Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne
You'll arrive in Melbourne and head straight to your hotel to drop off your bags. After that, the rest of the day is completely yours to wander around at your own pace. It's a good chance to get oriented with your surroundings, grab some food, or just rest up after your travels.
- Start point
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Make your way to the Melbourne hotel, 15:00)
- Day 2
Melbourne
This morning you'll join a half-day small-group tour through Melbourne's inner city, hitting iconic landmarks and cultural spots around town. By early afternoon you're back on your own, so head into the colorful laneways for some exploring. Grab a coffee and check out the dining scene, or wander through the street art and boutique shops at your leisure.
Included Activities
- Half-day small-group tour of Melbourne city sights
- Visit Collins Street Paris-end
- Tour Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sports Precinct
- Visit St Patrick's Cathedral
- Visit Shrine of Remembrance
- Explore Royal Botanic Gardens
- Visit Exhibition Buildings and Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens
Optional Activities
- Explore Melbourne's colorful laneways
- Cafe hopping
- Dining at restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Collins Street (Paris-end) Melbourne Cricket Ground St Patrick's Cathedral Shrine of Remembrance Royal Botanic Gardens Exhibition Buildings Melbourne Museum - Day 3
Melbourne
You're heading out early for a full-day adventure along the Great Ocean Road and Victoria's Surf Coast. You'll stop at Surf Beach and the Memorial Arch, then see the 12 Apostles limestone formations. There's a guided walk through rainforest and you'll finish at London Bridge before the drive back to Melbourne. It's a long but worthwhile day with plenty of coastal scenery and natural formations.
Included Activities
- Full-day Great Ocean Road tour
- Visit Surf Beach
- Visit Memorial Arch
- Koala spotting in the forest
- Guided bush walk through Maits Rest boardwalk in Otway Ranges
- Visit 12 Apostles limestone stacks
- Visit Loch Ard Gorge
- Visit London Bridge arch
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Apollo Bay (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Surf Beach Memorial Arch Maits Rest Otway Ranges Apollo Bay 12 Apostles Loch Ard Gorge London Bridge 
- Day 4
Melbourne to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Check out of your Melbourne hotel this morning and fly to Ayers Rock Airport. After you get settled at your resort, head out late afternoon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for sunset. You'll have barbecue dinner, sparkling wine, and stargazing with Aboriginal sky stories, making for a memorable introduction to the Red Centre.
- Meals
- Dinner (Barbecue dinner with Uluru as backdrop, includes sparkling wine on arrival, variety of meats, freshly prepared salads, and dessert)
Included Activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park tour
- Uluru sunset viewing
- Barbecue dinner with Uluru backdrop
- Stargazing tour with Aboriginal stories
Landmarks/POIs Uluru Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Day 5
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Wake up early for a sunrise tour of Uluru with Aboriginal dreamtime stories shared by local guides. You'll watch the landscape transform as the sun rises from a dune-top viewing area while enjoying hot beverages. Later you'll experience the Field of Light art installation, which transforms the landscape at night with colorful projections.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Tea, coffee or hot chocolate at dune-top viewing area)
Included Activities
- Sunrise tour of Uluru
- Hearing dreamtime stories
- Field of Light art installation tour
- Dune-top viewing area with sunrise views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Landmarks/POIs Uluru Kata Tjuta Field of Light 
- Day 6
Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Cairns
Sleep in this morning since it's a relaxed start to the day. After breakfast, head to the airport for an early afternoon flight to Cairns. Once you arrive, settle into your hotel and spend the evening at your own pace exploring this gateway city to the Great Barrier Reef. There's plenty of dining and shopping along the waterfront if you feel like checking things out.
- Day 7
Cairns
Board the Quicksilver catamaran at Port Douglas Marina and cruise out to Agincourt Reef on the edge of Australia's Continental Shelf. You'll have 3.5 hours to try snorkeling, diving, or take a semi-submersible vessel tour if you'd rather stay dry. Marine biologists are around to answer questions, and there's something for both swimmers and non-swimmers throughout the day.
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef tour and cruise on Quicksilver catamaran
- Cruise to Agincourt Reef from Port Douglas Marina
- Snorkeling with tropical fish
- Access to semi-submersible vessel for reef viewing
- Underwater observatory viewing
- Marine biologist-guided snorkel tour
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving (all equipment provided, first-time divers welcome)
- Ocean Walker helmet-diving
- Scenic helicopter flight
Landmarks/POIs Agincourt Reef Port Douglas Marina Great Barrier Reef Daintree Rainforest 
- Day 8
Cairns
Spend a full day exploring the Daintree Rainforest with guides who know the area well. You'll go crocodile spotting from the river, walk through ancient rainforest trails, and stop for a creek-side barbecue lunch. The day includes visits to scenic lookouts at Cape Tribulation and Alexandra Lookout, giving you great views over the rainforest and coastline.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Morning tea), Lunch (BBQ lunch in Noah Valley rainforest with fresh fish, tropical fruit, and Daintree Tea), Snack (Afternoon refreshment - fruit ice cream from Daintree Ice Cream Company)
Included Activities
- Full-day Daintree Rainforest tour
- Mossman Gorge Centre visit
- Shuttle bus through Mossman Gorge
- Guided walk through Daintree Rainforest
- Daintree River cruise (1 hour) with crocodile spotting
- Noah Valley rainforest creek-side walk
- Cape Tribulation beach walk
- Kulki Lookout visit
- Alexandra Lookout visit
Optional Activities
- Ice cream at Daintree Ice Cream Company
Landmarks/POIs Mossman Gorge Daintree Rainforest Daintree River Noah Valley Cape Tribulation Kulki Lookout Alexandra Lookout 
- Day 9
Cairns to Sydney
Check out of your Cairns hotel and fly to Sydney. After landing and getting to your hotel, spend the evening at leisure exploring Darling Harbour. You can walk around the waterfront, grab dinner at one of the many restaurants, or just get a feel for the area before your full days ahead.
Optional Activities
- Walk around Darling Harbour
- Dining at Darling Harbour restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Darling Harbour 
- Day 10
Sydney
You've got a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass, so you can explore Sydney at your own pace across 2 routes with up to 34 stops. Hit Bondi Beach if you want to see the coastal vibe, check out The Rocks for history and character, or spend time in Darling Harbour. The flexibility means you control where you go and how long you stay at each spot.
Included Activities
- 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass with 2 routes and up to 34 stops
Optional Activities
- Visit Bondi Beach
- Explore The Rocks
- Visit Darling Harbour
Landmarks/POIs Bondi Beach The Rocks Darling Harbour - Day 11
Sydney
Start the day with free time to explore Sydney on your own, then you'll board a Sydney Harbour cruise in the afternoon or late morning. During the cruise you'll enjoy buffet-style barbecue lunch and live commentary about the secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs you'll pass. It's a different way to see the iconic harbour and coastline.
- Meals
- Lunch (Buffet-style barbecue lunch on Sydney Harbour cruise)
Included Activities
- Sydney Harbour cruise with buffet barbecue lunch and live commentary
Optional Activities
- Explore Sydney on your own
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Harbour - Day 12
Sydney to Blue Mountains
Head into the Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site for a full day of scenery and activities. You'll ride the Scenic Cableway and Scenic Railway for unique perspectives, walk through ancient rainforest paths, and stop for lunch with mountain views included. The day finishes at Featherdale wildlife park where you can see native Australian animals up close.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with variety of menu options and mountain views)
Included Activities
- Blue Mountains tour
- Scenic lookout viewing Three Sisters rock formation
- Scenic Cableway ride across cliff span
- Scenic Walkway through ancient rainforest
- Scenic Railway ride (52-degree incline on steepest passenger railway in world)
- Included lunch with mountain views
- Featherdale wildlife park visit
- Opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos
Optional Activities
- View native animals at Featherdale (koalas, echidnas, salt water crocodiles)
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mountains Three Sisters rock formation Scenic World Jamison Valley Featherdale Wildlife Park 
- Day 13
Sydney
Check out of your hotel this morning as your Australian adventure comes to an end. Take time to reflect on everything you've seen and done over the past week or so. If you have a flight today, make sure to allow plenty of time to get to the airport and go through check-in.
