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Beaches & Reefs

Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific

Whether you prefer tranquil palm-fringed sands or wild surf breaks our destinations boast some of the very best beaches on the planet; and those who take the plunge for a peek into the world below the waves are equally well rewarded with unparalleled technicolour reefs.

Our island nations are ringed by beautiful beaches: some fringed by tropical rainforests, some dotted with dramatic rock formations and others backed by snow-capped mountains. Swim, surf or snorkel, some beaches are perfect for people watching, whilst others invite romantic private picnics.

 

 

Learn to surf in Bondi and ride the waves in Byron Bay, heli over Whitehaven’s swirling silica sands or hike to picturesque Wine Glass Bay. Discover some of New Zealand’s most stunning hidden coves on horseback or explore golden sands by kayak. Island-hop in the South Pacific to enjoy an endless supply of idyllic private beaches

Woman walking on Aitutaki sand cay, Cook Islands
Ribbon Reefs, Great Barrier Reef

From Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo, Lord Howe Island and Rowley Shoals; from Fiji to Tahiti (French Polynesia), we can have you snorkelling straight off the beach or cruising to remote coral cays and drop-offs to scuba dive among some of the planet’s most magnificent underwater treasures.

 

Novice snorkeller or experienced scuba diver, we know where to have you gliding over brightly coloured corals and giant clam gardens in a glass-bottom kayak, swimming with turtles and technicolour fish, snorkelling with gentle giant whale sharks and graceful manta rays or scuba diving with minke whales and other majestic creatures of the deep.

Some Of Our Favourite Beaches & Reef Experiences

Itinerary Inspirations

These itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in this beautiful region. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary, exclusively for you. 

Whitsunday bliss

Romance and adventure in the Wonderful Whitsundays.

Step out of the ordinary and get away from it all with a skippered and catered sailing adventure aboard a spacious modern catamaran. Enjoy island hopping, swimming, sailing, snorkelling, paddle-boarding or just relaxing as you explore the tropical islands and secluded beaches of the wonderful Whitsundays. Sunsets on the foredeck sipping champagne with your fellow adventurers are the memories that will stay with you forever.
To ensure you return home completely relaxed and revived, this tropical getaway also includes a four-night stay at one of Australia’s most highly-awarded and very romantic luxury resorts, the adults-only qualia on Hamilton Island. Enjoying pure tranquillity with a luxury private pavilion as your base, days can be spent swimming, snorkelling, hiking, relaxing at the day spa or ducking over to Dent Island for a hit of golf.
To round off a most memorable and romantic escape, we have included the bucket-list ‘Journey to the Heart’ experience with your stay on Hamilton Island; including a heli-scenic flight over Whitehaven beach, an exclusive glass-bottom boat tour to explore iconic Heart Reef and the opportunity to snorkel from the private Heart Reef pontoon, far from the main tourist trail.
  • Inclusions

    6 nights’ accommodation (4 nights at qualia including daily breakfast, one dinner, buggy hire, non-alcoholic beverages and selected activities and 2 nights in a private queen cabin with ensuite aboard Whitsunday Getaway shared small group cruise with meals, entry fees and snorkelling equipment). Shared helicopter tour to Heart Reef. Private transfer from Whitsunday’s Airport to Airlie Beach and scheduled one-way transfer between Airlie, Hamilton Island and return Hamilton Island - qualia transfers.

  • Notes

    This tour is available for guests 16 years and over.

Rainforest & reef in style

Enjoy Far North Queensland’s World Heritage Reef and Rainforest in style!

Explore Far North Queensland in luxury and style, staying at Silky Oaks Lodge, a tropical treetop hideaway, set high above the Mossman River. Enveloped by ancient rainforest, this eco-friendly luxury lodge is situated in the heart of Kuku Yulanji country, cleverly combining sustainable, contemporary design with modern comforts. Explore the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest with a full day private tour including visit to Mossman Gorge, the Janbal Aboriginal Art Gallery and a guided walking tour with an engaging local indigenous guide.
The luxury continues while exploring the remote and aquamarine waters of Lizard Island. Accessed by a one-hour scenic flight from Cairns, at the northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy sublime seclusion from the rest of the world. Fringed by twenty-four powdery white beaches, this luxury lodge provides access to some of the planet’s best dive sites, along side activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking, hiking, snorkelling and fishing. Join a shared tour of the Lizard Island Research Station and enjoy a romantic private dining experience during your stay.
  • Inclusions

    7 nights’ accommodation (3 nights at Silky Oaks Lodge and 4 nights in an Oceanview Villa at Lizard Island Resort) inclusive of daily breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners and selected alcoholic beverages per person. Selected activities at Silky Oaks Lodge and Lizard Island Resort. Full Day Private Daintree Cultural Tour including Janbal Art Gallery, Dreamtime Mossman Gorge and Walker Brothers experience, Shared Research Centre Tour on Lizard Island. Return shared transfers Cairns Airport-Cairns General Aviation. Return scheduled flights CairnsLizard Island. Rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover), unlimited kms and GPS.

Dive into tropical north Queensland

Dive the Great Barrier Reef and discover tropical Queensland’s terrestrial treasures

Kick off your tropical north Queensland adventures with a stay at Cairns’ arty and innovative newcomer, Bailey, before heading to some of the most remote reaches of the Great Barrier Reef with a liveaboard dive cruise. The four-night expedition cruise provides the opportunity to dive some of the finest sites in the Coral Sea (including wall dives and night dives, from Osprey to Bougainville Reef) and culminates in a low-level scenic flight over the Ribbon Reefs from Lizard Island back to Cairns.
Spend the next three nights relaxing and reminiscing at the Reef House Palm Cove. A full-day private tour of the Tablelands visits waterholes and waterfalls, enjoying lush landscapes and tasty regional produce; whilst a guided walk at Mossman Gorge will introduce you to the local legends of the Dreamtime and the world heritage wonders of the Daintree.
  • Inclusions

    9 nights’ accommodation (4 nights Mike Ball Diving Expedition cruise with meals, selected beverages and equipment, 2 nights Bailey Cairns, 3-nights Reef House Palm Cove) inclusive of daily breakfast and 1 lunch per person. Private full-day tour to Tablelands, Private half-day Mossman Gorge walk. Private transfer Cairns Airport – Bailey, Scenic flight Lizard Island - Cairns, Return private transfers Cairns - Palm Cove.

  • Note

    Mike Ball 4 night Diving Expeditions depart on Thursdays.

Rottnest to Reef

Enjoy city sights and wildlife highlights in Perth, on Rottnest Island, and on the Ningaloo Coast

Begin your West Coast adventures in the sunny capital of Perth, staying at the luxurious and stylish, centrallylocated COMO The Treasury contemporary urban hotel. Explore the city on foot with an engaging local guide to introduce you to Perth’s highlights and hidden gems; and enjoy a day-trip to ‘Perth’s playground’ to take a selfie with one of the friendly local quokkas. Experience Rottnest island’s diverse flora, fauna, history and culture.

Then head north to the Ningaloo Coast to experience the beauty and natural wonders of Australia’s “other” great reef! This World Heritage Listed wonder is one of the world’s largest fringing reefs and showcases a rainbow of coral gardens just metres from the shore. Home to tropical fish, manta-rays and turtles, Ningaloo reef also annually welcomes migrating whale sharks (April to July) and humpback whales (July to October). Depending on the time of your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to dive into the deep with these magnificent gentle giants! Staying at Sal Salis, an eco-wilderness luxury camp nestled in the dunes where the outback meets the reef, you can also enjoy guided gorge walks and kayaking, snorkelling and dark sky stargazing, whilst soaking up the relaxed beachside pleasures of this most unique Australian luxury lodge.

Return to Perth to enjoy a night of urban luxury, staying at Como The Treasury with many of Perth’s best eateries and roof top bars at your doorstep to celebrate your final night in WA.

  • Inclusions

    8 nights’ accommodation (4 nights COMO The Treasury and 4 nights Sal Salis) inclusive of daily breakfast, 5 lunches and 4 dinners, selected beverages and activities at Sal Salis. Small group shared tour to Rottnest Island. Private airport transfers in Perth, Return shared transfers Learmonth Airport-Sal Salis.

  • Note

    Perth – Learmonth return domestic flights are not included included. Sal Salis has a seasonal closure over summer. It re-opens on 1 April, 2022.

We'd love to hear about your dream holiday.
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We'd love to hear about your dream holiday.
  • Expected Travel Date
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

All details provided by you will be held by Southern Crossings and used in accordance with our privacy policy

We'd love to hear about your dream holiday.