From Metropolitan Cities to Rainforest and Outback, Australia Has It All

Philip Banks: Australia

Catherine and I opted to do a pre-trip before our official adventure, which was also offered by Signature Travel Network. We’ve never been to Australia before, and this trip let us see the best of it: Melbourne, Sydney, the outback, and the rainforest.

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Day One

When we landed in Sydney, we learned that our itinerary had changed. We were originally supposed to go to Lizard Island, but it was hit by a cyclone. The destination management company we were working with (Abercrombie & Kent) changed up the schedule and was excellent. They really got into the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day logistics, and I appreciated the flexibility.

The first day in Cairns was jet-lag central, and we just did the best we could to adjust to the new time zone. I went to get a nice massage and went to dinner with some folks in our group. We found a remarkable place called Prawn Star, which was essentially four fishing boats tied together at the dock. The seafood was fantastic. They had steamed and boiled shrimp, oysters, sashimi, and these things they called “bugs,” which were basically small lobsters. It was all good, and I liked that the restaurant was right off the pier.

Day Two

The replacement destination for Lizard Island was Silky Oaks Lodge, which is in the rainforest and is a very high-end property with just a couple of rooms. Fortunately for us, we got the last four spaces and got to do some cool excursions on our way to Silky Oaks. We hiked through the rainforest, made some Aboriginal dot art, visited Port Douglas, which is right on the coast, and eventually made our way to Silky Oaks Lodge.

When we arrived, I immediately thought that the place we stayed in Cairns was nice, but this was in a whole different ballpark.

Day Three

We had the option to go on tours on our third day, but I was still fighting jet lag, and there was a ton to do at Silky Oaks itself. I figured that I’d hang out at the resort. You could go paddleboarding in the Mossman River, and there were a ton of little trails to go hiking through. There are also plenty of hammocks and an on-site spa. It was a pleasant time for sure.

Day Four

The next day, Abercrombie & Kent, our guides on the ground, chartered a flight for us in a twelve-person airplane to Mount Mulligan. It was a twenty-minute flight, and we landed in a grass field. There was no airport, and we were definitely out in the remote outback, not the rainforest anymore. Mount Mulligan Station is a working cattle ranch with a crazy amount of land. I would strongly recommend this place. It was high-end, and the rooms were private and peaceful. Plus, there’s plenty to do right around Mount Mulligan itself.

The schedule was easy. A&K had excursions set up, but they also let you do what you wanted to do. You could relax. The first night, the on-site chef treated us to a delicious tasting menu, and we soon realized that there was a unique selection of food every night.

Day Five

We went on an ATV excursion the following day, exploring much of Mount Mulligan Lodge’s 80,000 acres of land. On the way, our guides shared local legends and aboriginal myths and showed us all the outback landscapes. I found it all quite interesting. The next day before we left, we got a special treat: watching the cattle drive. We saw the folks at Mount Mulligan Lodge working with these huge amounts of cattle; it was amazing.

Day Six

The next day, we officially started our trip in Sydney. We technically arrived one day ahead of time, just because of the flights, but I got to take a breather and spend some time in the Hotel Crown Towers. Our hotel was super modern and had high-tech amenities like an elevator that redirects you automatically to your floor when you scan your room key. The views were outstanding. You could see Sydney’s skyline and the inner harbor. I was very happy with it all.

Day Seven

On day seven, I woke up and had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. It featured more traditional items, but there was also a Chinese buffet section that was so darn good. After a great meal, we were fueled and ready to start our adventures. Our guide picked us up right at the hotel, and we went on a harbor cruise right next to the Sydney Opera House before taking us inside for a three-course dinner in the Yallamundi Room.

We also had some nice entertainment. During dinner, a local opera singer performed four or five songs for us, which was fitting for the venue. The Sydney Opera House hosts over 1,000 performances per year, sometimes with two or three going on at the same time. Visiting and learning about its history was a phenomenal way to start off my Sydney trip.

Day Eight

The next day we set off on the Essential Sydney Tour, which was basically a tour around central Sydney, followed by a quick trip to Bondi Beach. It’s a famous spot in Australia for surfing and swimming, and there are plenty of lifeguards to keep everyone safe. You’ll also find a coastal path that connects Bondi to nearby Coogee. This trail leads to smaller, lesser-known beaches and offers some of the best views of Australia’s eastern coast.

Day Nine

The Blue Mountains tour was on the agenda for the next day. It was a long but fun-packed day and a pleasant excursion outside Sydney. The scenery was just beautiful with these really astonishing views from the mountains. We also visited Taronga Zoo in the evening and had the whole place to ourselves. It was a hands-on kind of experience, and you could even interact with the animals a bit. We saw some cool creatures, like wallabies and kangaroos, and we had a tasty dinner right there at the zoo itself. It was a big day out but an excellent experience overall.

Day Ten

I took the Ultimate Aussie Food Tour the next day, which is pretty on-brand for me. I like the food tours, and this one was fairly interesting. I got to try some local cuisine, including some delicious meat pies and chocolates, and at the end of our trip, they gave us kangaroo. I came to Australia to see the kangaroos, not eat them, but that was okay. It’s all part of the adventure.

That night we took a dinner cruise around Sydney Harbor. The views were stunning. There were fireworks over the Sydney Opera House, and frankly, it’s just cool to be on a boat with fireworks shooting off across the Sydney Harbor. You’re right there, taking it all in. What an experience.

Day Eleven

We flew from Sydney to Melbourne the next day, and it was back to another Crown Towers property. Like the Sydney location, this hotel was quite modern and nice, and the breakfast buffet was good too. They even had the Chinese section I enjoyed at the first hotel. That night we went to Yarra Botanica, a floating restaurant right on the river. We had some appetizers and cocktails, and I got my first taste of Melbourne.

Day Twelve

The next day, we had another marathon excursion, this time exploring Ocean Road. There’s so much to see, like the 12 Apostles, which is this stunning rock formation, and had tea and scones the way. Some people in my group decided to take a helicopter tour of the 12 Apostles. I opted out but heard that it was a very cool experience. One thing that struck me about this day was how much the landscape changed. We saw so much: the 12 Apostles, Surf Coast, Shipwreck Coast, and Apollo Bay. I got back to the hotel and just collapsed, but it was worth it.

Day Thirteen

I had the Melbourne Food Culture Tour scheduled for the next day, and that was a treat. As with Sydney, I got to learn a lot about the city itself. Frankly, I’d like to see a bit more of it. Melbourne is known for its coffee, and it has a more bohemian feel to it. It also feels a bit like Sydney’s little brother, but in a good way. That night we had our farewell dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria, which is just a marvelous art museum. The paintings were truly striking, and we got to wander around, sipping our signature gin cocktails, then enjoy some exceptional food.

I’d recommend Australia to anybody. I’d go back tomorrow. The jet lag is real, and it goes both ways, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.