Australian Highlights Tour

Day 1

Melbourne

Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After meeting with your tour guide and group, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner in a riverside restaurant. A great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (Dinner with wine included)

Day 2-3

Melbourne

Take in the sights today with a private walking tour through the city – the remainder of the day can be spent as you wish, making the most of Melbourne’s wonderful shops, galleries and cafés. On day 3, explore at leisure with a full day of free time. This amazing city has so much to offer in the form of museums, markets, restaurants and parks.

If you’d like to explore a little further afield, why not take a trip to the famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island where you can watch penguins march along to their nesting sites. Alternatively, you may prefer to take a ride along the Great Ocean Road to discover the coastline and see the Twelve Apostles or visit the Yarra Valley’s wineries.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (Breakfast included both days)

Day 4

Alice Springs

Fly to Alice Springs in the morning and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service upon arrival, to learn how this amazing facility operates to provide safety to people travelling in the outback. Afterwards, visit the School of the Air which provides education to children living in remote areas. This evening go for a Be My Guest home-cooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, listen as they speak about their passion for ecology, astronomy and local culture. You may even get a sing-a-long with the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!

Overnight: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (Breakfast and Be My Guest dinner included)

Day 5

Ayers Rock (Uluru)

Journey through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges, pausing en-route to admire Mt Conner or Atila which is often mistaken for Uluru – you will then arrive at Ayers Rock Resort. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the many facilities at the resort before making your way to the Uluru viewing area to watch the sunset cast various colours over Uluru itself, whilst enjoying canapés and sparkling wine.

Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel (Breakfast included)

Day 6

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Witness Uluru at sunrise before touring the caves at the base and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Afterwards, visit the Uluru Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, travel through the desert plains to reach Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). These 36 behemoth domes are astonishing – take a walk through the Walpa Gorge as you follow the natural creek bed between two of the tallest domes. Afterwards, enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles as you watch the sunset.

Overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel (Breakfast included)

Day 7

Ayers Rock to Cairns

In the morning, spend time with local Aboriginal artists with a fun dot painting workshop, learning about the Anangu culture and how this culture is expressed through artwork and find out the meanings of their totems. You will have the opportunity to complete your own painting as a memento before transfering to the airport for your flight to Cairns later on.

Overnight: Hilton Hotel Cairns (Breakfast included)

Day 8

Cairns

Today can be spent at leisure making the most of Cairns. You may wish to join an optional experience to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to discover the secrets of this ancient culture through theatre, didgeridoo and fire-making demonstrations and the famous Tjapukai dance. Or visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. Alternatively, visit Kuranda the 'village in the rainforest' which includes a scenic railway journey and a ride on the Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest treetops with breathtaking views of the canopy.

Overnight: Hilton Hotel Cairns (Breakfast included)

Day 9

Cairns

Today you will be cruising on a high-speed catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef to view the colourful fish and coral from a semi-submersible vessel. Go snorkelling to get up close to the stunning natural living wonder (equipment provided) or simply enjoy the reef and explore from the semi-submersible craft if you prefer to stay dry (1 metre underwater). Enjoy learning about the tropical surrounding before dining on a tropical buffet lunch aboard the boat. You will return to Cairns later in the afternoon. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant overlooking the Cairns waterfront with your travel companions.

Overnight: Hilton Hotel Cairns (Breakfast, lunch and dinner with wine included)

Day 10

Cairns to Sydney

This afternoon, fly onwards to Sydney where you will spend an evening at leisure - your travel guide will give you recommendations on the best places to eat and after dinner you may fancy a stroll around the famous harbour.

Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast included)

Day 11

Sydney

Enjoy a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House this morning with a local guide before heading to the famous Bondi beach where you can wander along the shore and dip your toes in the refreshing water. Over lunch take the Captain Cook highlight lunch cruise and sail around the glistening harbour whilst you enjoy the seasonal menu. Spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring at your leisure, take a stroll around the harbour front and perhaps watch a performance under the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 12

Sydney

Spend some more time exploring Sydney today at leisure – make the most of your time here with an optional trip to the picturesque Blue Mountains to see the famous Three Sisters rock formation and visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can pat a cuddly koala. You'll get the chance to see some of the amazing animals that Australia have including Kangaroos and crocodiles. Today is also your chance to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge if this is something you wish to do! In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate your trip with your new found friends at a restaurant by the water.

Overnight: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney (Breakfast and farewell dinner included)

Day 13

Sydney

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before making your way to the airport for your onwards flight.

(Breakfast included)