Australia
G’Day! The “Land Down Under” is famous for a myriad of unique features – from the Sydney Opera House to the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock and wide-open Outback. Add on top more than 60 wine regions, over 10,000 beaches, 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the world’s widest array of marsupials (we’re talking kangaroos, koalas AND Tasmanian devils), it’s the land of endless adventure. Bike past lighthouses, climb bridges, cuddle koalas, swim with whale sharks – the list goes on! Gray & Co.’s expert planners curate the best of the country, all of which can be well connected via private jet and yacht.
Sydney overflows with beautiful beaches, bustling neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Best places to stay include the new Capella or the iconic Park Hyatt in the Rocks under the Harbour Bridge. Travelers can go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, climb the bridge, jet boat to the Taronga Zoo, cruise on a yacht at sunset and marvel at the surfers at Bondi Beach from a table at the Icebergs. Consider a day trip via helicopter to Pretty Beach or even farther the Blue Mountains, where dramatic rock formations, eucalyptus forests, wallabies, roos and waterfalls await. Beyond Sydney, the southern half of the country is best viewed from November to April. The North is best the rest of the year.
Heading south, Tasmania is home to 18 national parks. The ultra-luxe Saffire Lodge, located at the edge of Freycinet National Park, sits among the pink-granite peaks of the Hazard Mountains. Hike to Wineglass Bay beach, shuck oysters straight from a marine farm, paddle through the calm waters of Muir Beach’s wetlands, and keep an eye out for resident Tasmanian devils!
Jet back to mainland Australia to Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, one of the country’s richest and best-known winemaking regions, famed for its shiraz and riesling varietals. While based at The Louise Hotel, bike and hike among the vines. Leave Adelaide via short, private flight to the Flinders Ranges, featured in David Attenborough’s First Life documentary. Stay at the nearby Arkaba Homestead, a former sheep station that dates back to 1851, for a true outback experience.
A short flight or ferry brings you to Kangaroo Island, a safe haven for wildlife like the eponymous ‘roos, sea-lions, wallabies and more. The fabled and rebuilt Southern Ocean Lodge, is perched high on a cliff top overlooking the island. Explore the island on bike rides to Remarkable Rocks and enjoy evening wildlife safaris.
In the far west of Australia, the city of Perth beckons. South of the city lies the biking, beaches and vineyards of the Margaret River Valley. Take time to dive with whale sharks off Ningaloo Reef.
Smack in the middle of the country is Uluru, the incredible rock. While it’s a great place to park the jet for a wander, overnights can be arranged at Longitude 131 Lodge.
To the north of the country lies the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive in the world’s largest coral habitat, home to over 1,600 species of fish. Our top picks for how to do it? Set out underwater exploring from Qualia, a resort on Hamilton Island, or Lizard Island, among the remotest of reef retreats. Or let Gray & Co. charter the ultimate yacht. Back on shore, hike and kayak along the Mossman River in nearby Daintree, the oldest rainforest in the world – with the newly renovated ecolodge Silky Oaks Lodge as your jungle base. The Aboriginal rock art in the Kimberley region is also not to be missed!
