The ultimate luxury trip to Australia combines a harbor-view suite in Sydney, a reef-front stay on Lizard Island, a tasting menu at Quay and a Kimberley expedition cruise, which starts at roughly A$12,000 to $17,000 per person. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, so this itinerary links five stops that show its range: city, reef, food, nightlife and wilderness.
| Stop | What you do | 2026 price signal |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney | Nightly rates mostly in the A$300 to $400 range, with suites far higher |
| Sydney | Dinner at Quay | Tasting menu, check the restaurant for current prices |
| Great Barrier Reef | Lizard Island Resort | All-inclusive, rates on request |
| Melbourne | St Kilda beach and nightlife | Free to wander, dinners and bars extra |
| Kimberley | Expedition cruise Broome to Darwin or Wyndham to Broome | From about A$12,500 to $17,000 per person |
How we built this itinerary
We kept the original idea of a one-trip highlight reel and replaced anything we could not check. Prices are the ones operators and hotels publish, and they vary by season, cabin and date.
Where should you stay in Sydney?
The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney sits on the harbor side of the city, near the Rocks, with views of the water. It has around 530 rooms depending on the source, and rates mostly sit around A$300 to $400 a night outside peak dates, though suites can go into the thousands. Reviewers note that the last major refurbishment was several years ago, so ask for a recently updated room. Add a day in the hotel spa after the flight.
Should you buy a luxury car in Australia?
The original article joked about buying a car on arrival. For a short trip, hiring a driver is simpler and easier than buying one. If you want car inspiration, see the Rolls-Royce in our billionaire car collection feature.
Is Lizard Island Resort worth it?
Lizard Island sits on the Great Barrier Reef, about 1,624 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. The island has been in the care of the Dingaal people for thousands of years, and Captain Cook named it in 1770. The resort opened in 1975, was damaged by Cyclone Ita in 2014 and is now owned by the Hong Kong-listed Sea Holdings. It markets itself as the only all-inclusive resort in Australia directly on the reef, with eight accommodation types from garden rooms to The House and The Villa. Meals, non-alcoholic drinks and a selection of wine, beer and spirits are included. We corrected an earlier claim: it is a resort on a national-park island, not a private island you can rent whole.
What is there to do in St Kilda?
From the reef, head south to Melbourne and St Kilda, about 6 kilometers from the city center. The beach, the palm-lined promenade and the sea air make it a relaxed place to spend an evening, and the nightlife stays busy year round.
Is Quay worth booking?
Quay is a restaurant in Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal, with views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Chef Peter Gilmore joined in 2001, and the restaurant has appeared on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list several times since 2009. After a major overhaul in July 2018, it serves contemporary Australian cuisine with Asian influences. It is worth booking for the view as much as for the food. See also our guide to buildings you need to see before you die for the Opera House.
What does a Kimberley expedition cruise cost?
The Kimberley coast in Western Australia is a terrain of ancient sandstone gorges, waterfalls and remote beaches, reachable only by boat or helicopter. Operators sell Broome to Darwin cruises for 2026 at roughly these starting prices per person: Seabourn through APT from $16,895, Silversea from $14,000, Ponant from about A$12,500 to $15,000 and Coral Expeditions from A$12,990. Quest-style small-ship cruises between Wyndham and Broome start around A$13,900. Excursions typically include helicopter flights to waterholes otherwise out of reach. Book the expedition well ahead, as the season runs for only a few months.
Keep reading
- Seychelles luxury trip for millionaires: another island-and-reef itinerary
- Luxurious ways to travel: more ways to get there
- Buildings you need to see before you die: includes the Sydney Opera House
- Luxurious travel in Canada: the same idea in another country
FAQ
How much does a luxury trip to Australia cost?
Plan on roughly A$12,000 to $17,000 per person for the Kimberley cruise alone, plus around A$300 to $400 a night for a Sydney five-star hotel, with all-inclusive reef stays priced on request.
What is the best luxury hotel in Sydney?
The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney is our pick for harbor access and service. Rates usually start around A$300 per night, with suites much higher.
Can you rent a private island in Australia?
Lizard Island is a resort island on the Great Barrier Reef, not a whole-island rental. The resort is all-inclusive and has eight accommodation types.
What is the best time for the Kimberley cruise?
Cruises run in the dry season, with the main 2026 season already underway by mid-year. Check each operator’s calendar.
Is Quay worth it?
Yes, for the harbor setting and Chef Peter Gilmore’s cooking. Book ahead and check its current menu prices.
Last updated: October 2026.
