The Lucky Country
Australia offers a world-class food and wine culture the entire length of the country, luxury eco retreats and lodges in its vast wilderness, unique flora and fauna found nowhere else to a beach culture second to none. The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru are two iconic natural wonders of the world that simply can’t be missed in any trip to this vast and beautiful continent.
Head to the outback and you may hear a loud Cooee come from the bush. Men emerge carrying spears adorned with ochre skin paintings and kangaroo skins. The sound of clap sticks and singing gets louder, until the group breaks into a traditional dance to welcome you. The leader shows you the Finchley aboriginal engravings and explains the lore behind the images.
Dine on a breakfast of berries and macadamias and then choose your weapon spear or boomerang for a lesson on bush hunting techniques.
Travel to the country’s wine capital Barossa in South Australia and the Angas family will open the doors of their magnificent 2,000 acre property. Enjoy a walk in the meandering hills before stopping to taste some of the estate’s specialties. Hutton Vale is an award-winning wine producer, known for its Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache vines. These wines are perfectly paired with the other bounties of this estate, culminating in a magnificent farmhouse lunch. Take surf lessons at Bondi, visit the art galleries of Paddington in Sydney, soak up the coffee culture of Melbourne.
Owner Director Michael Halsall lived in Sydney for two years 2002-2004 and has visited both countries extensively since then from Tasmania to Cairns to Perth.
Tasmania
When Michael Halsall visited Tasmania for the first time he was simply blown away by the raw beauty of this dramatic and stunning island. In some many ways Tasmania offers a truly unique and alternative side of Australian life. From remote national parks to world class wineries, Tasmania has it all. More details to follow shortly on personalised experiences and journeys to this far away paradise.
A 24 day private luxury tour of Australia & New Zealand
Taking in some of Australia and New Zealand’s most iconic destinations experiences and luxury lodgings, this itinerary is likely to appeal to first-time visitors to our region and is ideally suited to couples or families with older children (qualia welcomes children 16 years+).
Included
- Airport meet and greet service on arrival and private airport transfers throughout in Australia and New Zealand
- Two nights in a King Deluxe room in Melbourne’s Crown Towers including breakfast daily and Virtuoso amenities
- Full day private and personalised tour of Melbourne & surrounds – Stroll the city sights, enjoy a scenic drive to the Mornington Peninsula wine region for tastings, lunch and wildlife encounters.
- Two nights in a King Luxury Tent at Longitude 131 in Uluru – including meals, selected beverages and selected small group sharing touring.
- Two nights in King Riverhouse at Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman – including breakfast, dinner, selected beverages and selected activities.
- Full-day private tour of the Mossman Gorge with river drift experience, including lunch
- Three nights in a King Winward Pavilion at qualia on Hamilton Island – including breakfast, golf buggy and selected activities.
- Pilot-guided small group tour of the Great Barrier Reef from both above and below sea level with an ultimate reef experience showcasing the best the reef and Whitehaven Beach.
- Three nights in a King Opera Deluxe room at Park Hyatt in Sydney – including breakfast.
- Full day private guided vehicle tour of Sydney City, followed by lunch and a harbour cruise
- Full day private guided vehicle tour to World Heritage Region, the Blue Mountains with morning tea, wildlife encounters, scenic lookouts, lunch and a guided 1.5 hour hike to a famous rock formation.
- Three nights in a King View Suite at Eichardt’s Private Hotel including breakfast and virtuoso amenities
- Private 2.5 hour helicopter excursion to Milford Sound & Shared Dart River Jet Boat Safari
- Shared Dart River Jet Boat Safari
- Full day private sightseeing of Queenstown including lunch
- Privately guided farm tour at The Lindis Pass
- Two nights in a King Suite at The Lindis Lodge in Ahuriri Valley including pre-dinner drinks and all meals.
- A morning tour of Ahuriri Valley followed by an iconic Black Diamond dining experience.
- Two nights in a King Suite at Otahuna Lodge in Christchurch including per-dinner drinks, dinner with wine pairing, breakfast and virtuoso amenities
- Full day private Akaroa excursion including private nature cruise and a picnic lunch
- Two nights in a King Grand Junior Suite at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay including pre-dinner drinks, dinner, breakfast and Virtuoso amenities.
- Four wheel drive can-am property tour at Cape Kidnappers
- Entrance into Wai O Tapu Thermal Valley
- Three nights in a King Junior Lodge Suite at Huka Lodge, Taupo including pre-dinner drinks, dinner, breakfast and virtuoso amenities.
- Privately guided hike and cruise excursion in Taupo including lunch and beverages
- Around the clock in-country concierge service, guest support and emergency assistance in Australia and New Zealand.
12 Day Food & Wine Tour Private Wine Tour of Australia
Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Barossa, Adelaide, McLaren Vale, Margaret River, Perth
An exclusive private tour of Australia for the most discerning luxury traveler.
This private food and wine tour of Australia includes private wine touring and tasting in the country’s premier wine regions, insider visits to food markets and specialty food purveyors, stays at the best hotels and resorts in each location, and reservations at restaurants serving the freshest and most creative cuisine in Australia.
Included
- Personalized private touring with expert guides and drivers
- Preferred rooms at the very best hotels
- Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Restaurant and spa reservations, performance and sporting event ticket arrangements
- Admission fees
- Internal transportation, including flights (unless indicated otherwise) and private airport transfers
- Around-the-clock support in each destination during the trip
- Unique, insider travel experiences and access to our network of experts worldwide
DAY 1
FOOD & WINE TOUR OF AUSTRALIA: Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Barossa, Adelaide, McLaren Vale, Margaret River, Perth
An exclusive private tour of Australia for the most discerning luxury traveler.
Private arrival transfer to hotel
Accommodation in Melbourne at ultra-luxury hotel : Park Hyatt or The Langham
Afternoon private tour with expert guide and driver
Architectural and historical sites, noted museums and gardens
DAY 2
Full-day touring of wineries and specialty food shops of the Yarra Valley
Cultural, historical and architectural highlights, cuisine and vineyards
Additional options can be arranged, upon request: a private market tour and cooking lesson with a local chef, philanthropic activities, a bicycle excursion to the countryside, a meeting with local artisans (silk, pottery, textiles)
DAY 3
Full-day private wine touring in the Mornington Peninsula
Wine tastings ; cultural, historical and architectural highlights; and lunch reservations at a top local restaurants
DAY 4
Private transfer to airport for domestic flight to Adelaide.
Private arrival transfer to hotel The Louise
Accommodation at an ultra-luxury hotel in the Barossa Valley
DAY 5
Full-day private regional touring and wine tastings
Culinary and cultural highlights, antiques and vineyards
DAY 6
Private transfer to Adelaide with touring en route. Inter-Continental Hotel.
Adelaide Hills highlights, scenic towns, wine tasting, local boutiques
DAY 7
Full-day private excursion and wine tasting in the McLaren Vale
Noted heritage architecture and gardens, antiques and vineyards
DAY 8
Private transfer to airport for flight to Perth
Private transfer to Margaret River with touring en route
Accommodation in Margaret River at ultra-luxury resort, Cape Lodge.
DAY 9
Full-day private touring
Wineries and wine tastings, coastal scenery
DAY 10
Private transfer to Perth
Accommodation in Perth at luxury hotel, COMO The Treasury.
Afternoon private introductory tour
DAY 11
Full-day private excursion to Swan Valley
Wine tastings, Victorian-era architecture, museums
DAY 12
Private airport transfer