Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive at Melbourne International Airport and head to your hotel to settle in. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Check out the laneways and street art scattered throughout the city, walk through Federation Square, or wander along the Yarra River. If you're interested, visit Queen Victoria Market for local produce and souvenirs, or spend some time in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Optional Activities
- Explore Federation Square
- Stroll along Yarra River
- Visit Queen Victoria Market
- Ride tram to Royal Botanic Gardens
- Ride tram to Melbourne Museum
- Walk through Melbourne laneways and discover street art
Landmarks/POIs Federation Square Queen Victoria Market Royal Botanic Gardens Yarra River Melbourne Museum - Day 2
Melbourne
This morning you'll join a small-group guided tour covering Melbourne's main sites. You'll see Eastern Hill's Treasury and Parliament House, then explore the Golden Mile and Queen Victoria Market. After that, you'll check out Little Italy's coffee scene before visiting the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. The Arts Precinct is next on the itinerary. In the afternoon, head to St Kilda beach with stops at Luna Park and St Kilda Pier for some classic seaside experiences.
Included Activities
- Small-group guided city sights tour
- Visit Eastern Hill including Treasury Building, House of Parliament, and Windsor Hotel
- Explore the Golden Mile
- Visit Queen Victoria Market
- Visit Melbourne's Little Italy
- Visit Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
- Visit Melbourne's Arts Precinct
- Tour Australian Rules Football stadium
- Visit Royal Botanical Gardens with Ornamental Lake stop
- Visit St Kilda including Luna Park, St Kilda Pier, Catani Gardens, and Esplanade Hotel
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Landmarks/POIs Treasury Building Parliament House Windsor Hotel Queen Victoria Market Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens Royal Botanical Gardens Luna Park St Kilda Pier Catani Gardens Esplanade Hotel - Day 3
Melbourne
Today is all about moving at your own pace. Start with brunch at one of the city's charming cafes, then take a leisurely stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Later, check out local markets where you can find unique souvenirs, or wander through Melbourne's laneways to see the vibrant street art and discover hidden spots.
Optional Activities
- Brunch at a local cafe
- Stroll through Royal Botanic Gardens
- Visit local markets for souvenirs
- Explore Melbourne's laneways with street art
Landmarks/POIs Royal Botanic Gardens - Day 4
Sydney
You'll travel from Melbourne to Sydney today. After you arrive and check into your hotel, the rest of the day is open for exploring on your own. Sydney has plenty to see, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and beaches like Bondi. Wander around the city at your leisure to find museums, restaurants, and get a feel for the vibrant local atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Visit Sydney Opera House
- Visit Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Visit St Mary's Cathedral
- Visit Royal Botanic Gardens
- Visit Bondi Beach
- Explore Blue Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge St Mary's Cathedral Royal Botanic Gardens Bondi Beach - Day 5
Sydney
You'll join a half-day panoramic city tour this morning. Start in the historic Rocks area to learn about its convict history, then move through the CBD and Macquarie Street to see the 18th-century sandstone architecture. From there, head to Mrs. Macquarie's Point for the classic Opera House and Harbour Bridge views. The tour continues through the Eastern Suburbs to Watsons Bay where you'll take a short coastal walk. You'll spend about 30 minutes at Bondi Beach, then explore Tamarama and Bronte beaches. After that, you'll return via Centennial Park and trendy Paddington, finishing at Darling Harbour.
Included Activities
- Panoramic Sydney half-day city sights tour
- Visit the historic Rocks area
- Explore the CBD and Macquarie Street
- View NSW Parliament House, Rum Hospital, Hyde Park Barracks, and St Mary's Cathedral
- Visit Mrs. Macquarie's Point for Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge views
- Pass through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
- Short coastal walk at Watsons Bay
- Visit Bondi Beach
- Visit Tamarama Beach
- Visit Bronte Beach
- Pass through Centennial Park and Paddington
- Hotel pickup
- Drop-off at Circular Quay or Darling Harbour
Optional Activities
- Coffee or cool drink at Bondi Beach (at own cost)
Landmarks/POIs The Rocks NSW Parliament House Rum Hospital Hyde Park Barracks St Mary's Cathedral Mrs. Macquarie's Point Watsons Bay Bondi Beach Tamarama Beach Bronte Beach Centennial Park Paddington Darling Harbour Circular Quay - Day 6
Blue Mountains
Today you'll start your self-drive adventure from Sydney heading to the Blue Mountains. This mountainous region sits west of Sydney as part of the Great Dividing Range, featuring dramatic cliffs and eucalyptus-covered slopes that make for scenic driving and plenty of spots to stop and take in the landscape.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Blue Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mountains - Day 7
Pokolbin
You'll drive to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley wine region today. This rural area is the heart of the Lower Hunter Valley, home to numerous wineries where you can taste local wines. You can also visit the Hunter Valley Gardens, check out Potters Brewery microbrewery, or tackle the Great North Walk extension if you're in the mood for scenic hiking.
Optional Activities
- Visit local wineries
- Explore Hunter Valley Gardens
- Visit Potters Brewery
- Walk Great North Walk extension
Landmarks/POIs Hunter Valley Gardens Potters Brewery Great North Walk - Day 8
Port Macquarie
The drive takes you to Port Macquarie on the NSW coast. Stop at Billabong Zoo to see the new Africa Exhibit with its cheetahs and lion cubs. You can also explore Port Macquarie's family-friendly wineries or head to one of the excellent fishing spots along the coast if that appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Visit Billabong Zoo
- Visit Port Macquarie wineries
- Fishing at Port Macquarie
Landmarks/POIs Billabong Zoo - Day 9
Byron Bay
You'll journey to Byron Bay, a coastal destination known for its natural beauty and laid-back vibe. You can explore the lush hinterland and pristine beaches, visit vibrant markets, and check out the local music scene. The organic food scene here is excellent, and if you're a surfer, the waters are ideal. There are also yoga retreats and trendy shops to browse, so you can relax or stay active depending on what you're in the mood for.
Optional Activities
- Explore Byron Bay beaches
- Visit local markets
- Surfing
- Yoga retreats
- Explore hinterland
Landmarks/POIs Byron Bay - Day 10
Byron Bay
Today you'll take a 3-hour guided kayak tour out to Australia's most easterly point in the Cape Bay Marine Park. You'll paddle alongside wild bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, and three species of sea turtles. Expert surf lifesavers will share knowledge about local history, aboriginal culture, and marine biology throughout the journey. The tour ends with surfing your kayak back to shore for an active finish to the experience.
Included Activities
- Guided kayak tour to Cape Bay Marine Park
- Kayak equipment
- Guide services
- Lockers
- Drinks
Landmarks/POIs Cape Bay Marine Park - Day 11
Gold Coast
You'll travel to the Gold Coast and board a 2-hour sightseeing lunch cruise on the Spirit of Elston across the Gold Coast waterways and Broadwater. Along the way, you'll see famous landmarks like mansions, Sea World, Marina Mirage, and Palazzo Versace. Lunch is a tropical buffet featuring fresh local prawns, and there's a fully licensed bar on board.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tropical buffet lunch on Spirit of Elston featuring ocean king prawns, maple-glazed baked ham, roasted chicken, garden salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, coleslaw, damper bread rolls, seasonal melons, tropical fruits, and pavlova)
Included Activities
- 2-hour sightseeing lunch cruise on Gold Coast Broadwater
- Tropical buffet lunch featuring ocean king prawns
- Spacious modern vessel with air-conditioned dining deck and open-top sundeck
- Entertaining informative commentary
- Fully licensed bar with local wines, craft beers, and cocktails
- Complimentary activity pack for kids
Landmarks/POIs Sea World Marina Mirage Palazzo Versace - Day 12
Cairns
Today you'll transfer to Cairns, a tropical regional city in far north Queensland founded in 1876. This is your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland. There's plenty to explore, including Centenary Lakes with its rainforest boardwalk, City Botanic Gardens, Lake Placid, and scenic northern beaches like Trinity Beach and Palm Cove.
Optional Activities
- Visit Centenary Lakes
- Explore City Botanic Gardens
- Visit Lake Placid
- Visit Mount Whitfield Conservation Park
- Explore northern beaches including Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach, and Clifton Beach
- Visit Smithfield Conservation Park
- Visit Great Barrier Reef
- Visit Copperlode Dam
- Explore Atherton Tablelands
- Visit Daintree Rainforest
- Visit Cairns Regional Gallery
- Visit Cairns Museum
Landmarks/POIs Centenary Lakes City Botanic Gardens Lake Placid Mount Whitfield Conservation Park Trinity Beach Palm Cove Smithfield Conservation Park Cairns Regional Gallery Cairns Museum - Day 13
Great Barrier Reef - Fitzroy Island
You'll take a full-day Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island tour today. Departure is at 8:00am for a 1.5-hour journey to Moore Reef Pontoon. You'll spend approximately 2 hours snorkeling with complimentary access to a waterslide, glass-bottom boat, and fish feeding. After that, you'll travel to Fitzroy Island for lunch and 3 hours exploring the tropical paradise with pristine beaches and rainforest walks.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tropical buffet lunch at Fitzroy Island)
Included Activities
- Transport on air-conditioned catamaran to Moore Reef Pontoon
- 2 hours of reef time at Moore Reef Pontoon
- Complimentary snorkelling equipment and expert instruction
- Complimentary tea and coffee on boarding and while at the reef
- Sunlover waterslide access
- Glass-bottom boat tours
- Snorkelling rest stations
- Enclosed ocean pool for children
- Semi-submersible tours (subject to wind conditions)
- Marine naturalist presentation
- Underwater observatory
- Fish feeding presentation
- Upper-level sun deck
- Full bar facilities
- Freshwater showers and change rooms on Moore Reef pontoon
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Transport to Fitzroy Island
- 3 hours island time including lunch
- All snorkelling equipment at Fitzroy Island
- Access to self-guided National Park walks and pristine beaches at Fitzroy Island
- Tropical buffet lunch
Optional Activities
- Guided Snorkel Safari at Moore Reef Pontoon (35 minutes, minimum age 5 years, maximum 6 guests per tour)
- Seawalker Helmet Dive at Moore Reef Pontoon (20 minutes, minimum age 12 years, maximum 7 per tour)
Landmarks/POIs Moore Reef Pontoon Fitzroy Island Great Barrier Reef - Day 14
Cairns
Start your day with a hot Aussie breakfast while spending time with a cute koala at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. You'll see crocodiles up close on a boat cruise and view kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, cassowaries, and quolls throughout the day. The facility offers entertaining and educational wildlife presentations. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included in your experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with a koala at Hartley's Crocodile Park)
Included Activities
- Breakfast with a koala and keeper at Hartley's Crocodile Park
- Boat cruise on Hartley's Lagoon to watch crocodiles feeding
- Entrance ticket to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Wildlife presentations
Optional Activities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Landmarks/POIs Hartley's Crocodile Adventures - Day 15
Cairns Airport
On your final day, you'll have a smooth transfer from your Cairns hotel to the airport. As you depart, you'll have time to reflect on your journey through Australia, thinking back on the Great Barrier Reef, lush rainforests, and all the adventures you've had along the way.
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to Cairns Airport
