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Australia

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Australia

SAVOR

The finest cuisine comes with an open-air barbecue, pick-your-own oyster feasts and award-winning shiraz straight from the barrel

GO DEEPER

In the local arts scene, from outdoor murals to glasswork, ceramics to indigenous art—and cozy meet-ups with adorable koala bears

EXPLORE

Melbourne's urban delights, Sydney’s iconic sights, Barossa Valley wine country, Adelaide's glorious coastline

Why Australia

Australia is a land of boundless energy and creativity, where ancient cultures and traditions—indigenous, European, Asian—have melded to produce something endlessly new and exciting. Its heartfelt devotion to creating world-class food and wine is palpable, from cutting-edge city scenes to remote wonderlands of inescapable beauty. In Australia, you never know what’s around the corner. But you can’t wait to get there.

Moments That Matter

From hip Melbourne and Sydney to energizing explorations of sand dunes and wine-filled valleys. Taste award-winning wines straight from the barrel in Barossa Valley, savor open-air barbecue with sheep farmers, meet local artists at iconic ceramic studios, stay in art-filled boutique hotels in the trendiest neighborhoods.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

From the casual wine lover to the cultural and artistic connoisseur, from families looking to relax on the beach or conquer the Outback

When to Travel

Our favorite times are March - May and Sept - Nov, with clear sunny skies, cool nights, and smaller crowds than the peak Southern Hemisphere summer months of December, January, February.

Make It Yours

More city time? Amp up the adventure? Only in it for the wine? Whichever ideal Australia experience you’re envisioning, we can help get you there.

Day by Day

Start in Melbourne or Sydney, before heading out in wine country and hitting the beach.

Day 1

In Melbourne you’ll be immersed in the artistic scene with an exclusive ceramics studio tour, followed by a private lunch at The Independent hosted by head chef and owner Mauro Callegari. Then continue on to the Melbourne Gin Company—one of the country’s finest distilleries and normally closed to the public—for a private tour and tasting.

  • Private ceramics studio tour
  • Private chef lunch at The Independent
  • Private tasting at Melbourne Gin Company

Day 2

Uncover the best of Melbourne with an art-focused walking tour down the narrow lanes, grand boulevards, 19th-century arcades that have made Melbourne a destination for art lovers. Finish up with the city’s other love: coffee, with a private tour at one of Australia’s iconic roasters. End the day with a moveable feast sampling local favorites and a hands-on cocktail class—capped with the country’s best gelato.

  • Walking tour of central Melbourne
  • Private coffee roastery tour and tasting
  • Hands-on cocktail class

Day 3

Today you’ll journey out of the city into the nearby Macedon Ranges, a region known for its expansive forests and thriving artisan food and wine industries. You’ll meet local farmers at a sustainable sheep and cattle station, and have an exclusive lunch courtesy of an Aussie barbecue specialist. This will be a lunch to remember!

  • Journey to the Macedon Ranges
  • Meet with local farmers
  • Aussie barbecue lunch

Day 4

Today, we’ll fly you to the city of Adelaide (about 90 minutes), at the doorstep of the world-famous Barossa Valley wine region. After checking in and relaxing for a bit, meet up with local artists at the iconic Jam Factory, a unique not-for-profit that champions the value of craft and design in daily life. Meet some of the artists, and sit for your very own glass-blowing demonstration. Then, in the evening, it’s a fun, informal dinner at one of Adelaide’s hottest eateries.

  • 90-min flight from Melbourne to Adelaide
  • Jam Factory visit
  • Dinner and nightlife exploration

Day 5

Head to the stunning Barossa Valley for exclusive tours and tastings at a few of the region’s best vineyards. You’ll only be interrupted for a mesmerizing paddock-to-plate lunch at a sixth-generation Barossan farm. Cap off the day with sampling your birth-year Tawny Port vintage at your last stop.

  • Winery tours in Barossa Valley
  • Paddock-to-plate lunch at family-run farm

Days 6 - 7

After a morning exploring the markets of Adelaide, it’s a short flight to Port Lincoln, famous for its beaches, seafood and tropical vibe. Visit Mikkira Koala Station and spend quality time communing with this most adorable of marsupials; dine on a free-range Berkshire pig slowly turning on the spit; “hunt and gather” some of Australia’s best seafood in Coffin Bay, explore the beach by 4WD; and try your hand at surf fishing. You’ll also visit the ancestral home of Susie Betts, one of Australia’s most famous artists.

  • Flight from Adelaide to Port Lincoln
  • Tour Mikkira Koala Station
  • Guided tour of Coffin Bay
  • Visit ancestral home of indigenous artist
  • Private dinner with local chef

Days 8 - 9

After brekky, we’ll take you to the airport for a flight to Sydney. No visit to Australia is complete without a few days in the heady, vibrant, culinary capital. Visit the Opera House, sail on Sydney’s harbor and bay, climb over Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset, visit markets and food halls and dine at some of the city’s top restaurants. We’ll organize your dream Sydney experience so you can savor the best the city has to offer. 

  • Flight from Port Lincoln to Sydney
  • Sydney Harbour & Opera House tours
  • City market visit
  • VIP meals at local restaurants

Where We Sleep

From elegant Melbourne and Sydney, to sun-kissed Adelaide and tranquil Port Lincoln, our boutique hotels make you feel right at home without ever trying too hard. True Australian hospitality is always relaxed, never stodgy.

Melbourne

Our art-filled Melbourne hotel, made from charming 19th-century mansions, is a short walk from the city’s lush botanical gardens and all the coffee shops and wine bars of the lively South Yarra neighborhood, named for the meandering city river.

Adelaide

Our hip base in South Australia’s buzzing capital brings a Romanesque touch—towers, mansard roofs, even gargoyles—to our luxurious stay amidst the laneways of Adelaide’s West End. Each of the Art Deco rooms carry their own character, and all situated near the city’s best cafes, bars, restaurants.

Port Lincoln

You’ll not want to leave our oceanfront boutique hotel on Port Lincoln's Boston Bay, each room catching sea breezes and views from private balconies. It’s a perfect spot to unwind, take a sunrise stroll and breathe in the fresh air during the al fresco breakfast on the terrace.

Syndey

Our sophisticated Sydney spot is situated in a city known for its diversity. Stroll through stunning beachfront neighborhoods, London-like streets, then a slice of Vietnam. You’ll be steps away from lush inner city gardens and Sydney’s heritage harbor for views of the ocean and its iconic opera house.

People Love MO/AD’s Australia

“
I loved warmth, kindness, knowledge, generosity, depth, presence, and overall good souls of the Modern Adventure team.
Jane B.
“
Really fun and diverse. I did things I wouldn’t do on my own.
Amanda C.
“
Every person involved with leading and guiding was top notch—friendly, knowledgeable, fun, kind—it doesn’t get better.
Elizabeth Z.

FAQs

  1. How many people is this itinerary suitable for?

    We can plan a custom, private departure for any group size. Our custom trips are perfect for a couple wishing to travel on their own, a family, or a multi-generational group. If you’re looking to travel on one of our group departures on a private basis, a minimum number of travelers may apply.

  2. Can you curate an itinerary for a larger group?

    Yes, we can craft an unforgettable milestone celebration or company retreat for groups as large as 40 or more.

  3. What makes a MO/AD experience different?

    Our level of curation, care, and in-country connections. We handle everything, overseeing your experience from beginning to end with the highest levels of ownership and responsibility. We support you every step of the way with comprehensive itineraries, detailed day-by-day descriptions, insider destination info, and 24/7 dedicated support.

  4. How far in advance should I plan my trip?

    Preferably six to nine months in advance and earlier for holiday travel. We stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible. We can help with last-minute travel planning, however availability may be limited.

  5. What is typically included?

    We curate your MO/AD Private Departure to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Your itinerary typically includes accommodations, airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and meals as detailed in your itinerary.

  6. How much will it cost?

    MO/AD Private Departures typically cost $750 to $1,500 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  7. What's not included?

    MO/AD Private Departures do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, gratuities for local guides, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  8. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to design a detailed itinerary and check availability, there is a $500 non-refundable planning deposit due. This will be applied to your final trip cost. Once your itinerary is perfect, we require a 25% non-refundable confirmation deposit to start confirming all of your arrangements. Many of our local partners and hotels require additional advance deposits to secure the best accommodations. The balance of your trip cost is due 90 days prior to travel.

  9. What travel documents are needed?

    In addition to having a valid passport, US citizens are required to obtain a visa to gain entry into Australia. Most US passport holders traveling to Australia for less than 90 days can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA is an electronic label-free visa and can be obtained at the ETA website. Visit the Australia Travel Information page at Travel.State.Gov for more information.

  10. Where can I find the complete terms of my booking?

    See our Terms & Conditions for complete details about our policies regarding your MO/AD Private Departure booking.