Australia is a country of extremes. In the far north, the deep red earth radiates millennia of indigenous history. The far south offers cold climate forests and untouched natural beauty. In the west, you will find deserts which melt into a wild azure ocean whilst the east coast is cocooned by a reef worthy of a Monet painting. And that doesn’t even begin to describe all that lies in between. It is a vast place.
With such variety and so much to explore, it can seem a task too hard. However, Touring Treasures has hand selected some quintessential Australian destinations and woven them together into a 21-day private jet tour – Seamlessly Australia. Curated by a dedicated Tour Director who is on hand throughout the journey for any requests large or small, guests are offered the right amount of time at each destination to be fully immersed. Whilst distances are overcome by a dedicated Falcon 900 private jet – capable of hosting 14 guests in sublime luxury yet limited to eight to ensure intimacy and exceptional service attention.
It is an itinerary which is effortless full of unique experiences which will last a lifetime providing privileged access to many wild and exotic places which are usually beyond your grasp.
Starting in Sydney, guests have three days to discover this cosmopolitan city framed by sandy beaches and majestic mountains. This is your chance to view Sydney from all perspectives. A cruise onboard superyacht, Ghost II, reveals the city and its famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, from a new angle. As does the bird’s eye view of Bondi Beach from Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. Then there is the panoramic view found atop of the Harbour Bridge and finally, the aerial view as the private helicopter whisks you to the Blue Mountains.
At the end of your time in Sydney is when the tour is introduced to their private Falcon 900 which will be the primary means of transportation around Australia. Yet the term ‘transportation’ is far too mundane to describe this jet. It is luxuriously appointed with a dedicated professional crew. Although you will want for nothing, flying onboard the Falcon 900 will leave you wanting more and relishing the next leg of the tour. Equally, by travelling by private jet, Seamlessly Australia guests are saved the trials and tribulations of commercial air travel and, as the saying espouses, the journey is as an important as the destination.
Once you have been delighted by Sydney, the tour continues to the south stopping first at the country’s political and artistic capital, Canberra. This is a small but important section of the tour as you will have unprecedented access to the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. These institutions are icons in Australia and paint a vivid picture of what it is to be Australian. An expert guide will lead you through the museums to give you a deeper appreciation of the country.
Then onwards to Tasmania, Australia’s most southern state and arguable the lushest. 1.4 million hectares of Tasmania is protected wilderness; it is truly one of the most pristine environments on earth. Landing in the Freycinet Peninsula, it will be your base to discover Tasmania’s east coast as you enjoy three nights in the glorious Saffire Freycinet Lodge.
Tasmania produces some of the best of Australia’s seafood, wine and fruit. Here fresh takes on a whole new meaning as you sample world class oysters, literally standing in the waters they grow, coupled with local wine. A private helicopter will transport you to UNESCO World Heritage site, Port Arthur, as well as food haven, Bruny Island, and leading art installations at MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, in Hobart.
Completely invigorated by Tasmania, the tour moves onto Kangaroo Island on the edge of the Great Australian Bight. It is hard to explain the magic of Kangaroo Island to those who have never ventured there. To begin, it is virtually uninhabited but for the sea lions, kangaroos, echidnas, galahs and goannas. It sits at the edge of the Great Southern Ocean which stretches down to Antarctica.
Atop of ancient sand dunes sits the Southern Ocean Lodge, specifically designed to honour and drink in this wild landscape. This lodge is renowned for its privacy and luxury which you will experience in your 75sqm Ocean Retreat room. Each experience on Kangaroo Island, exclusively available to Seamlessly Australia guests, is curated to accentuate the natural assets of this destination. You will have the chance to learn about the history of the island, sample the seafood teaming in its waters and enjoy private encounters with its wildlife.
Mesmerised by Kangaroo Island, the tour continues to Adelaide and Australia’s premier wine producing region, the Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley boasts the oldest shirah grapes vines in the world and is the home of Penfold’s Grange Hermitage. You will taste some of the best of new world wines and partake in private masterclasses with the extraordinary winemakers of Seppeltsfield at a private dinner at the family’s homestead.
After a sumptuous time in Adelaide, the tour continues into the heart of the Australian outback starting with Cooper Pedy. This opal mining town is literally subterranean, and you will be treated to an underground tour of the mines, houses and even a church before the jet continues onto Uluru for a sunset tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the setting sun reflects of the ancient rocks, the colours are vibrant and the birds herald the night.
Back at the luxury desert base camp, Longitude 131°, champagne and dinner are served before retiring to a luxury tent where you will wake to uninterrupted views of the sacred aboriginal sandstone rock. The next days are an immersive experience to discover the heritage, ecology, art and traditions of indigenous Australia in this unique landscape.
Feeling inspired, the tour travels to the far northwest of the Australian coastline; to Kununurra and the Kimberley. A series of gorges, rivers and pools cut into an ochre landscape, the Kimberley is a living natural history museum most of which is only accessible by aircraft. From a based at El Questro Homestead, you can discover Chamberlain and Cathedral Gorges, the Domes and Echidna Chasm Walk guided by a local. It wouldn’t be complete without an exclusive tour of Paspaley Pearls – producers of the world’s finest pearls.
Humbled by the Kimberley and going from one extreme to another, the tour crosses the continent and directly to Hamilton Island, the heart of the Whitsunday Islands. You feel more than at home at qualia’s private villas as you gaze, from your private plunge pool, over the proud peaks of the islands. There will be plenty of time to discover the restaurants and boutiques of Hamilton Island with a full day at your leisure or to take in a spa treatment; all of which are included in the tour. Yet, the highlight is a morning seaplane flight over the islands and the Great Barrier Reef, a wonder of the natural world, concluding with a gourmet picnic on the silky white sand of Whitehaven Beach. The afternoon is taken up by cruising the islands on a gentlemen’s day boat; the Palm Beach 55.
The private jet ushers you back to Sydney. Where, in many ways, the very best is left to the end starting with descending in a heritage elevator to Paspaley’s private Pearl Room. Not open to the public, this is where the best South Sea Island and Kuri Bay pearls are kept. It will be a chance for a hands-on experience with the expert staff grading and sorting these exquisite jewels.
Lastly and most spectacularly, the group undertakes a behind the scenes tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House to see the inner workings behind those immense ‘sails’. An unexpected delight will ensure this tour stays forever in your memory.
Befittingly, the farewell dinner is held at the two-hatted (the Australian version of Michelin stars) Bennelong restaurant which is nestled within the cavernous Opera House and enjoys uninterrupted views of the Harbour. Satiated by one of the most vibrant and exciting holidays, it is time to prepare for the homeward journey. It is a joyous and delightful itinerary to experience the extremes of Australia without compromise.
Live your dreams and join us here to learn more about your Seamlessly Australia Private Jet Tour or contact the team at Touring Treasures.
