Australian Highlights Tour
12 nights from £2,749 per person
- Included:
- Accommodation
- In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
- Internal travel
- 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners
- Sights and excursions
- Tour guide throughout
Overview
This Australian Highlights 13-day escorted tour takes you on a fun and fascinating journey to some of the most famous names, including the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Ayers Rock and the colourful laneways of Melbourne. Learn from the wisdom of local guides, immerse yourself in cultures past and present, and witness some of the most inspiring vistas to be found in this vast and varied country. (AA - IMSE)
Highlights:
- Begin your trip in Melbourne with a unique dining experience aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
- Have the option to experience the Great Ocean Road and the wonderful Twelve Apostles
- Savour a unique Aussie BBQ experience at the Earth Sanctuary
- Visit Alice Springs to learn about life in the Outback
- Witness the striking colours as the sun rises and later sets over Uluru
- Interact with local Aboriginal artists & create your own painting masterpiece
- Cruise and go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef
- Spend some free time exploring Cairns at leisure
- Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean at famous Bondi beach
- See the sights in Sydney including a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House and a lunch cruise on Sydney harbour
Details
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 aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, roaming the streets of the city while you enjoy silver service dining with seasonal dishes and local beers and wine. 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/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 the Dundee Restaurant with your travel companions, overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
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: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney (Breakfast included)
Day 11
Sydney
A day of sightseeing the city awaits! Take a guided tour of the iconic interest points throughout the city 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: Sofitel Wentworth 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: Sofitel Wentoworth Hotel Sydney (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 13
Sydney
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before making your way to the airport for your onwards flight.
(Breakfast included)
- Internal Coach & Cruise travel
- Hotels (12 nights)
- 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners included
- Indulge in a unique dining experience on board Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant; BBQ experience at Earth Sanctuary; Visit Uluru at sunset with canapés and wine; Witness a Red Centre sunrise; Discover aboriginal art and learn the sacred sites of Uluru; Explore Kata Tjuta and hike through Walpa Gorge; Interact with local Aboriginal artists and create your own masterpiece, Cruise and snorkel on Great Barrier Reef with a tropical lunch; Guided tour of Sydney Opera House, visit Bondi Beach,
- Tour guide throughout and local guides
Please note - International flights and domestic flights throughout Australia are not included in the price shown
2018 Local Departure Dates: 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 16 Dec
2019 Local Departure Dates: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 14 Apr, 2 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Sep, 15 Sep, 29 Sep, 13 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 15 Dec
