you cross it (30/40 minutes one way), walk down to Luna Park and explore the Milsons Point waterfront. Return to the center of town and turn onto Macquarie Street. Walk down this avenue to see the city's oldest monuments. Cross Hyde Parke to theAnzac War Memorial. Finish your tour of the city center with a stroll down George Street or one of its neighboring streets, or a visit to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB ) and the Westfield Shopping Centre.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE / QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING (QVB) / HYDE PARK / ANZAC WAR MEMORIAL / MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AUSTRALIA (MCA) / SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE / LUNA PARK
Day 2: Continuation of Sydney tour
Make your way to Darling Harbour. There's a choice of attractions, including theAustralian Maritime Museum and the Sea Life Aquarium. Then head to Chinese Garden of Friendship and explore the Chinese gardens. For lunch, head to Sydney Fish Market (SFM) for a seafood platter or fish & chips, or head to Chinatown on Dixon Street to sample the Asian flavors of one of its many stalls. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Manly from Circular Quay, and extend your visit in the late afternoon to North Head, in particular North Head Scenic Drive, from where you can admire Sydney Harbour at sunset in an extraordinary setting.
THE CHINESE GARDEN / CHINATOWN / AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM / CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP / SYDNEY FISH MARKET / SEA LIFE SYDNEY AQUARIUM
Day 3: Glowing landscapes
Steps: Uluru - Ayers Rock, Yulara
Fly from Sydney to Ayers Rock. Walk around this inselberg, then around the 26 domes of the Olgas Mountains. At sunset, take in the magnificent view of Uluru , which is decked out in all its reds. Overnight at the nearby Yulara campsite. You can even rent a fully-equipped tent.
ULURU
Day 4: Steep cliffs of Warrtaka National Park
Steps: Watarrka National Park
It will take you at least 3 hours to drive to Kings Canyon. Watch out for camels and kangaroos along the way. To discover Kings Canyon, take the Kings Canyon Walk (6 km). You'll discover the Garden of Eden, a superb view of the Outback and its 100-metre gorges. Stay overnight at Kings Creek Station.
Day 5: Discover Alice Springs
Steps: Broken Hill, Alice Springs
En route to Alice Springs, 230 km away. Discover the town and the School of the Air, which provides radio lessons for Outback children.
SCHOOL OF THE AIR
Day 6: Lazing on the beach
Steps: Cairns
Flight to Cairns. After the desert landscapes, enjoy the seaside on one of its many beaches.
Day 7: Coral reef cruise
Take a two-day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Dive into the transparent waters to discover these underwater wonders.
Day 8: Exploration of the seabed
For this second day of cruise, go diving in different spots, or embark on a glass bottom boat.
How to get there - Sydney
Book your activity - Sydney
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