Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Melbourne
Your flight lands in Melbourne and you'll get early check-in arranged at your hotel. After settling in from the long journey, the rest of the day is yours to start getting oriented to the city.
- Day 2
Sydney
You'll go on a sightseeing tour of Sydney's highlights. A panoramic catamaran cruise through Sydney Harbour at lunch gives you a great view, then you'll visit the Opera House.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Panoramic cruise through Sydney Harbour on catamaran)
Included Activities
- Sydney sightseeing tour
- Panoramic cruise through Sydney Harbour on catamaran
- Visit to the Opera House
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour - Day 3
Melbourne
You'll transfer to your hotel in Melbourne and get comfortable after traveling. With 3 nights here, you have time to rest up and start exploring the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 4
Blue Mountains and Wildlife
Morning takes you to Featherdale Wildlife Park where you'll meet hand-tamed kangaroos, emus, and koalas. From there you'll head to the Blue Mountains to experience scenic views of the dramatic landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park
- Wildlife viewing (kangaroos, emus, koalas)
- Blue Mountains sightseeing
Optional Activities
- Wildlife photography at Featherdale Wildlife Park
Landmarks Featherdale Wildlife Park Blue Mountains - Day 5
Sydney Free Time
You have a free day in Sydney to spend as you like. Explore the cultural scene, browse for souvenirs, or relax and take a stroll along Bondi or Manly Beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Sydney's cultural attractions
- Souvenir shopping
- Beach relaxation or stroll at Bondi Beach
- Beach relaxation or stroll at Manly Beach
Landmarks Bondi Beach Manly Beach - Day 6
Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Walpa Gorge
You'll fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and walk through Walpa Gorge with its towering rock walls. Later you'll experience the sunset at Ayers Rock with champagne and nibbles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Ayers Rock
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park visit
- Walpa Gorge walk
- Sunset viewing at Ayers Rock with champagne and nibbles
Landmarks Ayers Rock (Uluru) Walpa Gorge Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Day 7
Ayers Rock Sunrise and Dreamtime Stories
An early start gets you to Ayers Rock for the sunrise. You'll take a tour along the base of the rock to learn about Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and get close to this iconic landmark. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Ayers Rock
- Base tour of Ayers Rock
- Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and interpretation
Landmarks Ayers Rock (Uluru) - Day 8
Kings Canyon
You'll drive to Kings Canyon with a stop along the way to encounter camels on a farm. Then you'll walk along the bottom of Kings Canyon to see its impressive steep walls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Kings Canyon
- Camel farm visit
- Kings Canyon walk along the bottom
Landmarks Kings Canyon - Day 9
Kings Canyon Rim Walk and Alice Springs
This day involves a longer, more challenging hike around Kings Canyon's rim surrounded by brilliant red rock formations. After that you'll drive to Alice Springs for a 2-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon rim hike
Landmarks Kings Canyon - Day 10
Western MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs
You'll explore the Western MacDonnell Ranges, a special habitat for native wildlife and plants. First you'll visit Simpsons Gap to spot rock kangaroos, then walk and rest at Standley Chasm. You'll learn about outback life at the former telegraph station.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Western MacDonnell Ranges sightseeing
- Simpsons Gap visit
- Standley Chasm walk
- Former telegraph station visit and educational program
Landmarks Western MacDonnell Ranges Simpsons Gap Standley Chasm - Day 11
Melbourne and Phillip Island Penguin Parade
You'll take a city tour of Melbourne to explore the cultural and financial center. Later you'll head to Phillip Island to see the nature park and its wildlife. By evening you'll watch the Penguin Parade as little penguins return to their nests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon tea/snack
Included Activities
- Melbourne city tour
- Phillip Island Nature Park visit
- Penguin Parade (evening migration viewing)
- Dwarf penguin and fur seal observation
Landmarks Phillip Island - Day 12
School of the Air and Sydney
The morning includes a visit to the School of the Air where you'll learn about radio communication in the outback. Later you'll fly to Sydney in the afternoon with the evening free to explore the city's restaurant scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- School of the Air visit
Optional Activities
- Sydney restaurant exploration
- Sydney evening activities
- Day 13
Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles
This morning you'll drive along one of the world's most beautiful coastal roads, passing steep cliffs, golden beaches, and unusual rock formations. After lunch in the fishing town of Apollo Bay, you'll head to the Twelve Apostles rock formations rising from the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Great Ocean Road drive
- Twelve Apostles viewing
- Apollo Bay visit
Optional Activities
- Twelve Apostles beach walk
- Twelve Apostles photography
Landmarks Twelve Apostles Apollo Bay - Day 14
Cairns and Kuranda Rainforest
A flight takes you to Cairns, then you'll head to the mountain village of Kuranda in a UNESCO World Heritage rainforest. You can browse the art markets or explore forest trails on your own. The return to Cairns by Skyrail cable car gives you a scenic aerial view of the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Cairns
- Kuranda mountain village visit
- Skyrail cable car ride from Kuranda to Cairns
Optional Activities
- Art market browsing in Kuranda
- Forest trail exploration in Kuranda
Landmarks Kuranda - Day 15
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling
You'll spend the day on the Great Barrier Reef, sailing on a catamaran to Michaelmas Cay. Choose between snorkeling with included equipment or taking a semi-submersible boat ride to explore the world's largest coral reef system.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sailing catamaran to Michaelmas Cay
- Great Barrier Reef snorkeling with equipment included
- Semi-submersible boat ride option on Great Barrier Reef
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef Michaelmas Cay - Day 16
Daintree Rainforest and Aboriginal Rock Art
An off-road vehicle takes you into the Queensland rainforest with light luggage. You'll visit Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park for bird watching and see Aboriginal rock paintings over 20,000 years old. You'll stay overnight at a rainforest lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon tea/snack
Included Activities
- Off-road rainforest safari
- Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park bird watching
- Aboriginal rock paintings viewing (over 20,000 years old)
Landmarks Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park Daintree Rainforest - Day 17
James Cook Museum and Quarantine Beach
This morning you'll learn about explorer James Cook, who first landed on Australia's east coast in 1770. You'll get a photo stop overlooking the Coral Sea and visit the James Cook Museum. The afternoon is yours to relax at Quarantine Beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon tea/snack
Included Activities
- Photo stop overlooking Coral Sea
- James Cook Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Quarantine Beach exploration or relaxation
Landmarks James Cook Museum Quarantine Beach - Day 18
Daintree Rainforest and Return to Cairns
A solar boat ride takes you through the tropical Daintree rainforest where you'll see mangroves, ferns, palms, and possibly saltwater crocodiles. You'll observe native wildlife along the way. Later you'll return to Cairns via Port Douglas with one final night there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Daintree rainforest sightseeing
- Solar boat ride in Daintree National Park
- Native wildlife observation
Landmarks Daintree National Park Port Douglas - Day 19
Return Flight
You'll depart Cairns on your return flight home, ending your Australian adventure.
