Itinerary
- Day 1
Sydney
You'll arrive in Sydney individually and get transported to your hotel. Later in the evening, you'll meet your tour guide and have a welcome drink to get the trip started.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
Sydney
Start the morning at the Botanical Gardens where you can see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from great vantage points. After that, head to Bondi Beach for some time by the water. Then you'll board a boat for a cruise that includes lunch and takes you past Sydney's main sights from the water. The rest of the afternoon is free, so you can either relax at your hotel or wander around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch during boat cruise around Sydney)
Included Activities
- Visit to the Botanical Gardens at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair
- Visit to Bondi Beach
- Boat cruise around Sydney with lunch
Optional Activities
- Self-guided city stroll
- Shopping on Oxford Street
Landmarks Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Royal Botanic Garden Bondi Beach - Day 3
Sydney to Cairns
You'll transfer to Sydney Airport this morning and fly to Cairns. Once you land, check in at your hotel in this tropical destination on Australia's northeastern coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 4
Cairns
This is a full day at the Great Barrier Reef, about 20 km from shore. You'll spend your time snorkeling, diving, and swimming through the colorful underwater world with corals and fish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef snorkeling
- Great Barrier Reef diving
- Great Barrier Reef swimming
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef - Day 5
Cairns to Kuranda to Cairns
You'll take a nostalgic train ride to the town of Kuranda, which is about 60 km away. Once there, walk through town and visit Rainforest Station to learn about Aboriginal history, mythology, and traditional ways of life. For your return trip, you'll go back to Cairns by cable car flying over the rainforests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train ride to Kuranda
- Rainforest Station visit with Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
- Cable car descent over rainforests
Optional Activities
- Self-guided walk through Kuranda
Landmarks Rainforest Station Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - Day 6
Cairns to Darwin
Transfer to Cairns Airport and fly to Darwin, traveling about 20 km to reach your hotel in Australia's Northern Territory capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 7
Darwin to Katherine
Start with a tour of Darwin's city sights. Then you'll head south to Litchfield National Park to see massive termite mounds and waterfalls. You'll stop at Wangi Falls and Florence Falls for photos of the white water against red rocks and green vegetation. After that, you'll pass through the historic gold mining settlement of Pine, which has about 350 residents. The journey covers roughly 500 km, and by evening you'll reach the outback town of Katherine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- City tour of Darwin
- Litchfield National Park visit
- Wangi Falls stop
- Florence Falls stop
- Pine settlement visit
Landmarks Litchfield National Park Wangi Falls Florence Falls - Day 8
Katherine to Kakadu National Park
In the morning, take a boat trip on the Katherine River through Nitmiluk Gorge. From there, continue about 340 km to Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant cultural and natural values covering 20,000 sq km. Check in at your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Katherine River through Nitmiluk Gorge
- Kakadu National Park visit
Landmarks Nitmiluk Gorge Kakadu National Park - Day 9
Kakadu National Park to Darwin
Early on, take a boat trip on Yellow Waters Lagoon where you can see colorful parrots, whistling kites, and possibly saltwater crocodiles. Then visit Nourlangie Rock to see Aboriginal dwellings and rock paintings that are around 20,000 years old. On the way back to Darwin (about 320 km), stop at the Window of the Wetlands for views of water birds and wetlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Yellow Waters Lagoon boat trip
- Nourlangie Rock visit with Aboriginal dwellings and rock paintings
- Window of the Wetlands stop
Landmarks Yellow Waters Lagoon Nourlangie Rock Window of the Wetlands - Day 10
Darwin to Alice Springs
Fly to Alice Springs and visit the historic telegraph station soon after arriving. Then head to the Desert Park about 40 km away to see many endemic animal and bird species in open-air enclosures. Check in at your hotel later in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Telegraph Station visit
- Desert Park visit
Landmarks Telegraph Station Alice Springs Desert Park - Day 11
Alice Springs to Uluru
You'll drive right into the Red Center to reach Uluru (Ayers Rock), a long journey of approximately 500 km but very worthwhile. Circle the monolith in an air-conditioned coach and take short walks to notable spots around the base. Visit the Aboriginal Cultural Center to understand Uluru's spiritual significance for indigenous people. By evening, head to a viewpoint where you'll have sparkling wine and watch the rock change shades of red as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Coach tour around Uluru
- Short walks around Uluru base
- Aboriginal Cultural Center visit
- Sunset viewing at Uluru with sparkling wine
Landmarks Uluru Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Day 12
Uluru to Kings Canyon
Wake up early to watch the sunrise at Uluru as the rock takes on color at dawn. Then drive to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) just 60 km away and take a short hike around the dome-shaped rock formations. Continue on to Watarrka National Park for views of the untamed desert landscape. The full drive covers about 450 km, and you'll arrive at your hotel near Kings Canyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Uluru sunrise viewing
- Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) visit
- Short hike around Kata Tjuta
- Watarrka National Park visit
Landmarks Kata Tjuta Watarrka National Park Kings Canyon - Day 13
Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
You'll spend about 3 hours hiking through Kings Canyon, where you can see its 100 m high rugged cliffs and bright red rocky backdrop. Look for surprisingly lush vegetation in spots where roots find water. After hiking, drive approximately 475 km back to Alice Springs and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn how these doctors keep the remote outback functioning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon 3-hour hike
- Royal Flying Doctor Service visit
Landmarks Kings Canyon Royal Flying Doctor Service - Day 14
Alice Springs to Adelaide
Transfer to the airport and fly to Adelaide. Check in at your hotel in South Australia's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
- Day 15
Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Take a bus south to the coast where a ferry carries you to Kangaroo Island, 13 km offshore. The island is known as a 'zoo without fences' and is great for nature lovers because of its isolated location and wild animal encounters. See sea lions up close at Seal Bay and spot koalas in eucalyptus trees at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Also explore rock formations in Flinders Chase National Park. You'll stay overnight on the island after traveling about 180 km total.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry to Kangaroo Island
- Seal Bay visit
- Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary visit
- Flinders Chase National Park visit
Landmarks Seal Bay Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Flinders Chase National Park 
- Day 16
Kangaroo Island to Mount Gambier
Take the ferry back to the mainland and continue south by coach for about 580 km. You'll pass through the Coonawarra wine region, which is known for Cabernet Sauvignons grown on special 'terra rossa' red clay. End the day in Mount Gambier, built on the slopes of an extinct volcano whose crater now contains a lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry return to mainland
- Coonawarra wine region drive-through
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in Coonawarra region
Landmarks Coonawarra Mount Gambier - Day 17
Mount Gambier to Melbourne
Travel along the Great Ocean Road, one of the most beautiful coastal roads around. You'll see the 12 Apostles standing against the surf and the Loch Ard Gorge from high cliffs. Pass through Colac and Geelong on your way to Melbourne, covering about 510 km total.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Great Ocean Road drive
- 12 Apostles viewing
- Loch Ard Gorge viewing
Landmarks Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Loch Ard Gorge 
- Day 18
Melbourne
In the morning, take a city tour of Melbourne covering historic sights like the neo-Gothic St. Patrick's Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, the old General Post Office with its clock tower, and Parliament House. Have lunch at one of the city's famous restaurants. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own, take a stroll, visit a museum, or go on a boat trip on the Yarra River. If interested, there's an optional excursion to Phillip Island for the penguin parade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City tour of Melbourne
- St. Patrick's Cathedral visit
- Fitzroy Gardens visit
- General Post Office visit
- Parliament House visit
Optional Activities
- Self-guided city stroll
- Museum visit
- Yarra River boat trip
- Optional excursion to Phillip Island penguin parade
Landmarks St. Patrick's Cathedral Fitzroy Gardens General Post Office Parliament House Yarra River Phillip Island - Day 19
Melbourne
The group tour ends after breakfast. You can depart individually or arrange extensions if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tour extension
